Montreal Impact weren’t as active in this year’s draft, but still managed to add a striker and midfielder to their roster during the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
The Montreal Impact had a slow 2017 MLS SuperDraft, as compared to previous seasons. This year’s recruitment process was focused on adding a few different options to the roster as compared to a more rounded approach in 2016, which saw two defenders, one midfielder and a forward being signed.
The Impact made one selection in each of the first two rounds at the NSCAA 2017 Convention in Los Angeles, with the next two rounds passing by without any picks for the club.
Here is an overview and short analysis of the two players signed by Montreal Impact in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
1) Nick Depuy
Position: Forward
University: University of California Santa Barbara
First round: Pick 19 (Day 1)
Montreal Impact’s first selection of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft was Nick Depuy from the University of California Santa Barbara. The 22-year-old striker joins the Canadian side following a highly productive spell during his college career, which saw him start 80 games and score 31 goals over four seasons.
Unlike the other forwards in the Impact strike force, the Irvine native is blessed with fantastic height and physical presence. His addition to the roster will ensure that the club have an added advantage when it comes to scoring goals, which was a concern for the club over the course of the 2016 campaign.
Following Didier Drogba’s departure from Montreal ahead of the upcoming MLS season, Nick will definitely get a chance to fight it out for a starting slot in Mauro Biello’s line-up this season alongside the likes of Michael Salazar, Anthony Jackson-Hamel and the on-loan Matteo Mancosu. How much playing time he earns in year one is debatable, although things do look quite promising for the youngster.
Grade: B+
2) Shamit Shome
Position: Midfielder
Last club: FC Edmonton (NASL)
Second Round: Pick 41 (Day 1)
19 year-old Shamit Shome was the second and last addition to the Montreal Impact roster. Signed as a Generation Adidas star by the MLS right before the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, the midfielder moved from NASL club FC Edmonton after an impressive debut season in 2016.
Despite not grabbing a goal or an assist in his first professional campaign, the FC Edmonton academy product managed to feature in 28 matches last season, with 18 of them starts. He has also made four appearances for the Canadian U-20 side whilst earning a nomination for Canada Soccer U-20 Player of the Year in 2016.
An exciting prospect for either the Canada or Bangladesh national side in the future based on his preference, Shome should have a chance in the preseason to help establish himself on the Impact roster. He will provide competition and cover to the two other central midfielders at the club – Hernan Bernardello and Kyle Bekker.
Grade: A
Next: 2017 MLS SuperDraft Rounds 3 & 4 Analysis: Vancouver Whitecaps
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