The Minnesota Wild didn't have to look far for their third round pick as they selected defenseman John Draeger from Faribault, Minnesota, where he has been playing prep hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary's High School.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Draeger, who verbally committed to play for Michigan State, becomes the second defenseman picked by the Wild. They chose Matthew Dumba in the first round as an attempt to shore up their blue line.
Here is what The Hockey News writer Ryan Kennedy reported about Draeger after watching him play this past season.
The top defenseman on Shattuck, Draeger is a physical blueliner known for his reach and quick feet. He can punish with his 6-foot-2, 186-pound frame, but also showed some nice touch against Milwaukee, scoring on a beautiful penalty shot move.
"I like to be that all-around player," Draeger said. "Help out the team offensively, defensively...be that guy who shows the younger guys the way and help them out."
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