Here are the Wild’s picks Friday and Saturday in the 2024 NHL entry draft in Las Vegas, with comments by director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett.
Meet the Wild’s six 2024 NHL draft picks, from Zeev Buium to Stevie Leskovar
Zeev Buium was the first-rounder Friday night, and the team added five more players to its prospect pool Saturday in Las Vegas.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
June 29, 2024 at 6:40PM
Zeev Buium
First round, 12th overall
Position: defense
Height/weight: 6-0, 185
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
2023-24 team: Denver (NCAA)
Statistics: 11 goals, 50 points in 42 games
Comment: “The strengths of his game are his mobility and his execution in transition and running the power play. To me, he’s a committed defender as well. He’s stick on puck more than someone that’s going to seal and contain physically. He’s an engaged defender.”
Ryder Ritchie
Second round, 45th overall
Position: right wing
Height/weight: 6-1, 175
Hometown: Calgary
2023-24 team: Prince Albert (Western Hockey League)
Statistics: 19 goals, 44 points in 47 games
Comment: “Nose for the net. More shoot first. He wants the puck, and he wants to create offense.”
Aron Kiviharju
Fourth round, 122nd overall (The Wild traded No. 110 and forward Vinni Lettieri to Boston for No. 122 and winger Jakub Lauko)
Position: defense
Height/weight: 5-10, 185
Hometown: Turku, Finland
2023-24 team: HIFK (Finland)
Statistics: One goal, two points in seven games
Comment: “First pass is excellent coming out of the D-zone, head is up, and just tons of poise and patience.”
Sebastian Soini
Fifth round, 140th overall
Position: defense
Height/weight: 6-2, 187
Hometown: Tampere, Finland
2023-24 team: Koovee (Mestis)
Statistics: Zero goals, eight points in 32 games
Comment: “Sebastian is a bigger body, really strong skater, especially north-south. Shoots the puck well.”
Chase Wutzke
Fifth round, 142nd overall
Position: goalie
Height/weight: 6-2, 161
Hometown: Debden, Sask.
2023-24 team: Red Deer (WHL)
Statistics: 19-10-4, .904 save percentage and 2.82 goals-against average in 36 games
Comment: “He’s still got some room to grow physically. But the speed, the lateral explosion for him, he’s very athletic. Competes on every puck.”
Stevie Leskovar
Sixth round, 174th overall
Position: defense
Height/weight: 6-4, 207
Hometown: Cambridge, Ont.
2023-24 team: Mississauga (Ontario Hockey League)
Statistics: Two goals, 12 points in 61 games
Comment: “Never afraid to finish a check, and often times has to sort of answer the bell for it and isn’t afraid to.”
The 3-2 Pitch: With the Wild’s season fast approaching, Neal also tackled the difficult AL Central, the putrid Gophers run defense and a bold prediction for the Lynx and Twins.
