2024 NHL Draft player profile: Carson Wetsch, Calgary Hitmen

For Garry Davidson, there’s something extra special about seeing winger Carson Wetsch prepare for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

After all, the spunky winger is the first player he drafted to the Calgary Hitmen after joining the organization in the 2021-22 season.

Since then, Wetsch has taken off as a young star with an old-school style.

“He’s kind of a throwback winger,” the Hitmen General Manager explained. “He goes up and down, plays hard, physical, gets to the net and and brings that sort of old school physicality to the game, which isn’t as prevalent as it used to be.”

Wetsch potted 25 goals and 25 assists for an even 50 points in 67 games in 2023-24, finished third in goals and tying for fourth in points on the Hitmen.

Overall, the North Vancouver, B.C. product feels his game is rounding out well as he finds his footing in more intense situations.

“I’ve been a lot more comfortable this year,” Westch said of his sophomore WHL campaign. “Everything seems to slow down on the ice, pace-wise.”

Being used in all situations all over the ice, I feel like for any player to play in the NHL, you’ve got to be good at all areas and all aspects of the game. For me being able to do that, I think it’ll translate pretty well to the higher level.”

What sticks out to Davidson is how Wetsch elevated his game after attending the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and helping the Hitmen navigate a period of roster upheaval.

“I really saw maturity in him after January 10 when we moved two of our older players (including then-Captain Tyson Galloway),” Davidson explained. “Leadership sort of fell on the laps of our younger group and Carson was one of the guys that really grabbed it and went with it. I anticipate he’ll be a big part of our leadership group as we move forward over the next couple of seasons.”

Hockey Canada brass also took note of those qualities, naming Wetsch an alternate captain for Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship in May.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound winger tallied a pair of goals, one assist and a +5 rating in six games en route to a gold medal in Finland.

It’s Wetsch’s second gold medal on the international stage after clinching first at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

“I started to see some of those things- blocking shots, finishing checks and really contributing in that area,” Davidson added. “I really think those are the things he’s going to have to do to be successful at the pro level as well.”

Wetsch is ranked 50th among all North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and garnered an invitation to the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month.

He placed in the top 25 in 10 of the fitness tests at the combine, which also doesn’t surprise the Hitmen (Strength and Conditioning Coach Sean Hope-Ross swears Wetsch is one of the most naturally strong Hitmen players he’s worked with in over two decades).

Now, Wetsch awaits the bright lights of the Sphere in Las Vegas, with the NHL Entry Draft set for June 28-29.