Snuggerud on rising up draft boards and improving his skating

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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Jimmy Snuggerud is still looking for his draft-night fit. 

"I actually haven't got a suit yet," said the USA National Team Development Program winger. "I'll go get one this week some time and pick one out." 

Snuggerud is looking to keep things simple. 

"I'm more of a low-key guy," he said. "I'll go with a light grey suit, a white shirt and normal tie. I don't like to be super flashy and stand out too much."

But it was hard not to notice Snuggerud this week when TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button published his final list of top draft-eligible prospects. The 18-year-old from Minnesota came in No. 8, which was up seven spots from January's list. 

"I've improved my game to a point to where I can be in that range," said Snuggerud, who is the son of former Buffalo Sabre Dave Snuggerud. "To hear that is really cool, but I'm not close to making it. This is the 'mock' part of it and once I'm picked, I'll be on a depth chart and then I need to make the team." 

During an interview with TSN, Snuggerud outlined how he jumped up draft boards this season and explained why Vancouver Canuck Brock Boeser is his NHL role model. The following is an edited transcript of the conversation.  

TSN: What's it like to see an alumnus of the National Team Development Program in Auston Matthews win the Hart Trophy?

Snuggerud: "To see him win that award and know that he played at the Program and went through what I went through the last two years is really cool."

TSN: How much do you watch him? 

Snuggerud: "I watch him a lot. That pull-and-push shot is something he does very well and it's something I've worked on a lot."

TSN: What do you notice? 

Snuggerud: "His quick release. To be able to pull and push