The Minnesota Wild selected eight players during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft Friday and Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, including seven players during rounds two-seven today. Minnesota finished the Draft having selected six forwards and two defensemen, including four Canadians, two players from Sweden, one American and one player from Russia. For more information, visit wild.com/DraftCentral.
Minnesota selected defenseman Filip Johansson, 24th overall, during the Draft's first round Friday night. The 18-year-old (3/23/00), spent the majority of 2017-18 with Leksand in the Swedish Junior League, totaling nine points (4-5=9) and 12 penalty minutes (PIM) in 29 games. The native of Vasteras, Sweden, also added one goal and four PIM in 23 games with Leksand's second-tier club, and seven points (3-4=7) and eight PIM in six games with Leksand's Under-18 program. The 6-foot-1, 176-pound blueliner helped Sweden claim bronze medals at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, totaling two points (1-1=2) and two PIM in seven games, and the 2018 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, posting four points (1-3=4) and four PIM in five games.
"Filip is a smart defenseman with very good mobility," said Brent Flahr, Wild Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations. "He moves the puck very well in transition and plays the game with a lot of poise."
Minnesota began Saturday by selecting forward Jack McBain in the third round with the 63rd overall selection. The 18-year-old (1/6/00) totaled 58 points (21-37=58) and 74 PIM in 48 games with Toronto in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), earning the OJHL Top Prospect Award and being named to the OJHL All-Prospect First Team. The 6-foot-3, 201-pound native of Toronto, Ont., helped Canada capture a gold medal at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, a silver medal at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, tied for the tournament lead with six points (2-4=6) in four games at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge, and represented Canada at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championship. The son of former NHL player Andrew McBain, Jack is committed to play for Boston College in 2018-19.
"Jack is a good-sized forward with quality instincts around the net," said Flahr. "He possesses a quick release and touch around the net. He's going to a school [committed to Boston College in 2018-19] that has produced and developed some quality power forwards over the years."
The Wild selected forward Alexander Khovanov with the 86th overall selection in the third round. The 18-year-old (4/12/00) native of Saratov, Russia, played his first season of North American hockey in 2017-18, totaling 28 points (9-19=28) and 36 PIM in 29 games with Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and adding seven points (3-4=7) in 12 playoff games to lead all Moncton rookie in postseason scoring. The 5-foot-10, 198-pound forward represented Russia at the 2018 Five Nations Under-18 Tournament, totaling two assists in four games, and posted seven points (5-2=7) in five games to help Russia claim bronze at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
"Alexander is a skilled center that missed the first part of the season due to illness," said Flahr. "He has quality puck skills, vision, and playmaking ability."
Minnesota used its third pick of the third round to select forward Connor Dewar, three days shy of his 19th birthday (6/26/99), with the 92nd overall selection. The 5-foot-10, 177-pound native Gilbert Plains, Man., totaled 68 points (38-30=68) and 47 PIM in 68 games with Everett of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2017-18. His 38 goals led Everett and ranked 20th amongst all WHL players. The 18-year-old has totaled 116 points (63-53=116) and 108 PIM in 211 games during three seasons with Everett (2015-18).
"Connor is a hard-working winger that plays with energy each shift and has a nose for the net," said Flahr.
The Wild started its fifth round by picking defenseman Simon Johansson with the 148th overall selection. The 19-year-old (6/14/99) native of Stockholm, Sweden, totaled 36 points (16-20=36) and 20 PIM in 43 games with Djurgardens in the Swedish Junior League, adding one goal in eight games with Djurgardens in the Swedish Elite League in 2017-18. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound blueliner also recorded six points (5-1=6) and four PIM in four games with Sweden's Under-20 club at the 2018 Five Nations Tournament.
"Simon is a late bloomer but a good-sized defenseman that competes hard and brings an offensive dimension," said Flahr. "He belongs to a good program in Djurgardens and we look forward to watching his development."
Minnesota selected forward Damien Giroux in the fifth round with the 155th overall selection. The 18-year-old (3/3/00) native of Sudbury, Ont., posted 43 points (19-24=43) and 18 PIM in 68 games with Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2017-18, ranking T-3rd on the club in assists and fourth in goals. The 5-foot-9, 177-pound center posted 25 points (8-17=25) and 21 PIM in 53 games during his first season with Saginaw in 2016-17.
"Damien is a hard worker and competitive," said Andrew Brunette, Wild Assistant General Manager. "He has good skills with a good engine, great leadership qualities and a very good head for the game."
The Wild used its sixth-round pick to select forward Shawn Boudrias at the 179th overall position. The 6-foot-4, 197-pound winger posted 60 points (28-32=60) and 51 PIM in 60 games for Gatineau (QMJHL) in 2017-18, leading the club in goals, assists and points. The 18-year-old (9/14/99) native of Terrebonne, Que., has totaled 101 points (49-52=101) and 73 PIM in 171 games during three seasons in the QMJHL with Charlottetown (2015-17) and Gatineau (2016-18).
"Shawn is a big power forward with a quality shot," said Flahr. "He plays a north-south game and likes to be around the net."
Minnesota finished the event by selecting forward Sam Hentges with the 210th overall selection in the seventh round. The 18-year-old (7/26/99) native of Fridley, Minn., totaled 18 points (8-10=18) and 33 PIM in 23 games in the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2017-18, splitting the season between Des Moines and Tri-City. The 6-foot, 175-pound center totaled 103 points (46-57=103) and 69 PIM in three seasons with Totino-Grace High School (2014-17). He is committed to play at St. Cloud State University in 2018-19.
"Sam was unfortunately injured for a large part of the season, but our scouts feel that he has the skill level needed to excel at higher levels," said Flahr.