Re: Boston University 2019-2020
Not really. It is an uphill battle for D other than the extremely highly rated ones to make the team in their U19 year. Only one non-1st round pick from the 2019 class made the preliminary roster, and there are still 3 D cuts to be made.
Vlasic was drafted in the 2nd round, but he is a classic case of drafted highly for what he could be as opposed to what he is this year. I have been impressed with his defensive/turnover improvement recently vs the beginning of the year, but he is still extremely raw.
it is significant that of our highly touted defensemen class none of them were selected to the world junior roster
Not really. It is an uphill battle for D other than the extremely highly rated ones to make the team in their U19 year. Only one non-1st round pick from the 2019 class made the preliminary roster, and there are still 3 D cuts to be made.
Vlasic was drafted in the 2nd round, but he is a classic case of drafted highly for what he could be as opposed to what he is this year. I have been impressed with his defensive/turnover improvement recently vs the beginning of the year, but he is still extremely raw.