Post by David on Jun 25, 2016 14:25:27 GMT -8
(image courtesy of Larry Brunt)
6.25.16 -
Spokane Chiefs forward Hudson Elynuik received some great news today, finding out that he had been selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 3rd Round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Elynuik (6'5'', 201 lbs), was selected as the 74th overall player in the 2016 Draft. The 18-year-old from Calgary had a breakout season for the Chiefs in 2015-16, playing in 56 games and scored a career high 19 goals, 25 assists and a +9 rating. In the playoffs, he scored 3 goals in 6 games.
He missed a good chunk of the early season due to a foot injury, but upon his return in early January, he recorded at least a point in 17 of 20 games, including a streak of 10 consecutive games with a point.
In the Chiefs' press release announcing Elynuik's drafting by the Hurricanes, he said, “We were sitting around the TV watching and my dad said ‘Hudson I think they called your name.’ A couple seconds later we saw it on the screen... I’ve never been to Carolina but I’ve watched them play in Calgary."
He then took to Twitter to express his gratitude for being drafted.
Elynuik is entering his 4th season with the Spokane Chiefs. Originally a product of the Kootenay ICE, Elynuik was traded to the Chiefs during the 2013-14 season in exchange for defenceman Tyler King.
Upon the Hurricanes' selection, Tony MacDonald, the team's Director of Amateur Scouting, said of Elynuik, "He's a big kid. He's a '97 and had some injury problems. All of that is behind him. He's a big guy who can skate, and he's got a little edge to his game. His offensive dimension is evolving and developing as he goes...Players like that with that kind of size, who can skate and have some physicality to their game are always a nice addition to our stable of forwards."
Elynuik won't be the only former Spokane Chief involved the Hurricanes organization. Their head coach, Bill Peters, coached the Chiefs from 2005-2008, including a Memorial Cup Championship in 2008. The Hurricanes also have ex-Chief and Spokane native Derek Ryan on their roster, who played from 2003-2007, which included 2 seasons under Peters. In 6 games this season, Ryan 2 goals in 6 games.
A little family history also goes a long way. Elynuik's father, Pat, a WHL product with the Prince Albert Raiders, was an 8th overall pick in the 1986 draft by the Winnipeg Jets (later the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes). Pat played in 500 games NHL games from 1986-1996, scoring 154 goals and 188 assists for a total of 342 points for the Jets, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Ottawa Senators.
Elynuik was one of 34 WHL Players to be selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, 4 of which were first round picks.
- DKH
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