Stephen Desrocher
Offensive zone ability: C+
Offensive transition ability: B-
Puck movement and possession retention: B-
Defensive transition ability: B
Defensive zone ability: B
Defense: positional
Offense: cerebral
Keywords, unique identity traits: a pro-sized 6'4 defenseman with decent mobility, gains inside body position, active long stick and tracks play decently, can make the first pass and has a decent point shot
Room for improvement: probably will never be confused for someone who is very skilled with the puck, is already 19 years old and had a really sharp development trajectory, needs to build on that and not fall-off back into mediocrity
Full analysis:
Stephen Desrocher is a pro-sized 6'4 200lbs defenseman. He is a year older (turned 19 in January), that said he had a sharp upwards development trajectory throughout the year to the point that he is now one of the top defensemen playing for Oshawa in Memorial Cup. Has decent mobility with his size. The reads are all there in terms of coverage, positional sense. Reads well what his partner is doing, how a particular play is developing and where he has to be. Good at gaining inside body position against the opposition, can be a factor on the wall and in front of the net. Controls the middle of the ice well both in his own zone, as well as in defensive transition. Long active stick in terms of covering lanes and protecting space, but also pokechecks well. Competes well. Mobile enough that he can contribute on puck-retrievals off dump-ins and even protects the puck decently well when skating with it. Has a decent shot from the point.
In the offensive zone, Desrocher can be a shot threat off the point. Capable enough that he can move the puck around in a basic manner. Has the size to be a factor up the wall. Mobility is good enough that he can keep up with turnovers and establish position to defend on-coming rushes.
Through transition, despite being a pretty big guy he does show some ability in skating with the puck and handling it. Pretty smart and accurate passer, but won't neceessarily try anything too flashy. Sometimes joins the rush if the play is there, but won't force it. I do think the first few steps and the pace at which he executes in tight spaces could be slightly faster, but that will likely come as he grows even more comfortable with his body.
In defensive transition he has decent mobility for his size. I like his reads, understands how to control the middle of the ice, active stick and gap control. Hard to beat wide, and he has a good pokecheck. Mobility is good enough that he can do puck-retrievals on dump-ins and not get pinned down, beat to the puck, or lose possession.
In his own zone, he competes well and will look to gain inside body position. Hard to beat physically and can be a factor on the wall and around the net. Active stick and good reach that covers lanes. Reads the play well, will re-adjust coverage as play is developing and reads what his partner or linemates are doing. Rarely caught in no-man's land positionally.
Overall, I like Desrocher quite a bit. He is a 19 year old so that will probably impact his draft status a bit. But he has really developed into a projectable prospect as the season went on. I quite like him as a defensive defenseman that can maybe contribute even offensively a little bit. Shows some outlines of even having two-way ability. Pro-size, skating is decent, good positional player, defends the middle of ice, physically engaging, active long stick and pokecheck ability. Can move the puck a bit and has a decent point shot. Could log PK minutes.
Development focus: I'd say for Desrocher he needs to build on this season's development and keep his trajectory facing firmly upwards. I think there's probably more to be done with physical fitness and the pace at which he executes in tight spaces in moving the puck.
Projection: If his development trajectory continues, I don't think it would be out of question that Desrocher could play 3rd pairing NHL minutes as a two-way/defensive defenseman with size, mobility, decent puck-decisions, point shot, active defensive stick and solid positional sense, along with a bit of physicality. He is already 19 and came relatively out of nowhere, so there's probably some caution needed there, but if the steepness of his trajectory continues I would think that his potential might be even higher than 3rd pairing. Could log PK minutes.
