Liveblog: NHL Draft 2024 – Rounds 2-7

Round 4, Pick 102: Owen Protz, Defenseman, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

At the 102 spot, the Habs called up 6-foot-4 defenseman Owen Protz from the Brantford Bulldogs in the Ontario Hockey League. The physical, stay-at-home blueliner recorded seven points (1G, 6A) in 36 games with the Sudbury Wolves in the first half of this season before being traded to the Bulldogs, where he compiled 12 points (2G, 10A). in 30 games while sharing the ice with current Habs prospect Florian Xhekaj.

Round 5, pick 130: Tyler Thorpe, right winger, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

With the 130^e-Overall pick: Kent Hughes and the Habs’ leadership opted to acquire Tyler Thorpe from the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot-1 right winger collected 44 points (23G, 21A) in 51 appearances with his junior team in 2023-2024.

Round 5, Pick 134: Mikus Vecvanags, Goalkeeper, HS Riga (Latvia)

The blue-white-red bolstered their goaltending pipeline by selecting Mikus Vecvanags from HS Riga in Latvia. The 18-year-old goalkeeper posted a 3.00 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in nine games for HS Riga in Latvia’s top division. The 6-foot-3, Vecvanags also made 16 appearances for Tukums in Latvia’s second division and appeared in eight outings for HS Riga 17 at the U-18 level.

Round 6, Pick 166: Ben Merrill, Center, St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-Prep)

Next, the CH explored the United States High School Prep route and selected forward Ben Merrill from St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, MA. The right-handed centerman produced 18 goals and 37 points in 25 games as an 18-year-old. Merrill is committed to playing for the Penticton Vees in the BCHL next season, with plans to join Harvard’s NCAA team in 2025-26.

Round 7, Pick 210: Makar Khanin, Right Wing, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (MHL)

With their 210^eOverall, the Habs have turned their sights abroad again, signing Russian forward Makar Khanin. The native of Salavat, RUS, has played in the Dynamo St. Petersburg system this season, splitting time between the VHL team (Russia’s equivalent of the AHL) and the MHL team (Russia’s top junior league). In total, the 19-year-old has recorded 36 points (16G, 20A) in 42 games.

Round 7, pick 224: Rasmus Bergqvist, defenseman, Skelleftea Jr. (J20 Nationell)

The Canadiens completed the 2024 NHL Draft by selecting defenseman Rasmus Bergqvist of Skelleftea Jr. in the J20 Nationell League. The 6-foot-2, 181 lbs Swedish defenseman had 12 points (4G, 8A) in 36 games in 2023-24.

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Last updated: 3:44 PM ET