Minnesota Wild: Shawn Boudrias is a big player hopefully with a big future

When it comes to your sixth round pick in the NHL Entry Draft, it’s anyone’s guess. The Minnesota Wild took Shawn Boudrias with their sixth round (179th overall) pick in the 2018 iteration.

Shawn Boudrias may not ever make it to the NHL level, that’s a risk that the Minnesota Wild take and countless other teams take on sixth rounders; more fail than succeed.

However, not all of the players have the physical attributes that make Boudrias appealing to a team. The Minnesota Wild, no doubt, picked him up in part because he measures up at 6’5″ and tips the scales at 216lbs as a 19 year-old.

He’s not about to be mistaken for Zdeno Chara or Dustin Byfuglien, but with a bit more bulk, he sure as heck could get close in comparison.

Playing in the QJMHL for the Gatineau Olympiques, Shawn Boudrias put up 60 points in 60 games last season; 28 goals and 32 assists. This year, he’s splitting the assists and goals evenly once again, with 13 goals and 13 assists totalling 26 points through the first 23 games of the year.

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This level of improvement year-on-year will be vital for the big man.

If he is to make it to the NHL, his campaign this year as a nineteen year-old, you’d hope would be his last in major junior.

From here, he’ll need a mighty good showing at training camp next year to be in with a shot at making the Iowa Wild. Players don’t tend to jump direct from junior to the NHL, not for the Minnesota Wild or elsewhere, unless they’re absolutely elite.

The Minnesota Wild will no doubt be hoping that this sixth round swing isn’t a swing and a miss, but rather a wise move based on body size alone.

Imagine a future line-up with the size of both Shawn Boudrias and Jordan Greenway creating havoc.

Greenway too, took time to learn how to play a game suited to his build, but is finally finding his game once more. The expectation is that Boudrias would find similar challenges at the professional level, should he make it.

It’s safe to say that nothing is certain, but it’s great to remain hopeful that the young guys develop into future Minnesota Wild roster pieces. If they do that, you can say ‘job well done’ to the scouting and front-office team!