Tanner Dickinson Off To Hot Start In Worlds For Team USA

St. Louis Blues prospect Tanner Dickinson is off to a hot start in the World Juniors tournament after scoring a goal in Team USA’s tuneup game against Finland on Thursday.

Tanner Dickinson was drafted in the fourth round in the 2020 draft by the St. Louis Blues. The center stands at 6’0″, 170 lbs who uses his greatest weapon, his speed, to create offensive chances.

On Thursday, he centered Team USA’s fourth line against Finland in the team’s lone tuneup game before the puck officially drops on Sunday against Denmark.

The 19-year old took a botched clear by Finland and ripped a shot past the Finnish keeper from the middle of the ice to tie the game at one for the United States.

Dickinson still figures to be a few years away from cracking the Blues roster, especially with the team’s forward depth. Team Canada alternate captain Jake Neighbours got a taste of the NHL this season, and there are still three or four forwards ahead of the Ohio native before he gets a real shot at making the team.

However, Dickinson has had a stellar season in the OHL this season, playing for the Soo Greyhounds, and if he keeps up the pace in the OHL, he could find himself in a training camp battle for a spot in the next few years.

This is his second stint with the Greyhounds in his career. In his prior year with Soo, he posted 40 points, nine goals, and 31 assists in 64 games during the 2019-20 year.

This season, he has registered 12 goals, 21 assists, and 33 points in 24 games this year. These numbers earned him a spot on Team USA’s roster and could eventually lead to more in his career.

Last season, he spent three games in the American Hockey League. He did not register any points, but he was a plus/minus -3 in his games, but he has not let those performances tamper with his career.

He has 20 goals, 52 assists, and 72 points in his OHL career in 87 games. At this rate, expect to see Dickinson play meaningful minutes in preseason games for the St. Louis Blues very soon.