Utah Hockey Club’s Inaugural Draft

2024 DCHL Draft

With the relocation to Utah complete, ownership was able to set their sights on the 2024 DCHL draft. The team headed into the draft with picks 29 (1), 30 (1), 61 (2), 91 (3), 97 (4), 105 (4), and 114 (4). The day before the draft, the Washington Capital ended up making an offer the Utah Hockey Club couldn’t refuse. In exchange for picks 29 and 30, Utah received picks 55 and 57 in the 2024 draft, along with Philadelphia’s 2025 1^st and Chicago’s 2025 2^nd. It's no secret that Utah has been looking to restock their prospects after several of them had graduated, and with no true desired target with their picks, the team opted to pull the trigger. A major pivot was made, reassessing new targets less than 24 hours before the start of the first round, but overall, the club has walked away quite satisfied with their draft.

The Utah Hockey Club made the following selections in the 2024 DCHL Draft:

Jacob Battaglia, Center – 55

Size: 6’1, 196lbs
League: OHL

Team: Kingston Frontenacs

Battaglia enjoys using quick touch passes breaking into the offensive zone to help create space for himself and teammates. In close, he is also able to create space with his quick puck handling. He has a fantastic work ethic and motor that should help translate to the professional level.
Projection: Middle Six, Second Powerplay Unit

Noel Fransén, Defence – 57

Size: 6’1, 187lbs

League: J20 Nationell

Team: Färjestad BK J20

Fransén is an offensive defenseman with a strong skating ability who attacks defensive gaps with accurate passes. He also has a great shot, which is no surprise after scoring 20 goals in 45 games. He will have to learn to position himself better without the puck and in the defensive zone if he wants to reach his full potential.
Projection: Second Pair, First Powerplay Unit

Henry Mews, Defence - 61
Size: 6’0, 187lbs

League: OHL

Team: Ottawa 67’s

Mews is an incredibly mobile defenceman and exhibits tremendous confidence when playing in the offensive zone. He is one of the strongest skaters in this year draft class, which allows him to attack the offensive zone or to get back on defence. While he has good defensive skills, to reach his potential as a top pairing defenceman, he will have to get better in his own zone.
Projection: Top Four, First Powerplay Unit

Hiroki Gojsic, Right Wing - 91
Size: 6’3, 198lbs

League: WHL

Team: Kelowna Rockets

Gojsic is a prototypical power forward with a professional league shot. He loves to drive the net hard, using his size and strength to his advantage. He has tremendous upside, and his size has allowed him to have a big defensive advantage. 

Projection: Third Line

Alexandre Blais, Centre/ Left Wing - 97
Size: 5’10, 154lbs

League: QMJHL

Team: Rimouski Océanic

Blais is an incredibly fast and shift player, who can manipulate defenders with his puck handling. He is one of the more skilled and creative players in the 2024 draft, however his size could limit him from reaching his full potential as he looks to make his way onto the Utah roster.

Projection: Middle Six, Second Powerplay Unit

Markus Loponen, Center – 105

Size: 6’1, 185lbs

League: U20 SM-sarja

Team: Kärpät U20

Loponen is known for his variety of shots he has available to him when in the offensive zone, and his outstanding leadership, having Captained his U20 team as a 17 year old. 

Projection: Middle Six, Second Powerplay Unit