The Florida Panthers have selected OHL defenseman Vladiskav Kolyachonok with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
After playing one game with the London Knights, Kolyachonok was traded to the Flint Firebirds where scored 4 goals and added 25 assists in 53 games.
What stands out most about Kolyachonok, a native of Minsk, Belarus, is his powerful, yet graceful skating. His defensive work needs further refinement, and he’ll need to work on his consistency, but the raw tools are there and he does have the potential to join the attack and contribute to the offense and is a sound passer of the puck.
Kolyachonok stands 6’2”, weighs 182 lbs and shoots left. He will need more time in the OHL and then the AHL before he is NHL ready.
This is a very solid selection as most had Kolyachonok as high to mid second round pick.