Jacob Truscott

May 2023 – Suiting up in his Junior year, Truscott was on pace to set career highs, before suffering a season-ending injury in January. Prior to the injury, he was earning top-line minutes alongside standout defenceman, Luke Hughes, while serving as one of the club’s go-to penalty killers. Furthermore, he has added physicality to his game, using his size and leverage to create turnovers and slow down play in his own zone. As mentioned, the Michigan native has excelled as a penalty killer, displaying an active stick and strong positioning to disrupt passing lanes. On the offensive side, he has seen an increase in production and has shown prowess on the power play. In 23 games, he posted four goals and 16 points. To reach his potential as an NHL player, Truscott will need to adjust to the speed and strength of professional hockey while further improving his skating and shooting. Overall, he has the foundation to become a valuable depth defenseman for the Canucks. It appears that he will return for his Senior year at Michigan, where the team will look to take down a National Championship, after which, you can expect a jump to the AHL. Dave Hall

May 2022 – In his sophomore season with a heavy-set Michigan squad, Truscott took some serious strides in his overall game. He found himself in a top-four role, skating alongside top-rated New Jersey prospect, Luke Hughes. With that, he was forced to focus on the defensive side of his game, staying back and manning the backend while Hughes took chances in the offensive. On top of that, he took a heavier role on the penalty kill, an area which he can now add to his already growing repertoire. Looking forward, the 20-year-0ld looks poised to take on an even larger role in 2022-23. With heavy-hitters such as Owen Power and Nick Blankenburg graduating, Truscott should upgrade to the top pair. With that in mind, expect him to enjoy a longer offensive leash, while continuing with his two-way play. His Junior year is shaping up to be a big one, and he will have the option to turn pro come season’s end. Dave Hall

March 2021 – It’s been quite the year for Truscott’s development. Not only was he taken in the fifth round of this year’s NHL draft, but he also began his collegiate career with the highflying Michigan Wolverines. As is expected from a freshman defender, his minutes were often kept to the third-pairing. Yet, his five points were still enough for a 10th place finish among U19 defenders, nation-wide. He carries a good toolkit, with a variety of skills to rely upon – most notably on the offensive side. There is work to be had in the defensive end, but as an 18-year-old defenceman enrolled in a tremendous NCAA program, he will be given all the tools to grow as a player. In terms of fantasy, he should be considered a long-term project on the backend. Dave Hall