Top 25 Under 25, No. 19: Vincent Dunn

Vincent Dunn was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round (138^th overall) in the 2013. The Gatineau native fits the Sens pattern of adding local talent and Dunn played his AAA midget hockey in Gatineau as well. After posting 22 goals, 48 points, and 122 penalty minutes in 41 games as a 15-year-old with the Gatineau L'Intrepide he was selected in the first round of the QMJHL Entry Draft by the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

As a 16-year-old with Val d'Or in 2011-2012, Dunn managed just 13 points but the centre made his physical presence known, collecting 94 penalty minutes. In his second season with Val d'Or, Dunn became almost a point-per-game player with 52 points in 53 games but was suspended for remarks made on the ice to an opponent.

Hockey's Future had this to say about Dunn at the time of his draft:

A pest on the ice, Dunn makes his mark by getting under the skin of his opponents. Only average sized, that doesn't stop him from finishing his checks and battling hard against the wall. Perhaps even more frustrating for the opposition is that he has some ability to hurt them on the score sheet, as well. Though his offensive stats come more from his hard-nosed play rather than dynamic scoring talent, it doesn't matter how pretty a goal is on the scoreboard.

McKeen's Hockey cautioned about Dunn's emotional play and penalty trouble when he was drafted:

"Among the youngest players eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft, born just one day before the 9-15-95 cut-off date .. distinguishing himself as a real sparkplug for the Foreurs this season as he is willing to get his nose dirty and also quite capable of aggravating opponents .. missed a couple of games due to a racial comment made to a Mooseheads player .. possesses average skating speed .. his stride can be a little choppy - and his turns are not as balanced as they could be .. generally scores ugly goals as his shooting release is on the slower side .. shows minimal creativity in terms of his puck movement, although that is not really his game at all .. started out the season playing some games at the center position, however he had trouble winning face-offs with regularity and is now being used mainly on the wing where he has shown to be most effective working along the boards .. however, his work as a pivot is quite underrated and this versatility won't be overlooked by NHL scouts .. displays a knack for cutting off passes as opponents break out of their zone, an attribute that comes to the fore when he is operating in the middle .. works hard in his own zone, winning many hard battles for the puck .. not afraid to block shots and will drop the gloves albeit is not really an enforcer type .. runs full-throttle on adrenaline most of the times, but will have to learn to better contain his emotions as he can go overboard at times."

Traded to the Gatineau Olympiques during the 2013 offseason, he had as successful year playing for his hometown team. He recorded 51 points while reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time in his junior career. He was also a point-per-game player in the players. More troubling, his penalty totals increased considerably over his two previous junior season to 156 in 2013-2014. Dunn was a late round pick and consequently hasn't benefited from the hype usually associated with prospects picked higher. Still, that hasn't stopped some from wondering if he hasn't been overlooked and underrated. Officially listed at 5'11" and 183 pounds, Dunn made his pro debut last season when he suited up for one game with Binghamton. Dunn signed his ELC contract with the team last week. He can play right wing and centre, but given Ottawa's depth down the middle, a permanent shift to the wing seems most likely if he is to find a spot with the Senators.