Here we’ve put together a collection of scouting reports and highlights of newly drafted defenceman, Evan Bouchard. The Edmonton Oilers selected Bouchard with the 10th overall pick despite being ranked higher on many lists and rankings, potentially finding a solution to a longstanding hole on the depth chart.
BIO:
Born: Oct 20th, 1999 — City: Oakville, Ontario
Height: 6 feet 2 inches — Weight: 193 lbs [188 cm/88 kg]
SCOUTING REPORTS
“I’ve been saying all week that one of the consensus top nine prospects will be left on the board for the Oilers. Today it’s Evan Bouchard. Bouchard put up 87 points in 67 games with the London Knights, which are incredible numbers for a draft eligible defenseman. Bob McKenzie described him as the best passer in the draft. Craig Button compares him to John Carlson. The Oilers should run to the podium if Bouchard is still available at ten. When meeting with the media on Thursday Bouchard did not hesitate to say that he thinks he’s NHL ready. His numbers in the OHL would back that up, plus he already has three seasons in the OHL under his belt. I’m not saying pencil him into the line up this year but I am saying he’d probably be ready to play top-four minutes in the 2019-20 campaign.” -Dustin Nielson, Mock Draft at ON
“A highly intelligent all-around defenceman that plays with poise and can shift the pace of play in a multitude of ways. Showcases smooth four-way skating ability and loves to get involved in all situations – especially when that situation happens to be an up-ice rush. Has a polished offensive skill-set which includes well-timed passes and a sneaky, erratic shot. Goes with the high percentage play and makes smart decisions. Could work on strength behind his shot. Defensively active, cutting off lanes and always staying in excellent positioning. Reads cues well in all three zones and seems to stay a step ahead. All-in-all, a well-rounded defender with great hockey sense and work ethic.” Curtis Joe – Elite Prospects
“A highly intelligent defenseman with exceptional vision and offensive instincts. He reads the play very well and his passing ability allows him to be a constant threat in his team’s transition game. He’s one of the top offensive defensemen in the Canadian Hockey League and magician-like when quarterbacking the power play.” –Source: NHL Central Scouting
“Big (6-2, 193), strong, skilled right-shot defensemen are a rare commodity, and Bouchard dominated at each end of the ice this season.” –Adam Kimelman – NHL.com
“Bouchard tied for seventh in the OHL with 87 points (25 goals, 62 assists), the first defenseman to finish among the top 10 scorers in the OHL since Windsor’s Ryan Ellis (Nashville Predators) was tied for fourth with 101 points in 2010-11.” –Mike Morreale – NHL.com
“You won’t get a lot of flash and dash but he’s smart, efficient, competitive and makes the game look easy.” –Craig Button – TSN
“He thinks the game well well, shoots the puck a ton and is as strong as an ox, which will allow him to log big minutes down the road.” –Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet
“Bouchard, who this season was the OHL’s top-scoring defenseman and carried London’s gutted roster for almost three-quarters of the season. He is a one-man breakout with a howitzer for a shot, plus he has the size (6’2, 190) and reaches to make up for foot speed that appears average at best.” –Steve Kournianos – SportingNews
“A strong puck-moving defender who took on all the tough minutes on a depleted Knights’ squad. Runs the power play with precision, uses his big shot with impunity and finds a way onto the scoresheet most nights.” –Cam Robinson – DobberProspects
PRE-DRAFT RANKINGS
- Ranked #7 by Bob McKenzie at TSN
- Ranked #10 by HockeyProspect.com
- Ranked #8 by Future Considerations
- Ranked #6 by ISS Hockey
- Ranked #7 by McKeen’s Hockey
- Ranked #4 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
- Ranked #7 by Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News
VIDEO AND HIGHLIGHTS
NHL Combine Interview:
Bouchard’s selection on Sportsnet:
Post Draft Interview:
Highlight pack from the 2017-18 season:
SEASON STATS
Evan Bouchard was 2nd in Shots on Goal last season.
No. Not for his team – for the OHL
No. Not for Defensemen – for all players
— Matt Henderson (@Archaeologuy) June 23, 2018
| Season | TEAM | LGE | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- | PGP | G | A | TP | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | Oakville Rangers Minor Midget AAA “A” | SCTAMM | 35 | 18 | 13 | 31 | 46 | |||||||
| Oakville Blades | OJHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2015-16 | London Knights | OHL | 43 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 24 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Canada White U17 | WHC-17 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||
| 2016-17 | London Knights | OHL | 68 | 11 | 33 | 44 | 24 | 30 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| 2017-18 | London Knights “C” | OHL | 67 | 25 | 62 | 87 | 54 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | -5 |
TOURNAMENT STATS
| Season | Team | LGE | GP | G | A | TP | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | Oakville Rangers Minor Mdgt AAA “A” | OHL Cup | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| Team OMHA White | OGC-16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 6 | |
| 2015-16 | Team White | U17-Dev | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016-17 | Canada U18 | Hlinka Memorial | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
CAREER STATS
| LEAGUE | GP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM | +/- | PGP | G | A | TP | PPG | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hlinka Memorial | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| OGC-16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 2.20 | 6 | 0 | |||||||
| OHL | 178 | 38 | 110 | 148 | 0.83 | 102 | 68 | 28 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 0.50 | 14 | 2 |
| OHL Cup | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.33 | 14 | 0 | |||||||
| OJHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| SCTAMM | 35 | 18 | 13 | 31 | 0.89 | 46 | 0 | |||||||
| U17-Dev | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1.00 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| WHC-17 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1.00 | 4 | 0 |
Stats provided by Elite Prospects
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Best possible scenario for the Oil actually happened!
Booooooooooooosh
I wanted Wahlstrom but I’m happy with Bouchard and I’m not gonna elaborate on it any more as I have in other articles but one thing I would like to mention is I get the sense that people want this guy to step right in and be the fixture right away and I prefer not to rush him.
I think time will tell who got the best player of the three. I don’t think the islanders will be missing the playoffs 3 years from now with the haul they got though.
Since he’s got a ‘99 birthday, and played 3 years in the OHL already, is he eligible for the AHL?
Really don’t want the Oilers to rush another pick.
Not eligible for the AHL until after next season I believe. He shouldn’t be put in the line-up, even if he does well in camp. No need to rush him. Send him back to London, let him play in the WJHC’s.
Watching the post-draft interview, it’s clear that Bouchard is very well-spoken. Impressive poise.
I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams being able to pick form all 3 of Bouchard, Wahlstrom and Dobson at ten. When Hayton was picked at 5 I knew stuff was gonna go down. The 3 players were so close that it is hard to say who got the best player of the three, time will tell. I am happy. Drafting is done, now for Develop, park him for a year or two and let him grow. Bring on the 2nd round.
And no overpay trade for an offensive D man.
Love him already. What an intelligent young man. Excited to have him on our team.
Patience and building through the draft is the way to go. For Bouchard to fall into place like that was perfect. Too many times the BPA didn’t play the right position based on our needs in previous drafts.
Im sure the oilers will give this kid whatever he can handle the rest will be up to him . I cant help but think this kids the real thing.
I’m so relieved that this scenario played out. I was worried the #10 was gone for a 3rd pair rhd.
What a calm, cool, and collected guy. Mature. Looks 25 already. Don’t rush prospects, but this Guy rushes himself. He said he wants To be NHL ready. Good heart. Team captain. 97 just got his passer and point man.