2004 Draft: Whos Hot, Whos Not - Dec/Jan Edition
All I Want For Christmas Is...
What do selected draft-eligibles have on their Christmas wishlist? Here's what
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we think...
Alexandrov - Some exposure. We'd like to see him in a tournament.
Bourque - A late growth spurt maybe?
Belov - Blueline poise. So skilled, yet so confused.
Bickell - An identity. Is he a tough guy or a scorer?
Karsums - A 35-pound steak.
Vojtech Kloz - Skating lessons.
McGrath - A goal-scoring streak. Can this guy finish or what?
Makarov - A time machine so he can go back to the player that looked
dominant at the U-18 Worlds in April.
Montoya - Never to lose that mean streak of his. Tranquilizers couldn't
calm him down.
Nikulin - His resolution should be to get in good shape, 'cause he looks
exhausted.
Ovechkin - A new World Junior scoring record... Dare we dream?
Picard - A hose-down, 'cause he's on fire.
Pineault - Some top line playing time, 'cause he's too good to be stuck
on the checking lines.
Plyuschev - A compass, so he can find his own end every now and then.
Salmonsson - A good slapshot to complement those sick puck skills.
- A huge playoff with the London Knights. Something positive has to come
for him.
Schulz - A copy of the bestseller 'OK, I can skate, what do I do now?'
Sindel - Ten pounds of muscle and a mean streak.
Stephenson - A fire to light this guy's engine as he has all the tools.
Thelen - An answering machine to screen pre-draft interview requests.
Tukonen - Some of that old-fashioned Finnish mean streak.
Wick - A press agent.
Armed and Dangerous
Scouts are crowding BCHL's Salmon Arm SilverBacks games this season in anticipation
of seeing the dynamic duo of Travis
Zajac and Kris
Our new entry into the top 30, Zajac has gone from being barely a blip on most
scouts' radars last year to becoming a hot commodity for the upcoming NHL Entry
Draft. This season the crafty centerman has been selected to represent the Interior
Conference at the 2004 BCHL All-Star game in January. Zajac also knows that
he will be plying his trade next season with one of the top hockey colleges
in the States, as he's received a scholarship to play for the North Dakota Fighting
Sioux.
Everything that Zajac does on the ice is proof of his game-breaking abilities
- he has the rare skill of slowing the game down and anticipating plays before
they happen. Developing amazing chemistry with fellow Silverback Kris Chucko,
the duo has been the most explosive tandem in the league. Zajac, who currently
sits sixth in league scoring, is a thinker and though not a dominant physical
specimen he doesn't shy away from getting his nose dirty. That said, like most
elite players he is elusive enough to leave big defenders in the dust.
According to our WHL scout: "What really stands out besides his offensive
tools are the tremendous leaderships skills he possesses. He is the type of
player that a coach could feel comfortable putting out in any situation and
know that Zajac is going to make the right play."
With a skill set that combines speed, mobility, hands and vision there is little
wonder that Zajac has climbed up our rankings.
Kris Chucko might not have quite the elite skill set of his teammate Zajac,
but he does have one element that the latter lacks for the most part and that
is a power game. Chucko's game is downright nasty, he loves to take matters
into his own hands and will drop the gloves with an opposition player that gets
in his grill.
While not a goon, Chucko is aware that using his physical tools will open up
the ice for him and his linemates. To be successful playing as a power forward
in the NHL he will have to add some muscle to his 6'2 frame. Like Zajac, Chucko
has been selected to represent the Interior Conference at the 2004 BCHL All-Star
game in January.
At 17, Chucko is one of the youngest team captains in the game - and one year
younger than his linemate Zajac. Chucko's infectiously up-beat on and off-ice
attitude has underscored his importance to the team - always looking out for
his teammates, Chucko comes their aid if anyone takes liberties with them.
Says our WHL scout: "Chucko is an elusive skater with exquisite top end
speed that when added to his brute strength and desire gel for a lethal mix."
He might not be at the same level as Zajac it wouldn't be a major surprise to
see him become a better pro.
Thelen Groovy
We were waiting for MSU freshman A.J.
Thelen to hit the wall, but it just hasn't happened. In fact, exactly
the opposite has transpired as the 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Savage, Minnesota
continues to improve and gain confidence with each passing game at the collegiate
level.
With the Spartans' star blueline duo of John-Michael
Liles and Brad
Fast graduating last spring, Thelen (pronounced Th-EE-lyn) accelerated
his high school studies to arrive at East Lansing a year early. The second-youngest
player in the NCAA showed his age during the opening month, but has since settled
down and displayed some breathtaking moments at both ends of the ice.
'The first thing that stands out about A.J. is his skating' reports an NCAA
scout. 'He has superb control of his body for his age with nice explosiveness,
both forwards and diagonally. He's quite fluid and his acceleration burst is
deceptive. Look around at most of the big defenseman available and there's something
about their skating that sets off alarms, but not with Thelen. He utilizes his
excellent balance to his advantage, and, combined with that big wingspan, can
be a formidable opponent one-on-one.
"His puck skills and offensive instincts are also eye-catching. He bolts
into the rush in a flash and can really deal the puck in the attacking zone.
The other thing that strikes you is his size and strength. Strong all over -
legs, torso and especially his hands. He can be a bit reactive still in the
defensive zone, not always certain of what to do, but he recovers exceptionally
well and only needs a split second to clear the zone due to his quick hands
and powerful wrists."
"I really like this pick. He's big, skilled, mobile and really determined.
The upside here is substantial. He just needs time to learn the intricacies
of the defensive game."
Scouting Notes:
Rangy rearguard with terrific forward and side-to-side mobility .. long galloping
stride .. a very powerful skater with excellent first-step pickup speed and
agility for a big man .. needs to work on his backwards skating speed, as he
at times does not backpeddle fast enough to properly ward off an outside challenge
.. tough to knock off his skates due to his excellent balance and wide base
.. strong puck skills .. makes hard, accurate passes that he can whip cross-ice
tape-to-tape .. reads the offensive flow instinctively and loves to jump into
the attack with a knack for timing his forays to maximum effect .. displays
strong hands with hard ring-arounds all with a quick flick of the wrist .. uses
his long reach well to intercept passes and tie up opposing forwards .. physical
game at times inconsistent, but he shows an aptitude to use his body and dishes
out punishing hit from time to time .. not as much intuitive sense in the defensive
zone .. at times uncertain as to who to cover in front of the net, especially
when the opposing team is cycling down low .. relies on his quick hands to win
the 50-50 battles in the corners .. impressive physical tools .. heavy pointshot
but needs to work on its accuracy .. images of young Al Iafrate come to mind
.. big offensive upside, but needs to refine his overall defensive play and
become a more consistent physical presence
On Fire
Stanislav Balan - C (Zlin) - Broke into the senior Extraleague in December,
showing enough composure and maturity to stick around as a 17-year old, centering
twin 2004-eligibles Roman and Michal Psurny. An exceptionally smart player,
Balan sees the ice very well and is a deft playmaker. An above-average puckhandler
with soft hands and solid skating abilities. Straightaway speed is good, but
must work on his balance. Aware defensively, but must be more aggressive and
limit the options of the opposing attackers better. A finesse player, Balan
is very lanky (6-1, 165) and needs to bulk up and add leg strength.
Bellamy - RW (New England Jr Coyotes) - One of our biggest chart-climbers
this month, Bellamy has been a dominant force in his rookie year with the EJHL's
Junior Coyotes, the club that produced `03 draftees' Colin McDonald (Edm) and
Mark McCutcheon (Col). The Maine recruit and Westfield, Mass. native is a tenacious,
hedge-clipping winger with an excellent package of speed, brawn and desire.
He throws his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame around with reckless abandon, and, although
not blessed with elite hands, possesses enough skills to get the job done. Projects
as an energetic, heart-and-soul checker who also contributes some offense. Think
Kirk Maltby.
Gracik - RW (Topolcany) - Quickly rising up the ranks is this strapping
Slovak winger with pretty solid finishing skills. A very effective player in
traffic and along the boards and is strong on his skates. A fine stickhandler
with a wide reach and good strength on the puck. We would like for him to make
a few adjustments as far as positioning himself for scoring chances and he must
improve his foot quickness and get to loose pucks better. Raw in his own end,
but plays strong and puts up a good effort, though he needs to develop poise.
Graham - C (Moncton) - Raw behemoth (6-6, 220) is slowly taking on the
identity of a budding power forward. The gliding skater has excellent straight
away speed and is an effective worker along the boards and in traffic. Not flashy,
but really smart with the puck - a smooth puck carrier and an informed passer
with above-average instincts. Very strong on his skates, but must improve his
first step and agility. Once he learns to utilize his frame to his advantage,
Graham will be a true diamond in the rough.
Green - D (Saskatoon) - We're scratching our heads at his snubbing at
the U-18 World Cup in August and he only made the WHL team in the ReMax Canada-Russia
challenge as a replacement for the injured Ian White. However, this is a complete,
skilled, tough and mature blueliner with all the tools and no real weaknesses.
Green is an intelligent rearguard who is mobile and strong on his feet. Uses
his size and speed wisely and makes smooth, informed decisions with the puck.
One minor downside is his lack of imposing size, yet Green still manages to
dish out surprisingly powerful hits and makes puckcarriers pay the price in
the neutral zone. Very tough to beat one-on-one with excellent puck control
and poise. Not a home run-pick, but a sure-fire base hit.
Karsums - RW (Moncton) - Was named top forward at the B Pool U-20 tournament,
amassing seven goals and 13 points for Latvia. Size will be an issue come draft
time, but he puts our worries away with every viewing. Possesses superb instincts,
good finish and instinctive playmaking skills. Excellent foot speed and is not
soft despite being just 175 pounds. An elusive skater with strong shooting skills
and soft hands around the net.
Lundin - D (Maine) - Intelligent, smooth blueliner is a poised puck
mover and plays solid all-around. Lundin possesses excellent hockey sense and
makes informed decisions. Rarely gets caught out of position, but is willing
to join the rush and contribute offensively. Rearguard has the skills to run
the PP, but is mostly a defense-first player. Agile skater has good lateral
quickness and moves well backwards. Not flashy, but productive although we would
like for him to add a greater physical dimension. Lack of bulk (175 lbs) hurts
his stock somewhat for the draft.
- C (Northern Michigan) - Former BCHL first all-star and ROTY runner-up
continues his steady ascent up the NHL draft charts. The native of Boise, Idaho
has made a remarkably fast transition to the collegiate ranks and currently
leads the Wildcats with eight goals and 15 points in 16 games. The speedy, strong-skating
Olver possesses a terrific offensive arsenal, including slick puckhandling skills
and a deft finishing touch. Our CCHA scout adds "he does everything at
top speed and navigates traffic with surprising ease, but will need to spruce
up his skinny (165-pound) body to excel in the pros. He's a gamebreaker."
Picard - LW (Lewiston) - We are enthused with the progress of the MAINEiacs
star - a dedicated sniper with an explosive first step and a hunched-over stride
who zeroes in on the net and gets into prime scoring positions at opportune
times. A tenacious force on the ice, though not a physical presence, Picard
wins puck battles and uses his size well as a goal-scorer. He gets his stick
in position, low along the ice and can finish really well. We see big-time potential
from the focused scoring winger.
Plyuschev - C (Spartak Moscow) - Energetic forward has seen his stock
rise as he has made his debut with the senior Spartak squad. An aggressive,
strong skating forward likes to drive hard to the net and show off his patented
shooting skills. Has silky soft hands around the goal and very good finish although
at the expense of defense. Enver Lisin's linemate at various tournaments, Plyuschev
tends to be wild at times in his own end and disappears in certain stretches
of the game. A very individual player, he must improve his awareness of his
teammates on the ice and simplify his offensive game, although his drive is
very impressive. Must get stronger, tougher and become accountable in terms
of conditioning.
Rogers - D (Calgary) - It's hard to fathom a riser who was still looking
for his first point of the season after 31 games, but stats don't tell everything.
Rogers endured a difficult 02-03 campaign due to his mother's terminal illness,
but is beginning to show solid upside this year. He skates with nice fluidity
and balance for a big man - moves like a pro. Primarily defensive-minded, but
has the mobility to jump into the rush. Rogers makes quick, low-risk outlet
plays and is positionally sound. He uses his body well and finishes checks -
has size, balance, quickness and does not overcommit. We would like to see him
hold on to the puck more and use his excellent skating skills to carry the puck
through the neutral zone. Raw defenseman who must assemble all of his tools
and seems to be headed for a breakout second half.
- D (Calgary) Take-charge blueliner is an established defensive player,
but has added a necessary offensive dimension to his repertoire this season.
Schultz has flourished as the pointman on the Hitmen power play. Possesses a
massive frame with a big reach. Not the most agile skater, but has good balance
and does not fall behind. Instinctive and likes to pinch in and create odd-man
situations in the attacking zone. Has good upper body strength and uses his
size well in traffic. Schultz is a strong shooter and a heads-up passer with
smooth puck control skills. Rising big time, but skating issues will most likely
keep him out of the first round.
Smith - D (Sault Ste Marie) - Not your average stay-at-home blueliner.
Smith is a physical, mistake-free rearguard who logs major minutes on the Greyhounds'
blueline. Very poised, smart with the aura of a leader. Positionally polished
and loves to take the body. His offensive game has developed big time this season
- Smith mans both the PP and the PK. Plays creatively yet safely with the puck
and is not afraid to join the rush and unleash his powerful, low slap shot.
The big body (6-2, 205) is a real presence - look for Smith's all-around game
to explode in the second half.
Soderberg - C (MIF) - He has it all - size, finish and defensive abilities.
Currently widening the lead in Junior elite scoring race (the league's only
20-goal scorer at the moment). Not an elite-level skater, but we love his shooting
game and he has been very consistent in his production. Constantly goes hard
to the net and comes back to help out the defense as well. Has a very quick
stick and a nice big reach.
Stastny - C (River City) - The other son of NHL Hall-of-Famer Peter
Stastny not only brings great pedigree, but has also taken his game to another
level in his sophomore USHL season, currently sitting among the league's top-10
scorers with a club-high 27 points (24-9-18-27, plus-8). A good skater and intelligent
playmaker, the younger Stastny is a cerebral player with soft hands and an ability
to make those around him better. One scout adds, "he doesn't play the same
power game as his dad, but he's very
talented and creative with the puck and really knows how to buy space for himself."
Tukonen - RW (Blues) - Coming into this season, major question marks
surrounded Tukonen and whether he had the goods to stick in the pros. But Lauri
has not simply earned his dues in the SM-Liiga, but is now earning top-line
icetime. Now a much stronger player on the puck, Tukonen uses his size and strong
puck skills well to drive to the net and amass points. He gets to the puck quickly
and shows excellent finish and stickhandling instincts. The only negative is
his lack of defensive awareness.
Voloshenko - LW (Soviet Wings) - We're not completely sold on him, but
Voloshenko is a solid, productive player despite the many holes to his game.
Opportunistic winger who finds wide open lanes where he can wind up his hard,
accurate slap shot. Has pretty good hands, although he's not a good enough skater
nor stickhandler. Does not possess that necessary extra burst of speed and consistently
loses puck chases. Never an offensive catalyst, but a garbage man, if you will
- he'll finish if he finds the puck, but he's doesn't get far with it if the
net's not in front of him. An individual player who needs to learn to stick
to his defensive responsibilities, but is not afraid to mix things up physically
and is strong on his skates. Certainly a mixed bag, to say the least.
Taking a Fall
Bickell - LW (Ottawa) - Was on fire to start the season, but lately
looks completely uninspired. Maybe when tough guy Adam Smyth was traded, Bickell
decided to take his spot and simply pile up penalty minutes. We think that Bickell
should concentrate more on utilizing his speed to score goals. Bickell's stride
looks too relaxed, he conserves his energy when he shouldn't be and is not always
smart with the puck. But we think that the mental approach will come and once
Bickell smartens up, he will be an all-around nightmare for opposing teams.
Already Ottawa locals are comparing the young Bickell to Mark Bell who was 67's
best player in his Junior days.
Bergstrom - C (Rogle) - Carl Soderberg lite - a raw offensive talent
with a penchant for invisibility. Bergstrom's all-around weaknesses are preventing
him from breaking out as a scorer and are costing him major ice time. Our Swedish
scout says: "He's like Soderberg in a sense that he's a fine skater and
puck handler who knows how to find the net. However he lacks maturity defensively,
lacks consistency and does not show up for every second game. Aside from that,
he can score, create and attacks the net well."
Booth - LW (Michigan State) - There's certainly plenty to like about
a big, strapping winger who already skates like a pro. But Booth missed eight
games with a knee injury and looked tentative and out-of-sync upon his return.
As a late injury addition to Team USA's World Junior squad, he has a chance
to regain first-round billing. We'd like to see him use his strong 215-pound
frame to finish his checks, and to play a more decisive game in the offensive
zone as he has a tendency to hover and wind up in the wrong place at the wrong
time. Still a solid pick, yet some red flags too.
Dubnyk - G (Kamloops) - A mature positional goalie, Dubnyk has struggled
to maintain consistency after layoffs - recently surrendering 10 goals in four
periods of hockey. He plays his best when he gets consistent work, but struggles
to get back into grooves when it's his turn to play. Technique is very well
honed, but he gets down on himself after a tough goal. Also needs to work further
on his lateral quickness, but really makes up for it with his size. Looks raw,
especially in terms of his mental fortitude.
Fistric - D (Vancouver) - The old saying "the bigger they are,
the harder they fall" tends to sum up Mark Fistric. The big defenseman
was looked at as a possibility to get drafted in the first round, but with his
lack of progress he looks to be a mid-round pick at the moment. Lacks the necessary
offensive imagination, while at the same time does not appear to have the vital
grit to use his size in order to thwart smaller forwards. Comparable to a Jason
Cullimore or Murray Baron-type of blueliner.
- D (Sparta Praha) - Not showing the defensive attentiveness he did in the
past two seasons. Good-sized blueliner tries to do too much with the puck and
overhandles it, causing turnovers. Has to simplify his game and concentrate
on a more stay-at-home style, but he tries to do too much and his positioning
is awful. Adequate skater, but with solid balance - must work on his agility
and acceleration. We love his slap shot - it is hard, but he does not utilize
it enough. Good, tough player and clears his own end well. But his hockey sense
is not great, although we see willingness to improve on his side.
Oreskovich - RW (Green Bay) - The Gamblers were hoping for more than
two goals from their hulking rookie winger after he posted impressive totals
with Milton of the Ontario Provincial Jr A League last year (49-28-46-74). "He
goes hard to the net and really uses his size and strength to get into scoring
positions," offers one of our scouts. "He's skilled with the puck
too. His puckhandling in traffic and competitiveness along the walls are both
key assets. He usually makes the right play in the offensive zone, although
I'd like to see him bury more of his chances as he's been snakebit so far. A
very, very raw package with promising upside."
Pohl - RW (Gatineau) - After a strong start, the cracks in the armour
are beginning to show. This guy oozes pure goal-scoring ability, but his unwillingness
to play in his own end has become a glowing problem, especially due to his recent
offensive slumps. Pohl plays a crafty finesse game, although his unwillingness
to consistently fight for the puck is not sitting well with us. For a guy his
size (5-11, 185), he must make adjustments and adopt a more hard-nosed approach.
European rookies in the CHL usually go through this, so it is not a major concern
yet, but we will follow him closely in the second half.
Steber - C (Halifax) - We have waited patiently for the jumbo centerman
to break through offensively, yet no cigar and we're growing tired of his 'lost
deer' act. We like his raw tools - he has exceptional puck skills, finish, a
physical game and very soft hands, but most of the time he completely sleepwalks
through a game. He has no clue where he's going and how he's going about in
making a play. Not an effective forechecker and doesn't think the game well
enough to finish his checks in the defensive zone. Part of the problem is his
lack of agility, but he also must learn how to position himself in order to
be productive.
Wick - A really impressive offensive talent with mobility and soft hands,
yet he seems to be totally smitten with the opponent's end of the ice. Not at
all committed defensively - shies away from backchecking duties and is completely
non-physical. It wouldn't be unfair to say that one-dimensional Swiss forwards
make us a tad nervous.
Under the Radar
Battochio - G (Ottawa) - A pleasant surprise, Battochio has flourished
with the absence of Lukas Mensator who is away practicing with the Czech National
Junior team in preparation for the under-20 tournament. Danny has been the last
line of defense for the struggling youthful 67's and his clutch play might result
in an eventual trading of Mensator when he returns. Signed as a free agent by
Ottawa this summer, Battochio is a butterfly netminder with lightning-quick
foot speed and superb lateral agility. His save percentage is currently a sparkling
.929.
Carson - D (Calgary) - A wildcard who could go either way at this stage.
Carson has a wide, bow-legged skating style somewhat reminiscent of a young
Vladimir Malakhov, though not as smooth or technically sound. A stiff skater
who can go really fast once he reaches straight-away speed. Agility, balance
and flexibility need a lot of work - all lower-body strength issues. We like
his puck skills - he has a hard wrist-snap pass, but is better on the forehand
than on the backhand as his passes can be overly hard for his partner to corral.
Built for the physical game, but is wildly inconsistent in this regard. We'd
like to see Carson develop better focus and poise, which will enable him to
turn his offensive flashes of brilliance into actual production.
Gordichuk - D (Kamloops) - Hulking (6-5, 225) d-man plays an excellent
positional game and clogs defensive holes effectively. Plays strong on the puck
with solid passing skills and impressive vision of the ice. Mostly a stay-at-home
rearguard, Gordichuk has made great strides in using his size, especially on
the timing of his hits. Does not possess good footspeed, but thinks the game
very well and on his best nights he is a big, imposing presence at the back
end.
Taylor Hustead - W (Miami-Ohio) - Hulking (6-3, 210) forward with good
checking potential. Very strong and aggressive - uses his size well and has
a nasty mean streak. Very quick and agile for his size with above-average straight-away
speed. Will not be a terrific finisher, but he has pretty good hands and a crisp
wrist shot. We love his energy, although the upside is not huge.
Bedrich Kohler - C (Vitkovice) - We see huge progress from the 6-1,
187-pound centerman. After a forgettable year in Div I junior league last year,
Kohler is leading the Vitkovice junior team in scoring and has been recently
promoted to the senior team. Was overlooked in the 2003 NHL draft - a quick
skater with strong bursts of speed. Has excellent attitude and work ethic along
with instinctive goal-scoring abilities. A smooth puckhandler with a very accurate
wrist shot and an above-average slapper. Floats a little bit and must improve
his overall vision, but he's a real gamer with spunk.
Nikita Nikitin - D (Avangard Omsk) - The reason coaches preach patience
is because of guys like this. A tall, lanky (6-3, 170) defender, Nikitin has
a noticeable range that he's yet learned to fully employ. A smooth straight-away
skater with a strong, rising pro-level shot from the blueline - a definite rarity
among kids of his age. Very thin and tends to run around in his own end - positional
play is a complete wash. Learning to use his size better and develop better
playmaking instincts and patience, as he tends to hesitate with bodies around
him, but we like his puck skills and his reach is impressive. Must continue
to work on his lateral quickness.
Schulz - D (Swift Current) - A half-empty/half-full type of player who
shows interesting upside. Has a powerful first step, similar in style and efficiency
to David Hale. We like his hard shot and passing skills are above average. Mainly
a defensive defenseman who is strong positionally and very tough to beat one-on-one.
Has some meanness and will throw his weight around. Makes nice pinches offensively
and recovers exceptionally well, relying on his superb mobility to bail him
out of trouble. Schultz tends to panic with the puck at times and force plays
- he also needs to upgrade his game-reading skills. Also needs to improve his
crease-area marking as he has a tendency to let opposing forwards slip in behind
him while he's puck watching.
Sarauer - LW (Langley) - Gigantic, but raw 6-foot-5 left winger is a
child trapped in a man's body - lanky and insufficiently aggressive. Sarauer
must put on major muscle and utilize his frame and develop meanness. Aside from
the clear weaknesses, this is a player who can skate and take care of the puck.
A crafty passer with sharp hand-eye coordination and good vision. Not explosive
but mobile and makes sharp turns in confined spaces. He gets knocked off his
skates too easily for our liking, but is willing to take his punishment, while
parked in front of the net. Plays the PK and does not avoid crowds. We would
like to see him with an additional 20 pounds of muscle in order to adequately
judge his potential.
Tesliuk - D (Kamloops) - A relative unknown for the draft, Tesliuk is
an excellent skater with a hard-hitting physical style on the back end. A hard
and accurate passer, he makes smart, informed decisions in his end and in the
neutral zone. We like his positional play - rarely gets beaten along the boards
and logs a lot of time on the penalty kill. Likes to rush and pinch, but not
at the expense of his defensive duties. Just downright solid, not flashy - a
great student of the game.
Bret Tyler - D (Junior Bruins) - Maine recruit and EJHL Defenseman-of-the-Year
has soared under the radar after spurning numerous opportunities to compete
at higher levels, notably the US National Team Development Program, the USHL
(was a second-overall pick of Topeka), and the QMJHL, having been a seventh-rounder
of Hull. Tyler stands just 5-foot-9, but is a mobile, ferociously-competitive
rearguard who excels at both ends and plays with a nasty, physical bent every
shift. He also displays strong leadership qualities and a gift for knowing how
to support the attack. On pace with 20 points in 13 games to surpass last year's
totals (38-13-27-40).
Uronen - RW (Jokerit) - Small (5-11, 163) scoring winger is instinctive
and creative. He has soft hands and a good burst of speed. Starring with the
Jokerit juniors, he is playing productively on the top line. Not strong enough
on the puck yet to jump to the senior level, but he really knows where to go
to bury his chances. Has later rounds upside and should get the opportunity
to prove his mettle at the U-18 World Juniors in Belarus.
Schwarz the Top Goalie
According to our sources in the Czech Republic, draft-eligible netminder Marek
Schwarz (currently fifth overall in our draft top 100) will start most
of the games for the Czech Republic under-20 National team in Finland. Czech
head coach Alois Hadamczik said at a recent media conference that Marek will
be the starter to begin the tournament, as he is the only goalie invited with
a wealth of senior Extraleague experience (Tomas Popperle is currently the back-up
in Sparta, while 19-year old Lukas Mensator is tending goal for the Ottawa 67's
in the OHL).
According to our scout in the Czech Republic: "Extraleague playing experience
is what the coaches prefer and Schwarz has more of it than Popperle. Mensator
has struggled lately and playing away from the country is rarely looked on as
a positive. Schwarz is having an outstanding season so far and (Hadamczik) is
convinced that he can handle the starting duties."
It is the combination of Schwarz' pro-level success along with the recent struggles
of Devan Dubnyk (now 10th overall) that catapulted Schwarz as the number one
goalie status for the draft, in our eyes. Schwarz, a rubbery goalie with immense
reflexes and quickness has drawn comparisons to Dominic Hasek due to his high-energy
and unorthodox playing style. He was named the top goaltender at the recent
under-18 Junior Cup this August.