BUFFALO | Four players at 21e century scored more than 115 points and more than 50 goals during their draft year, in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL): Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard… and Berkly Catton.
This statistic comes from Cam Robinson of the Elite Prospects site and it speaks for itself. The Spokane Chiefs forward has produced at a rate few players his age have been able to sustain in their draft year.
And what do the first three names have in common? All three of them were the very first choice of their vintage. We can tell you right away: this will not be the case for Catton since it will be Macklin Celebrini.
Could he be second? Nothing seems impossible in this unpredictable vintage, but it’s also unlikely. The majority of public rankings place him between 5 and 10 and an experienced recruiter told us Tuesday that this is probably the rank where he will be drafted.
Somewhat forgotten?
For some, he is the most underrated player in the draft. For others, the fact that he stands just over 5’10” and weighs 175 lbs limits the possibility that he could become an impact center in the NHL.
Met on the sidelines of the NHL evaluation camp in Buffalo, Catton was not afraid to say that he is probably underestimated.
“Most players will find they are underestimated. On the other hand, I think that not having participated in the World Under-18 Hockey Championship [en raison d’une blessure] and to have played in the playoffs despite this injury, made it seem like people had forgotten me. I think if I had gone to the U18, it would have been a very different story, but that’s part of hockey.”
“It fuels the fire in me”
Catton might appear haughty or pretentious to assert such things. That doesn’t seem to be the case.
We feel that it really comes from the gut, and that’s what we pointed out to him. As if, at a certain point, we were disrespecting him by not considering him more despite the numbers he offered last season.
“It motivates me,” he replied. When you’re in the gym or shooting pucks, it gives you extra motivation. That’s the beauty of it, it fuels the fire in me.”
Center or winger?
The fact that there are questions about whether he can play center in the NHL is legitimate. Like it or not, even if hockey has modernized, several of the best center players in the NHL have the physique for the job.
But Catton isn’t too worried.
“Growing up, I was a winger since I often played with older players and they were the ones who got the center positions. I can play on the wing quite well. On the other hand, I have only played center in recent seasons and that fits well with my strengths which are efficiency in transition and transporting the puck to the center of the ice. “I’m sure teams see that and would like me to be a center in the NHL.”
To prove his point, he cites the example of New Jersey Devils star center Jack Hughes who, at 5’11” and 175 lbs, isn’t doing too badly so far.
“I watch him a lot, as does Patrick Kane. They are good skaters with quick hands but what sets them apart is their intelligence. They’re smarter than everyone else on the ice and that’s what makes them dominant. I think I can bring the same kind of style.”
The four best draft seasons of 21e century in the CHL
- Sidney Crosby (2004-2005): 62 games, 66 goals, 102 assists, 168 points (2.71 points per game)
- Connor Bedard (2022-2023): 57 games, 71 goals, 72 assists, 143 points (2.51 points per game)
- Patrick Kane (2006-2007): 58 games, 62 goals, 83 assists, 145 points (2.5 points per game)
- Berkly Catton (2023-2024): 68 games, 54 goals, 62 assists, 116 points (1.71 points per game)
