A team should always draft the best player available.
It’s a bonus when the player who is potentially the best available also fits a need. Kashawn Aitcheson is a left-shot defenceman who could be available when the Calgary Flames make their first selection on June 27.
Let’s get to know the 18-year-old left-shot defenceman!
Scouting report
Aitcheson was born on Sept. 21, 2006, in Toronto, Ontario. If he were born six days earlier, he would have been eligible for the 2024 draft, but in reality, his late birthday was a blessing in disguise.
Standing at 6’2”, 196 lbs, the left-shot defenceman has all the raw tools you love in a defence prospect, physical and skilled in particular. The question is, what do the scouts have to say about him?
In late April, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis ranked the left-shot defenceman as his 11th-best draft prospec,t had this to say:
“Aitcheson is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. He has the potential to be an intimidating force in the NHL – someone who just gives opponents nothing to work with. His physicality is the best attribute of his game because he’s willing to get involved with just about anyone.Aitcheson finished the regular season with 26 goals and 59 points while registering 88 penalty minutes – making him a brutal player to deal with every time he hit the ice. Aitcheson isn’t an outstanding skater and his playmaking can be a bit of a mixed bag, but I think the raw talent and the pure tenacity are there for any teams looking to get tougher to play against.”
Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala had a similar scouting report in his March 26th assement:
“Aitcheson is a bit of a throwback. He’s a very intense, competitive, physical defenceman who plays with a presence. Opponents can’t sleep on him when tracking through the neutral zone with the puck on their stick. Aitcheson gaps up with authority and finishes his checks. He’s also willing to drop the mitts on occasion.Aitcheson is deployed in all situations for the Colts and averaged an incredible 28:18 in ice time in his last 10 regular season games. His offence spiked considerably this year (26G-33A) but it’s his all-around game that intrigues me the most.”
“Kashawn Aitcheson is a throwback defenceman that plays with a ton of snarl and bite. He has formidable details in his approach to the game and stands at 6’1” 200 lbs, already an NHL body. He’s impacting games offensively with Barrie, but is unlikely to be a producer at the NHL level. However, his hockey sense and technical abilities will be sufficient enough to let his other tools do the work.He remains a bit raw, but has the jam and tenacity to endear himself to any fanbase. Truly, a guy you love to have on your team, and hate to play against. Fantasy wise, expect Aitcheson to be a true old school punisher- accumulating tons of hits and penalty minutes.”
I’ve seen Aitcheson play in person back in late 2023. He was certainly the most noticeable player on the Barrie Colts’ blue line in that game, showing his physicality in that game. The scoring touch he’s added this season is only a bonus.
The numbers
Speaking of the scoring touch, let’s take a look at Aitcheson’s stats with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts.
He made his OHL debut in 2022-23, scoring a goal and three points in 23 games. The year I saw him in 2023-24, he became a regular and scored eight goals and 39 points in 64 games. He also amassed an insane 126 penalty minutes and scored a goal and four points in six post-season games.
Aitcheson has been impressive in his draft year. In 64 games, he scored 26 goals and 59 points while adding 88 penalty minutes. It’s in the playoffs where he’s shined though, scoring five goals and 11 points in 12 games as his Colts have moved to the third round to face the Oshawa Generals.
Availability and fit
The Calgary Flames have two big needs: impact centres and impact left-shot defencemen. They have a ton of wingers, and their cupboards are full of right-shot defencemen, but those two areas in particular need some attention this draft. Well, Aitcheson has the potential to be an impact defenceman. Imagine a pairing of him and Zayne Parekh in a few seasons.
As for availability, it depends on what scouting site you look at. His consolidated ranking for Elite Prospects is 26th, which would likely make him available depending on how soon the New Jersey Devils (and Florida Panthers) are eliminated. His highest ranking comes from Daily Faceoff, which has him 11th, while The Hockey News’ Tony Ferrari ranked Aitcheson as his 47th-best draft prospect.
Usually, Aitcheson sits in the late teens, so he could very well be available when the Flames make their first selection of the 2025 draft around 18th overall.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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