Every team wants a Kristian Epperson. Playing with some additional flair to his game, Epperson racked up 80 points in just 58 games last season with Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League. Outside of his offence, he brings it all to the table. A very tenacious player on the forecheck, Epperson does everything he can to get the puck. Stick lifts, board battles, funneling pucks through traffic and to the point, you name it. While he will never be the star of an NHL team, Epperson has fan-favorite written all over him if he can reach a fraction of his offensive potential while maintaining the tenacious edge he plays with.

Selected 88th overall, Kristian Epperson is now a member of the Los Angeles Kings.

Passed over in 2024 after a poor season for the USNTDP, Epperson immediately found a cushy role in Saginaw supporting Michael Misa’s transcendent season. Epperson’s speed and focused mindset quickly got to work, whether that was driving the net to knock in a rebound or tracking down pucks in the corner.

DRAFTPRO – 2023 FALL INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT REVIEW

#18 LW Kristian Epperson, USNTDP Juniors (U18 Five Nations), 5’11”, 183, L, DOB 05.16.2006 Epperson is a positionally solid 200-foot winger with good hockey instincts in and around the net. Does a great job of pressuring and creating havoc for the opposition d-men in his defensive zone with his aggressive approach. Tends to get his stick or body in shooting lanes to prevent pucks from reaching his goal. He’s a versatile forward that is capable of doing what is required from the coach due to his extended skill set. He doesn’t seem to possess a skill that is highly above the rest, but rather has a jack of all trades sort of game. Has the ability to be an impactful penalty killer as he is hungry to chip at loose pucks. Has shutdown role potential as he understands his strengths away from the puck. Plays an assertive game down low, being physical is part of his game as he has the frame to lean on his opposition. Generates a high amount of power in his quick release, able to finish in the slot. Decent skating ability as he has a powerful burst but is rarely shown more then once during a shift. A weakness of his game is doing too much with the puck, as well as holding onto it for too long along the boards when his teammates are severely open. He needs to be quicker at deciding when to dish the puck and to be more aware of the ice that he has to work it. Epperson has the right idea when he gains the puck in transition but his passing and decision-making execution is often poorly done. – Steven Pratas

Final Rankings – Epperson rebounded in Saginaw after a tough year with the NTDP, reminding us of his strong forechecking, high energy, and transition skills. Though his poor stick discipline and underdeveloped offensive game are troubling, his pace and competitiveness make him a valuable, pesty third-line winger.—

There was a reason Epperson wasn’t drafted last year. Despite marked improvements, all things being equal, playing on a line with the OHL’s most dangerous man (or, two of them, following Igor Chernyshov’s arrival) is perhaps not the best indication of his true talent. Epperson has speed in spades and a workmanlike mindset, but expecting him to fill a top-6 role like he did this season might be a step too far. A top-9/bottom-6 utility player is a fair expectation.—