I didn't tell you where I expected him to be drafted
How can he go higher than what I expect.... I get your opinion and I respect it. I - personally like the kid from what I have seen. In terms of quantifying his work ethic...kind of hard to do. At that level, most kids work hard during games, but, without knowing the kid outside of hockey and knowing the family, it's hard to say the work ethic sets him apart. Perhaps you know him personally and that's fine, you have that knowledge.
I'll give you an example - a few years ago, Gallant on PEI looked great, worked enough during games to get noticed, but, anyone that watched games where lots of scouts were not in attendance would have seen that he did not work very hard. The total package looked great - skills, size, hockey sense....but there was nothing to close the loop and bring it all together. He fell in the draft and now, a few years later only at 17 is still playing midget AAA, and was released (not traded) by the team that drafted him. His 15yr old season in Midget AAA, he easily outclassed Kameron Kielly.....but, anyone that watched more than a handful of games would have seen the consistency and "true" work ethic of both players. The fact the coach leaned on Kielly more than Gallant, etc. All small things that can go unnoticed if you don't watch many games.
All this to tell you, there are too many variables to predict where someone gets drafted and what scouts are thinking about or looking at. Another example of what I'm trying to explain - the kid is from Central newfoundland. I can guarantee you, only 7-8 Q teams will be realistically looking at him as a top 3 round pick for that reason only. Nothing to do with talent, upside, or anything as such. If he doesn't make the team, where does he go play? If he goes back to NFLD, will he progress? Will he be willing to go to RN, or Val D'or, or BC, or Chicoutimi...Gatineau, etc.
lots and lots of variables that people toss away when they make a blanket statement such as "will be drafted in top 5"
