May 28, 2001 | six-foot | 176 pounds
Tracey played his first full season in the WHL after playing Midget AAA as a 16-year-old. He was one of the best rookies in the league, working his way into a major offensive role on Moose Jaw’s top line and eventually Canada’s top power play at the U18s. Tracey is the kind of player who you want with the puck. He’s a creative offensive player with high-end, offensive hockey sense. He’s always looking to make a play, controls the puck well and sees his options very well. Sometimes he tries to do too much and can force pucks where the option isn’t available, but I like that he tries things. He’s got a lean body and can struggle versus bigger players, but he goes to the net, scoring a lot of goals this season around the tough areas. Tracey’s skating for me is so-so with a stride that lacks power and breaks down. He has enough speed to skate with pros but not challenge them. Some scouts like it and think, when his lanky frame fills out, he’ll be fine; but for me, he lacks that extra gear.
Canada U18 coach Brett Gibson on Tracey: “He’s an opportunistic shooter. He goes to the hard areas where goal-scorers score goals. His feet are a bit of a concern but hard to argue with his production.”
Team Fit: Tracey was a sudden riser this season, going from outside the WHL in 2017-18 to a top scorer as a U18 player. He’s a player who wouldn’t have lasted much longer than this slot as many teams were in on him. He adds a grit/skill combo to the Ducks’ now very deep group of forward prospects.