Prospect Info: Josh Brook

[Stive Morgan]

You were spot on with Brook

WHL d-men have definitely been my speciality (Juulsen, Brook, Smith, Wylie)

 

[Mrb1p]

I think he might be our top prospect

I think so too. Things are changing now and Brook has taken a next step.

 

[26Mats]

I think he might be our top prospect

You have him ahead of Suzuki?

 

[Cobra Commander]

So Brook comes in, now we have Weber, Petry, Juulsen, Brook all on the right side. We have to trade Petry in a package for a left side D.

 

[Cobra Commander]

I think so too. Things are changing now and Brook has taken a next step.

This is exciting.

 

[Stive Morgan]

You have him ahead of Suzuki?

He's basically as good as a defenseman as Suzuki is a forward. Like @Kudo Shinichi said, his production isn't too far behind Suzuki's and that's as a defenseman.

 

[26Mats]

He's basically as good as a defenseman as Suzuki is a forward. Like @Kudo Shinichi said, his production isn't too far behind Suzuki's and that's as a defenseman.

Hard to judge Junior/College players based on their numbers. See Brady Tkachuk's numbers last year for a good example.

On the one hand, I like that he's fast, because skating is such an important aspect of the game today. On the other hand, some players can put up big numbers in Junior based on their skating (ex Yakupov) but lack the hockey i.q. to become quality NHLers.

 

[Hfbsux]

Hard to judge Junior/College players based on their numbers. See Brady Tkachuk's numbers last year for a good example.

On the one hand, I like that he's fast, because skating is such an important aspect of the game today. On the other hand, some players can put up big numbers in Junior based on their skating (ex Yakupov) but lack the hockey i.q. to become quality NHLers.

Seems like our top 3 prospects all have great hockey IQ, hopefully their play will translate well.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

He has the talent to be good defensively, but like with Subban when he was in junior, his skating takes him out of position unintentionally at times.

Brook is one of the best defenders in the WHL, his defensive play is of little concern. Subban never was a strong skater and when he gets beat it is ugly. Brook is a far superior skater with a much higher IQ. Subban is a puck protection beast with great hands and an elite shot. Brook is silky smooth and cerebral and reminds me alot more of Pietrangelo.

 

[Cobra Commander]

Brook is one of the best defenders in the WHL, his defensive play is of little concern. Subban never was a strong skater and when he gets beat it is ugly. Brook is a far superior skater with a much higher IQ. Subban is a puck protection beast with great hands and an elite shot. Brook is silky smooth and cerebral and reminds me alot more of Pietrangelo.

I hope you’re right.

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

are you all judging only by his production or overall Defensive play ?

He's scoring a lot, but I'm wondering if he is really good all around ?

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Brook is one of the best defenders in the WHL, his defensive play is of little concern. Subban never was a strong skater and when he gets beat it is ugly. Brook is a far superior skater with a much higher IQ. Subban is a puck protection beast with great hands and an elite shot. Brook is silky smooth and cerebral and reminds me alot more of Pietrangelo.

I don’t disagree that his skating is top notch as is his IQ and skill level, but remember he’s in junior, and I do question pretty much every junior level defender in terms of how they will translate since it’s such a major jump up to the NHL and it’s impossible to predict. Right now I see a lack of discipline defensively that isn’t burning him in the CHL but needs to be ironed out before he’s a quality defensive player in the NHL. As a prospect he’s approaching Subban level, different players as he lacks Subban power in both his physique and shot, but overall is quicker. But he’s showing elite offensive potential but just needs to continue to grow defensively like Subban had to in order to reach that top pairing upside he possesses.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

are you all judging only by his production or overall Defensive play ?

He's scoring a lot, but I'm wondering if he is really good all around ?

He’s very effective defensively in the CHL but it’s not a sure thing that translate since he’s very loose in his defensive approach.

 

[HuGo Sham]

defensive side of game can be taught..skating, IQ and skill can't. i'm not worried about him

 

[Stive Morgan]

Seems like our top 3 prospects all have great hockey IQ, hopefully their play will translate well.

Exactly. The production is great but if you watch these guys play too you see how smart they are.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

defensive side of game can be taught..skating, IQ and skill can't. i'm not worried about him

Ya I’m very high on Brook long term to be clear, not saying anyone should be worried.

 

[Deebs]

He’s very effective defensively in the CHL but it’s not a sure thing that translate since he’s very loose in his defensive approach.

A year of playing against men in the AHL will be greatly beneficial for this young man

 

[WeThreeKings]

A year of playing against men in the AHL will be greatly beneficial for this young man

No. Let's rush him too. Everyone knows D men are ready at 19-20

 

[Habs Halifax]

Hes tracking to have a better or on par u20 season to guys like Subban, Carlson, Provorov, Theodore, Sergachev, Hamilton in the last 10 years.

We got a good one here. His commitment to the game and hunger to get better is what sets him apart from others. He does have the size/skating/skill level you look for too!

 

[Dominator13]

Ahhhhh...Gilles "l'expeeeeerience d'un Gaiiiiney" Tremblay, Richard Garneau and the voice of Claude Mouton. Dang. Those were the days.

Oh hell yeah.

Claude Quennevile is also right up there in the legend status for me. I feel so blessed that I was able to watch "la soiree du hockey" as a child and not the "Pepsi super full cool mega chill" TVA sports garbage eith their 754 camera angles.

 

[admiralcadillac]

I don’t disagree that his skating is top notch as is his IQ and skill level, but remember he’s in junior, and I do question pretty much every junior level defender in terms of how they will translate since it’s such a major jump up to the NHL and it’s impossible to predict. Right now I see a lack of discipline defensively that isn’t burning him in the CHL but needs to be ironed out before he’s a quality defensive player in the NHL. As a prospect he’s approaching Subban level, different players as he lacks Subban power in both his physique and shot, but overall is quicker. But he’s showing elite offensive potential but just needs to continue to grow defensively like Subban had to in order to reach that top pairing upside he possesses.

Why is this always brought up? If a guy is heads and shoulders better than the restof the junior players chances are he's fine at a higher level. If we never had any inkling how they translate the draft wouldn't be nearly as objective as it pretends to be

 

[canadiensnation]

 

[26Mats]

definitely good news. But I'll only get excited about him if he excels at the AHL or NHL level next season.

 

[Just Linda]

Honestly the more I think about it, the more I want Brook to try playing on his offside next year. I think he would be our best LD

 

[Skip Bayless]

Honestly the more I think about it, the more I want Brook to try playing on his offside next year. I think he would be our best LD

It's much tougher for RHD to switch sides. It's rarely seen. Jordie Benn is a rare example of a guy that is better at RD than LD despite being left handed. That said, if he shows he can do it and remain just as effective, why not.