Tyler Thorpe: A Development Path Similar to Florian Xhekaj?

Tyler Thorpe, a towering winger for the Vancouver Giants in the WHL, represents an intriguing profile among the Canadiens’ prospects. A native of Richmond, British Columbia, Thorpe was selected in the 5th round of the 2024 Draft. Born on August 10, 2005, and currently 19 years old, the Canadian forward impresses with his imposing frame—6’5″ and 215 pounds—which gives him considerable reach and a natural ability to physically dominate his opponents. A right-handed shot, he mostly played in the top six alongside Jaden Lipinski and Maxim Muranov.

He is regularly used both at even strength and on special teams, including on the power play and the penalty kill. This versatility in usage shows a certain level of trust from his coaches, even if his game remains very targeted and limited in terms of pure talent.

Tyler Thorpe: Game Analysis

From a production standpoint, Tyler Thorpe scored 27 goals this season, including six shorthanded and four on the power play, which demonstrates opportunistic instincts and an ability to be dangerous in various game situations. According to CHL data, he also registered a total of 257 shots on goal, reflecting a high shot volume for a player not particularly known for his offensive arsenal.

In terms of mobility, his skating remains a work in progress. While his stride has improved compared to last year, he’s still not considered an agile or fast skater. His strides are heavy, although his anticipation allows him to partly compensate for this shortcoming. When in possession of the puck, he shows some comfort, even ease, but his overall movement still lacks fluidity and lightness.

A Shot That Matches the Frame?

His shot, although heavy, is not considered particularly threatening for a player of his size. Indeed, his only real way to score in the NHL will be by positioning himself in high-danger areas near the net, rather than by unleashing threatening shots from the outside. At the junior level, he’s capable of scoring occasionally with his shot, but nothing in his current toolkit seems directly translatable to the NHL. He’s not the type to make spectacular plays or appear in weekly highlight reels.

The forward also doesn’t stand out for his vision or passing skills. While he generally makes smart decisions to protect the puck and keep the play moving, he rarely executes creative or high-level passes. His role is primarily that of a support player, one who backs up the puck carrier rather than creating opportunities himself. That said, his long reach allows him to protect the puck well, particularly along the boards. He’s effective when using a “spoon” move before shooting or creating space for himself.

Excellent in His Own Zone

Thorpe isn’t a finesse player, but he knows how to be useful. He disrupts opposing defenses by positioning himself in front of the net or using his body to create space. His physicality isn’t necessarily expressed through a constantly aggressive playing style, as was more the case last year, but he now applies this dimension more thoughtfully and with greater discipline. He’s difficult to strip of the puck along the boards, and when he’s not beaten by speed, he often wins his battles.

Defensively, the towering winger is an asset to his team. He backchecks consistently and stays active in supporting his defensemen. His defensive positioning and decision-making have improved significantly, which partly explains why he’s used so frequently at 5-on-5 and on special teams. Thanks to his frame and active stick, he covers a wide area and effectively disrupts passing lanes. He appears to have identified the role he wants to play long-term and is steadily working to meet that standard.

NHL Projection

As for his NHL projection, it’s believed that he could compete for a fourth-line spot in the long term. However, for that to happen, he’ll need to experience rapid development and benefit from very favorable circumstances, given the intense competition for fourth-line roles with the Canadiens.

His size remains a factor that could work in his favor. One observer even suggested he could follow a path similar to that of Florian Xhekaj, gradually making an impact in the AHL before eventually becoming a key player in specific situations.

Among his strengths are a strong work ethic, great physical strength, a tough playing style, and a low-risk decision-making approach. On the flip side, his main weaknesses include mobility that still needs refining, a shot that lacks threat at higher levels, and limited offensive creativity. He partly dominates because of his size, which may become less effective against equally big and seasoned opponents in the professional ranks.

2024–2025 Statistics

For the 2024–2025 season in the WHL, his standard statistics are as follows:

• Games played: 68
• Goals: 27
• Assists: 25
• Points: 52
• Shots on goal: 257
• Power play goals: 4
• Shorthanded goals: 6

In conclusion, Tyler Thorpe is a forward with a well-defined profile, already playing a « pro-style » game, focusing on physicality, efficiency in tight areas, and supporting the play. Even if his raw talent is limited, his discipline and commitment make him a player to watch