Canadiens Top 20 Prospects: Towering Thorpe Punishes Opponents
The Montreal Canadiens franchise is known for producing one of the longest list of talented forwards in league history, but you’d be hard-pressed to argue they’ve ever among the most truculent teams, regardless of the season.
Of course, talent should always trump physicality, but there’s certainly value in drafting players who can punish opposing teams without being a drag on the team’s overall possession numbers. It’s the driving force behind drafting hard-hitting players such as prospect Tyler Thorpe.
Canadiens fans voted Thorpe as the No.13 prospect in our annual rankings, a significant uptick compared to previous seasons, where he was ranked beyond No.20.
Previously published Montreal Canadiens top 20 rankings
No. 13 – Tyler Thorpe – 20 – RW – Shoots Right – 6’5″ – 220lb – Laval Rocket – Drafted 130th Overall In 2024
Thorpe towers over most opponents, allowing him to use his impressive physicality to force players into situations that are conducive to turnovers or takeaways.
However, it should be noted that he did enjoy a relatively solid production level while playing in the WHL (Western Hockey League) for the Vancouver Giants. His rookie season was far from overwhelming, leading to just four goals and two assists in 48 games. The following year, he managed to score 23 goals and 21 assists, before putting together a 27-goal, 25-assist season in 2024-25. The Giants used him at 5v5, on the penalty kill, the powerplay, and every other situation possible.
His improved play was enough to convince the Canadiens to sign him to a three-year entry-level contract prior to his ascension to the AHL. It also helped that Thorpe has an excellent shot, arguably already on par with many established NHL players.
His usage with the Laval Rocket varied, par for the course in a league with an elevated turnover rate, but for the most part, Thorpe was used in a bottom-six role, with the bulk of his shifts taking place on the fourth line.
It was the classic rookie introduction to professional hockey for a hard-hitting player who doesn’t necessarily project as an offensive dynamo. The limited usage led to a season in which Thorpe scored four goals and 12 assists in 68 games.
That being said, Thorpe provided more than just tertiary production. Even though he was among the youngest players in the league, the 6’5″ winger served as one of Laval’s most truculent forwards, often coming to the rescue of teammates who were victims of cheap shots or heavy hits.
Tyler Thorpe Projection
When discussing players picked outside the first round, it’s important to remember their odds of making the NHL are quite low. However, I’d argue the physical players with limited offensive upside are given as many opportunities to make their mark as skilled prospects selected beyond 50th overall.
After all, there’s always room for hard-hitting forwards with a strong work ethic in the bottom six. It’s a situation that allows them to prove their worth in a role suited to their skill set. The same cannot be said about players who focus on puck possession but lack strength, as they are more comfortable in a top-six role, where there’s very little turnover.
For example, with foundation players such as Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Ivan Demidov already signed to long-term contract extensions, the Habs are essentially set for the better part of a decade, mitigating the opportunities for young, talented players to carve out a role with the team in a top-six setting.
With that in mind, I’d argue Thorpe has a rather limited ceiling, but a very solid foundation, giving him in the inside track on some of his counterparts. He still has to work on a few issues, including his lack of foot speed, and his hand-eye coordination, but the fact remains that he’s the exact type of player Kent Hughes and Co. want to see populate the bottom-six.
All Montreal Canadiens prospect and Owen Protz statistics via Elite Prospect
