2021 NHL Draft: Caps Select Vincent Iorio

The Caps have selected the Wheat Kings’ defenseman with the 55th overall pick

With the 55th pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the Capitals have selected defenseman Vincent Iorio.

Here’s Iorio chatting with the media after his selection:

via Elite Prospects

Here’s how Iorio was ranked by various scouts heading into this draft:

• Ranked #97 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #48 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #58 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #53 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #71 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #62 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #73 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #63 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #82 by SMAHT SCOUTING

From EP’s scouting report:

Iorio on the breakout is basically Han Solo with a blaster: Well-placed laser-beam after well-placed laser-beam. He misdirects opponents by looking relaxed, even vulnerable, before firing. He looks off his target, skates into the lane, then holds the deception until the puck’s released, even for long-range, three-line passes.

Tony Ferrari from DobberProspects had this to say about Iorio:

Vincent Iorio has yet to get the love he deserves but with the WHL seemingly starting to kick things into gear for this season, the Brandon Wheat Kings blueliner should be able to get his name back into the conversation when talking about the 2021 NHL Draft. Averaging almost 19 minutes a night last year in the WHL, Iorio began to establish himself as a two-way presence who can contribute a bit in all areas. He is a good skater who stays mobile and strong on his edges when playing defense. Rarely stopping his feet and becoming stagnant, Iorio does an excellent job of shadowing an attacker. He can stay in a puck carrier’s face at a level many defenders wish they could and his stick work is precise and controlled. There are times when he can be out-skilled by high-level players but he more than held his own as a 17-year-old defender in the Dub. He doesn’t always use his physicality but at 6’3 and almost 200lbs, he certainly can lay the body or lean on players when he needs to be.

Once recovering the puck, Iorio does an excellent job under pressure, staying patient with the puck and making intelligent plays all over the ice. He plays with a poise that isn’t generally seen in a young defender, especially in the WHL where the forecheckers are often a bit heavier on the puck and in the corners. He has the ability to read the play and use his mobility to draw opposing players in so that he can open up a teammate or a passing lane through the neutral zone. He is doesn’t necessarily manipulate players with his skill but his patience does it by proxy. He doesn’t need to out skill opponents with the puck on his stick and understands how to move it up ice efficiently. In the offensive zone, he reads plays well and jumps into the attack when the opportunity presents itself. He has a good shot that he likes to get off from the faceoff circles to give him a higher-percentage scoring chance. His passing and playmaking from the blueline may lack dynamism but he is rarely inefficient with the puck and doesn’t look to be the star, allowing his teammates to do what they do best. There are so many instances where the pass he makes may seem simple but if he doesn’t time it right or doesn’t stay patient, he doesn’t make the play. Efficient, intelligent, and under-the-radar, Vincent Iorio should make some team very happy on draft night.

Get your first look at Iorio:

More to come…