Prospect Update: Noah Warren

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks selected defenseman Noah Warren in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, 42nd overall. He played for the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL this past season, and also played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships.

Warren joined the Tigres last summer, after being traded from the Gatineau Olympiques. Not known for his scoring ability, Warren recorded six goals and 13 points in 50 games with his new team. Warren missed several games due to suspension, playing at the World Juniors, and dealing with injuries throughout the season. He did increase his offensive output in the playoffs, recording eight assists in 14 games, including a five-game assist streak. Victoriaville advanced to the conference finals where they lost to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in five games.

Team Canada had a disappointing tournament at the 2024 World Juniors. Warren played in all five games and was scoreless. Canada lost in the quarterfinals to Czechia. Warren was primarily used on the team’s second pair in a shutdown role.

I had four expectations for Warren last summer, and he was only able to hit one and partially achieve another. First, after playing in only 47 games in the 2022-2023 season, I was hoping he’d play in a majority of Victoriaville’s games. Even with the World Juniors factored in, he still missed several games with injury and some due to suspension. Second, I was hoping he’d hit the 30 point mark. Even if he’d played in every game, he still would have fallen well short of it. Third, for him to be one of Victoriaville’s top defensemen by season’s end. He played well for his new team as a shutdown player, but didn’t quite play as well as I was hoping he would, so I’ll give him partial credit for this one. Finally, for him to play for Team Canada at the World Juniors, which he did.

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Warren will be leaving the junior ranks behind and turning pro this coming season. He’ll be joining a young Gulls squad that has struggled defensively for the past couple of seasons. They did improve somewhat last season, and hopefully Warren will be able to help them continue that trajectory and have an even better defensive year.

As a physical defenseman with a right-handed shot, there’s a lot to like about Warren’s game. But with this being his first professional season, I don’t want to set expectations too high for him. First, I want him to play in most of San Diego’s games. Second, for him to see time on the team’s shorthanded unit. Warren is much more known for his defensive play than his offensive numbers, and he should be able to see a lot of ice time while the Gulls are down a man.

Warren is still at least a year or two away from making his NHL debut. If he can have a truly great rookie season, he could have a chance at making his NHL debut in the 2025-2026 season, but I think the following season is more likely for him to do so. Warren is a fantastic athlete, and while he won’t ever be a top pairing player, he could become a good fourth or fifth defenseman who sees time on the penalty kill.

Warren’s three-year entry-level contract will begin this season and he’ll be a restricted free agent upon its completion. While he isn’t expected to become an NHL star, I do think Warren will likely at least have made his NHL debut by the time this contract is over. If that has happened, I think it very likely the Ducks will re-sign him on a short deal. However, if he struggles to adjust to the pro game with the Gulls, the Ducks could instead choose to not qualify him and let him leave as a free agent.

The next prospect update will be on defenseman William Francis.

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September 13th, 2024