LAS VEGAS -- Finn Harding got passed over in his first year of draft eligibility last summer. He had to wait all the way until the 223rd pick this year, but he finally heard his name called when the Penguins drafted him with their final pick of the draft.
Harding, 19, is a right-handed defenseman listed at 6 foot 1 and 201 pounds from Toronto who plays for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL.
Harding's a bit of a late bloomer. He started playing in the OHL a year later than most drafted prospects do, and this past season was his second in the OHL. He had modest production as a rookie in 2022-23, with two goal and eight assists in 63 games. He took a big step this season with 10 goals and 24 assists in 68 games.
“Confidence I think is the best word to use there, I gained a lot of confidence after that first year,” Harding told the CHL league website at the end of the year. “The game definitely slowed down, I was able to make plays with more poise. ... My strength definitely took a big jump from my rookie season. It really helped me this season (become) a really solid defender to be able to defend any type of player.”
FINN HARDING FORCES OT 👀
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 8, 2024
The @OHLSteelheads defenceman ties the game at three with less than three minutes remaining! pic.twitter.com/lZy6TIYDyT
Finn Harding starts and finishes the rush 🚨
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 4, 2024
The defenceman carries the puck up the ice and buries his first of the postseason to restore the @OHLSteelheads lead!#OHLPlayoffs | #MISSvsSBY pic.twitter.com/TFZMQ8WUj8
"He's a smart, intelligent defender," Penguins director of amateur scouting Nick Pryor said of Harding. "He's a guy who takes pride in his own end. He's a high-character kid, our due diligence was very, very positive on him. We felt good about the progress that he made, and he takes pride in his defensive play. He can move the puck as well. We felt good about him."
The Elite Prospects draft guide called Harding "one of the CHL’s top rush defenders" who "could become a solid mid-rounder find for an NHL team." Harding didn't ultimately go in the mid-rounds, but the Penguins may have found a gem late.
With Harding being a year older than a lot of the players of this draft class, he'll have to spend less time in junior than most of this class. With the NHL-CHL transfer agreement, he'll be free to break into the minor leagues starting in the 2025-26 season, rather than 2026-27 like a lot of these prospects. For a team who needs prospects to be ready fast, that's a big bonus.
