Columbus Blue Jackets 2016 Draft Review

6th round, #155 overall: Peter Thome

Taking goaltenders in the draft really seems to be a crap shoot – but it’s honestly something the Blue Jackets have done well over the years. In the case of Peter Thome, things didn’t quite work out, and the keeper never made his way to the NHL – or even the AHL to this point. In fact, he never signed a contract anywhere in the Blue Jackets’ system.

A second year eligible player at the time of this pick, Thome was a bit of an off the board pick, but clearly the Blue Jacket scouting staff thought he showed promise in spite of playing in a lower tier league. Thome would go on to a 5-year NCAA career, including four seasons in North Dakota, and one season with the University of St Thomas. After his collegiate career concluded this spring, he played in 3 games with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL). Recently turning 25 and with just 3 ECHL games under his belt, I think at this point it’s fair to call Thome a clear draft day miss.

Round 6 Grade: F

7th round (#185 overall): Calvin Thurkauf

With their final pick of the 2016 draft, the Blue Jackets took another second year eligible player, this time plucking Calvin Thurkauf from the Kelowna Rockets (WHL). Seventh round picks are always a long shot, but Thurkauf did manage to make it to the NHL, skating in 3 games with the Blue Jackets in the 2019-20 season.

The Swiss born winger was ranked #118 Internationally by the NHL’s central scouting service for the 2015 draft, but did not get much exposure playing in the Swiss Junior league. He made the jump to North America and had a productive 2015-16 season, scoring 18 goals and 45 assists in 61 games with the Rockets. Thurkauf spent one more season with Kelowna before turning pro, where he spent parts of three seasons with the Cleveland Monsters, scoring 52 points in 154 AHL games. Thurkauf has spent the last two seasons back in Switzerland, and looks to be completely off the NHL radar at this point.

Notably, only two other players selected in the 7th round of the 2016 NHL draft have even played an NHL game (#192, Jeremy Davies, NJ; #210, Joachim Blichfield, SJ); so when you look at things retrospectively, Thurkauf wasn’t a complete miss. He gave the club some good seasons in the AHL, and a glimmer of NHL potential. Read: Our list of top Blue Jackets prospects, #20-11

Round 7 Grade: C+

Overall draft grade: A

If you can come away with two NHL players out of any draft, you’re in good shape. The Blue Jackets landed a top-six center and a top-four defenseman in this draft, and saw another pick turned into a key trade chip for a high-end asset. While things did not work out long-term with Dubois, his selection at third overall was clearly the correct call; and the team was able to flip him for two quality NHL players.