This dude might be my favorite player for the 2024 draft.
Had 55 points in 57 games for Fargo this season. Fargo was the best team in the regular season and lost in the final. He was probably their second best player this season, and there weren't too many better players league-wide. As a U17. Yeah, he's not Celebrini, but doing that as a U17 is very notable and rarely happens, especially non-NTDP players. He had the 6th most points ever for a U17 in a USHL season. Most assists ever for a U17 in the USHL.
The obvious downside is that he's 5'7. I'm starting to doubt if he'll be a first rounder next year. You see where Cristall and Perron went, and then realize Swanson is listed at a few inches shorter right now. If he gets to 5'9/5'10, you can easily see him being more of a Benson than a Cristall or Perron. He's better than Cristall/Perron, but at 5'7, it's hard to see him being a first rounder, so he needs to grow another few inches. Don't doubt his ability and that he'll be one of the short players that makes it, but draft slot, yes.
He'll be the headline name on the US Hlinka team this year, and would help his draft stock a lot with a big tournament. That he can dominate the USHL isn't in question. It'll help him to show it in a big international tournament.
My scouting report from his USHL season.
He’s the most exciting player in the USHL. His passing is absolutely crazy. There are few players in hockey who can spot these passes that he can. And he does it so often, and so quickly. He has his mind made up where the puck is going before he gets it. He’s a magician. I thought it might take him some time to adjust to the USHL and he’d be a 2nd/3rd round pick, but at this rate, no chance. He’s pretty dominant in these games. Creates so many scoring chances, and already runs the PP of one of the best USHL teams. He’ll push the patience of how early a team will pick a 5’7 forward. In a way, it’s a similar question as when Caufield was being drafted, although they play pretty differently. Swanson is a star, except he’s 5’7. Skating could use minor work, but otherwise his size is the only obstacle. Everything else suggests an NHL star. It’s also worth mentioning that his father is 5’10, so maybe he grows another few inches. And if that happens, he’s going to really push his way towards the earliest picks of the 2024 draft. If not, I still think a top 15 range is possible.