BUFFALO — With the 52nd pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers have selected forward Wade Allison of the Tri-City Americans in the USHL.
This was the Flyers’ third pick in the second round alone, and this specific pick was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the trade at the deadline last year that saw Kimmo Timonen go to Chicago for a chance to win the Stanley Cup.
Here’s what the folks at Future Considerations have to say about the player. They had him ranked 67th overall.
Allison is a determined, hard-working power winger with offensive skill. He uses his frame well to play in both offensive and defensive situations. He plays hard in all three zones, outwork- ing opponents and playing physically strong on and away from the puck. He has a strong shot to throw pucks on net and the vision to nd open teammates for scoring chances. Allison skates with power and is effective changing directions, displaying great agility. He challenges his op- ponents along the wall with heavy pressure, often forcing turnovers. He is not afraid to attack, even when alone on the rush, trying to power by defenders or deke using elongated toe drags and other crafty stickhandling techniques to create multiple scoring chances.
Allison is strong on the puck, heavy along the wall and in the corners, and deep in the offensive zone. He shows great upside, and can and likely will improve on his agility and ability to move laterally at higher speeds. What he lacks is offensive creativity as he is a straightforward type of power forward. We love his urgency and that he never gives up on puck battles, winning most of them out of sheer diligence. More often than not, Allison was one of the hardest workers, strongest players and most dangerous offensive threats on the ice this season in the USHL.
Allison had a strong second half in Tri-City, which likely boosted his draft stock here today. Corey Pronman of ESPN called him “the best player in the USHL playoffs.” He’ll commit to Western Michigan University and is expected to play there next season.
Here’s video of Allison speaking to the media at the Draft here in Buffalo:
