Vancouver Canucks select Ethan Keppen in fourth-round of NHL draft

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      After trading down in the draft to add an extra pick, the Vancouver Canucks slid from close to the to the top of the fourth round to the end of it in Buffalo’s selection of No.122.

      In that spot, the Canucks drafted Ethan Keppen from the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League.

      Flint wasn’t very good last year—the team was second-to-last in the league with a 16-46-6 record—but Keppen wasn’t to blame. The Whitby, Ontario native put up 59 points in 68 games as a 17-year-old.

      Though he has shown considerable skill at that level, he projects as a bottom-six player in the NHL. He’s listed at 6’2, 212 lbs. and sold himself as a power forward type who “plays a 200-foot game.”

      In fact, he told assembled media that he models his game after players like Matthew Tkachuk and Jamie Benn. He also said that he was confident the Firebirds are going to make the playoffs this year. Those are both things Canucks fans will probably like to hear. 

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