Oilers select C Dalyn Wakely 192nd overall at the NHL Draft

The Edmonton Oilers made their fifth pick at the 2024 NHL Draft, selecting centreman Dalyn Wakely from the North Bay Battalion 192nd overall.

With their third-to-last pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Oilers selected 20-year-old centreman Dalyn Wakely from the North Bay Battalion. In his third season with the Battalion, Wakely centred what was considered one of the CHL’s most creative lines, and the results were spectacular. In 66 games played, he registered 39 goals and 104 points in what was a transformative season for him on the ice and the scoresheet.

Listed at 6’1″ and 197 pounds, the native of Port Hope, Ontario, is said to be relentless around the net with an unwavering willingness to sacrifice his body to move the play along. According to Elite Prospects‘ 2024 Draft Guide, “He battles for pucks mercilessly, takes hits to make plays, and dishes out even more punishment than he takes. Around the net, he digs for pucks and creates space for his teammates by engaging as many defenders as possible. Along the boards, he throws reverse hits, rolls with contact, and attacks the middle of the ice.”

While it’s not expected that Wakely will continue as a player driver at the professional level, the scouting reports I found on him suggest that his ability to read plays combined with his physical edge and reasonable playmaking skills can lead him to become an effective checking line forward. A project to be sure, no one should expect that Wakely will be knocking on the Oilers’ doorstep any time soon, but given the way he was able to produce in the OHL this season, he could wind up as a prospect worth following over the coming years.

Wakely spent the last three seasons with the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League, where he scored 89 goals and 98 assists in 199 games.

“Every team needs players like Wakely. He battles for pucks mercilessly, takes hits to make plays, and dishes out even more punishment than he takes. Around the net, he digs for pucks and creates space for his teammates by engaging as many defenders as possible. Along the boards, he throws reverse hits, rolls with contact, and attacks the middle.” -Elite Prospects

“Wakely had no trouble scoring goals in the past. Last season, he scored thirty goals while playing lower in the lineup. However, this season, after moving up to the top line in junior hockey, his playmaking abilities shone through, as seen in his increased assist numbers. Wakely excels in protecting the puck, seldom losing possession when it’s on his stick. Additionally, he demonstrates exceptional awareness and scanning skills to track all players on the ice, enabling him to create scoring opportunities. When it comes to Wakely, the key question is: How much did his performance improve by playing with Romani and Owen Van Steensel, and how much did the duo benefit from playing with Wakely? That will be the determining factor.” –Dominic Tiano, OHL Writers

“Romani’s centre Dalyn Wakely is another player who has a real chance of getting drafted, despite being passed on in two NHL drafts. The Battalion always seem to have a talented lineup, therefore their young talent gets pushed down the depth chart. Wakely is another victim of this, though he easily could have been drafted with his performance last season. Wakely might have been the league’s quietest 30 goal scorer last season, and he is on pace for 35 this year. Wakely has high-end hockey sense and he has taken many steps in his playmaking abilities this season. He’s been driving play more this year, and he’s been generating with more than just his shot.” –Joely Stockl, The Hockey News