Photo credit: Liz Wolter
The 2024 NHL Draft is set to take place on June 28 and 29 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nev. NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings include 10 players that played in the BCHL last year.
Leading up to the draft, we will share interviews with the prospects about the draft process and a variety of other subjects.
The BCHL’s 2024 NHL Draft coverage is presented by Chevrolet.
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If the BCHL had a Most Improved Player award, Langley Rivermen defenceman Luke Ashton would have a strong case.
After two years with the Vernon Vipers where he put up a combined two goals and nine points, the 2005-born blueliner exploded last year, racking up 18 goals to lead all defencemen, as well as 36 points, which ranked seventh at his position.
Subsequently, Ashton finds himself on the NHL Draft radar in his second year of eligibility.
We chatted with the 6-foot-6 defender about his offensive outburst last year, his draft hopes and starting his college career at Minnesota State University.
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BCHL: You were able to take such a significant step forward in your game last year. What do you attribute that to?
Ashton: I think it comes from support from my coaches and teammates. I learned so many valuable lessons from my time in Vernon that carried over into Langley. I knew I had parts of my game that I wasn’t able to show in Vernon. I was able to produce more and bring out different attributes in my game that weren’t being seen, but I knew I always had.
BCHL: How were you able to unlock the offensive part of your game?
Ashton: I’ve been super lucky to be in the position I was in Langley and have the coaches that pushed me to bring out the offensive side that I knew I had. I maybe needed a bit of a nudge to get there. It’s always fun being a defencemen being able to produce and chip in on the offensive side. It’s an attribute that I really appreciate about my game.
BCHL: This is your second year of draft eligibility. Was the draft on your radar at all coming into this year?
Ashton: To be honest, going into the season, the draft wasn’t really on my radar at all. I was more focused on getting a scholarship and being able to play college hockey. As the year went on, I started to hear some of the chatter and now I’m lucky enough to be in the position where I am able to even talk about this. My expectation at the start of the year was a scholarship and not the NHL Draft.
BCHL: You were able to accomplish your goal of getting a scholarship when you committed to Minnesota State University. How much did that mean to you and how much are you looking forward to getting started there in 2024-25?
Ashton: It meant a lot. My visit, when I came here, I completely fell in love with the school, everything from the coaches, the people involved, the facilities. My time here so far has been amazing. I love everything about this place. I’m super grateful that I have this opportunity and I’m extremely pumped to get the season going.
BCHL: How would you describe your game and how can it translate to the next level?
Ashton: I really like to be that solid, two-way defenceman, being physical, moving pucks up the ice, quick transitions. I’m a smart thinker in both zones. I want to pitch in on offence and make plays in the offensive zone. I love to use my size and I love to skate. In order to get to the NHL, I need to make sure I’m working hard every day. A lot of lessons that I’ve learned the past few years in the BCHL will help me hopefully transition into professional hockey one day.
BCHL: What would it mean to you if you were to get drafted?
Ashton: It would mean everything. I’m so grateful that my family has supported me the whole way. To be able to hopefully celebrate that with them, it would mean the world to me.
