Oliver Wahlstrom
Position: Right Wing, Center
Team:USA Hockey NTDP U18
Date of Birth: June 13, 2000
Birthplace: Yarmouth, ME
Height: 6 feet 1 inch
Weight: 205 pounds
Shoots: Right
Oliver Wahlstrom, Harvard-commit, showed up in a big way on the national stage, announcing his arrival with 15 points in 20 games as the United States claimed gold at the World Under-18s. Wahlstrom is one of the best American players in the draft and should contribute regularly at the NHL level. His goal scoring ability is second to none in the draft.
Scouting Reports
Via Mile High Hockey:
What do I think about Wahlstrom? I think he is the best American player in this draft and should be a top-5 pick. He has the best shot out of anyone I’ve watched and the variety of ways he can put the puck in the net tells me that facet of his game will translate very well to the next level. He’s also big enough that ability to handle physical play shouldn’t be a concern among scouts and GMs. Offensively, he doesn’t have any skills that are below average. Maybe there are some out there that still see him as a center, but I think if you keep him on the right side, Wahlstrom can be a legitimate top-line player someday. More likely though, he falls somewhere in the 6-10 range, and it is very improbable that he gets picked outside of the top 10. There’s just too much upside in his game for him to slip that far, and his floor is still that of an NHL regular.
Via Elite Prospects:
A sensational scoring threat, Oliver Wahlstrom is a fierce competitor that preys on weak play. He exploits gaps in the neutral zone; his positioning allows him to carry the puck forward immediately or shift up and into stride off of an outlet pass. He promptly takes easy lanes away from the opposition along his own blue line, but could stand to be more proactive defensively. Offensively, he might be described as uncontainable: the confidence he has in his individual puck skill, paired with a high level of thinking, makes him a difficult cog to take out of alignment. He is able to create opportunities for himself, as well as teammates, out of nothing; this, in turn, translates to energy on the ice and in the building as a whole. All-in-all, Oliver Wahlstrom is an instinct-driven hockey player gifted with the size, skating, skill, and smarts that coaches yearn for.