The Canucks acquired 19-year-old left winger Josh Bloom from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday for defenceman Riley Stillman. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound lefty continues to develop as a power forward with decent hockey sense and strong skills around the net.
Like so many Ontario Hockey Leaguers, this classic “two-way forward” had his development interrupted by the Covid cancellation of the 2020-’21 OHL season. Since returning to action, he’s gradually improved his offensive numbers, all while transitioning from the Saginaw Spirit to the North Bay Battalion. He was team captain of the Spirit before being traded on November 16th.
Highlights
North Bay would be considered one of the teams on the list to contend for the OHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup. They’re presently second in the eastern conference with 77 points and Bloom has been a solid contributor since coming over. He has 42 points in 40 games played.
Bloom plays with a couple of Seattle Kraken prospects in North Bay, former 3rd-rounder, defenceman Ty Nelson and 7th-round centreman Kyle Jackson. Nelson’s stock has risen dramatically. Bloom hopes his will do the same.
He was a bigger kid and physically dominate back in his Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) AAA bantam days. It’s where he learned to be defensively responsible early on and a solid penalty killer.
Pros and Cons
Given the speed and the style of play in the NHL these days, Bloom is not considered a grade-A, ‘blue chip’ prospect. His upside would be Canucks bottom-six. Take all of his physical attributes, his mind for the game at both ends, and his savvy hands, and you have your profile.
Kevin Wong at Dobber Prospects summarizes the Canucks acquisition:
“A two-way power forward with puck management skills who uses changes of pace in transition, provides defensive pressure, protects the puck well, and executes crisp passes, but whose offensive elements still require development.”
Bloom exhibits maturity and leadership qualities, likely one of the reasons he was acquired for this OHL run.
Bloom and the Battalion will look to raise their profiles with a solid campaign in the OHL playoffs.
