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It looks like the Victoria Royals might finally have a player that becomes a first round NHL draft pick.
17-year-old forward Cole Reschny was ranked 12th among draft eligible prospects by The Athletic‘s Scott Wheeler yesterday, who is a prospects writer for the publication.
Corey Pronman, their other primary prospects writer, ranked Reschny 14th in his “way-too-early” rankings back on July 1st.
Reschny captivated Royals fans last season, scoring an impressive 21 goals and 59 points in 61 games, crushing Tyler Soy’s previous franchise best of 30 points as a 16-year-old.
The 3rd overall pick from 2022 has thus far lived up to his end of the bargain, and will be looking to have a monstrous year in the WHL as he prepares for his NHL draft season.
“One of my favorites early on this draft class, Reschny is a player I’ve really enjoyed watching over the last year and a bit,” Wheeler wrote. “He’s highly skilled but also highly competitive, and drove both play and creation as a small center in the WHL last season.”
“He’s got a motor but he’s also a natural playmaker, including when under pressure and with limited time and space. He creates chances for himself and his linemates, is a natural handler, finisher and passer, and then will work off of the puck and seems to take pride in his play in all three zones”
Wheeler’s assessment highlights what makes Reschny so exciting to follow. He is superbly talented with the puck on his stick, highlighted by deft edgework while working with the puck, and quick hands that help him weave through the opposition.
But it’s also the work ethic and 200-foot play that makes his potential impact on the ice greater with every year he plays in the WHL.
“I think he’s going to be a heck of a player and expect him to build on his Hlinka and really pop in the WHL this season. He looks like he’s got top-six upside,” Wheeler concluded.
Pronman’s assessment, meanwhile, was brief but also promising.
“Reschny was great in the WHL as a rookie, scoring at a point-per-game mark and playing big minutes for Victoria. He’s a highly skilled and intelligent player who can run a power play like a pro. He is a quick skater with good edges who plays with pace and makes a lot of high-end plays on the move. He is on the smaller side, but Reschny can create at the net and even kill penalties.”
If all goes according to plan, Reschny appears poised to become the Royals’ first ever first round NHL draft pick.
Reschny leads Canada in scoring at Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Reschny’s busy year got under way this past week, as top prospects from around the world competed in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, a yearly under-18 tournament featuring each nation’s best players.
Given that most team’s best players are 17-years-old and therefore NHL draft eligible, it is a highly scouted event that kicks off the junior hockey schedule.
Reschny had a stellar tournament, co-leading Canada in scoring with 7 points (3g, 4a) and finishing 5th overall in tournament scoring.
Though Reschny was able to pad his stats in Canada’s 10-0 drubbing of Switzerland (2g, 3a), he had points in critical moments throughout the tournament.
In Canada’s final round robin game against Sweden, with the top seed in Group A on the line, he helped set up Gavin McKenna for Canada’s second goal—which would stand as the game winner in a 2-1 victory.
But his most important moment came against USA in the semifinals. Reschny scooped up the puck after a broken play from McKenna, and created some magic to score a highlight reel goal—dancing around two players before burying it far side.
It was a dagger to the States, giving Canada a 3-1 lead with under 5 minutes in the 2nd period. Canada would go on to win 5-1.
Reschny was held scoreless in the gold medal game, which Canada won 2-1 against a competitive Czechia team.
Reschny returned home with a gold medal and a great start to his hockey season.
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