Los Angeles Kings select Koehn Ziemmer No. 78 overall in 2023 NHL Draft

Koehn Ziemmer could’ve chosen the rodeo career path. He dreamed of becoming a bull rider as a kid, and he had family and friends who went into that profession. He ultimately chose hockey instead, and the Kings are surely glad he did. They selected him No. 78 overall in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

The Alberta-born winger does bring some rodeo mentality to his game, however. He’s known as a strong, passionate power forward, a gamer. While he doesn’t have the size to be a menace on the ice, he’s hard to knock off the puck at six-foot and already a sturdy 194 pounds.

Ziemmer was one of the best young goal scorers in the WHL this season, lighting the lamp 41 times in 89 games with the Prince George Cougars while often toiling on a line with fellow 2023 NHL draftee Riley Heidt. Ziemmer has a quick release and he has the type of net-driving ability that helps him follow up his own chances. His soft hands make him unique for some who carries a power-forward reputation. He’s also capable of making plays to set up teammates.

What held him back on draft boards, however, was the skating. The problem is less about his top speed and more about his technique. Because it’s poor, it limits his ability to accelerate and break out of his own zone effectively.

STEVEN ELLIS’ SCOUTING REPORT

“Ziemmer is a solid power forward who uses his strength to his advantage and should be able to carve out a decent NHL career. His skating is a concern, though, but I think there’s enough here for Ziemmer to become a great value pickup.”