Max Gildon: Texas star rising in 2017 NHL draft class

It’s easy for Max Gildon to stand out among the top talents in the 2017 NHL draft class. In addition to having an appealing combination of size, a smooth skating ability and elite offensive skill, the young blueliner hails from Texas, an unorthodox place to find one of the world’s top 1999-born hockey players.

It all started for Gildon when his grandfather, Larry Smith, introduced to him to hockey at a young age. From there, he began to fall in the love with the game.

“My grandfather used to pick me up from daycare and take me down to the rink,” says Gildon. “I started to really like the game then when I was a kid. I played other sports, but never had a hard decision to make of quitting one for hockey because hockey has always been my favourite sport.”

Fortunately for Gildon, Texas’ hockey development began making headway at the same time he was learning the ropes. The Dallas Stars AAA programs have developed an esteemed reputation over time for having the knowledge and resources to develop high-end hockey players, which is evident in the role they played in molding Nashville Predators pivot Seth Jones and Edmonton Oilers prospect Caleb Jones.

“Texas is getting more and more respect for producing hockey players,” says Dallas Stars AAA U16 coach Eric Silverman, who coached Gildon the past two years. “It all starts with the Stars getting involved and the hockey programs that have continued to grow over the years. The development is getting better and better and we have a lot of good athletes here who are choosing to play hockey.”

The 6-foot-3, 172-pound rearguard began making noise in the hockey world when he played two levels up on the Dallas Stars AAA U16 club in his 14-year-old season. He not only didn’t look out of place against older opponents, but he also proved to be an impact player. It led to some scouts regarding him as a top 10 prospect in the 2014 WHL bantam draft.

“It all started last year when he played U16 and was playing two levels up from his age group,” says Silverman. “He not only fit in, but he excelled. Then the second year on the team he stepped up and developed even more to where he is today.”

The Plano, TX., native wasn’t selected in the bantam draft until the Vancouver Giants chose him 51^st overall in the third round. It wasn’t because his prospect stock fell, but rather the risk involved in drafting him with NCAA teams poised to knock on his door.

At this point, Gildon, 16, is undecided on whether he will play for the Giants or an NCAA club. He has committed to play for the U.S. National Development Program this year and could return for the 2016-17 season.

“It’s up in the air at this time,” says Gildon, who notched seven goals and 15 points in 24 games on the Dallas U16 team in 2014-15. “I haven’t made a decision. The U.S. National Development Program is two years, and I’ll be there next year, but I don’t know yet for the year after.”

Regardless of which route he takes, Gildon is poised to blossom into a blue chip prospect. There’s a reason why several scouting services, including ISS Hockey, believe he’s in the running to have his name called with a top five pick on the 2017 draft floor.

“He’s a big 6-foot-3 player, but he’s not physically mature yet, so he’s like a 6-foot-3 boy,” says Silverman. “He has a lot of upside and can skate at a high level, so once he starts to fill out and gets to 215 pounds, that’s when he’s going to really take off. He has what it takes to become a special player.”

He has some hoops to jump through first before looking at his NHL career, but Gildon projects to develop into a future top-pairing defenceman. He shares some characteristics with his favourite player, Tampa Bay Lightning star Victor Hedman, as they both play a physical game and have the tools to produce offensively.

“Victor Hedman is my favourite defenceman,” he says. “He’s big and powerful skater and plays hard. He’s someone that I’d like to play like.”

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen