The 2024 NHL Draft will see a variety of high-end defenders get chosen in not simply the first-round, however throughout the high 10-15 spots. With consideration being given to names like Artyom Levshunov, Zeev Buium and Zayne Parekh, Sam Dickinson’s inventory has been climbing all season lengthy.
Initially chosen by the Niagara Ice Canine and traded to the London Knights, Dickinson has all the time possessed the qualities of a extremely expert, clean skating, two-way defender. He didn’t look misplaced as a rookie final season and lots of anticipated him to have a big effect in his draft 12 months. Dickinson confirmed precisely why he must be the primary defender taken on draft day as his confidence, poise and full sport exhibits each time he’s on the ice.
Confidence and Robust Second Season
Whether or not he’s on or off the ice, Dickinson needs to be one of the best participant and competitor. He’s proven it together with his play on either side of the puck all season and even with the testing on the Mix as he needed to carry out to one of the best of his talents. Regardless that he simply got here off an OHL Championship and Memorial Cup run that simply fell quick, he wasn’t going to let this chance get away and proceed to show his price.
“I needed each probability I can get to indicate that I’m one of the best in all the pieces I can do,” Dickinson mentioned.
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With the testing accomplished Dickinson mirrored on a robust second season within the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights. He took an enormous leap ahead together with his growth from his rookie season to now, incomes extra duties and his manufacturing even elevated as he completed fourth in league scoring with 70 factors in 68 video games. When the Hunters (Mark and Dale) give gamers the added duty, either side know they’re prepared and up for the duty. Dickinson answered the decision in any scenario he was in.
“They belief their older guys,” Dickinson mentioned. “For me, to nonetheless be a 17-year-old in my second 12 months within the league and get numerous their belief and confidence in them was big… It actually meant lots to me to see the boldness that they’d in me.”
The Hunters are recognized for giving gamers extra of a job once they deserve it. They present it with their play always, as we’ve seen that with the principal core of Easton Cowan, Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk. Now Dickinson noticed a rise in ice time and duty which exhibits that he’s going to have an impactful profession. In consequence, it was much more development for him as a participant because the season went on.
“If you happen to look from starting to finish, it’s fixed development for me,” Dickinson mirrored. “I constructed up numerous confidence via the 12 months and one of the best video games of the 12 months for me had been being performed on the finish of the 12 months.
“When the large video games roll round, these are the video games that I play my finest in.”
And Dickinson did stand out. He was among the many second productive Knights defender with 13 factors within the OHL playoffs, together with six factors of their sweep towards the Oshawa Generals to safe the Championship. Even within the Memorial Cup he had 4 factors in 4 video games. With the Knights down within the ultimate sport, Dickinson assisted on Cowan’s objective and tied the sport becoming a member of the push. Sadly, the comeback fell quick because the Knights misplaced it with 21 seconds remaining.
It’s one thing that Dickinson didn’t dwell on an excessive amount of with the draft approaching. It is a precedence for him as he’s able to take the following step together with his profession.
Not Afraid to Have a Little Enjoyable
Whereas groups wish to see gamers present the work ethic and mindset it takes to be an NHLer and win, a participant’s character and outlook is simply as essential as nicely. Regardless of being ultra-competitive and hard to go up towards when he’s on the ice, Dickinson does wish to have some enjoyable from time to time as he began to indicate his character in the course of the season.
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“I’m a reasonably mild hearted man,” Dickinson mentioned. “It’s type of a enjoyable factor that I jumped into a little bit this 12 months.”
Dickinson was entrance and centre in the course of the CHL Prime Prospects sport as he was mic’d up and had the helmet cam going in the course of the warmup. Evidently, he positively was having enjoyable and displaying one other facet of his character. When issues get intense, you may see that Dickinson is dialled in. When there’s enjoyable concerned and when issues will be laid again, he is not going to draw back and provides everybody some nice materials and content material.
If that wasn’t sufficient, there’s additionally this clip of Dickinson and the Knights getting into the vacation season. If Dickinson has the possibility to be entrance and centre to have some enjoyable, he’ll.
A Sport Changer for Any Crew
Regardless of the place he goes, Dickinson goes to be a sport changer for any group that selects him. He will be utilized in any scenario and the mix of his skating, measurement and compete degree is what’s going to get numerous consideration from groups within the top-10.
To have a cellular, two-way defender with nice offensive instincts and a robust defensive sport that’s already constructed for the professional degree, is hard to search out. Fortunate for Dickinson, his sport will translate nicely to the following degree and will certainly make a group very glad in regards to the participant that they’re getting.
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