Five Manitobans listed in 2024 nhl central scouting's final rankings.
NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft on April 16 with five Manitobans making an appearance.
This is a weaker class when it comes to Manitobans, but there are some intriguing prospects. This year, the centralized draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada over the familiar two-day period: Friday June 28 to Saturday June 29.
Game On's Jackson Bachewich has put together a scouting report on each of the five Manitobans listed, with each set to be revealed in the coming weeks as a five-part series leading up to the draft.
No. 216. Josh Fluker (Wenatchee Wild, WHL), Boissevain MB
6’0”
160 lbs
Defence
Mid Term Rankings: 139
Final Rankings: 216
Season Stats: GP:64 G:3 A:12 PTS:15 - Playoffs: GP:5 G:0 A:0 PTS:0
Former Teams: Southwest Cougars U15/U18 AAA
Josh Fluker Scouting report:
Strengths:
- Defensive play
- Physical
- Skating
Weaknesses:
- Offence
After being taken 7th overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft, Josh Fluker was expected to take a big step forward in his NHL draft year.
Last season was disappointing for both Fluker and the Broncos as Fluker has one goal and two assists in 55 games - two fewer points than he had in 10 games the year before - and Swift Current needed him to take a big step forward as the team's 7th overall pick.
By the WHL trade deadline Fluker had two goals and nine points in 36 games for the Broncos, not as much as they would hope but his defensive game was shining. Then a bombshell. The Western Conference's third-place Wenatchee Wild decided to blow it up and trade all their star players. Manitoba's Conor Geekie was sent to Swift Current. Heading back was Josh Fluker along with other assets.
Fluker finished out the season with six points in 28 games with Wenatchee and a rough five-game playoff series to close out the year. It's safe to say Fluker has never been known for his offensive game, only scoring 20 points in his final year of U18 AAA hockey. But he is known for what he can do on the defensive side of the puck.
Fluker is a confident player who can carry the puck up ice or dish it out with precise passes. He can open passing lanes for himself with his quick feet and deceptive puck handling.
You don't usually find a 6’0” defensive defenseman, but that is how Fluker plays. He is calm and composed under pressure in his own end and has great energy and physicality for a smaller d-man.
Fluker may go undrafted, but he is a player that is worth taking a gamble on when it comes to the later rounds. His offensive game may not be the best when looking at a smaller defenceman, but his defensive poise may be what gets him selected on June 29.
Stay tuned for the next player to be revealed on Game On's Manitoba Draft Spotlight.
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