F Gracyn Sawchyn - Edmonton Oil Kings (2023, 63rd, FLA)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Another player I was convinced had a thread, and then the migration happened.

This guy is a real wild card prospect heading into next season. I think he’s the most purely skilled player among the 2005 NTDP crop. He can beat players 1v1 like they aren’t even there. He slivers around them. He has some crazy highlights. He has elite skill and skating, and his playmaking can be elite when he’s on his game. He’s only about 5’10, but he’s not that weak and the skating is really good, so that will give him a chance to stick in the middle. The problem with him sticking in the middle is that he can be very perimeter and there are real production questions, so maybe you just move him to wing and let him create offense there. I also question his hockey sense. The flashes just don’t align with any form of consistency or good numbers.

Really hard to peg a draft range. Could be early first to late second. I’d split the difference and say late first/early second right now. If he puts it all together next season, he has the talent to go in the range players like Zegras, Keller, Nazar are drafted. If not and he continues to have the same questions he could still drop a little, but not too far because someone will take a chance that he puts it all together later on.

He’s a dual. Believe he was born in Edmonton, but lived in Minnesota. His younger brother is also supposedly a good player, and probably will have a chance to make the 2007 NTDP group.

Gracyn Sawchyn at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Gracyn Sawchyn, 2005-01-19 Grande Prairie, AB, CAN Canada. Most recently in the WHL with Edmonton Oil Kings. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Click to read more...

 

[Goingintothe3rd]

Great one to thread. Seen this kid a bunch over the years. Super cool hockey story. He’s the one some really crafty GM will grab super early and build a team around. Pretty young to be in any real limelight when they moved to US, but has dominated everywhere before and after. Sutter took him 1st overall in US WHL draft and they had him quietly at 2 if was still in Canada. Quoted as winning a lottery draft. Plays Wing, Center, and D. Couldnt come to a WHL camp because of Covid restrictions in Canada and had to make a decision in US. Talked to an agent around after Xmas and he mentioned kid was very ill and then injured for first 30 games this year and played through it. Got healthy around Xmas and lead U17’s in scoring from that point on. Would have put up 70+ points if was healthy all season. Watched one of their games about a month ago, and hands down was the best player on the ice. He’s a crazy mix of Datsyuk & Stevey Y.
IMO whoever grabs him makes one of the best picks in the 2023 draft.

 

[Baaaaaaaaaaaaah]

Was on a good looking Brick team that I think will produce at least 2 NHL draft picks (but probably more than that). Interesting story that followed it looks like. Going to be watching him closely.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Signed with Seattle Thunderbirds

Western Hockey League

Headquartered in Calgary, Albert, the Western Hockey League (WHL) consists of 22 Member Clubs located throughout Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

whl.ca

 

[BKarchitect]

Well this opens up a full-time spot for Danny Nelson on the U18 team this up-coming season.

Sawchyn's younger brother is also very talented and was also drafted by the T-Birds...strong money on seeing them both together on Seattle sooner rather than later.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Well this opens up a full-time spot for Danny Nelson on the U18 team this up-coming season.

Sawchyn's younger brother is also very talented and was also drafted by the T-Birds...strong money on seeing them both together on Seattle sooner rather than later.

Do you think this could affect which country the younger brother plays for internationally? Gracyn is probably staying with the USA, unless his time at the NTDP went terrible. But now it improves Canada’s chances because it’s more likely the younger brother wont play for the NTDP.

 

[BKarchitect]

Do you think this could affect which country the younger brother plays for internationally? Gracyn is probably staying with the USA, unless his time at the NTDP went terrible. But now it improves Canada’s chances because it’s more likely the younger brother wont play for the NTDP.

Good question, I have no idea. Definitely seems like it could be a Foligno situation where Nick played for the NTDP and the USA and then jumped to Sudbury with Marcus going straight to Sudbury and Team Canada. Although they had a bigger age gap and it looks like the Folignos simply moved back to Sudbury when Nick joined the Wolves, so Marcus played youth hockey in Sudbury unlike Nick.

 

[Goingintothe3rd]

Kid is lights out. Big time get for Seattle

 

[JiggsNY]

Apparently his time at the program was great. It’s a passport thing. Canadian citizen with US green card.

So he wasn’t a dual citizen at all? I didn’t realize the NTDP took non citizens on their rosters. Is he in the process of becoming a citizen/ getting a passport and didn’t go as planned?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Apparently his time at the program was great. It’s a passport thing. Canadian citizen with US green card.

That makes no sense. He’s either a US-citizen or he’s not. No way the USNTDP takes guys without citizenship or some clear pathway to it pretty soon. Otherwise, you’d see guys like Bedard and Michkov offered spots.

 

[Goingintothe3rd]

That makes no sense. He’s either a US-citizen or he’s not. No way the USNTDP takes guys without citizenship or some clear pathway to it pretty soon. Otherwise, you’d see guys like Bedard and Michkov offered spots.

Yeah. Has a pathway to citizenship but apparently it’s the timeline of when will be receiving the passport.

So he wasn’t a dual citizen at all? I didn’t realize the NTDP took non citizens on their rosters. Is he in the process of becoming a citizen/ getting a passport and didn’t go as planned?

Yeah, in process of becoming citizen. Sounds like passport approval didn’t come because of timeline of immigration process.

 

[canuck2010]

That makes no sense. He’s either a US-citizen or he’s not. No way the USNTDP takes guys without citizenship or some clear pathway to it pretty soon. Otherwise, you’d see guys like Bedard and Michkov offered spots.

Apologies, but I don't trust USA Hockey. We have no idea what goes on during the recruitment of a players. Nothing would surprise me at this point. What would happen if Michkov decided that he might like to pursue his career as anything but Russian, say American?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Apologies, but I don't trust USA Hockey. We have no idea what goes on during the recruitment of a players. Nothing would surprise me at this point. What would happen if Michkov decided that he might like to pursue his career as anything but Russian, say American?

What you are suggesting would likely be illegal or no less than subject to huge IIHF sanctions. It’s not as if that’s impossible, but that seems pretty stupid to me to do this to add a guy who isn’t some generational talent.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Apologies, but I don't trust USA Hockey. We have no idea what goes on during the recruitment of a players. Nothing would surprise me at this point. What would happen if Michkov decided that he might like to pursue his career as anything but Russian, say American?

Lol. This is tinfoil hat territory.

 

[William H Bonney]

Apologies, but I don't trust USA Hockey. We have no idea what goes on during the recruitment of a players. Nothing would surprise me at this point. What would happen if Michkov decided that he might like to pursue his career as anything but Russian, say American?

The process to get American citizenship is long and complex. You have to be a permanent resident for at least 5 years to even qualify to apply for citizenship. USA Hockey has no political standing or influence in the States to have the government break process to help them get recruits. It doesn't happen. If it did, Sawchyn wouldn't have had any apparent issues.

I think it's stupid for the NTDP to add a non-citizen, even if he's close to being a citizen. AFAIK this would be the first instance ever. If Sawchyn wants to get citizenship and represent USAH at some point, great as that's his choice, but it seems misguided to put the cart before the horse.

Lol. This is tinfoil hat territory.

With all the rampant conspiracy theorists in the US nowadays maybe Canuck2010 could apply for citizenship.

 

[canuck2010]

What you are suggesting would likely be illegal or no less than subject to huge IIHF sanctions. It’s not as if that’s impossible, but that seems pretty stupid to me to do this to add a guy who isn’t some generational talent.

I'm not suggesting that they would do anything illegal.

Lol. This is tinfoil hat territory.

None so blind than those who do not see Rabid Ranger. Just look around.

 

[canuck2010]

The process to get American citizenship is long and complex. You have to be a permanent resident for at least 5 years to even qualify to apply for citizenship. USA Hockey has no political standing or influence in the States to have the government break process to help them get recruits. It doesn't happen. If it did, Sawchyn wouldn't have had any apparent issues.

I think it's stupid for the NTDP to add a non-citizen, even if he's close to being a citizen. AFAIK this would be the first instance ever. If Sawchyn wants to get citizenship and represent USAH at some point, great as that's his choice, but it seems misguided to put the cart before the horse.



With all the rampant conspiracy theorists in the US nowadays maybe Canuck2010 could apply for citizenship.

Yes we live in such principled times.

 

[William H Bonney]

Yes we live in such principled times.

No one in the US government gives a damn about hockey.

 

[Leviathan899]

Well this opens up a full-time spot for Danny Nelson on the U18 team this up-coming season.

Sawchyn's younger brother is also very talented and was also drafted by the T-Birds...strong money on seeing them both together on Seattle sooner rather than later.

Definitely one of the weaker NTDP teams in recent memory. Some good players in Smith, Moore, Leonard, vote, but no real studs either. Best Americans aren’t there this year, Sawchyn and Musty would be the best two.

Do you think this could affect which country the younger brother plays for internationally? Gracyn is probably staying with the USA, unless his time at the NTDP went terrible. But now it improves Canada’s chances because it’s more likely the younger brother wont play for the NTDP.

I know the family is not keen on the program, at least with this age group. A lot of ego’s and posturing for ice time among agents and parents

Do you think this could affect which country the younger brother plays for internationally? Gracyn is probably staying with the USA, unless his time at the NTDP went terrible. But now it improves Canada’s chances because it’s more likely the younger brother wont play for the NTDP.

I know the family is not keen on the program, at least with this age group. A lot of ego’s and posturing for ice time among agents and parents

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Definitely one of the weaker NTDP teams in recent memory. Some good players in Smith, Moore, Leonard, vote, but no real studs either. Best Americans aren’t there this year, Sawchyn and Musty would be the best two.


I know the family is not keen on the program, at least with this age group. A lot of ego’s and posturing for ice time among agents and parents


I know the family is not keen on the program, at least with this age group. A lot of ego’s and posturing for ice time among agents and parents

I think the goalie may be, but aside from him I agree it's a weak year for the NTDP.

 

[Leviathan899]

I think the goalie may be, but aside from him I agree it's a weak year for the NTDP.

Yeah it happens, some birth years are more stacked than others. Doesn’t help Musty and Terrance opted for the OHL and Whitelaw decided to stay at shattuck for a year. Even McCarthy, St. Louis and strathman would have helped this team a lot

 

[canuck2010]

I always seem to ruffle feathers here. I'm still pissed at your fellow countrymen and his remark on May 22 2021 re Ethan Gauthier " Looks as if he's eligible to play for USA. He was born in Phoenix".

Maybe so, but it's like a bunch vultures flying around waiting for a dual citizen to come along. My god can they at least wait until the kid is 18. Are they that desperate? Rinse and repeat with any number of kids over the last 15 years.

As annoying and insulting as it is that's ok I get it, but Bonny as the fair minded poster that I know you to be you would feel the same if the shoe was on the other foot.

 

[William H Bonney]

I always seem to ruffle feathers here. I'm still pissed at your fellow countrymen and his remark on May 22 2021 re Ethan Gauthier " Looks as if he's eligible to play for USA. He was born in Phoenix".

Maybe so, but it's like a bunch vultures flying around waiting for a dual citizen to come along. My god can they at least wait until the kid is 18. Are they that desperate? Rinse and repeat with any number of kids over the last 15 years.

As annoying and insulting as it is that's ok I get it, but Bonny as the fair minded poster that I know you to be you would feel the same if the shoe was on the other foot.

There's nothing wrong with USAH pursuing players that want to play for its program and are eligible to do so.

Not really. It's the nature of things. A lot of Canadians, especially former players, like to live in the US. Hockey is an extremely niche sport here, so it's not surprising that a decent number of dual citizens end up representing the program because a lot of the people who play hockey in the US only do so because they have familial connections driving the desire to do so in a way that they might not otherwise even try hockey, which is the case for the vast majority of Americans.

It's not really any different than all the dual citizens playing for say the Canadian Men's National Soccer and Basketball teams. That happens for the same reasons as duals playing for USAH happens.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I'm not suggesting that they would do anything illegal.


None so blind than those who do not see Rabid Ranger. Just look around.

I have no idea what you are talking about. You come into these USA Hockey focused threads spouting conspiracy theories and whining about dual citizens. It's exhausting.

 

[Leviathan899]

I always seem to ruffle feathers here. I'm still pissed at your fellow countrymen and his remark on May 22 2021 re Ethan Gauthier " Looks as if he's eligible to play for USA. He was born in Phoenix".

Maybe so, but it's like a bunch vultures flying around waiting for a dual citizen to come along. My god can they at least wait until the kid is 18. Are they that desperate? Rinse and repeat with any number of kids over the last 15 years.

As annoying and insulting as it is that's ok I get it, but Bonny as the fair minded poster that I know you to be you would feel the same if the shoe was on the other foot.

Hahaha keep their hands off of Gauthier!! He’s going to be a stud imo, should go in the top 20 of this draft imo. One of the better 200 foot, skilled players to come along in a little while imo. He truly plays the game the right way and will be a future NHL captain I feel. He just gets it