Utah Hockey Club select Will Skahan No. 65 overall in 2024 NHL Draft

On Saturday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, the Utah Hockey Club selected Will Skahan in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, No. 65 overall.

Skahan spent the 2023-24 campaign with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), where he compiled four goals and six points in 24 games. The 6-foot-4, 216 lb defender tallied 14 points in 60 NTDP games throughout the calendar year. He appeared in seven games, representing the United States at the Under-18 Men’s World Championship, and tallied one goal and one assist, capturing a silver medal.

Skahan is a big defenseman with a high hockey IQ who uses his size to crush opponents and is not afraid to make a big hit, he has drawn comparisons to New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba for his physicality.

The Orange County, California product is no stranger to the NHL. His father Sean Skahan, spent 13 seasons as strength and conditioning coach with the Anaheim Ducks from 2002-2015 and the Minnesota Wild from 2016-2022.

Skahan has committed to the Boston College Eagles of the NCAA for the 2024-25 season.

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis, rated Skahan No. 63 overall.

“There’s so much to like about Skahan, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound defenseman. He can get nasty out there, playing an aggressive, in-your-face style that few have figured out how to contain. The Boston College commit lacks in the offensive department, which is why he’s down here. But you’re drafting him for physicality and defensive-zone play – two things he excels at.”