Prospect Update: Jack Badini

Photo: Matt Bonaparte

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks selected Jack Badini in the third round last summer after a strong season in the USHL. This past year, Badini played his freshman year of NCAA hockey at Harvard University.

In his freshman season, Badini played in all 33 of Harvard’s games and scored 10 goals and 17 points. He scored two powerplay goals, a shorthanded goal, and two game-winning goals. Overall, it was a good freshman season for Badini, as he was one of their better players in just his first year with the team. Badini’s 10 goals were tied for second on the team, while his 17 points were seventh. He also led all Harvard freshman in goals, and was second in points. Badini also almost played for Team USA at the World Juniors. Though ultimately not chosen, he was named to the team’s preliminary roster in December, just a few weeks before the tournament actually started. Even though he missed the final cut, it’s a good sign that he made it so far in the process.

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In Badini’s sophomore season, I’d like to see him become a more integral part of Harvard’s offense. After scoring 10 goals as a freshman, I’d like to see him get something in the 15 to 20 range, and increase his point total to 30. I’d also like to see him continue to be one of the team’s better scorers for his year. It would be great if he could lead the sophomores in both goals and points, and not just goals like he did as a freshman. This will be especially important for Harvard since they are losing their top scorer from a year ago, Ryan Donato. If Badini can step up and fill that void left by Donato’s departure, that would really show what kind of player he can eventually be.

Badini is unsigned and will be for probably another two or three years. The Ducks have been letting the NCAA players spend three or four years playing college hockey recently, really letting them develop slowly over time. Troy Terry, Kevin Roy, and Andy Welinski played a combined 11 seasons of college hockey before signing their pro contracts. I expect Badini to be treated the same way. That slow development cycle has worked well for these other players, and it will hopefully help Badini’s progress, so I think we’ll see him signed in either two or three years’ time. However, if he can step up and replace Donato and really impress Anaheim this coming season, maybe he gets signed sooner.

The Return of Ryan Kesler?

With Badini likely not signing his pro contract for another two or three years, his NHL debut will likely be a year or two beyond that. So we’re anywhere from three to five years away from seeing him get some time in the NHL. If he surprises and signs his pro contract with the Ducks next summer, we could see him within the next two years, but I think that’s unlikely. Anaheim will let him develop slowly and bring him along when he’s ready and when there’s space on Anaheim’s roster.

The next prospect update will be on Marcus Pettersson. For more prospect articles visit DucksNPucks.com

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August 23rd, 2018