Gavyn Thoreson

June 2023 – Thoreson is a raw but very toolsy forward who spent most of his season playing high school hockey, but really shone in his 26 USHL appearances. He’s evasive, highly dynamic, stays in constant motion, and attacks the slot with every offensive maneuver. Off-puck, he scans relentlessly, collecting information and processing it faster than most USHL players can. He’s also an active and fairly effective defensive player; he sticks to his assignments well and anticipates passes at a fairly high level. His transition game is marked by constant adjustments, frequent lane switches, and strong passing. His handling, playmaking, and shot all project to be above NHL average, and his processing and hockey sense are even better still. There is a large caveat, however. Thoreson gets physically overwhelmed quite regularly by USHL defenders which made it difficult for him to really excel with his slot-oriented style despite his high-end IQ. He will need to add stability and lower body strength to translate well to the NCAA, but the skill and intelligence make it a worthwhile gamble in the middle rounds of the draft as there is a longshot chance at 2nd line upside with Thoreson. Sebastian High