Round 4, 102nd pick: Owen Protz, defenseman, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
With the 102nd pick, the Habs selected 6’1″ defenceman Owen Protz of the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League. The physical rearguard recorded seven points (1G, 6A) in 36 games with the Sudbury Wolves in the first half of the season before being traded to the Bulldogs, where he had 12 points (2G, 10A) in 30 games. Protz also shared the ice with Canadiens prospect Florian Xhekaj.
Round 5, 130th pick: Tyler Thorpe, right wing, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
With the 130th overall pick, Kent Hughes and the Canadiens selected forward Tyler Thorpe from the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot-4, 209-pound right winger has 44 points (23G, 21A) in 51 games with his junior team in 2023-24.
Tour 5, 134e choix : Mikus Veczvanags, gardien, HS Riga (Lattonie)
The Bleu-blanc-rouge added a goalkeeper to its bank of prospects by drafting Mikus Vecvanags from HS Riga in Latvia. The 18-year-old posted a 3.00 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in nine games with HS Riga in Latvia’s top division. The 6’3” netminder also played 16 games for Tukums in Latvia’s second division, as well as eight games for HS Riga 17 at the U-18 level.
Tour 6, 166e choix : Ben Merrill, centre, St. Sebastians School (USHS-Prep)
Next, the CH explored the USHS-Prep avenue, selecting forward Ben Merrill from St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Massachusetts. The 18-year-old right-handed center has 18 goals and 37 points in 25 games in 2023-24. Merrill will join the ranks of the Penticton Vees in the BCHL next season, with plans to continue his career with Harvard in the NCAA in 2025-2026.
Tour 7, 210e choix : Makar Khanin, ailier droit, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (MHL)
With the 210th choice overall, the Habs turned to a talent working on the other side of the ocean by choosing Russian striker Makar Khanin. The Salavat, Russia native played on two levels of Dynamo St. Petersburg this season, splitting his time between the team’s VHL (Russia’s equivalent of the AHL) and MHL (the top league junior of Russia). In total, the 19-year-old winger collected 36 points (16G, 20A) in 42 games.
Round 7, 224th pick: Rasmus Bergqvist, defenseman, Skelleftea Jr. (J20 National)
The Canadiens concluded the 2024 NHL auction by calling out the name of defenseman Rasmus Bergqvist of Skelleftea Jr. in the J20 Nationell league. The 6’2” and 181 lb Swedish guard collected 12 points (4G, 8A) in 36 games in 2023-2024.
For all content regarding the 2024 NHL Draft, follow the Canadiens on social media at @CanadiensMTL.
Last updated: 3:44 p.m. ET
