Jamie Drysdale

July 2023 – Drysdale played in only eight games for 2022-23 as he missed the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that required a four to six months recovery time. Drysdale is absolutely a top four NHL defenseman now, and hopefully the injury did not take a lot of development with it. Going in to 2023-24 Drysdale will be in the top four, but the question is the powerplay time with Zellweger and Mintyukov coming. He will have to keep Zellweger at bay this season to keep his powerplay time. Additionally, Drysdale is too good on defense and that may keep him more in a shutdown role instead of a feature role for offense. Pat Quinn

May 2021 – While Drysdale experienced some growing pains in his first 24 NHL games, he showed plenty of growth and maturity for a 19-year-old in his first pro season. He finished his first NHL campaign with three goals and eight points, while skating almost 20 minutes a night. He had no problem transitioning to the AHL, recording 10 points in 14 games, with a whopping 36 shots. With the Gulls in the playoffs, he’ll have the chance to win a Calder Cup and create more confidence going into the next NHL season. Lucas Main

March 2021 – Drysdale made his NHL debut against the Arizona Coyotes on March 18th and scored his first NHL goal with a beauty of a shot from the blue line. He received the puck from down low on the right point and walked the line with his tremendous skating ability, faked a shot, and wristed it on net. The puck beat Adin Hill and sparked a comeback for the Ducks. He would also add an assist and play 18 and a half minutes. With the OHL returning, GM Bob Murray and his staff will have to make a decision on whether to return him to junior or let him develop in Anaheim as the AHL will no longer be an option. Lucas Main

March 2021 – How did Drysdale’s first month of pro hockey go? Only won the AHL Rookie of the Month, not too shabby. The defenseman scored four goals and nine points in 11 games and does not look like he has skipped a beat. His skating has been unmatched in his transition to pro and confidence seems at an all time high with and without the puck. He oozes swag with the puck and even earned himself a call up to the taxi squad. Lucas Main

February 2021 – In today’s COVID world, Drysdale was able to make his pro debut earlier than expected. Through two games with the San Diego Gulls, the Ontario native has put up two points, including his first professional goal. When things get back to normal he will be returned to the OHL, but adding this AHL to his tool belt will go a long way in his development. Lucas Main

January 2021 – Drysdale played on Team Canada’s top pair net to Avalanche prospect Bowen Byram and the two will be fun players to watch in the NHL one day. Drysdale made many plays along the blue line to keep the puck in the offensive zone, walking the fine line to create an opportunity. On the other side of the puck, his active stick broke up many plays enabling them to transition the puck the other way. He will head to Anaheim to attend training camp and has all the tools to make the Ducks, as the team has kept previous high first round selections in the past. Lucas Main

December 2020 – To nobodies surprise, Drysdale was selected to Team Canada’s World Junior Championship selection camp. Ending last year’s tournament as their best defenseman, it would be a shock if he does not make the squad again. Lucas Main

October 2020 – Drysdale instantly jumps to the top of the Ducks defensive prospect cupboard. The team needed a high end defender who could skate, make plays, and jump into the rush. He has a high IQ and his performance at the World Juniors is what sold him to GM Bob Murray. If the Ducks don’t add a top-4 defenseman via trade or free agency, he has the potential to get a nine game tryout and stick around for the entire 2020-21 season. Lucas Main

October 2020 – Drysdale was drafted sixth overall by the Ducks. Drysdale spent the entire season in the top ten on almost all pre-draft rankings. He could push for an NHL job in 2021-2022.  Jokke Nevalainen

February 2020 – Drysdale has done nothing to discredit himself as the best defenseman in the 2020 NHL Draft since the start of the year. He’s been outstanding for a middling Erie squad putting up a point-per-game through 40 games. His skating and IQ have been on display all season long including when he emerged as one of the best defensemen on the gold medal-winning Canadian World Junior team despite being the youngest member of the blueline group and has grown his game in the defensive end of the ice. If anything, Drysdale has raised his stock since the beginning of the year and will likely continue to solidify his place as the clear-cut number one defender in this years class. Pat Quinn

July 2019- Jamie Drysdale will be the most coveted defensive draft prospect at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Drysdale is a great right-handed defenseman, who potentially could be NHL ready for the 2020-2021 season. He has all the tools in the world in the offensive zone. He possesses sleek passing ability, a nose for the net, great hands and superb vision. In addition, his skating is flawless. Drysdale has quality speed and excellent edge-work. He uses his speed and edge-work to tire out his opponents and create space for himself. With teams always hunting for an elite right-handed defenseman, you can bank on Drysdale going quite high in the first round of the draft. Josh Tessler