Update on 98 Nfld Players
Hello Canada Scout,
I am just returning from overseas travel and just noticing your comment. I assume you were referencing the 98's in your comment as NL has a strong batch of 97's. I provide these added comments based on my observations and discussions with key hockey people in NL.
Top F are:
Jordon Maher he is an explosive and strong skater, fit, has great speed and an excellent shot. He has the ability to make the difference on the ice and influence play. Saw him at the Atlantic Showcase and he played strong and I also saw him at the ACC and his pressence on the ice was noticable.
Jesse Sutton - a good goal scorer, good speed and ability to find the back of the net. Can be clutch. His only strike against him is some weakness in skating and tends to avoid the dirty areas. He is considered among the top 98's according to my contacts but I did not see him stand out enough at the ACC to comment further. His name has come up in the past.
Tyler Planetta - strong power forward, has ability to influence play, very physical and can find the back of the net. I understand his fitness level may be questionable but considered a strong skater. I saw him at the ACC and thought his work ethic was excellent. Apparently this player has emerged from the ashes the past year and is making a good name for himself. If his fitness improves he will be a powerhouse. Someone to watch out for.
Blake Fudge - another top 98 in NL. I saw him at the ACC and noticed his strong work ethic, willingness to get dirty, can find the back of the net. A very hard worker that earned him the Hard Hat Award according to the website. He also has good size but he needs to work on his skating.
Top Def are:
Andrew Murphy - considered the best all round player (can play both F or D equally well), a very strong agile skater, excellent hockey sense. Very Unselfish! He is very explosive in the rush. Has the ability to influence the play on the ice. His size is his only knock at this time however I understand he plays like he is over 6' tall so not a major factor. I actually had the good fortune to watch him at the Atlantic Showcase and was very impressed. Size was not a factor when skating is beyond most everyone else. I also saw him at the ACC and he was very solid on the blueline. My contacts consider him likely the best 98 in NL and someone to watch out for in the future. His name comes up often in the Maritimes.
Goalies:
Evan Fitzpatrick - very skilled goalie with excelloent size as well. Has the ability to steal games from the opponent. He is considered among the best 98 (maybe in Atlantic) however I gather he lacks consistency at times. I watched him at the ACC and he was not his best there based on conversations with folks that know him.
Luke Bhatia - I did not know too much about him until I saw him at the ACC and he played amazingly but I do not know much more beyond that. My contacts say he has the ability to steal games and when hot he is very hard to score on. I understand he is someone to watch in the future.
I will be visiting NL next week and will provide a further update on 98's upon my return.
So hopefully that helps you understand better who are the top 98's. Not sure where your "players from 2 years ago comments came from" as these guys were only 1st year Pee Wee and as you know....no one looks at 1st year Pee Wee.
I will be giving an update on NS, NB and PEI over the next couple of weeks.