Hunter McDonald was taken by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL draft. That’s a round that is a longshot for players to reach the NHL.

But he has shown promise, and may get there some day.

When the Flyers selected him, they received a 6-foot-4, 207-pound defenseman who needed time and patience.

Translation: He will stay in college with Northeastern for two to three years.

Going to Northeastern made McDonald more attractive to draft. This is a terrific hockey program with a lot of sway. The team plays in Hockey East, and last year it had the best record in the conference. McDonald knew what he was doing.

Here were my thoughts on his play right after the Philadelphia Flyers’ development camp: His shot is good. It’s one of the best there is for a defenseman. His mechanics when he’s receiving a pass and then making one quickly must be more fluid. Kjell Samuelsson said he’s a raw talent, and he’s right.

McDonald had a chance to play in the Beanpot. That’s an amazing experience for any hockey player. McDonald, who is the leading shot blocker for the Huskies, got his first NCAA goal to close out the first game against Boston University. It was an empty netter that he earned with hard work.

Flyers D prospect Hunter McDonald (freshman, Northeastern) was 2nd in NCAA in blocked shots this season. In Beanpot final right now vs. Harvard.

— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) February 14, 2023



 Northeastern won the Beanpot final over Harvard, a stacked team. That’s another great experience for the freshman. I do believe there’s some offense in his game that will come out in his sophomore year. So far this season McDonald has 12 points in 33 games. He wins puck battles, and he is physical. That will only pick up as he gets stronger and more confident.

McDonald will be 21 in May. His age has nothing to do with his development. Hockey players develop at different times based on their training and experience. Just being big isn’t enough. As he gets closer to the NHL, the league will continue to evolve. The game is much different now than it was in the early 2000s.

I project him to be a third-pairing defenseman. As a sixth-round pick, that would be a great return.  Late-round draft picks normally don’t have much of a chance of playing in the NHL.

Now I can’t guarantee he can be a regular this early in his development, but I can say getting some NHL time down the road makes this a solid pick.

Russ Cohen is a prospects expert for SiriusXM radio.

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