Kirby Dach certainly didn’t waste any time making a strong first impression.

Dach, seventh in Future Considerations’ preliminary ranking for the 2019 NHL Draft, was named CHL Player of the Week for the opening week of regular season action ending September 23, 2018 after recording three goals and seven points in two games for the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League.

“While the quantity of points he had in the opening weekend may drop jaws, his quality of play has been at a high level for a long time,” said Justin Froese, Future Considerations head Western scout. “Dach plays the game with a high IQ and high pace. His offensive skills, awareness and size allows him to beat the opposition in various ways.

“He can drive the bus for his line mates and carry or create while providing honest efforts off the puck. It’s clear to me that he is more than ready to keep building into one of the most exciting and sought after prospects in this years draft.”

Five of Dach’s seven points came in an 8-0 win against the Swift Current Broncos, establishing a new single-game best for the 17-year-old.

Dach is in his second season with the Blades. He was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, and had 46 points (seven goals, 39 assists) in 52 games in 2017-18. He was also a member of Canada’s gold medal-winning entry at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.