With their 4th round pick, 101st overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the Dallas Stars select center Liam Hawel from the Guelph Storm.
Hawel is a 6’5”, right-shot center that has long skating strides and can cover ice quickly. He’s responsibly defensively, using his reach and long stick to break up play. He was selected by Hockey Canada to play for his home country at the 2017 IIHF U18s, going pointless in a depth role through five games.
He projects best as a defensive, shutdown center, but does he have some untapped offensive potential? He had 14 points in 28 games after a midseason trade to Guelph and will likely get a chance to play offensive minutes for the Storm over the next two years.