Want to get past 2024 NHL Draft prospect EJ Emery? Good luck

From asking a panel of USA Hockey National Team Development Program players who the toughest player to face in 1-on-1 drills is, the same answer almost always came up: defenseman EJ Emery.

It’s easy to see why. He’s big at 6-foot-3 and around 180 pounds. He’s as competitive as it gets. His confidence is through the roof. He hits like a truck and gives you no space to play with near the net.

Emery’s parents still live in British Columbia, where he was born and raised. But Emery’s dad being American (with EJ’s hometown on the USNTDP website saying Compton, California), allowed him to suit up for one of the top hockey programs in the world. Emery was drafted 65th overall by the Saskatoon Blades, but he had his eyes set on heading to Plymouth if he ended up getting selected by USA Hockey.

Two years later, it’s clear he made the right decision. So much so, that many scouts consider him a first-round prospect in a draft dominated by big, mobile defensemen.

“If you’re in a 1-on-1 situation with him in the corner, you better skate quickly, or you’re screwed,” a scout said. “He moves so quickly and takes away space so quickly. He gives you little to work with out there.”

Emery takes pride in being a bit of a pain in the rear-end. He’s also proud of his skating, something scouts mention as a real highlight in his game.

“Just being able to keep up with the quick guys, I’m able to be pretty agile,” Emery said. “And then the size plays a big part, too. That combined helps me with the defensive side and being able to walk down guys.”

Emery was a multi-sport athlete growing up, trying his hand at football and basketball. He was also a track runner, which explains his quick strides. He said that between high school and middle school, he only lost once.

“It’s a 1-on-1 sport, competing against the person right next to you,” Emery said. “I ran the 100 meter. It’s the best man wins in that. Going up against someone, it’s kind of a thrill.”

Emery’s stats don’t stand out on a page, heading into the U-18 World Championship in Finland with no goals and 11 points with the program this year. His lone goal came at the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game in January, which caught even him off guard at the time.

“That was kind of a main focus this past summer, just working on my puck touches a little bit,” Emery said following that game. “It might not always show but I think it’s getting better and ready to come out.”

Scouts believe there’s untapped potential for him in the offensive department, even if he’s not there yet. But everything else? He’s got it.

“He’s a natural-born athlete,” another scout said. “You won’t find many guys as competitive as him out there. Practices, games, in the weight room. He just wants to win.”

From a style perspective, Emery struggled early in his days with the program. He looked nervous with the puck, trying to make plays too quickly – and often not the right one. Working alongside coach Nick Fohr and assistants Ryan Bourque and Matt Gilroy – both NHL alumni – he looks more in control of his own decision-making and passes under pressure. You’re rarely finding Emery giving the puck away unprompted anymore.

It’s still something he wants to improve on heading into college.

“When I get on the ice, I want my coach to be able to trust me and be completely calm with me knowing I can get the job done,” Emery said. “I just want to be able to get out there and slow the game down a little bit. Just go out there and be strong, close out the play.”

Emery is set to join the University of North Dakota next year, a group with an impressive recruiting class that includes fellow draft eligibles Sacha Boisvert, Mac Swanson, Will Zellers and Sam Laurila, among others. Former NHLer Brad Berry is the bench boss at North Dakota, helping to build a very respectable program that helped turn Jackson Blake from a fourth-round pick into a Hobey Baker finalist in just two years.

Emery’s pro size and mobility should allow him to comfortably adjust to the college game. It’ll help him buy a few years of development before turning pro and challenging for a second-pairing role, something many scouts think is possible for the youngster. As for his ceiling? A player as competitive as Emery should have no issue securing opportunities.

Right now, his goal is to help the Americans win gold for the second consecutive year at the U-18s. But in a few short months, he’ll have his name called at The Sphere, a once-in-a-lifetime experience Emery has dreamed of. And eventually, NHL stars will have to figure out creative ways to beat him, something many junior-aged prospects have struggled with.

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Want to get past 2024 NHL Draft prospect EJ Emery? Good luck

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