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Lockwood didn’t get much notice at the entry draft two weekends ago, mainly because he wasn’t there.

The winger from the United States’ under-18 program was home in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., when the Canucks chose Lockwood 64th overall, near the start of the third round in a draft in which Vancouver lacked at-bats in the second and fourth rounds. That pick was precious to the Canucks.

Lockwood was selected considerably higher than most scouting services had projected. NHL Central Scouting had him ranked 108th, down from 69th at mid-season, among North American skaters.

Lockwood has more than just a great story about his draft moment.

He is listed at 5-11 and 172 pounds but plays an edgy game, which is why Benning immediately compared him to Canuck winger Jannik Hansen.

Lockwood’s dad, Joe, played hockey at the University of Michigan and was good enough to spend a minor-league season in Kalamazoo in the old International League before becoming a mortgage broker. Will’s mom, Cristina, was a competitive swimmer long before she became a law-school professor.

Will had only three goals and three assists in 20 games for the U.S. U-18s, yet the Canucks believe he can score enough to play in the NHL.

At a development camp where nearly everyone seems to fly, Will Lockwood’s skating stands out. He turned 18 a week before the draft but looks you in the eye when he speaks. The Canucks see something in him.

We saw little except size in Tryamkin when Benning chose him 66th two years ago, and less than two years later the 6-7 Russian was in the Canucks’ lineup.