Justin Sourdif

August 2023 – The 21-year-old winger is a skilled, all-around sniper with above-average skating who plays a physical game and has a penchant for scoring clutch goals. He proved in junior that he can both carry a team and play more of a complementary role, versatility that bodes well for his future in the NHL. Although Sourdif’s AHL production as a rookie pro looks underwhelming (0.5 points per game), he ran hot and cold throughout the year: 16 of his points came from two separate hot streaks (17 games combined), while he scored only 10 points over the remaining 35 games. If he can hit the scoresheet with more consistency, there is still top-six NHL potential here. Look for him to take a noticeable step forward in his second year with the Checkers (AHL) and move his way up Florida’s call-up hierarchy. Ben Gehrels

December 2022 – Sourdif is slowly acclimating to pro-level hockey with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). His rookie production (eight points in 24 games) does not jump off the page but has scored some key goals of late, demonstrating the same big-game clutch production he showed as the captain of the Vancouver Giants and then member of the powerhouse Edmonton Oil Kings in his final year in junior. Sourdif is not a big guy but he plays physically and should play a more significant role on the Checkers down the stretch as he continues to adjust to the AHL. If he can hit the scoresheet with more regularity next year, he should be one of the next in line for call ups in 2023-24. Ben Gehrels

June 2022 – Sourdif began the 2022-23 WHL season captaining a shaky Vancouver Giants squad but was traded halfway through to the powerhouse Oil Kings. There he almost doubled his scoring rate and came up clutch in the playoffs, scoring an overtime goal to send his team to the finals. He is a big-game player who produces regardless of linemates and impacts the game in a variety of ways. He will transition to the AHL next year and is shaping up into a valuable middle-six forward with upside. Ben Gehrels

October 2020 – Sourdif was drafted 87th overall by the Panthers. Sourdif is expected to spend two more years in the WHL before turning pro.  Jokke Nevalainen

December 2019 – Sourdif’s offensive production might be a tad inconsistent at times, but the way he sees the game is why he will be drafted in the late first/early second round on draft day. If he sees a teammate try to cycle, but there is not a fellow Vancouver Giants player along the boards, you can expect that Sourdif will jump for the puck. He will cover a pinching defenseman and is aggressive in all three zones. Sourdif’s passes are quick and accurate. He will often look to make passes in the slot to his wingers. So far this season, Sourdif has tallied 12 goals and 15 assists in 30 games. If he can be more consistent with his offensive production, there is a chance that analysts could place him in the top 20 rankings for the draft, but at this point, he looks like a late first-round selection. Josh Tessler