2018 NHL mock draft: Eastern Conference teams

18. Columbus Blue Jackets – Serron Noel

Noel comes from an athletic background. His father Dean played five seasons in the Canadian Football League. The younger Noel actually played some football in high school but obviously he chose to stick with hockey. His father looks to have instilled some good qualities to his son.

"“He’s got a good work ethic. He understands the work involved to progress. You can have all the ability in the world, but, if you don’t put in the work, then you’re not going to progress. I’m just happy he’s getting an opportunity. To get drafted to the NHL, if he’s drafted, who’d of thought that? That’s great.”"

The six-foot-five Noel is 209 pounds now, and he will definitely get bigger. He has the potential to be a good power forward for any team that drafts him. He had 28 goals and 53 points in 62 games with the Oshawa Generals last season.

That was a 20-goal and 32-point improvement on the season prior. He also had two goals and six points in five games for Canada at the Under-18s. There’s still room to grow, but’s got a pretty good base already. The biggest thing that needs fixing is his play without the puck. With the Generals bound to be a better team than they were last season, that improvement should come.

The Blue Jackets are a team that has been unable to take the next step. However,  that’s more because of the teams that they continue to run into in the playoffs. They’re a good team that can draft the best player available and that’s Noel.