June
23, 2006
2006 NHL Draft Prospect Profiles: Collegians
Inside
College Hockey's coverage of the 2006 National Hockey League
Entry Draft in Vancouver continues with a look at some of
the best draft-eligible college players.
You know
where the various independent scouting services have ranked
these prospects. In addition to the Central Scouting Service
comments on each prospect, we offer "Scout's Take,"
Inside College Hockey's exclusive evaluation of the player
from one or more NHL scouts. Scouts were granted anonymity
in exchange for their candor.
Players
are listed in order of their final CSS ranking.
Forward
6-1 | 195 lbs. |
JONATHAN
TOEWS
North Dakota
Winnipeg, Manitoba |
2005-06
Statistics: 34 GP, 22-17—39
Central
Scouting Service Rank: 3rd among North American
skaters
CSS
says: “Possesses excellent acceleration,
agility, quickness and is an extremely smart player
who is versatile and has played both wing and center
equally well ... has very good poise and patience with
the puck ... dangerous shot with a quick release ...
very good on faceoffs ... closes off the passing lanes
and causes turnovers when forechecking and is dangerous
in shorthanded situations ... consistent hard working
player who leads by example ... responsible defensively."
Scout's
Take: “What's interesting about him is
that he should still be in high school, but he played
very well in college. He's a hard worker a very hard
worker and you can see it in his game. He made the Canadian
World Junior team as a 17-year-old and played well for
them, and his numbers picked up a lot after World Juniors.” |
|
Forward
6-0 | 189 lbs. |
PHIL
KESSEL
Minnesota
Madison, Wis. |
2005-06
Statistics: 34 GP, 14-28—42
Central
Scouting Service Rank: 5th among North American
skaters
CSS
says: “Very fast, quick skater who often
surprises opponents with an extra gear ... can carry
the puck and separate himself from pursuers in an instant
and can turn an opponent inside out one-on-one ... can
beat a goaltender many ways and is an excellent passer
and play-maker who can find his man in traffic or open
ice with ease ... wants the puck when the game is on
the line and does not shy away from the cornersand along
the boards."
Scout's
Take: “He’s a goal scorer. He's
a pretty dynamic offensive player. Obviously, he skates
well and has good skills. He's dangerous offensively
and always has been, even when he's played against older
players. He was very productive this year as a freshman
at Minnesota.” |
|
Defenseman
6-3 | 202 lbs. |
MARK
MITERA
Michigan
Livonia, Mich. |
2005-06
Statistics: 39 GP, 0-10—10
Central
Scouting Service Rank: 20th among North American
skaters
CSS
says: “Good skater with a smooth stride
... makes a
crisp first pass and likes to make long passes though
he is not an offensive-minded defenseman ... has a long
reach which he uses effectively and plays a solid positional
game
making good decisions ... effective shot blocker ...
plays hard every night with an aggressive game and at
times can dominate physically ... always gives a solid
effort home or away ... durable player with good stamina.”
Scout’s
take: “He's a defensive defenseman, but
don't overlook his offensive capabilities. He'll skate
with the puck if he has to, has a good wrist shot and
is pretty good at deciding when to pinch to keep the
puck in the offensive zone. In his own end, he's positionally
sound and uses his size well." |
|
Defenseman
6-7 | 208 lbs. |
SIMON
DANIS-PEPIN
Maine
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec |
2005-06
Statistics: 23 GP, 0-5—5
Central
Scouting Service Rank: 61st among North American
skaters
CSS
says: “Good lateral mobility ... straight-away
speed is very good due to his long stride ... makes
a sharp and accurate first pass ... good instincts ...
very good hockey sense and has a good feel for the game
... competes well and has grown more comfortable and
confident as responsibility and playing time have increased
... could become an imposing physical presence once
he adds
weight and strength ... defensive zone coverage is getting
better, but needs to take more advantage of his long
reach."
Scout’s
take: “He's got a lot of room to grow,
and not just physically. He needs to put on weight and
get stronger, but he just turned 18 in April and only
played 23 games last year. He's got a pretty good fell
for the game, however, and he works hard. Considering
he went to Maine without playing junior hockey (he jumped
to the Black Bears from midgets), he's got a pretty
bright future in front of him.” |
|
Goaltender
6-1 | 150 lbs. |
JEFF
ZATKOFF
Miami
Chesterfield, Mich. |
2005-06
Statistics: 20 GP, 14-5-1, 2.02 GAA, .928 sv%
Central
Scouting Service Rank: 3rd among North American
goalies
CSS
says: "Very good balance and lateral movements
in the butterfly position, always staying square to
the shooter with good body control ... has very good
foot and pad quickness ... has a quick glove hand ...
quick to get his paddle down on wrap around attempts
and scramble
situations ... he’s aggressive and likes to challenge
the
shooters at the top of the crease ... quick in both
reactions and recovery ... technically sound and plays
with lots of intensity.”
Scout’s
take: “He's a good skater and a good
athlete. He's 6-1, so he covers the net pretty well
and he plays the angles well. His quickness is also
a positive. One thing that's impressive is that even
though he split time with [Charlie Effinger] he was
always prepared mentally and stayed focused.”
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