The Anaheim Ducks are no slouch when it comes to developing their prospects. Some of their integral components this season (Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras and Isac Lundestrom, to name a few) have come straight from their farm system. Continuing to strengthen their pipeline is the next step.
Henry Thrun had himself quite a week, scoring a goal and assisting on four others for Harvard University. The defenseman registered a point in all three of Harvard’s games this past week and was one of the main reasons why Harvard swept this past week’s matchups.
This is Thrun’s second season of collegiate hockey after the Ivy League cancelled all winter sports for the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19. Thrun opted to play for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and he also took part in the 2021 World Juniors with Team USA.
It’s likely that Thrun will spend another season with Harvard before deciding to turn pro but the status of impending free agent Hampus Lindholm may affect Thrun’s decision.
One of the lesser known Ducks prospects playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the San Diego Gulls, Greg Printz put on an offensive showcase this week.
More of an in-your-face and “grit and grind” type player, Printz has been a staple on the Gulls’ third line the last handful of games.
Not only did Printz have a shorthanded point on Friday night, he also had an even strength assist and iced the game with an empty net goal.
After signing a one-year deal with the Gulls this past offseason, Printz has had to fight for ice time early on in the season but with the Gulls losing players to both injury and the Ducks’ taxi squad, Printz has been able to carve out a role lately with the Gulls.
Olen Zellweger continues to build on his breakout campaign with the Everett Silvertips. After his 2020-21 season was limited to just 11 games (alongside an appearance at the U18 tourney with Canada), the 18-year-old has accumulated 39 points in 31 games this season for the Silvertips.
Zellweger was also expected to play a large role with Canada at this year’s World Juniors tournament before it was postponed shortly after group stage play began.
It’s unlikely Zellweger will take a developmental path similar to Jamie Drysdale where he will be fast tracked to the NHL. A couple of seasons in the AHLor even another season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Silvertips should give Zellweger time to fill out his frame and become stronger defensively.
The Ducks’ prospects continue to impress, especially given that many of them have recently returned from injury. The recent hiring of Pat Verbeek as their next general manager should help streamline the process of strengthening the pipeline even more.
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