L

ess than two years ago, Adam Gaudette was a relatively unknown fifth-round draft pick, light on offensive production.

But now he’s one of the Canucks’ most important prospects and his development is going to be one of the referendums on the Jim Benning era.

Benning was recruited to Vancouver to be the general manager to rehabilitate the awful drafting that has haunted the Canucks for most of this century.

The top picks will always get the most run but if Benning is going to be successful, and he needs to be to stick round, the Canucks have to hit on late- and mid-round draft selections.

Gaudette is his, and the Canucks’, best chance and he slots in here as Vancouver’s No. 5 best prospect.

Gaudette exploded this season for Northeastern, ranked ninth in Division 1 hockey with 52 points. What really got him noticed, however, was when he finished 40th. That would be on Craig Button’s list of the top 50 NHL affiliated players not yet playing in the big leagues.

“Every team needs players to come out of the woodwork, so to speak,” said Button, TSN’s top prospect analyst. “I believe the Canucks have that guy in Adam Gaudette. He’s a competitor.”