2024 NHL Draft Preview – Giants to Watch
Langley, BC – The Sphere in Las Vegas is the home of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in just two days time – which will be the final NHL draft to feature representatives from all 32 teams on the draft floor.
That’s because starting in 2025, the draft will be decentralized, with most team staff staying in their home markets. That means the 2024 draft – which takes place June 28 and 29 – could be dramatic, especially because it will be the first sports event and first live television broadcast at the world-famous venue.
Here’s a look at the Giants that could be selected by NHL clubs this weekend.
Colton Roberts
Roberts is the highest listed Giant on NHL Central Scouting’s Final List for the draft, ranked 36th amongst North American skaters.
The 2006-born defenceman from Maple Ridge, B.C finished second in points among Giants blueliners in 2023-24 with 27 points in 62 games, including seven goals. His 27 points were fifth among all WHL defencemen age 17 or younger.
The 6-foot-4, 204 lb. defender was a standout at the 2024 NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game in January, where he registered a pair of primary assists and four shots on goal to help Team Red defeat Team White 3-1. Roberts also showed well at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo from June 2-8, finishing top-15 out of 100 players in four events and top-25 in six events.
Roberts takes part in on-ice testing at the 2024 CHL Top Prospects Game in January, 2024.
Below is Roberts’ Scouting Profile, according to NHL Central Scouting, which provided reports on the Top-100 prospects:
“A big, right shot, skating, puck moving defenseman that has made significant strides this season and has a big upside. He has the size, reach and physical assets to finish his checks and to defend effectively and with a purpose. He plays big minutes on the top pairing and is utilized in all situations. Plays the top on the power play or as a shooter, moves the puck around quickly and efficiently to make plays. Makes the good first outlet pass, connects with the long stretch pass and joins the rush smartly where he can also beat attackers with his puck skills and skating.”
Additionally, Roberts was ranked in the top-100 on eight different draft rankings, as outlined below:
| Name of Publication/Ranking | Author | Where Roberts Ranks |
| NHL Central Scouting | N/A | 36 (N.A. Skaters) |
| The Hockey Writers | Peter Baracchini | 49 |
| The Hockey News | Ryan Kennedy | 59 |
| FLOHockey | Chris Peters | 75 |
| Elite Prospects | Multiple Authors | 79 |
| TSN | Bob McKenzie (consensus ranking) | 84 |
| The Athletic | Scott Wheeler | 91 |
| Daily Faceoff | Steven Ellis | 98 |
Tyler Thorpe
Thorpe’s hot start to the 2023-24 season (seven goals in his first five games) got him listed by NHL Central Scouting back in October, and his transformation into a legitimate goal scoring threat kept him there all season long, despite it being his second year of draft eligibility. The right-shot forward was ranked 111th amongst North American skaters on the final list.
The Richmond, B.C native missed the final 17 games of the season with an injury, yet still finished T-4th in goals among all Giants with 23 tallies and 44 points in 51 games. He also scored two shorthanded goals this past season.
Thorpe in road action against the Seattle Thunderbirds in December of 2023 (Liz Wolter).
Below is an excerpt from Elite Prospects scouting profile on Thorpe, which ranked him as a ‘C’ prospect:
“Sub-point-per-game re-entry forwards don’t usually draw much attention, but Tyler Thorpe’s unique. The 6-foot-5 winger has an NHL work rate and shot, along with improving skills. It’s uncommon to see a player of Thorpe’s stature shoot in motion and off-the-catch with such impressive form. His hands always stay in front of his body and he really elevates his top arm to put his full body weight behind the net. He also has a knack for deflections bolstered by between-checks positioning.”
Corey Pronman from the Athletic also ranked Thorpe 116th overall in his final rankings for the Draft, stating that he ‘is a big winger who plays hard. He has a good shot from range, and displays strong instances of puck skills.’
Adam Titlbach
Titlbach just fell short on NHL Central Scouting’s Final List for the draft, after being ranked 223rd amongst North American skaters on the mid-term list in January.
The native of Litvinov, Czechia registered nine goals and 30 points for the Giants in his first season in North America in 2023-24. His numbers did get better as the season went on, with 15 points in his final 23 games (4G-11A), after producing 15 points in his first 43 games of the year (5G-10A).
Titlbach skates in WHL playoff action at the LEC in April 2024 (Rob Wilton).
Below is an excerpt from Elite Prospects scouting profile on Titlbach:
“Titlbach weaves through traffic, attacks space, draws defenders, and exploits gaps by taking the middle. His functional pace – the speed at which he handles the puck and makes plays – is well-above-average. Inside space, especially at the top of the offensive zone, he manipulates defenders and finds the cross-slot pass.”
Marek Howell
Howell was listed on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Player’s to Watch List for the draft, but failed to made the cut for the mid-term and final rankings. But that doesn’t mean the 6-foot-3, 200 lb. left-shot defenceman hasn’t drawn draft interest.
The Calgary product got much better as the season wore on, finishing his first season in Langley with 12 points in 61 games (all assists). After starting with just one assist in his first 24 games, Howell put up 11 points in the final 37 games of the year. Granted, Howell’s game is not about offensive production. In the first 26 games of the season, Howell had a -11 +/- rating. In the final 35 games, he was +16.
Howell skates in WHL post-season action in Everett in April 2024 (Evan Morud).
Below is an excerpt from one of FC Hockey’s scouting reports on Howell:
“There is much to like about the predictability of Howell’s individual skill set. He’s big, rangy, strong, and reacts quickly to rush attacks with poke checks, following up by riding players physically into the boards. He uses his mobility to be first to pucks and move them before pressure closes in.”
How to Watch The 2024 NHL Draft
Round 1 kicks off on Friday, June 28 at 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet, and continues with rounds 2-7 on Saturday, June 29 beginning at 8:30 a.m. PT on Sportsnet and SN1.
GIANTS NHL DRAFT INFO:
• 36 Giants have been drafted to the NHL. For a full list, click here
• Six Giants have been selected in the first round, including: Sam Honzek (2023), Bowen Byram (2019), Evander Kane (2009), Jonathon Blum (2007), Gilbert Brule (2005) and Mark Fistric (2005)
• The Calgary Flames are the most frequent team to pick a Giant, making six of the 36 selections in team history
