In our earlier article about a team’s draft list, we talked about what league a player is in. Obviously, Los Angeles won’t refuse to draft a player just because of a league they’re in. Looking at historical trends is of interest, though.
Dating back to 2014, LA only drafted two players out of the QMJHL, and both were defensemen (Jordan Spence and Angus Booth). To say our featured player would be unconventional is an understatement. Between fit and consensus of rankings, we have reason to believe he’s at least someone the Kings would be interested in.
Bill Zonnon
Vitals
Date of Birth: October 3, 2006
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 190 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2024-25 Season
Zonnon spent the 2024-25 season playing for the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. In 64 games, he has 83 points (28 G, 55 A).
Out of the Spotlight
Most players projected as a first-rounder have had several eyes on them over multiple international events, especially in their draft years – for example, World Juniors, Hlinka Gretzky, and the like. Rouyn-Noranda’s alternate captain hasn’t faced anyone outside North America since 2022.
Respect Your Elders
Born in late 2006, Zonnon was about 3 weeks away from being eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft (cutoff is September 15). This makes him one of the older first-year eligible players. Consequently, he will only have this year to be eligible for the Under-20 World Junior Championship, and could actually be AHL-bound in his D+2 year due to his age (similar to Kings prospect Koehn Ziemmer, who was only sent down to Prince George due to fitness issues).
Breathe
Zonnon had a lot of responsibility for Rouyn-Noranda this season, which also explained why he wore an ‘A’. While time on ice isn’t publicly tracked in major junior hockey, the 6-foot-2 forward played a lot of minutes. He has had games of playing almost 28 minutes in regulation, including on the power play and penalty kill.
NHL Combine Results
Zonnon attended the NHL Combine, and these are the categories in which he was ranked in the top-25:
Mean Power Output: 11.6 watts/kg (14th)
Peak Power Output: 15.4 watts/kg (tied for 21st)
Wingspan: 78.25 inches (17th)
Vertical Jump: 24.36 inches (5th)
No Arm Jump: 18.07 inches (23rd)
Right Hand Grip: 160 lbs (tied for 11th)
Pull-ups Consecutive: 16 (1st)
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No. 33 by Hockey Prospect Radio: “His high-energy, pressure-oriented style and ability to create offensive opportunities make him a strong candidate for a third-line NHL role. However, limitations in hockey sense, puck skills, physicality, and skating mechanics restrict his potential for a top-six position, positioning him as a reliable depth player with a focus on secondary contributions.”
Ranked No. 28 by Elite Prospects Draft Guide. “Industrious and detailed. Those are the qualifiers that best describe Bill Zonnon, and made him an effective player from the time he stepped into Rouyn-Noranda’s lineup three years ago. Now, with an 83-point season in his first full-time season at centre in the league, he’s become one of the CHL’s top workhorses.
Constantly supporting teammates in all three zones, Zonnon jumps to the aid of defencemen on the back wall, gets the puck back, offers timely passing options, and moves the puck quickly in transition, orchestrating clever passing plays and entries in the offensive zone.
When no play is open, he falls back on his forechecking ability. Defenders retrieving the puck better hurry their play when facing Zonnon. If they take too long to pass, the forward comes barreling down on them, pining them to the wall, freeing the puck with his stick, and moving to an open teammate. While he does have honed physical skills, it’s really his willingness to engage and battle that separates him from other larger forwards in this draft.”
Ranked No. 28 by Future Considerations. “Zonnon is a multifaceted forward whose game blends size, physicality, and playmaking skill, earning him usage in a variety of roles throughout the lineup. His most consistently noted strength is his high motor and willingness to engage in difficult areas of the ice, regularly positioning himself at the net front, fighting for space below the goal line, and contributing through sustained effort and smart positional awareness. Coaches trust him in high-leverage situations, as he provides responsible coverage down low, particularly on the penalty kill, and scans well to identify developing threats. He offers strong puck protection and effectively supports his defensemen, often being the first forward back or engaging on the boards to disrupt offensive cycles. His passing is firm and accurate under pressure, making him a reliable distributor who complements linemates well without overextending himself trying to do too much. Offensively, Zonnon demonstrates a balance of playmaking vision and physical assertiveness, working the flanks and middle lanes to move pucks, retrieve them, and extend possession. He creates offense by attacking soft spots in defensive coverages and circulating the puck with purpose. While not dynamic in the traditional sense, he contributes consistently by keeping plays alive and showing a knack for finding open teammates in high-danger areas. His puck-handling is fluid enough to beat defenders in space, and he employs toe drags and quick fakes effectively, even if his execution can be erratic. Zonnon’s skating is a mixed bag: his straight-line speed is solid once he builds momentum, but his stride lacks initial explosiveness, and his choppy mechanics paired with a wide stance limit his agility and edge control. His wrist shot is quick and accurate, and while his one-timer is a usable weapon, neither adds top-tier finishing to his profile.”
See For Yourself
Video of Zonnon versus Victoriaville in the QMJHL:
Final Comments
We recently have discussed intrinsic attributes to some prospects, such as fearlessness, personality, smarts, and how they can be extrapolated into becoming an NHL player. After all, they are people first and foremost. What one may see in a person can reflect what they will become on the ice.
Zonnon has many of these qualities as well, yet there are specific skills which will play a bigger part in his journey to become a regular NHLer. Let’s get started with the breakdown.
A major area which needs improvement is shooting. His shots are building in effectiveness, but to become a higher threat, building on his variety and angles aside from wrist shots in the slot would go a long way. His biggest observed drawback is skating. The technique and top speed are noticeably below par. Consequently, he needs to take several steps to reach top speed, although his effort level and hustle make that a non-issue.
Skating is just one aspect of the holy trinity of NHL player effectiveness. Size and Smarts are the other two. At 6-foot-2, Zonnon has good reach to use his stick and disrupt opponents. His height also contributes to a strong physical presence. The skilled forward also shows a lot of intelligence, both in positioning and also in how he instinctively moves the puck.
Looking at Zonnon’s style of play, he’s a two-way hard-working forward who specializes in playmaking. Rouyn-Noranda’s bench boss Steve Hartley put him in every situation, including with a man advantage disadvantage, empty nets, etc. Offensively, he seems to know what to do with the puck, as there’s no panic in his passing. Puck handling involves more body position for protection more so than fancy moves with his stick.
To have NHL success, he will need to improve his skating, even if size and smarts are great. It will just be more of a deciding factor about being a middle-six or bottom-six grinder. Ideally, his minutes can be managed where he’s not playing nearly half the game to maximize performance. Zonnon is projected as a consensus late first round pick by most outlets, and undoubtedly will be on LA’s radar on June 27.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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