ColoradoAvalanche.com is profiling draft-eligible prospects leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas on June 22-23. Barrett Hayton is the No. 9-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings. The Avalanche has the 16th overall selection at the draft.
Barrett Hayton showcased his talents this past season on a stacked Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds club and played a key role in the team's success.
The then 17-year-old center began the year expecting to take a backseat to older players like Morgan Frost (the Philadelphia Flyers' 2017 first-round selection), four other forwards selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, and Hayden Verbeek, a three-year veteran of the Ontario Hockey League. Instead, Hayton established himself as a key piece at even strength, on the power play and penalty kill.
Hayton's Work Ethic Obvious On And Off The Ice
Forward had a breakout season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
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