Pucks of a Feather
Fansided

Updating the Anaheim Ducks Draft Class of 2016

By Chris Bushell

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Anaheim Ducks left wing Max Jones (46) controls the puck during a preseason hockey game between the Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes on September 25, 2017, at Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Anaheim Ducks left wing Max Jones (46) controls the puck during a preseason hockey game between the Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes on September 25, 2017, at Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WINDSOR, ON – OCTOBER 05: Forward Jack Kopacka #52 of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds celebrates the game-tying goal against the Windsor Spitfires on October 5, 2017. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ON – OCTOBER 05: Forward Jack Kopacka #52 of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds celebrates the game-tying goal against the Windsor Spitfires on October 5, 2017. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images) /

Jack Kopacka – Round 4, 93rd Overall

Jack Kopacka presents an interesting case for the Anaheim Ducks. Selected in the fourth round it’s almost a coin flip on if he will pan out or not. However, the Ducks have a track record for late round steals with potential such as Ondrej Kase (7th round), Kevin Roy (4th round), Troy Terry (5th round). He has the skills to be a late round steal and a big contributor for the Ducks as well.

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Kopacka has been a consistent point getter for the Soo Greyhounds. It’s nice to see offensive prowess (63 points in 2017-18), the stat the excites me was his +28. Sometimes forwards who put up good numbers on one end don’t have sound defensive skills. Kopacka is a 200-foot player and that should bode well for the left wing sniper who can play either side of the pivot.

He’s versatile and we will see how badly he wants it since there is a whole crop of forwards ahead of him that he will have to compete with. Expected NHL Arrival: 2019-2020

Alex Dostie – Round 4, 115th Overall

GATINEAU, CANADA – OCTOBER 30: Alex Dostie #13 of the Gatineau Olympiques fires the puck against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. (Photo by Francois Laplante/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
GATINEAU, CANADA – OCTOBER 30: Alex Dostie #13 of the Gatineau Olympiques fires the puck against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. (Photo by Francois Laplante/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

Remember when I said late round draft picks are a coin flip? Well, it may be the other side of the coin with Alex Dostie. He is the only pick on this list that played professional hockey last season. After spending four years in the QMJHL, with marked improvement every year there was the hope his development would continue at the pro level.

Unfortunately in his first full season with the San Diego Gulls, he only managed 10 points in just over 40 games. He even found himself demoted to the Ducks ECHL affiliate, the Utah Grizzlies.

Dostie was signed to his entry-level deal this time last year and is still young. There is a chance he needs more time for his game to come around, similar to his junior career. With the potential for a good number of forwards to make the jump from San Diego to Anaheim this season, Dostie could find himself in a more prominent role for the Gulls. Expected NHL Arrival: 2020-2021  

Tyler Soy- Round 7, 205th Overall

KELOWNA, CANADA – OCTOBER 9: Tyler Soy #17 and Matthew Phillips #11 of Victoria Royals warm up against the Kelowna Rockets. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, CANADA – OCTOBER 9: Tyler Soy #17 and Matthew Phillips #11 of Victoria Royals warm up against the Kelowna Rockets. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

The final pick for the Anaheim Ducks in the 2016 Draft was Tyler Soy from the WHL’s Victoria Royals. Seventh-round selections are usually long shots to make the NHL. However, during his last season in Victoria, he produced 92 points. That’s pretty good for any junior player let alone one that wasn’t selected until the last couple picks of the entire entry draft.

Soy is s small center at 6′ and170 lbs, however, his speed is noticeable. Soy had his junior eligibility come to an end as this season wrapped up, so he will be a member of the Gulls next season. He like Dostie should be in a position to flourish under head coach Dallas Eakins and log big minutes. Expected NHL Arrival: 2020-2021

Next: Are the Ducks interested in Rasmus Ristolainen?

Tomorrow we’ll have an update on the 2017 draft class.

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