Andrew Strathmann

June 2023 – Strathmann was selected 98th overall by the Blue Jackets. Pat Quinn

February 2022 – Strathmann is a creative offensive defenseman who may activate more frequently in the offensive zone than any other 2023 eligible defender. His creativity and evasiveness form the basis of his offensive game. He’s a slightly above-average skater who handles the puck quite well, which allows him to get around USHL forecheckers. These tools will need to take a significant step to translate to the NCAA, however. His decision-making with the puck is very inconsistent. He puts on the blinders regularly, shooting from low-danger areas when high-danger passing lanes open up to him with his dynamic movement, and due to below-average scanning habits, he gives away possession when pressured quite often. Scanning is a particular issue on retrievals and receptions. His defensive game is also a weakness at this point in time, he switches assignments without warning, leaving unmanned opponents in the slot, and his gap control is inconsistent at best.

He’s a very raw prospect but he’s off to a good program at the University of North Dakota and if his tools, scanning, and decision-making can take a significant leap, he could develop into a valuable second-pairing offensive defenseman, which makes him an interesting swing on upside outside the top-64. There is significant risk in drafting Strathmann, but a team with a strong development program could mould him into a very intruiguing NHL asset. Sebastian High