Is Damon Severson ready to hit elite status?

Tyler Myers, Josh Gorges and Shea Weber.
What do all three of them have in common?
Lots!
All three are playing in the NHL. All three were defenceman for the Kelowna Rockets and all three became dominate defenceman when they were 19.
That's where fourth year blue liner Damon Severson comes into play.
Now 19, the second round pick of the New Jersey Devils is entering the biggest season in his WHL career. Oh ya, his draft year was huge, but now is his time to become a marquee defenceman in the WHL and follow in the footsteps of those three Rockets alumni. Severson is coming off his best offensive season (10+42=52) but at this point would he be considered one of the top d-man in the entire WHL?
Does he have the tools to attain that lofty standard?
You bet he does!
Like Myers, Gorges and Weber, all three rounded into form in their 19 year-old season. Myers would play for Canada at the World Juniors as would Gorges and Weber. Myers would be named the WHL playoff MVP in his 19 year-old season while Weber, at 19, was the 2005 recipient. Gorges would go on to captain the Rockets, as a 19 year-old, to a Memorial Cup title.   
Make no mistake, Severson plays a much more skilled game than both Weber and Myers. As 19 year-old d-men, Myers had 42 point while Weber managed 41. As mentioned earlier, Severson already registered 52 points as a 18 year-old in 2012-2013. Gorges racked up 59 points in 2002-2003 in the teams first ever WHL championship.
Hockey fans in Kelowna already know that Damon Severson is a solid defender. The Melville, Saskatchewan resident was named the Rockets Defenceman of the Year in April. 
In 2013-2014, look for Severson to show the entire WHL that he is the next elite defenceman to come out of the Kelowna Rockets organization.