The Dallas Stars had a great opportunity to do some up-close scouting during the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championships in Frisco. And they have another NHL Draft selection to show for it in Conner Roulette.
The Stars chose another member of Canada’s gold medal-winning squad with their fourth-round pick at 111th overall. DBD prospects maven Derek Neumeier offered his assessment of the 5-11 center/left wing, who racked up six goals and six assists in 12 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2021:
Dallas picks Conner Roulette at 111
Like Logan Stankoven, they grab a WHLer who won gold with Canada at the U18s. Good puck skill and hockey sense, but he’ll need to work on his pace and skating. FCHockey had him 112, he goes 111
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) July 24, 2021
Worth nothing: Bob McKenzie/TSN had Roulette at 55 on that final list
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) July 24, 2021
Roulette scored 19 goals and 20 assists on his way to being named the WHL’s 2019-20 Rookie of the Year. He also ran up a consensus as one of the best players available as Round 4 began.
Hockey Sense best remaining after Round 3:
45. Justin Robidas
56. Dylan Duke
61. Ryan Ufko
62. Guillaume Richard
66. Conner Roulette
68. Olivier Nadeau
69. Jakub Brabenec— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) July 24, 2021
My BPAs:
32. Dylan Duke
34. Josh Roy
41. Aidan Hreschuk
50. Kirill Kirsanov
51. Conner Roulette— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) July 24, 2021
In addition, the Winnipeg native gives the Stars’ Indigenous fans a hero to root for.
With the 111st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the Dallas Stars select forward Conner Roulette (Cree/Ojibway) from the Seattle Thunderbirds!
Congratulations, Conner! 🪶🏒 pic.twitter.com/wHPvgCPuPj
— Hockey Indigenous (@HKYIndigenous) July 24, 2021