CA’S TOP 20 VANCOUVER CANUCKS PROSPECT RANKINGS: #17 TY MUELLER
We’re back for another round of CanucksArmy’s top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings.
So far, we’ve covered two goaltenders and a defender who’s turned his development around. Today, we hit our first forward of the series.
Ty Mueller
Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 21 | Position: Centre/Left Wing | Height: 5’11 | Weight: 201 lbs | Shoots: Left
In actuality, most had questioned this pick last summer. And fair enough. Taking a double overager in the fourth round (105th overall) feels like a bit of a reach when they may have been able to wait until the later stages of the draft, or even recruit him as a college free agent down the road.
The Canucks brass did not want to take any chances, however, and were sold on his two-way ability and potential to one day play NHL games for them.
Less than one year later, management doubled down on that sentiment, officially signing him to his ELC following a first-round Frozen Four exit.
“Ty has continued to develop and take important steps forward since we drafted him,” Patrik Allvin said when the Canucks signed Mueller. “He is a smart two-way hockey player who we look forward to working with as he makes the transition from college hockey to the pro game.”
The Cochrane, Alberta native is coming off a strong junior season with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, setting a career-high in points (26) with 11 goals and 15 assists. Of course, with just one more point to show in six more games than his previous year, his points per game were technically down.
He enjoyed a particularly productive stretch in January, where he produced at over a point-per-game pace, with nine points in eight games.
While his scoring pace tapered off towards the end of the season, he was considered an important piece to an Omaha team which made it to the first round of the Frozen Four Championships.
Mueller served as his team’s top-line centre for most of the season and was heavily involved in the team’s face-off circle, ranking sixth in the NCHC Conference with 664 faceoffs and finishing 10th with a win percentage of .550.
After all was said and done, Mueller’s year earned him his first Hobey Baker nomination, awarded to the nation’s top player.
He wraps up his NCAA career with 64 points across 98 games, split evenly between 31 goals and 33 assists.
His game is recognized as a jack-of-all-trades brand of hockey, capable of playing in all forward positions and special teams. He brings a relentless work ethic along with an ability to contribute to the scoresheet thanks to his soft hands and pinpoint release.
The now 21-year-old will compete for his first spot on a pro roster in Abbotsford this fall, after enjoying the experience of being around the group for their recent playoff run. Mueller was injured at the time, so he never dressed as a player, but the experience alone is enough to help with expectations and preparations.
Listed at 5’11, 201 lbs, he’s by no means a small player. However, the transition to pro is never an easy one – just ask Josh Bloom – so eyes will be on him to see how his transition fares.
Ceiling: While he’s not expected to be a high-producing forward at the NHL level, his energy and willingness to work on the forecheck provide hope for a bottom-six-type future.
Floor: Think Adam Gaudette with less scoring prowess. At the very least, Mueller brings enough motor and offensive touch to play a middle-to-top six roles at the AHL level. It helps that he’s able to play in any situation and kill penalties.
ETA: We are expecting some up-and-down stretches in his rookie AHL season, and probably a few more to iron out in his sophomore year. If everything goes to plan, we can probably expect some cups of coffee during the 2026-27 campaign.
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2024-07-16T20:04:05Z dg43tfdfdgfd