By Thomas Williams -
The Minnesota Wild made a controversial pick with their first-round selection of the 2023 NHL Draft. Instead of high-scoring winger Gabe Perrault, or gutsy forward Quentin Musty, or translatable center Calum Ritchie -- you get where we're going with this -- they drafted the very large center, Charlie Stramel.
Stramel was coming off a season with just 12 points in 33 games for the University of Wisconsin for his draft year, so it was a shocking pick. In his season after he was drafted, he actually scored fewer points, with just eight in 34 games for Wisconsin. This caused him to enter the transfer portal and is now heading to Michigan State.
Hopefully we get to see more from the 6-foot-3 center in a new environment, but regardless, Wild director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett sat down with The Athletic and gave a quick rundown of their impression of Stramel and what they hope for him in the upcoming season.
Quote
On where 2023 draft pick Charlie Stramel is one year later
I’m really excited for Charlie’s upcoming year. I’m not a huge fan of the portal in college. But I think Charlie’s situation is exactly what it’s for. Someone who was committed to a different coaching staff. The opportunity, the situation, changed. And he’s had the ability to make a decision, which is great for him. He’ll play for his former coach, so immediately there’s trust and confidence, and with that comes opportunity. I’m really excited.He has to go do it. This isn’t all about what he didn’t get. He has to go out and do it. I’m excited for him. I think he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder and is excited for what this year looks like. He’s faced some challenges early; some guys face it later. Development isn’t linear. He’s had some emotional challenges, he’s had some physical challenges this year. Now, how do we overcome all those and still become the guy we envisioned? We believe. He’s got our full support, and we’re really excited for this year.
On where Brackett sees Stramel on an NHL roster eventually
The first thing that comes to mind is the physical nature of him. It’s not just the size and the strength but his mobility. He’s got to be abrasive, he’s got to be playing hard downhill on the forecheck. Charlie’s game has never been about stats — he’s a point-per-game player. But he’s abrasive. He’s hard to play against. He’s an effective penalty killer. Those are hard to find, especially in a 6-foot-3, 225-pound package that moves the way he does. You go back to last year, he did really well at the combine. He’s not just a big body. He’s an athletic body. It’s size, it’s strength, it’s compete. It’s been abrasive. It really fits the identity that Guerin has built here in Minnesota.
That's Wild
- You can read the full discussion with Judd Brackett, as he goes over a whole lot of topics just weeks before the 2024 NHL Draft, here: [The Athletic]
- Some tough choices lay ahead for the Wild this summer. [Daily Faceoff]
Off the trail...
- The Florida Panthers are just one win away from winning the Stanley Cup after beating the Oilers on their own home turf for Game 3. Imagine if they sweep them... [ESPN]
- Utah has unveiled its NHL jerseys, logo, and everything else visual for the inaugural season. [Sportsnet]
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