Jets’ Kieron Walton is one of the most improved NHL prospects in 2024-25

Kieron Walton was drafted No. 187 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets and the 6-foot-6 forward has not skipped a beat this season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Walton has tallied 26 goals and 43 assists for 69 points in 39 games with the Sudbury Wolves and leads the team in goals and points. He ranks third in the OHL among skaters in points.

Today on Daily Faceoff Live, prospect analyst Steven Ellis weighs in on why Walton is one of the most improved prospects in 2024-25.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Who is one prospect in the first half of the year, who can be drafted or undrafted, that has maybe changed your opinion of them?

Steven Ellis: Well it’s definitely Kieron Walton, who I mentioned is one of my biggest snubs from off of Team Canada and it was like he kind of came out of nowhere by the time Canada’s camp happened. He’s the third top scorer in the OHL this year, you look at the numbers last year in his draft-eligible season 43 points, he was a later pick as a result.

Steven Ellis: This year he’s already destroyed that with 69 points and he’s just continuously going at a rate here we’re going to be talking about 110 to 120 points on a Sudbury Wolves team that’s been missing one of their best offensive threats all year long in Quinton Musty. He is a really good pickup, he’s six-foot-six, he’s a good skater, and he’s a power forward I remember watching him in his OHL draft year and it’s like man if he could figure out how to score and get that offensive ability unlocked he’s going to be so good and right now the Winnipeg Jets are looking really good for taking him.