The Ducks toppled a domino that allowed the Canadian to claim Ivan Demidov

LAS VEGAS | With the draft decision just hours away, it was increasingly clear that McLean Celebrini and Artem Levshunov would be the top two picks, and they were. So the first domino to fall would be the Anaheim Ducks, a pick that would give some idea of ​​who’s available at No. 5, the Canadian.

Over the past 24 hours, several names have been circulating, including that of defender Zeev Boyum – who was eventually claimed for 12 games.^H It was rated by the Minnesota Wild – but also by Beckett Sinicki.

This was ultimately the Oshawa Generals' choice of the Ducks who, true to their habits in recent years, do not care about the general consensus, as they also showed last year in favor of Leo Karlsson over Adam Fantelli in the second line.

Surprise for Senki himself

However, the selection surprised everyone at Sphere, even if the rumors had been circulating for some time. Many expected Ivan Demidov and Kayden Lindstrom to be the two strikers chosen after MacLean Celebrini.

And when we say everyone, we mean everyone… starting with the main character himself! After being chosen, Sinicki stood in shock, before screaming to his father, “Oh my God,” while his mother and sister shed tears of joy.

“I've been interviewing with a few teams over the last few days, but Anaheim wasn't one of them. So I didn't think I was part of their plans,” the lanky 6-foot-3, 182-pound winger said, all smiles, as he wore the T-shirt. New Orange for the Ducks: “When I heard my name called, I was shocked.”

Sinicki had a meteoric rise last season, capping his season with a scintillating playoff run, helping the Generals reach the OHL final.

Maybe that was the tipping point for them. They want players who are going to produce in the playoffs and show up when it counts. I had my best moments in the playoffs and I think I'm a playoff player.

And it was a bit of that pick that allowed the Canadians to get Demidov — while the Ducks are certainly very pleased with their selection, that’s not the point. However, seeing as the Ducks were asking for Sineke, the Canadians got Lindstrom or Demidov at No. 5, two players who reportedly interested him a lot. The Blue Jackets then acquired Lindstrom with the No. 4 pick, and then CH got their hands on the talented Russian winger.

Celebrini without surprise

For his part, MacLean Celebrini can officially stop acting like he's not sure the San Jose Sharks will draft him with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Unlike Sinicki, it surprised no one. Other than the start of the season, there was no debate about who would be the best this year. Celebrini simply dominated the NCAA in his first season in a Boston Terriers uniform, tallying 64 points in 38 games to win the Hobey Baker Trophy, awarded to the best player in American college hockey.

It's been a very long process that started last summer and a lot has happened since then. “It's a dream come true,” the striker said after his selection.

With Celebrini, the Sharks have a center who has the potential to become their franchise player. He adds to an interesting bank of prospects led by forward Will Smith, who was taken fourth overall last season. The team also drafted defenseman Sam Dickinson 11th overall.^H Check in total.