McKeens Draft Awards
The annual McKeen's NHL Draft Awards are back. This is where our scouts name and discuss the best of the best in 25 individual categories. Read on as we discuss who gets the top honours for skating, shooting, stickhandling, bodychecking, faceoffs, leadership, and more.
Best Skater: Sidney Crosby
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A powerful skater with a turbo-charged engine and an explosive first step .. among others worthy of mentions are Brendan Mikkelson and Ray Macias.
Best Top Speed: Brendan Mikkelson
Once he reaches full throttle Mikkelson can outskate any player in the draft .. shows fluid extensions, a beautiful soft stride and excellent acceleration.
Best Stickhandler(s): Benoit Pouliot and Gilbert Brule
Both Pouliot and Brule can stickhandle in the tighest of spaces, in traffic and at full speed .. Zagrapan is also capable of some magnificent trickery.
Best Playmaker: Sidney Crosby
It is not only Crosby's head that makes him so far ahead of other prospects .. he has strong, supple hands that deliver hard, precise feeds regardless of situation or location.
Best Shot Power: Luc Bourdon
He has a bomb .. powerful full extension, strong arms, above-average release .. low, hard, deadly - opponents would concur.
Best Release: Jack Skille
Skille's quick hands perfectly complement his ability to explode on the puck .. once he draws in on the goaltender he barely flicks his wrist but musters enough jam and accuracy to leave a goalie breathless.
Smartest Player: Sidney Crosby
The Gretzky comparisons are too much but there probably hasn't been a young kid who could process the game as well since Peter Forsberg.
Stealthiest Player: Marek Zagrapan
Stealthy can be defined and quiet and cunning .. Zagrapan isn't a flashy player, especially his skating .. his game is based on unassuming quickness and economical placement.
Best Outlet Passer: Jakub Vojta
Where Vojta's head is at can be questioned but his physical skills are unquestionable .. strong poise, crisp, accurate feeds at short or long distance .. not afraid to take chances with the puck.
Best Hands: Sidney Crosby
One reason Crosby makes so many things look so easy is his soft hands .. whenever a forward feeds, receives and finishes with a minimal strain it is evident that he possesses excellent hands.
Best Vision: Sidney Crosby
Always ahead of other players on the ice because he sees and reacts to ongoing action quicker .. Slovenian Anze Kopitar's vision will allow him to mature into an elite playmaker.
Best Agitator: Jack Johnson
Loves to bang bodies, in the corners, in traffic, at open ice and isn't afraid to be dirty when necessary .. the kind of guy who never lets up .. opponents will hate him with a passion.
Hardest Working player: Alex Bourret
This bundle of energy plays like his rear end is on fire .. he can be frustrating and relentless like Tootoo, except he'll annoy the opposition on the scoreboard as well.
Strongest Player: Phil Oreskovic
The reviews on his effort and consistency are mixed but this kid is built like a brick .. firm and sturdy on his feet - guys just bounce off him at open ice.
Best Bodychecker: Jack Johnson
Amazing timing, balance and lateral agility allow Johnson to flatten speedy attackers .. Bourret deserves an honourable mention after injuring Bobby Ryan with a clean body blast in the Top Prospects Game.
Best Power Forward Potential: Bobby Ryan
The ideal NHL power forward combines size, strength, grit and excellent hands; Ryan fits the bill .. this kid is a massive freak of nature around the net, immovable, though at times as mobile, as an anvil.
Best Two-Way Forward: Ryan O'Marra
Built for the new-look NHL .. competitive, speedy, gritty and responsible defensively .. willing to sacrifice his body to make a play.
Best Reach: Vladimir Mihalik
At 6-foot-7, 220 he can extend from Broadway to Bratislava .. what is missing here is a quick first step .. this year's Boris Valabik.
Best Face-off Man: Ryan O'Marra
Canada's most reliable face-off man at the U-18 tournament .. not only does he have quick, strong hands but also amazing determination .. he refuses to lose draws.
Best One-on-One Defender: Ryan Parent
A very underrated physical presence because he is able to stay balanced and well-positioned when taking the body .. has quick feet and reacts very well to the developing play.
Coolest Under Pressure: Carey Price
His struggles at the U-18 tournament were somewhat out of character .. for the duration of the season Price showed amazing mettle and a calming influence due to his compact, low-maintenance approach.
Unsung Hero: Nate Hagemo
The only facet that is missing here is size .. Hagemo is a competitive physical player with an offensive dimension, great wheels and excellent shooting skills.
Best Leader: Ryan Parent
We see him captaining Team Canada in one of the coming World Junior Championships .. well-spoken, leads by example and is a very underrated playmaker.
Most Improved Player: Kenndal McArdle
His output improved by 58 points after increased responsibilities propelled McArdle to major junior stardom .. greatest traits are his great athleticism, competitive nature and blazing speed.
Biggest Wildcard: Vladimir Karpov
Remains an under-the-radar prospect as he has yet to play in a single major international tournament .. however this gritty, passionate specimen could easily end up as the best Russian in this draft class.
The Anti-Award - Dud(s) Of The Year: Jean-Philippe Paquet and Jakub Kindl
Paquet has bored scouts with limited physical and playmaking skills .. Kindl still shows Sergei Zubov-like potential but exhibits none of the poise nor imagination.