Anaheim Ducks Prospect Highlight: Ethan Procyszyn

ANAHEIM ,Calif. -- When the Anaheim Ducks selected Ethan Procyszyn in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft, they added a big-bodied center with undeniable power-forward potential. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Procyszyn has turned heads with his size, physicality, and reliable two-way play for the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Procyszyn, a native of Wasaga Beach, Ontario, was inspired early by his older sister, who played competitive hockey. Watching her games sparked his passion for the sport and led to his involvement in the North Central AAA program, where he spent seven seasons honing his game. Growing up in a smaller town helped shape his approach, as scouts often had to venture to smaller markets to spot talent.

“I feel really lucky,” Procyszyn said. “In a small-town environment, you have to stand out to get noticed, but it gave me opportunities to push myself and play at a higher level.”

Now in his third OHL season, Procyszyn has emerged as both a leader and a driving force for the Battalion. With 30 points (20 goals, 10 assists) in 26 games, he has carried the load for an offensively challenged team that ranks 17th out of 20 in goals-for. Injuries to key players, including a 50-goal scorer from last season, Anthony Romani, have placed greater responsibility on Procyszyn, but he has embraced the challenge.

“I knew coming into this season I’d have to take on a bigger role,” Procyszyn explained. “Whether it’s on the power play, five-on-five, or even defensively, I’ve tried to do everything I can to help us win games.”

When it comes to comparisons, Procyszyn sees shades of his game in Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nick Paul. Like Paul, Procyszyn prides himself on being a versatile 200-foot player who can contribute on the penalty kill, bring a physical presence, and create offense through strong net-front play.

With Procyszyn uses his frame to protect the puck like a true power forward to dominate battles in the corners, and create traffic in front of opposing goalies. His net-front presence has been a major factor in his success, as he capitalizes on rebounds and creates space for his teammates.

While Procyszyn’s physical play and hockey IQ stand out, he acknowledges there’s still work to do and that mainly being with his skating. Over the summer he began working with skating coaches monthly to improve his edge work and acceleration, two key areas he’ll need to refine to transition successfully to the NHL.

“I’ve made big strides with my skating over the last year, but I know there’s more work to do,” he said. “Everyone at the NHL level skates so well, so I’ve focused a lot on my edges and speed to close that gap.”

Procyszyn’s time at Ducks development and training camp provided him with a firsthand look at what it takes to succeed in the NHL. The camp challenged him with high-paced drills and defensive scenarios, including one particularly difficult one-on-one exercise where forwards couldn’t use crossovers to defend.

“The drill was a real eye-opener,” Procyszyn admitted. “It forced me to focus on positioning rather than relying on skating, which is something I can take back to my game.”

During camp Ducks legend Ryan Getzlaf offered tips on shooting mechanics, showing Procyszyn ways to improve his release and add deception to his shot. Feedback from Ducks coaches emphasized continuing to refine his skating and positioning, as well as maintaining his physical edge.

“They told me to keep using my size to my advantage,” Procyszyn said. “Hearing that from someone like Getzlaf really stuck with me. It’s something I’ll keep working on.”

Procyszyn has a very clear understanding of where his game stands and has set both short- and long-term goals for himself. Skating remains a top priority, and he continues to work closely with skating coaches to ensure he’s prepared for the speed of professional hockey. His focus this season is to build on his strong start, help his team secure a playoff spot, and carry the lessons learned from Ducks camp into every game.

The Ducks’ management has remained in close contact with Ethan throughout the season, providing regular feedback and sending video clips to highlight areas for improvement. The continued support serves as motivation for to refine his game further and push toward his NHL dreams.

Trevor Zegras stands out as a player Procyszyn has watched closely throughout his career. From Zegras' standout performances in the World Juniors to his time in the NHL, Procyszyn has studied the small details of his game, particularly his creativity and skillful playmaking, as inspiration for his own development.

Procyszyn couldn’t help but share his excitement about Anaheim’s new retro-inspired Mighty Ducks jerseys, calling them “the best jerseys I’ve ever seen.” It’s a perfect match in terms of the Ducks and the Battalion's jerseys, given that green is his dad’s favorite color and that's the color he gets to wear right now in the OHL and orange being his mom’s favorite color, soon to be the color he'll wear if he gets the 

He’s also optimistic about his continued growth—literally. After growing an inch over the summer, Procyszyn hopes to add another one or two inches, following the trend of his dad’s family, where most stand 6-foot-4 or taller.

With a mix of size, skill, and work ethic, Procyszyn is exactly the type of player the Ducks are banking on to shape their future. As he continues his development, Ducks fans have every reason to be excited about the big center who’s determined to become a power forward at the NHL level.