2: Drafting Brock Boeser
After making the playoffs in 2014-15 and falling in six games to the Flames, the Canucks were reduced to picking 23rd overall at the 2015 draft.
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In doing so, he improved his stock as an excellent judge of talent by selecting one of the very best players of the entire 2015 draft at No. 23: Brock Boeser.
Besides the Carolina Hurricanes’ selection of Sebastian Aho at 35th overall, Boeser was the best pick from 19th overall onward in what turned out to be one stacked draft class.
Benning could have selected Travis Konecny, who went 24th overall, or Anthony Beauvillier, who went 28th overall.
Instead, he selected Boeser, who was ranked just 27th amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
The selection of Boeser with the 23rd overall pick was a masterstroke by the Canucks. Whether it was Benning’s pick, whether it was fan favorite Judd Brackett, or Ron Delorme – it doesn’t actually matter.
What matters is that, under Jim Benning, the Canucks made a hugely important selection that has given them an elite sniper who could one day challenge Daniel Sedin’s franchise record for goals.