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Cameron Schmidt, who’s getting some buzz as a possible first rounder in next summer’s NHL Draft, appeared to suffer an upper body injury
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The Vancouver Giants aren’t sure when they’ll have projected 2025 NHL Draft first rounder Cameron Schmidt back in their lineup.
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Schmidt (upper body injury) left Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds early in the third period and general manager Barclay Parneta is listing the fleet-footed winger as sidelined day-to-day.
Schmidt had scored his WHL-leading 24th goal of the season in the opening frame against Seattle, tucking one home from in tight. He has 36 points in 23 games this season.
Schmidt took a slash on the right wrist from Seattle’s Matej Pekar on a rush up the ice, late in the second period. There was no call on the play, but Schmidt looked to be in some discomfort, shaking out his hand.
His final shift came early in the third. Schmidt headed off the ice seemingly favouring something on his right side after Vanek Popil caught him partly with a hit along the boards deep in Seattle territory.
Canucks Report
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Vancouver (11-9-4-0) hosts the Regina Pats (6-15-2-2) on Wednesday at the Langley Events Centre and then hits the road for a three-in-three this coming weekend. They visit the Tri-City Americans (18-6-1-0) on Friday and followed by games Saturday and Sunday at the Portland Winterhawks (13-11-2-0).
Opinion on Schmidt among NHL Draft pundits is divided. TSN’s Craig Button had Schmidt at No. 6 in the NHL Draft rankings he published on Nov. 25. Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino pegged him at No. 27 in his Nov. 13 rankings. Elite Prospects has him currently at No. 13.
There are hockey people who worry about how his 5-foot-7, 161-pound frame will work in the pro game. NHL Central Scouting gave him a “B” ranking in their preliminary players to watch list, meaning that they see him as a second or third-round pick.
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Schmidt, who’s from Prince George, tallied 31 goals and 58 points in 59 games with the Giants last season. He became just the seventh 16-year-old to score 30 goals in the WHL in the last 30 years.
The Giants’ team record for goals in a season is 61, set by a 20-year-old Ty Ronning in 2017-18.
Vancouver winger Aaron Obobaifo (upper body injury) left Friday’s 7-1 loss to the Everett Silvertips early. He had his shoulder in a sling after the game. Friday was just his fourth game back after missing 10 with a shoulder injury.
Obobaifo is draft eligible this year. He has six goals and 10 points in 13 games. He had six goals and 18 points in 56 games last season.
Parneta says he’ll be re-examined this week.
@Steve-ewen.bsky.social
SEwen@postmedia.com
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