Los Angeles Kings select Liam Greentree No. 26 overall in 2024 NHL Draft

On Friday at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the Los Angeles Kings took the scoring winger in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, No. 26 overall.

Greentree spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he collected 36 goals and 54 assists for 90 points in 64 games. It was a weird year for Greentree, who played on one of Canada’s worst clubs. Windsor posted just 18 wins in 68 games and allowed 360 goals against, the highest in the OHL. Greentree’s 36 goals led the Spitfires and the 18-year-old was voted the third-most dangerous in the goal area by the OHL’s Western Conference coaches.

While the Spitfires had a horrible year as a club, Greentree was tasked with getting it all done, as the captain of the team you have to set the tone. Greentree led the team in goals, but also killed penalties, played on the power play, was the primary playmaker, and was the team’s go-to goal scorer.

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, rated Greentree No. 19.

“Man, if it wasn’t for the lackluster skating, I’d be all in on Greentree. He’s such a great shooter, passer and thinks the game at such a high level. From a skill perspective with the puck, Greentree reminds me a bit of USNTDP-aged Matt Boldy – he just makes things happen. Greentree’s vision is excellent, and he carried a bad Spitfires team in a big way this year. He was quiet at the U-18s, but he showed throughout the year that he can produce and play with just about anyone.”

The Oshawa, Ontario product represented Canada at both the Under-18 Men’s World Championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup during the 2023-24 campaign. He added two goals and four points in seven games at the U18s and one assist in three games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.