Vincent Iorio

October 2023 – As of this writing Iorio is still in training camp as the Capitals main roster is dealing with a few injuries on defense. He is still very likely to be sent down once it is time to submit the final NHL roster. It is a good sign that the Capitals are keeping him up, and so far in his one preseason game he skated in 15:53 of ice time, had one shot, but went -3 in a 5-3 win. However, two of those minuses were when the game was 5-1 with four minutes remaining, so I would not read too much in to him being on the ice when those goals were scored. Iorio will be a top four defenseman for the Bears this season and hopefully he continues his upward trajectory. Pat Quinn

August 2023 – Iorio finished second in regular season defense scoring on the Bears with 22 points in 63 games. Iorio projects well as a solid middle-pairing two-way defenseman but if he wants to add more scoring to his repertoire, he is going to need to jump in to the rush and unload his shot a lot more. In the playoffs he played in 15 of the 20 games, as Hershey won the Calder Cup, registering five points. There were times when he looked overwhelmed, and other times when he did not, but that is what can happen for rookies in the AHL. Iorio is still likely a couple seasons away and it is unknown if he will bring any fantasy relevant scoring with him. Pat Quinn

January 2023 – For a second round pick in 2021, Iorio has quietly exploded on to the scene for Hershey. He is second on the team in points, with 12 points in 36 games, and has impressed the coaching staff quite a bit. Iorio is an under the radar type of prospect who fantasy GMs could all be saying “wait, this guy is on track for 40+ points?” In the future. The Capitals usually let young defensemen simmer in the AHL for a long time but Iorio may force the team’s hand sooner than later. His shot, ability to find teammates in the offense zone, and transition out of the zone are already way ahead of where they should be. Pat Quinn

September 2022 – Iorio plans to join the Hershey Bears of the AHL after four years of WHL action with Brandon. Iorio will be 20 in November and is a puck moving defenseman. He signed his three-year ELC this off season as well. It will be tough for him to see action on a Bears team that tends to prefer veteran AHL players to rookies. Iorio will have to bide his time to gain steady top ice time but sooner than later he could be on a lot of top prospect lists. Pat Quinn

January 2022 – Iorio is having an improved season for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL with 19 points in 27 games, improving his points per game to 0.70, up from his seasons of 0.55, 0.36, and his first season with 0.10. The puck skills are improving, his defense is getting better, and his transition game is solid as always. This will be his final year in the WHL so expect to see him in the AHL for a few seasons after this. Pat Quinn

December 2021 – Iorio was cut from Canada’s World Junior Championship squad which is surprising. Now him not making Team Canada on defense if not surprising as there are about 15 players who could make it, but he is the only right-handed shot on defense so the decision is sure an odd one. Pat Quinn

July 2021 – Iorio was selected in the second round, 55th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

February 2021 – Iorio has yet to get the love he deserves but with the WHL seemingly starting to kick things into gear for this season, the Brandon Wheat Kings blueliner should be able to get his name back into the conversation when talking about the 2021 NHL Draft. Averaging almost 19 minutes a night last year in the WHL, Iorio began to establish himself as a two-way presence who can contribute a bit in all areas. He is a good skater who stays mobile and strong on his edges when playing defense. Rarely stopping his feet and becoming stagnant, Iorio does an excellent job of shadowing an attacker. He can stay in a puck carrier’s face at a level many defenders wish they could and his stick work is precise and controlled. There are times when he can be out-skilled by high-level players but he more than held his own as a 17-year-old defender in the Dub. He doesn’t always use his physicality but at 6’3 and almost 200lbs, he certainly can lay the body or lean on players when he needs to be.

Once recovering the puck, Iorio does an excellent job under pressure, staying patient with the puck and making intelligent plays all over the ice. He plays with a poise that isn’t generally seen in a young defender, especially in the WHL where the forecheckers are often a bit heavier on the puck and in the corners. He has the ability to read the play and use his mobility to draw opposing players in so that he can open up a teammate or a passing lane through the neutral zone. He is doesn’t necessarily manipulate players with his skill but his patience does it by proxy. He doesn’t need to out skill opponents with the puck on his stick and understands how to move it up ice efficiently. In the offensive zone, he reads plays well and jumps into the attack when the opportunity presents itself. He has a good shot that he likes to get off from the faceoff circles to give him a higher-percentage scoring chance. His passing and playmaking from the blueline may lack dynamism but he is rarely inefficient with the puck and doesn’t look to be the star, allowing his teammates to do what they do best. There are so many instances where the pass he makes may seem simple but if he doesn’t time it right or doesn’t stay patient, he doesn’t make the play. Efficient, intelligent, and under-the-radar, Vincent Iorio should make some team very happy on draft night. Tony Ferrari