With the very last pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs have taken Nathan Mayes out of Spokane in the WHL.
Nathan Mayes player profile
The 18-year-old defenceman played his first full season in the WHL this season, putting up 16 points in 68 games for the Chiefs.
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Yale Hockey Academy U18 Prep | CSSHL-U18 | 25 | 3 | 11 | 14 |
| 2022–23 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 68 | 1 | 15 | 16 |
Analyzing the pick
Known for his physicality, Mayes is a punishing defenceman with a ton of aggression. He regularly looks to create and is good on the breakout. Defensively, he is fine, but given this was his first WHL season, he does have a good deal of work to do. The potential is definitely there and he has a high ceiling, but it will take a lot of work before he gets there.
What’s next for Mayes
Mayes will be back in the WHL next season, and will almost certainly play his over-age season in the WHL as well. He needs to do a ton of work still and get into many more games before he is ready to turn pro, but if he does the work and continues to progress, he could be a sneaky good pick in a few years. This is a solid seventh-round pick by the Leafs to close out the draft.
