With the sixteenth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft the Arizona Coyotes have selected Jakob Chychrun from the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League.

In a deal confirmed minutes before the pick, the Coyotes acquired the 16th overall pick from the Detroit Red Wings, along with the remaining year of Pavel Datsyuk’s contract, in exchange for the Coyotes’ 20th and 53rd picks in the 2016 Draft and center, Joe Vitale.

About Jakub Chychrun

Jakub Chychrun, an 18 year-old defenseman, finished his second season with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL and was considered by some to be an underrated defenseman as he entered this year’s draft. In 62 games with the Sting, the 6’2″, 194 lb., Florida-born prospect compiled 11 goals and 38 assists. Despite his success in major junior, Chychrun has been overlooked at times in the year leading up to the draft, based upon the strong performances of fellow draft-eligible defensemen, Olli Juolevi and Mikhail Sergachev. Despite failing to make Canada’s World Junior Championship team, he has shown strong mobility which is rarer for an 18 year-old defenseman of his size.

The @ArizonaCoyotes chose @j_chychrun7 at No. 16. His dad, Jeff, played 262 NHL games & his uncle, Luke Richardson, skated 1,417. #NHLDraft

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 25, 2016

How Chychrun Fits Into the Coyotes’ Future

Chychrun joins a Coyotes team that has loaded itself up with young talent over the last few years. In 2013, the Coyotes drafted Max Domi 13th overall and added Brendan Perlini (12th overall in 2014) and Dylan Strome (3rd overall in 2015) in successive years.

During the 2014-15 season, the Coyotes acquired Anthony Duclair from the New York Rangers as part of the Keith Yandle trade. Duclair and Domi have shown great chemistry with one another and they are supported by veteran leader Shane Doan and veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Strome is expected to play a big role in the team’s future and Chychrun will eventually offer the Coyotes assistance at the blueline after the departure of Yandle.

Chychrun is projected to be a two-way defenseman at the NHL level.