Prospect Info: Cliff Pu (2016, 69th) – '18-19: Traded to Carolina

[LaxSabre]

Participating countries are expected to name their selection camp rosters this week for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Champonships and one Sabres prospect has stepped his play up of late in hopes of catching the attention of the decision-makers.

London Knights forward Cliff Pu (2016, Third Round) had another big week, beginning with a rebound put-back for a power-play tally in Tuesday's 4-1 loss at Sarnia. Pu stayed productive Friday, netting an empty-net goal and an assist as the Knights knocked off Owen Sound 5-3. On Sunday, Pu launched a shot bar-down to give him goals in six consecutive games, and added a pair of helpers to help power a 5-1 win over Guelph.

With Hockey Canada watching closely, Cliff Pu now has points in all 10 November games, including goals in 8 of them. In total this season, the speedster has produced 12 goals and 33 points in 24 Ontario Hockey League contests.

With Hockey Canada watching, Pu steps up his game for London

 

[valet]

His play still looks effective in a bottom 6 role so I’m not worried, and I was sour on the kid before this recent camp.

He has the wheels. His skating is A+ in terms of speed and acceleration, really dynamic. He can also be very good on back pressure using that speed, which should enable him to slot in anywhere in the middle 6 if he continues to progress.

Sounds promising then. I really haven't had the time nor put in the effort to see him play.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Smell the Pu and Like It!

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[Dietpepsi]

Too bad he didn't make the team.. hope he can continue is recent hot streak..

 

[LaxSabre]

London Knights‏ @GoLondonKnights -
GOAL!!! Cliff PUUUU!! @cliffp_8 opens the scoring for the Knights! 1-0 Knights!
@Jones_Max19 Goal - Knights fifth goal of the game - made the score 5-2 Knights.
Apple Sauce

: @cliffp_8

: @RThomas_27
@AndrewPerrott1 Goal - Knights third goal of the game - made the score 3-1 Knights.
Apple Sauce : @Jones_Max19

: @cliffp_8

LaxSabre - Pu - one goal/two assists - was named one of the three stars of the game.

 

[Chainshot]

I'm hoping he uses the snub as some short-term fuel. Seems he has started that way.

 

[Rasmus CacOlainen]

Screw team Canada is all I'm gonna say. Kid should have been at least in the selection camp. He's red hot, he's one of the best PPG forwards in the OHL, he can play a bottom 6 role if he cant break into the top 6...not sure what more would they want to send him an invite.

 

[Club]

From what I'm reading the guys just killing it!

 

[MrMaster]

Pu, Asplund, Mittelstaedt, Guhle, Erod already,
the Sabres will be a pretty fast team real soon

 

[tsujimoto74]

Tough luck for the kid getting left off Canada's camp roster. Seems like kind of a strange choice not to even give him a chance to make the team. He's 19, he's a top scorer in the OHL, and he plays the kind of responsible game that Canada could probably move up and down the line-up (either using him on a checking line or a scoring line). Oh, well. With any luck, the omission will piss him off, and he'll ramp up his production even more.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

 

[LetsDoughBuffalo]

Cliff Pu traded to Kingston apparently

Frontenacs are really loading up to make a run at the Eastern Conference this year

 

[Chainshot]

Knights send Pu to Kingston

 

[LaxSabre]

Kris Baker‏ @SabresProspects -
Waiting for the official word, but appears the deal is done to send Cliff Pu from London to Kingston.
Three years ago, a promising Pu was moved from Oshawa to London as the Generals loaded up.
Pu is now the hired gun going to the Fronts.
Formal announcement...

 

[LaxSabre]

London Knights‏ @GoLondonKnights -
We have completed a trade with the @KingstonFronts.
LONDON AND KINGSTON COMPLETE TRADE – London Knights Website.

 

[hizzoner]

3 goals and an assist tonight so far....

 

[Chainshot]

3 goals and an assist tonight so far....

Is he still lining up at RW with the Fronts?

 

[hizzoner]

Playing centre--has done well at the dot....

 

[LaxSabre]

 

[Chainshot]

Not a pretty goal in the bunch. Love it.

 

[LaxSabre]

LaxSabre - yeesh, scores a hat trick (along with one assist) and he doesn't total the most points in the game.
Pu and Kingston are actually in the area (well in Canada) this afternoon as they play at the Niagara IceDogs - 2:00 pm ET face-off.
Too bad theres a certain football game thats what 18 years in the making being played at the same time. Go Bills! Go Pu!

Josh Sweetland‏ @joshsweetland -
Jason Robertson’s 5A for @KingstonFronts on Saturday at BAR are most by KGN player since Mar. 26/16 vs. OSH in playoffs
(Dal Colle, 5A). Last reg. season occurrence was Oct. 16/09 vs. PBO (Moon, 5A). #OHL

OntarioHockeyLeague‏ @OHLHockey -
FINAL: @KingstonFronts (6) - @OHLBarrieColts (4)
KGN - @cliffp_8 3G 1A - @JasonRob1999 5A
VIDEO: http://bit.ly/2F9e58e

Update - Sunday, January 7 - Kingston destroyed Niagara 8-3 this afternoon. Jason Robertson (Dallas Stras prospect) continued his hot play with a hat trick and a assist. Cliff Pu didn't score but he did have two assists - three shots on goal - one two minute penalty which was a slashing call with less than five minutes left in the third which was killed and was 8 for 18 on face-offs. Pu (and Kingston) got some great news this morning as his former teammate (well as of a few days but still former) Max Jones was traded from London to Kingston. Jones was a scratch this afternoon so the reunion will have to wait until Friday when Kingston hosts Guelph.

 

[LaxSabre]

Cliff Pu (2016, third round) had an interesting week, one that began with him in a London Knights uniform and later saw him score a hat trick as a member of the Kingston Frontenacs.

After going without a point in the Knights' 4-1 victory over Sarnia on Monday, Pu was the key piece in a Thursday trade that landed him in Kingston as a hired gun for what the Frontenacs feel is a championship caliber squad.

Pu was kept off the scoresheet in his Fronts debut Friday in a 4-3 loss to Windsor, but he announced his presence in a big way the next night by getting into the dirty areas to net three goals plus an assist as Kingston outlasted Barrie 6-4. Pu concluded the wild week Sunday with a pair of assists in an 8-3 dismantling of Niagara.

Pu is currently ranked seventh in Ontario Hockey League scoring with 51 points (19+32) in 39 games.

Pu records hat trick in 1st weekend with Frontenacs

 

[flashsabre]

The OHL trade system is nuts. Kingston adds Pu, Jones, Villardi and Day, 4 major difference makers at the junior level for a couple of young players and a massive wad of draft picks, some stretching to 2028. Teams have traded as many as a dozen picks some years as they stack up and then a year or two later they trade players away to recoup picks. At least they put the rule in that they can't move 1st round picks.

 

[Chainshot]

Interesting to see Pu's adjustment to the Frontenacs. After his big weekend two weeks ago, he's only had one goal in the five games since. Gabe Vilardi is chewing up the scoresheet, Pu... not so much.