by Mike Ries, Staff Writer, AHL Report
BRAMPTON, ON. — Dalton Thrower was a second round pick (51st overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The 2012 draft was not a bountiful one for the Habs, save for Alex Galchenyuk, who was taken third overall and has struggled with consistency at times with Montreal. Fifth round pick, Charles Hudon, has a cup of coffee with the big club. Sebastien Collberg and Tim Bozon, second and third round picks respectively have been traded away by general manager Marc Bergevin.
Thrower has always excelled on the physical style of play from his beginning in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades. As his career in junior progressed, he honed his skill as an offensive defenceman.
His third go round with the Blades was his coming of age year, as it was his best all around season of his hockey career. He recorded 54 points in 66 games along with a 103 penalty minutes (PIM). That prompted the Canadiens to take him 51st overall, as he was ranked 26th among North American skaters.
Thrower had a rough Memorial Cup season with the Blades, in which he feuded with the coaching staff, and was suspended on two occasions during the year. He was also held out of games for disciplinary reasons.
In the off-season, Thrower was traded to the Vancouver Giants for the 2013-14 campaign. In his overage year, as captain of the Giants, Thrower returned to form, recording 39 points in 42 games. His season ended prematurely due to an ankle injury that required surgery.
Thrower spent a good portion of the 2014-15 season, his first as a pro, recovering from the surgery. He was loaned to the ECHL’s Brampton Beast, at the time an unaffiliated franchise, where he racked up 107 penalty minutes in just 37 games. He was also suspended for five games for leaving the bench in a brawl.
Thrower’s second professional season was spent commuting between St. John’s and Brampton suiting up for nine games with the IceCaps and 29 more with the Beast. This season, Thrower missed all but 15 games for Brampton due to a concussion.
Having watched Thrower this season, it is evident why he was picked so high in the NHL draft. He has a good hockey sense and is a physical presence every time he is on the ice. Although not the fleetest of foot, his skating is better than reported. He plays a physical game with an edge.
In a recent interview with AHL Report’s Amy Johnson, here is what Brampton Beast head coach Colin Chaulk had to say about Thrower.
“Let me tell you, and I’ve told him two or three times a week in the last month since he has been back, he has exceeded my expectations. He’s playing amazing. I’m so happy for him just to be in games and it couldn’t have come at a better time for our team,” said Chaulk.
The coach continued, “He has been absolutely fantastic for us. He plays on the edge. He has intimidated the other team. He makes sure that they are looking over their shoulders.”
In summary, coach Chaulk said this about Thrower, “He has moved the puck, he’s been fantastic. I can’t say enough about him.”
Thrower is thrilled to be playing hockey again after a four month absence. Speaking to Johnson, Dalton said, “It’s great to be back playing with the guys. We have a great group here and I’m very excited for the next step.”
“With the injury, it was obviously challenging. I just had to keep battling day-by-day, hopefully getting better. It’s a great feeling to be back,” said Thrower.
Thrower will have an opportunity to prove his worth to Canadiens management during the Beast’s playoff run. He will become a restricted free agent on July 1st.
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Watch our interview with Brampton Beast coach Colin Chaulk. He begins speaking about Dalton Thrower at the 4:46 mark.
Watch our exclusive interview with Brampton Beast defenceman Dalton Thrower.
Edited by Donna Sim