Canucks’ Anthony Romani: A Late-Round Pick Making Big Jumps

I enjoy a particular kind of prospect story. It’s not about the first-round pick everyone expects to become a star. It’s about the player who gets overlooked, figures out what’s holding him back, and works on it. Anthony Romani might be that kind of player for the Vancouver Canucks.

The 2024 sixth-round pick is off to an excellent start in his sophomore season at Michigan State University, scoring five goals and eight points in his first five games. He’s even outscoring a collection of highly touted NHL-drafted prospects on his own team. Those numbers will get attention. But I think the more interesting part of Romani’s story is what he has done to put himself in this position.

The Goals Are Nice. The Improvement Matters More.

Romani wasn’t an obvious NHL prospect when he first became draft-eligible. He scored 23 goals and 43 points in the OHL, but concerns about his skating helped explain why nobody selected him. Then came a remarkable breakout: 58 goals and 111 points in 66 games during his second year of eligibility. Vancouver took a chance on him in the sixth round, 162nd overall.

Injuries interrupted his next season, but he responded with 24 points in 16 playoff games. Rather than rushing into professional hockey, he chose college, giving himself more time to build strength and improve his conditioning. Michigan State coach Adam Nightingale has noticed the difference. Romani has added foot speed, become more competitive on the puck, and made progress in the weight room.

That matters. A good shot and clever offensive instincts can take a player far, but the NHL is unforgiving when a player struggles to create space or win puck battles. Romani appears to understand that scoring goals is only part of the job.

The Canucks’ Rebuild Needs More Than First-Round Picks.

Romani has shown he can score in different ways, including at even strength, on the power play, and shorthanded. His early production suggests his offensive instincts are translating well to college hockey. Of course, five games don't tell us whether he's NHL-ready. There will be tougher stretches, and he still has plenty of development work ahead.

But this is the sort of progress Vancouver needs to see. Rebuilding a roster isn't just about drafting high and hoping those selections become stars. It's also about finding players in the later rounds who can improve enough to surprise people. Romani hasn't earned an NHL job yet, and there's no need to rush that conversation.

For now, Canucks fans can enjoy watching a young player turn a weakness into a strength. Sometimes the most encouraging prospect isn't the one who starts with the greatest gifts. It's the one who keeps finding ways to get better.