LW Kieran Walton - Sudbury Wolves, OHL (2024, 187th, WPG)

LeProspector

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I saw this kid was listed at 6’5 on Elite Prospects and was a relatively high OHL pick.

From just this clip I found on twitter it looks like he has good hands for a big guy. Can anyone tell me more about him?

 
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GermanSpitfire

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Big, power forward that skates real well for a guy his size - as you mentioned he has a bit of finesse to his game also, He has a good, heavy shot as well. Being a bigger guy with his skillset he was a very difficult guy to defend against at the U16 level and will probably be at the OHL level too. The one thing that may hold him back his how he processes the game. It looks like he has tunnel vision at times and maybe fails to see other options beyond that.

He reminds me a bit of Serron Noel in a sense if people remember him - similar players with the same strengths and weakness’.
 

FriarChill

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Jan 31, 2023
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Nice bump. Can anyone give more info about him? Did the Jets find a diamond in the 6th round? Has intriguing size too (6'6" according to eliteprospects). Still 4 months plus till he turns 19.
Stats look crazy for a 6th round pick in his D+1 season. 18 points ahead of his closest teammate. Doesn't look like the Musty injury had an effect on his scoring.
His last 10 games he scored 9 goals along with 17 Assists for 2.6 ppg. He also seems to shoot a lot (60 shots in his last 10 games).
Any info is really appreciated. Thx
 
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Huffer

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Nice bump. Can anyone give more info about him? Did the Jets find a diamond in the 6th round? Has intriguing size too (6'6" according to eliteprospects). Still 4 months plus till he turns 19.
Stats look crazy for a 6th round pick in his D+1 season. 18 points ahead of his closest teammate. Doesn't look like the Musty injury had an effect on his scoring.
His last 10 games he scored 9 goals along with 17 Assists for 2.6 ppg. He also seems to shoot a lot (60 shots in his last 10 games).
Any info is really appreciated. Thx
Agree with all of this. Starting to get more excited about this player.
 

MHO

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Sep 27, 2023
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I saw this thread and then went to see if I could see some highlights. I found a video of his highlights from his draft year and there are some things to be excited about. He's massive, has really good hands, and some hockey sense.

But his skating is not good. He might be able to improve on that but I see him becoming Patrick Maroon and that's still pretty damn good to get out of the 6th round. Maroon isn't quite as big but he had similar production in his D1 year in the OHL before going to the minors.
 

Realgud

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I am generally quite neutral on the opinions of the often ridiculed scouching but this is certainly one of his very good take imo. As far as I can recall, he was the only one consistently talking about Walton in his draft year.
 
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badfish

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I saw this thread and then went to see if I could see some highlights. I found a video of his highlights from his draft year and there are some things to be excited about. He's massive, has really good hands, and some hockey sense.

But his skating is not good. He might be able to improve on that but I see him becoming Patrick Maroon and that's still pretty damn good to get out of the 6th round. Maroon isn't quite as big but he had similar production in his D1 year in the OHL before going to the minors.
Based on my viewings last year, Walton is going to have to really develop a mean streak if he wants to be anything like Maroon. From what I remember last year, I kept wishing he used his size more and had a bit of a mean streak. I haven't been to any Wolves games yet this year but when I see one maybe he will have this element to his game.
 
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Bjornar Moxnes

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Based on my viewings last year, Walton is going to have to really develop a mean streak if he wants to be anything like Maroon. From what I remember last year, I kept wishing he used his size more and had a bit of a mean streak. I haven't been to any Wolves games yet this year but when I see one maybe he will have this element to his game.
But there's also the argument that the fact he hasn't been using his size to his advantage to produce is also a good sign, showing that he has the vision, smarts, and skills to produce, and as he develops into his body, he can become something special.
 

badfish

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But there's also the argument that the fact he hasn't been using his size to his advantage to produce is also a good sign, showing that he has the vision, smarts, and skills to produce, and as he develops into his body, he can become something special.
Could be for sure. If he doesn't then maybe his profile becomes something like Pierre Engvall, another tall player with skills that doesn't have much of a physical game.

All in all I think it was a great pick in the 6th and I was surprised he didn't go a little earlier last year.
 

NorthernBridge7

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Dec 26, 2019
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I've been watching Walton with the Wolves the last few seasons and he's a lot of fun to watch (especially this season) - I can provide maybe a bit of insight.

Very unique combination of size and skill. He's taken a large step forward from last season as he's playing consistent 1st line minutes compared to 3rd line last season. He's been very consistently putting up points on the season and there have been very few games this year I've come away thinking he played "bad." Consistency was an issue for him last season.

Strengths:
- Size/reach
- Hands (very good! Capable of high light reel goals)
- Shot
- Smarts (not elite, but "good." Sometimes has tunnel vision)
- Skating (he's an average skater, but considering his size I'd consider it a strength)
- Discipline (hardly ever in the box)

Weaknesses:
- Defensive play (there is some effort but its very nonchalant)
- Doesn't use his body to outmuscle other players or drive the net for the most part
- Plays around the perimeter too much
- No mean streak (not in his personality)

I think he's a great value pick in the 6th round because he's a very boom or bust type of prospect. He was being rated 2nd/3rd round at mid-season last year and played in the CHL prospects game but then he had a very slow 2nd half of the season - fatigue maybe could have played a factor, but overall he just didn't have any pep in his game, was inconsistent, and coasted for the rest of the season for the most part. I don't expect that this will happen this time.

A common critique amongst Wolves fans is that if he could just be more assertive and even get a little bit mean and use his body more he would be scary good. He has a very high ceiling IMO. Time will tell if he gets there or not. Great kid, he'll probably have a letter on his jersey next season.

Scored a nice one last night!
 

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