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Emberson, Gorniak tabbed in mock NHL Draft

By Michael Trzinski, WiPH Staff & The Hockey Writers.com, 06/19/18, 6:00PM CDT

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Pair of Wisconsin products expected to be chosen in June 22-23 draft

The 2018 NHL Draft will take place on June 22-23, and pundits expect that at least two Wisconsin players will hear their names called during the two-day selection process.

One hockey website sees Ty Emberson, former Eau Claire Memorial defenseman going in the third round and also lists Jack Gorniak, West Salem forward, as being tabbed in the sixth round.

Here is what Larry Fisher of The Hockey Writers.com website has to say about the Wisconsin duo:

65) Arizona Coyotes —Ty Emberson (RHD, USA, NTDP U18)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0.5, 200 pounds (CO)

Playoff Stats: NA

Regular Season Stats: 61 GP-4 G-23 A-27 PTS; 25 GP-4 G-11 A-15 PTS in USHL

Central Scouting: 42 NAS

THW Larry Fisher: 57

THW Ryan Pike: 90

ANALYSIS: Emberson was a pleasant surprise at the under-18 tournament, impressive and effective in boosting his draft stock by showing up on the scoresheet a fair bit. John Chayka may like him as a potential future partner for Quinn Hughes, my first-round selection for the Coyotes.

177) Pittsburgh Penguins — Jack Gorniak (F, USA, West Salem High School, over-ager)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-10.75, 181 pounds (CO)

Playoff Stats: 3 GP-2 G-3 A-5 PTS

Regular Season Stats: 24 GP-28 G-28 A-56 PTS; 2 GP-0 G-0 A-0 PTS with USHL Lincoln

Central Scouting: 87 NAS

ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh is another team — thanks to its organizational depth — that can look longer-term in the later rounds and target some real boom-or-bust type prospects such as a high-schooler like Gorniak.

I don’t have a great scouting report on Gorniak, but I’ve heard he’s got top-six upside with speed and goal-scoring ability among his best attributes.

My mock has the Penguins using their top pick, in the second round, on another high-schooler in the highly touted Jay O’Brien, who is also a shoot-first scorer. It’s a longshot that O’Brien and Gorniak will become the next Phil Kessel or Jake Guentzel, but it’s worth that shot for Pittsburgh, which can afford the odd miss.

Also listed under the 'Honourable Mention' category is former Madison West star Mick Messner. The '99 birthyear forward is a three-year veteran of the USHL Madison Capitols and last appeared in a Regents sweater as a sophomore during the 2014-15 season.


See complete mock draft at...

The Hockey Writers.com