Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Timo Meier poses for a photo with team executives after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
After months of speculation, the San Jose Sharks finally have made their first round selection. With the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, the Sharks selected right wing Timo Meier of the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Meier, a sturdy right-wing prospect stands 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds should bring some size and strength to the San Jose lineup. This past season Meier scored 44 goals and 46 assists to go along with 59 penalty minutes in 61 games.
Meier, originally from Switzerland just like 2013 first-round pick Mirco Mueller, also represented the Swiss at the 2015 World Junior Championships where he was a teammate of Mueller’s. At the World Juniors, Meier registered two goals and four assists in six games during the tournament.
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He was the highest rated player out of the QMJHL by NHL Central Scouting where he finished the rankings at number 10. Meier led the QMJHL in game-winning goals with 10 this past season, and set a new franchise record in Halifax with 23 power play goals.
Here’s a quick scouting breakdown by Dan Marr who is the Director of NHL Central Scouting:
"“He’s a solid and strong skater both with and without the puck, has high-end hockey sense and reads the play very well. He is very effective in 1-on-1 situations.”"
Meier, who is on the older side of prospects in his draft class, should be able to make a quick transition to the NHL game. According to Paul Gackle, many saw Meier as someone who was NHL-ready.
When the top three defensemen of Noah Hanifan, Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski, it meant general manager Doug Wilson would target scoring with the ninth pick and that’s just what he did with Meier.
Barring a trade, San Jose’s next selection in the 2015 NHL Draft will be at pick number 39 in the second round.