I remember having the 6th overall and very excited to be following the Canucks draft for such a high pick. Obviously we hadn't had a high pick in a long time besides surprise trade pick Bo the year before and not since social media forums had I became so interested in the off ice actions of the team. I remember very much wanting to draft Ehlers with Nylander second on my list.
The thing I remember most was that he was a guy who could play in any situation due to his speed. I was impressed not only that he was a Captain, he was a very good character guy. Not to mention he could PK, was fast as lightning, and put up insanely good numbers in both back to back seasons and the corresponding playoffs. He also spoke 6 languages so he's a dedicated and learned individual.
Ehlers also played pro in the Swiss league at 16. As a result of the 2012-13 lockout he became linemates with Patrick Kane and Tyler Seguin. Both had a huge impact and convinced him to come play junior in N.A. where he ripped it up for two years winning rookie of the year and personality of the year, finishing second in player of the year his second season.
He is known for his speed, skating, puck handling, and playmaking. Exactly what the doctor ordered. In addition his junior playoff performances were simply outstanding. I would argue his pro playoffs are more linked to poor team performance than simply being bad at playoffs. Very poor sample size and situation. This should be our top priority. I would give him Boeser's money plus throw in a mil or two for good measure. Can we trade for his rights? I think that extra year could be a valuable bargaining chip if so.
-from Wikipedia
Following another successful season, Ehlers and the Mooseheads qualified for the 2015 President's Cup playoffs where they met with the Shawinigan Cataractes in the first round. Ehlers scored the series-winning goal in overtime of Game 7 to lift the Mooseheads to the second round. In Game 1 of their second-round series against the Moncton Wildcats, Ehlers recorded four goals and an assist to help the Mooseheads take a 1–0 series lead. He finished the postseason with 31 points over 14 playoff games.
Ehlers and the Jets faced off against the St. Louis Blues in round one of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs but fell in six games. When their postseason concluded, it was revealed that Ehlers had fractured his leg after blocking a shot at the end of Game 5.
en.wikipedia.org
-a good read through of his career and playoff history
I agree he'd be a great compliment to Petey. 8x9 or am I crazy?