Jack Van Volsen – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Hockey Writers – NHL Draft Entry

admin June 1, 2024

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Jack Van Volsen

2023-24 Team: Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Date of Birth: January 12, 2006
Place of birth: Brooklyn, Ontario, Canada
Ht: 6-foot-1 Wt: 187 pounds
Shoot: Left
Position: Center
Draft Eligibility: 2024 first year eligible

Levels

Jack Van Volsen's struggles in the Ontario Hockey League have been unfortunate to see after the high hopes he had heading into his young career. He was a highly sought-after prospect heading into the 2022 OHL Priority Selection after scoring 110 points in 57 games on an incredibly strong Toronto Jr. team. Canadiens. He managed the under-16 age group with Jr. Canadiens on a team that includes a future first-round pick in this year's draft Michael Hage and a future first-round pick in next year's draft Porter Martone.

Related: THW 2024 NHL Draft Guide

Van Volsen had a strong 15-year-old season and was drafted sixth overall by the Peterborough Petes. After scoring 11 points in his first 29 games, the Petes made a big playoff run and decided to trade Van Volsen and Justin Dezoete and four draft picks to Mississauga for Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck. He came home to play the Steelheads and managed 14 points in 32 games with his new team, a slight improvement over his performances in Peterborough. He was hoping to produce more this season with Mississauga but he couldn't have the season he thought he only collected 32 points in 62 games.

Jack Van Volsen, Mississauga Steelheads (Photos by Natalie Shaver/OHL)

Even though Van Volsen didn't get off to a great start in his junior hockey career, that doesn't mean he can't develop into an NHL player. He has a good hockey IQ and is always able to find open spaces on the ice to shoot or pass to one of his teammates. He may not be one of the fastest players, but his vision in the neutral zone is one of his greatest strengths as he is able to help his team get into the offensive zone without losing the puck.

Some THW Draft profiles

Jack Van Volsen – NHL Draft Projection

Van Volsen is not expected to be the top player in this year's draft as he has not produced a consistent amount in the OHL thus far. But the former minor hockey player still has time to grow in his game and improve under the best coaches in the OHL in James Richmond. Based on what he can be, I could see the team picking him in the fifth and seventh rounds of the upcoming draft.

Taking Van Volsen is a risk to other teams based on his current production. But the payoff could be spectacular if he comes close to the projections people made for him when he first entered the OHL. It all depends on how you grow over time.

Measurements

“Van Volsen's problems are not limited to production. While he may have size and off-puck experience, he is limited mechanically and has difficulty making plays with the puck. His puck touch feels more reactive than decisive, he struggles to handle the puck under pressure, and it doesn't affect the play.” – Lauren Kelly, Elite Prospects

“He can really find those pockets so his teammates can give him the puck and when he gets the puck on his stick, he rarely misses.” – Darrell Woodley, OHL Director of Testing

Power

Hockey IQ
The ability to find open space
Shot

Under Construction (Upgrades to Be Made)

It needs to generate more points
Work on the defensive game

NHL Power

Van Volsen will likely be most successful in the third-line center role at the NHL level. He has the tools to be an NHL player and get to that spot, but he still needs years of development before he can prove to NHL teams that he can be successful in that role.

Risk – Reward Analysis

Risk – 2/5 , Reward 2/5

The Power of Fantasy Hockey

Offense – 6.5/10, Defense 6/10