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Canucks select C Danila Klimovich 41st Overall

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With a few intriguing choices available, the Canucks go a little rogue with a kid from Belarus.

By Kent Basky
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2021 IIHF World Championship, Group A: Russia vs Belarus Photo by Natalia Fedosenko\TASS via Getty Images

First off, nice move by the Canucks to have long time head scout Ron Delorme make the selection and acknowledge the ongoing Residential School situation. Delorme’s mother was a residential school survivor, and it was great to see them do this pick in honour of the children whose lives were taken away at these schools.

So... who the hell is Danila Klimovich?

This is a bit of a bump given his ranking among various scouting organizations, but a testament to the power of having a strong showing at big international tournaments, as we saw with Klimovich in the IIHF World Under 18’s, where he scored four goals in his first two games, including a hat trick against Switzerland.

This seems like a pretty positive assessment. A work in progress, but a good skill base to start with. A guy who flew under the radar on a lot of scouts, but could be someone who becomes a decent AHL prospect.

Klimovich is property of the QMJHL’s Royun-Noranda Huskies, and it’s likely that’s how we get our first good look at him in the upcoming season. If they can help work out his issues with skating, this is a good depth pick for the Abbotsford Canucks. Making the NHL is a long shot for him, but if he continues to show the level of determination he had in the Under 18’s, he could surprise us all.

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