Solidified his early draft selection by his strong play in the World Junior Under-18’s in April-May, by displaying a 200 foot game and scoring 4 goals in the first three games, after the Saskatoon native had a fruitful 92 point (26 goals) in Victoria of the dub. His style of play is not based on successful long carries or hard physicality as it is his ability to quickly direct pucks onward, really good defensive stickwork, and is successful being physical in places after correctly reading where the play is going. Very strong and powerful on his skates. Has an quick hands, a competing mindset and motor, and quick stick and hands. He has an excellent feel for moving in and out of open areas so he can look for a pass, read and react with sending the puck to his teams open option. Don’t take any of this to mean he doesn’t answer the call in the defensive end, well, because he does win more puck battles than he loses and tips pucks away from their destinations, close down passing lanes, as he is so strong on the puck. A smart kid who can fill a role on an NHL club as a third line forward or slide up & down the line-up as he improves his hockey sense in the faster NHL and build from there. He is committed to the University of North Dakota.
–Bill Płaczek–
