Recently committed to BC, big upside player. Have watched him play a couple times this year and last year vs Shattuck, he's been impressive. He's a complete man against boys this year, towers over everyone he plays against and looks like he's filled out a lot from last year. He looked pretty gangly last year but you could see the skill pop. This year, a lot of that awkwardness has dissipated. He has really good hands for a kid his size, good vision, quick decision making, sees the ice well. I can totally understand the upside people are talking about with him.
The big thing with him will be how the skating continues to develop. When I saw him last year vs Shattuck, his stride was one of those where he was picking his heel up off the ice too much and there was lots of lost energy. This year, it's smoothed out a lot but still some work to do, he's definitely not getting the most out of his size there but it's much better. His cross overs have improved a lot too, he uses them similar in a way to Tuch in style. I'd be shocked if he didn't work with a skating coach this summer because it's a pretty dramatic difference. That said, there's still a lot of runway to improve it but it looks a lot better
He was drafted by Sioux Falls in the USHL, I'd expect to see him there but I would also expect the BCHL to take a pretty good run at him. He should frankly be playing in the USHL now but I understand seeing him last year why he took another year at St Andrews. He had a lot of filling out to do and was still rough around the edges
As for where he ends up in the draft this year, I could see him anywhere from the last 1st to 2nd/3rd round. With him it will be all about projecting but I could definitely see a team fall in love with his size and skill and take him in the late 1st
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