Huge workhorse winger who has all the makings of one of the top selections in the 2025 draft. Captained the Canada Under-18 team April 2024. He played with edge, intensity and fluidity that is not expected by a larger prospect. A prototypical power forward, who is an instrument who pummels opponents into submission, not so much disecting defenses as bludgeoning them. On the attack, he is difficult to slow or stop. He is a rugged competitor who is excellent with his short area passing, and dispays soft hands. He has a nice chip pass and a scorer’s touch in tight. He knows how to read and react when playing alongside high skilled creative attackers and doesn’t disappoint with his goal scorer’s touch. He has decent hands and skill to finish around the net. He’ll drop his shoulder and drive the net or simply play dump and chase using his size and and strength to win the battles for the puck. His play in the World Junior Showcase wouldn’t be the best scouting clips to assess, as he didn’t provide much offense and toned down his physicality in the tourney. He was strong positionally without the puck in both neutral and defensive zones. Never backs down from a challenge and is fearless when physically confronted and will take on one combatant after another if the situation dicates. Am I ready to describe him as Tkachuk-like? I call him a skilled player before stereotyping him as that. An integral part of his play is pressuring the opposition into situations where his team can capitalize. He acn play anyway. He bulls and physically dominates below the circles, and owns the corners and the wall. He goes where he wants to, and creates loads of chances for his team. He gets to that home plate area in front and tips in loads of shots. He understands the game and gets to where he can be the most help and tends to be pass-first, if there is an opening, he will take it using his deadly wrister. All the talk about his skating has been blown to an unbelievable level of silliness; this is a guy who can dangle and move quickly. Would you want more get off in his first steps? Sure, but don’t think for one minute he will be an anything but an excellent pro, and improve his boots as he continues down the path to the NHL.
–Bill Płaczek–
