Florida Panthers select Gracyn Sawchyn No. 63 overall in 2023 NHL Draft

The Florida Panthers have selected center Gracyn Sawchyn No. 63 overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Sawchyn last played for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League.

Sawchyn took a gamble when he decided to leave the United States National Team Development Program last summer and join the Thunderbirds organization, and it paid off big time. Sawchyn notched 18 goals and 40 assists for 58 points in 58 games this season, good enough for a point per game as a WHL rookie. He ranked second among WHL rookies, trailing Regina Pats forward Alexander Suzdalev (Washington Capitals)

He added an additional 11 points in 17 WHL Playoff games as the Thunderbirds stormed through the WHL Playoffs, winning the Ed Chynoweth Trophy. Sawchyn appeared in five Memorial Cup games but went scoreless as the Thunderbirds relied heavily on their veterans throughout the tournament.

The Grande Prairie, Alberta product spent time at the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s program, registering a whopping 83 points in 54 games before following that up with 60 points in 47 games. He was selected first overall by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2020 WHL US Prospect Draft, but his rights were dealt to the Thunderbirds. Sawchyn is a quick skater who is a crafty playmaker that uses nifty one-and-two-touch plays to teammates move in space. He is not afraid to drive the net to create havoc either.

“Not only did leaving the USNTDP to join Seattle result in a WHL championship, but after putting up a point per game while showing good speed, smarts and an outstanding work ethic, it helped his draft status in a huge way,” Daily Faceoff Senior Prospect Analyst Steven Ellis said. “Scouts would have liked to see him put a bit more offense on the board, but he’s so good away from the puck that you’ll find yourself smiling, anyway. He’s a dynamic forward that brings back memories of Robert Thomas at the same age, and that might be enough to cement himself as a first-round prospect after not being on the radar early on.”

Sawchyn joins a prospect pipeline that features the likes of Mackie Samoskevich, Evan Nause and more He will return to the WHL and embark on a second full season with the reigning WHL champions.