At six-foot-five, 212 pounds, it’s fitting that Tyler Thorpe plays for the Vancouver Giants.
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The Richmond, B.C.-native has enjoyed a few solid seasons in the Pacific Province, specifically his 23 goals and 21 assists in 51 WHL regular season games last year. Forty-four points up from six in the previous season is quite an accomplishment for the right winger.
This statistical elevation is why Thorpe went home with the Most Improved Player award from the Giants as a part of their individual awards celebration. It’s possible that he could have netted even more for the Vancouver club as he suffered a cut to his forearm in February that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
His performance out west still merited a spot on the NHL Central Scouting Rankings at the 110th spot. A scouting assessment from Elite Prospects highlighted his NHL-level shooting ability, saying, “It’s uncommon to see a player of Thorpe’s stature shoot in motion and off-the-catch with such impressive form. His hands always stay in front of his body and he really elevates his top arm to put his full body weight behind the net.”
Related: Tyler Thorpe is Shooting For the NHL
The Canadiens took a chance on Thorpe, selecting him in the fifth round with the 130th overall spot. It’s a steep ascent for the forward if he wants to make it to the NHL from his draft position, not due to a lack of talent, but because Montreal is an organization with plenty of prospects. Funny enough, however, the last Vancouver Giant drafted by the club was also a fifth-rounder back in 2010: Brendan Gallagher.
Gallagher had spent time in the AHL, mainly due to the 2012-13 lockout, but paid his dues before debuting in January 2013. Thorpe is in a similar position and will have another year in Vancouver to further cement his WHL legacy.
Related: Brendan Gallagher’s Momentous Upcoming Season
Thorpe turned 19 last month—21 days ago if you want to be specific. He’ll need to keep impressing the right people before he most likely makes an AHL roster, but another solid year in Vancouver will get him there.
So far, he has looked good at the Giants training camp. He has laid the body all over the ice and is firing the puck at will. He netted a goal on the second day of camp, scoring off of a feed from Mazden Leslie.
One standout so far from Vancouver Giants training camp is #GoHabsGo prospect Tyler Thorpe. Looks faster and has thrown some massive hits during the scrimmage.
— Adam Kierszenblat (@Adamkblat) August 30, 2024
Thorpe also participated in the Montreal Canadiens development camp back in July. During a media availability yesterday, he spoke about what he learned from the experience:
“[Montreal coaches] talked a lot about the process,” Thorpe told Vancouver media members. “You’re not going to learn a lot in the week that you’re there, but, as long as you take something away that you are willing to go work on… they found that that was the biggest thing to harp on.”
Thorpe impressed attendees with his two goals at the Canadiens development camp scrimmage. It’s no surprise to those familiar with his elite shooting talent, but it surprised the winger himself.
“I was not expecting that. I got lucky with a few shots and that’s that,” he added.
If there’s a stat to check in the case of Thorpe, it’s the shots on goal column. Last season, he mustered 163 shots toward opposing goaltenders. If he is granted more power play time, following the eleven points he racked up on the man advantage last year, look for that shot total to rocket up.
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