Alexander Khokhlachev, C
5-10, 180
September 9, 1993 in Moscow, Russia
Shoots: Left
Boston's 2nd choice, 40th overall in 2011 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical:
Does not have ideal height, but is stocky with a thick build. Good skater who is more quick than fast. Master of his edges and can make extremely rapid turns, stops and starts. Not a burner, but elusive and slippery with the ability to separate in open ice. Low to the ice and strong on his skates- fights through checks on his way to the net. Deft stickhandler who can make dazzling moves in space and in traffic. At times quicker with the puck on his stick than he is without it. Determined and relentless when looking to find the back of the net- makes everyone around him better. Lightning-fast release on an accurate wrist shot; can score from in close and from the outside as well. Picks the corners and could hit 50+ goals in the OHL next season if things break right for him. Underrated backhand- able to get it upstairs with very little room to work with. Effective at wheeling into corners and coming out with the puck to generate scoring chances. Protects the puck well despite the lack of size. Does not have the size or makeup to be a physical player, but doesn't shy away from contact and will do honest work along the boards and in front of the net.
Intangibles:
Outstanding offensive hockey sense and vision- aggressively attacks defenses and has the ability to create for himself and linemates. Plays with passion and exuberance but doesn't always give the same kind of effort/intensity in the defensive zone as he does when carrying the offense. A natural feel for the game and has the kind of game-breaking dimension that Boston has not possessed in abundance over the last 10 years or so. His English is still a work in progress, but he was taking classes in Windsor twice a week and gave an honest effort at engaging the media in Wilmington. By the time he's ready to seriously compete for a spot in Boston, he should be well acclimated and comfortable. Nickname is "Koko" Good, solid kid who is going to be a fan favorite and well-liked in the room for his easy smile and passion for the game. Wants to be a player and will likely improve the intensity levels as he gets more comfortable in North America.
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp Assessment:
Going to Wilmington was an eye-opener for Khokhlachev who keenly felt the pace, tempo and physical demands of the five-day camp experience. His conditioning and fitness level wasn't where it needed to be, but understandable given the fact that he was only about 12 days removed from having been drafted. He showed off his high-end talent and skill in flashes, though wasn't able to carry the play in quite the same fashion as fellow OHLers Ryan Spooner and Jared Knight. Still, it was clear to any who watched him that he is one of the most skilled prospects in the Boston system.
Development Camp video: Alexander Khokhlachev
Projection
Koko has the kind of pure talent to be a top-line NHL player one day. His youth and the fact that he had just one year in North America makes him a bit of a wild card to project, but with his quick hands, feet and a real head for the game, the second-round pick could end up being one of the real steals in this draft with impressive upside. Red Line Report listed him as one of the top-5 best value picks of the entire draft (4th overall) in the July issue. He has all the makings of a star and should only get better as he matures. By this time next year, Koko could possibly emerge as Boston's top prospect, and to be frank- you can make the case that he already is. These rankings are subjective, so putting him atop the list makes perfect sense, we just want to see what he does at Boston's training camp in the fall and in his second OHL campaign assuming he goes back to junior.
Quotable:
"[Alexander] Khokolachev, just going through our drafts, Khokolachev, again, very skilled. He arrived in not the greatest shape but I know he’s going to take care of that as the year progresses, as the summer progresses."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli , July 11, 2011
"I mean, he’s a young kid too and this is a different environment for him. He’s got some things that we’re going to identify going forward throughout the summer and going back that he’ll get in better shape and he knows it. But when the puck drops he makes plays. He sees the ice so very well. He’s probably a little unselfish that we’re going to get him to shoot the puck a little bit more. But he’s a really good kid and he wants to play over her. So we’re just going to continue to work with him. I mean, this is hard. He doesn’t really have, he’s got Besa [Tsintsadze] now that he can speak Russian to but he’s not bad, he understands it pretty well. So being able to communicate with him and being very direct in terms of what he needs to do in order to take advantage of, as you pointed out, the high level of skill that he has and the hockey sense that he has."- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 10, 2011
"Well, watching some of the in tight drills, especially the small ice games, he’s got excellent hands in tight, he freezes goaltenders, he gets pucks up in tight, so certainly the skill and goal-scoring ability is there. His conditioning needs to get better, but he’s one of the, what usually happens, these young guys, it’s an eye-opener, their first camp. I don’t think they truly realize how good of shape professional players are [in], so he’ll get that part of it down. But like I said, I like his instincts around the net."- Providence Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy; July 8, 2011
*(Not affiliated with the Boston Bruins or the New England Hockey Journal)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Bruins prospect profile #3: Ryan Spooner
Ryan Spooner, C
5-10, 185
January 30, 1992 in Kanata, Ontario
Shoots: Left
Boston's 3rd choice, 45th overall in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Signed 3-yr ELC; July 19, 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical:
Lacks ideal size, but has worked on adding strength and mass to his frame. May top out at about 190 pounds at his peak, but hockey skills will compensate. Blazing skater with explosive first few steps and separation gear. Can really fly in a straight line, but is also very good on his edges and able to move laterally like a darting waterbug. Will burn defenders with his pure speed, but can also turn opponents inside-out with shifty moves in traffic. Excellent puckhandler who can carry the biscuit both in space and under pressure. Uses combination of tremendous hands with head and shoulder fakes to create space for himself and open up shooting and passing lanes. Very good shooter who can roof the puck top shelf from the outside or use quickness of hands for the finish off the deke or with lightning strikes in close. In terms of pure talent and offensive ability, Spooner is at the top of the list for Boston's prospects Skilled passer who can set the table with the best of them- a dual threat who has the soft hands to make all the feeds at speed and through traffic. Not all that physical, but will go into traffic and is willing to take the hit to make the play. Increasing awareness of the defensive nuances as he gains more experience and sees ice time in a lot of different situations. Played well for Providence in a three-game stint at the end of the season, scoring a pair of goals and three points in the AHL.
Intangibles:
Vision and offensive hockey sense top notch. Solid work ethic; wants the puck at crunch time and has the natural instincts to finish when the game is on the line. Spooner's always on the go and can quickly sense openings and make the right play. Hunts opposing defenses and goalies: using his speed and agility to circle and seek an opening, then exploding into it with the quickness and violence of the ocean's ultimate predator, the shark. A good, solid kid who is well spoken and exhibits the requisite confidence and attitude to be a gamer one day. His departure from Peterborough last November had a tinge of controversy to it, but to Spooner's credit, he took the high road once he arrived in Kingston.
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp Assessment:
The fan favorite for his high-end offensive skills and production in all facets including drills and scrimmages. Centered the camp's most effective line with wingers Brian Ferlin and Justin Florek. Showed that he is progressing defensively in terms of picking up the backcheck, aggressively forechecking and keeping an active stick to thwart the puck carrier and take away passing options. All in all, Spooner's progress since the B's drafted him has been notable, and he showed off the kind of talent and confidence that should see him earn an NHL job soon.
Development Camp video: Ryan Spooner
Projection
Spooner could be Boston's long-term answer for what looks like the loss of veteran pivot Marc Savard to post-concussion syndrome. He's a similar smallish high-end pivot and playmaker, but a significantly better skater than Savard in terms of quick burst and top speed. Spooner has top-six forward written all over him, but may have to bide his time on the third line with players like Tyler Seguin and David Krejci ahead of him in the pecking order. Spooner could see time in the pros at wing, but he's best suited up the middle, where the team can take advantage of his creativity and skill. The difference between Spooner, Jared Knight and Dougie Hamilton is miniscule: Spooner could just as easily sit atop the Boston prospects depth chart.
Quotable:
"Well, for a guy like [Ryan] Spooner, one of the things that we told him at the end of last year and at the camp, at development camp and at training camp, was he has to put the time in to get better, to get stronger, to get bigger. And he did. He did do that, and all the testing showed that, and there’s still room to improve, but he, you could tell, we take the testing very seriously and Ryan put the time in and you could see it in his play, even. He had a little more spring in his step with the puck, he had a little more bulk in his, he was able to protect the puck a little bit better."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli , July 11, 2011
"Ryan Spooner is a great example, he went through all of training camp last year and pushed it. And then it was decided for him to go back, physically it probably would have been a stretch for him. But he’s stronger, there’s no reason why those guys shouldn’t be encouraged. I mean we’ve had guys, you guys well know, emerge out of our camp the first year and play. "- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 11, 2011
"Well, we’re very excited to have Ryan as part of our group, first and foremost. He’s a highly skilled player, he plays at high, high speed, something we want to continue to have in our organization and I think he’s going to make other players better. He’s got a real good mind for the game, I love the fact that he came down to Providence at the end of last year unsigned, but wanted to come and play hockey and wanted to kind of be a sponge to absorb, he wanted a taste. You could just tell that the kid is gung-ho; he wanted a taste of what it was going to be like to play against bigger, stronger players. And he came in and did very well, we asked him to shoot the puck a little bit more and he did that. I think that most of his growth has come off the ice, to be honest with you. I think he’s maturing, as all these kids are, but he’s kind of understanding the work he needs to put in, and particular areas that he needs to pay attention to, and it’s starting to translate on the ice, you know, he talks about feeling better, his, he’s got a better, even overall shape, and size in the right areas and stuff. So you know, some real good progress with Ryan, we’re excited to see where he’ll be come September."- Sweeney; July 9, 2011
"[You know [Ryan] Spooner’s a very dynamic player. Well they[Spooner and Knight] both are, just in different ways, but these are the guys you kind of wait for September to really watch because they are going to be the best guys out, well should be. And I don’t think they’ve disappointed anybody so those are guys, the guys you watch down the road. Because I think they have a legitimate shot to push on people for jobs here."- Providence Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy; July 8, 2011
5-10, 185
January 30, 1992 in Kanata, Ontario
Shoots: Left
Boston's 3rd choice, 45th overall in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Signed 3-yr ELC; July 19, 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical:
Lacks ideal size, but has worked on adding strength and mass to his frame. May top out at about 190 pounds at his peak, but hockey skills will compensate. Blazing skater with explosive first few steps and separation gear. Can really fly in a straight line, but is also very good on his edges and able to move laterally like a darting waterbug. Will burn defenders with his pure speed, but can also turn opponents inside-out with shifty moves in traffic. Excellent puckhandler who can carry the biscuit both in space and under pressure. Uses combination of tremendous hands with head and shoulder fakes to create space for himself and open up shooting and passing lanes. Very good shooter who can roof the puck top shelf from the outside or use quickness of hands for the finish off the deke or with lightning strikes in close. In terms of pure talent and offensive ability, Spooner is at the top of the list for Boston's prospects Skilled passer who can set the table with the best of them- a dual threat who has the soft hands to make all the feeds at speed and through traffic. Not all that physical, but will go into traffic and is willing to take the hit to make the play. Increasing awareness of the defensive nuances as he gains more experience and sees ice time in a lot of different situations. Played well for Providence in a three-game stint at the end of the season, scoring a pair of goals and three points in the AHL.
Intangibles:
Vision and offensive hockey sense top notch. Solid work ethic; wants the puck at crunch time and has the natural instincts to finish when the game is on the line. Spooner's always on the go and can quickly sense openings and make the right play. Hunts opposing defenses and goalies: using his speed and agility to circle and seek an opening, then exploding into it with the quickness and violence of the ocean's ultimate predator, the shark. A good, solid kid who is well spoken and exhibits the requisite confidence and attitude to be a gamer one day. His departure from Peterborough last November had a tinge of controversy to it, but to Spooner's credit, he took the high road once he arrived in Kingston.
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp Assessment:
The fan favorite for his high-end offensive skills and production in all facets including drills and scrimmages. Centered the camp's most effective line with wingers Brian Ferlin and Justin Florek. Showed that he is progressing defensively in terms of picking up the backcheck, aggressively forechecking and keeping an active stick to thwart the puck carrier and take away passing options. All in all, Spooner's progress since the B's drafted him has been notable, and he showed off the kind of talent and confidence that should see him earn an NHL job soon.
Development Camp video: Ryan Spooner
Projection
Spooner could be Boston's long-term answer for what looks like the loss of veteran pivot Marc Savard to post-concussion syndrome. He's a similar smallish high-end pivot and playmaker, but a significantly better skater than Savard in terms of quick burst and top speed. Spooner has top-six forward written all over him, but may have to bide his time on the third line with players like Tyler Seguin and David Krejci ahead of him in the pecking order. Spooner could see time in the pros at wing, but he's best suited up the middle, where the team can take advantage of his creativity and skill. The difference between Spooner, Jared Knight and Dougie Hamilton is miniscule: Spooner could just as easily sit atop the Boston prospects depth chart.
Quotable:
"Well, for a guy like [Ryan] Spooner, one of the things that we told him at the end of last year and at the camp, at development camp and at training camp, was he has to put the time in to get better, to get stronger, to get bigger. And he did. He did do that, and all the testing showed that, and there’s still room to improve, but he, you could tell, we take the testing very seriously and Ryan put the time in and you could see it in his play, even. He had a little more spring in his step with the puck, he had a little more bulk in his, he was able to protect the puck a little bit better."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli , July 11, 2011
"Ryan Spooner is a great example, he went through all of training camp last year and pushed it. And then it was decided for him to go back, physically it probably would have been a stretch for him. But he’s stronger, there’s no reason why those guys shouldn’t be encouraged. I mean we’ve had guys, you guys well know, emerge out of our camp the first year and play. "- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 11, 2011
"Well, we’re very excited to have Ryan as part of our group, first and foremost. He’s a highly skilled player, he plays at high, high speed, something we want to continue to have in our organization and I think he’s going to make other players better. He’s got a real good mind for the game, I love the fact that he came down to Providence at the end of last year unsigned, but wanted to come and play hockey and wanted to kind of be a sponge to absorb, he wanted a taste. You could just tell that the kid is gung-ho; he wanted a taste of what it was going to be like to play against bigger, stronger players. And he came in and did very well, we asked him to shoot the puck a little bit more and he did that. I think that most of his growth has come off the ice, to be honest with you. I think he’s maturing, as all these kids are, but he’s kind of understanding the work he needs to put in, and particular areas that he needs to pay attention to, and it’s starting to translate on the ice, you know, he talks about feeling better, his, he’s got a better, even overall shape, and size in the right areas and stuff. So you know, some real good progress with Ryan, we’re excited to see where he’ll be come September."- Sweeney; July 9, 2011
"[You know [Ryan] Spooner’s a very dynamic player. Well they[Spooner and Knight] both are, just in different ways, but these are the guys you kind of wait for September to really watch because they are going to be the best guys out, well should be. And I don’t think they’ve disappointed anybody so those are guys, the guys you watch down the road. Because I think they have a legitimate shot to push on people for jobs here."- Providence Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy; July 8, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Boston Bruins prospect profile #2: Jared Knight
Jared Knight, RW
5-11, 205
January 16, 1992 in Battle Creek, Michigan
Shoots: Right
Boston's 2nd choice, 32nd overall in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Signed 3-yr ELC; July 18, 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical:
Not tall, but thick-bodied and naturally strong. Close to his physical maturation already with not a lot of room left to add muscle mass on his frame. Squat, powerful build with low center of gravity. First step is average; lacks explosive burst, but straight-line speed is fine. Shows the ability to separate from defenders in open ice. Demonstrates agility in his movements, especially when gaining the zone and crossing over to shake opponents and open up passing/shooting lanes. Sniffs out offensive chances and takes his game to a higher level. Hands are elite- a nasty, wicked shooter who can find the back of the net at will. Can wire it top shelf from the outside, or crash the net and beat the goalie with quick moves in close. A relentless player whose feet are always moving. Aggressive and determined whenever the puck is anywhere near him on the ice and goes hard to the net. Soft hands for giving and receiving passes- an underappreciated playmaker who proved he can set the table this season when Nazem Kadri turned pro and Knight was a veteran top liner on a young, inexperienced team. A physical presence who gets up under bigger players with his low center of gravity and then lowers the boom. Defensive game is much improved from where it was previously and shows his commitment to being a better player. Diabetes has not affected his ability to perform at a high level.
Intangibles:
Scoring instincts and knack for finding the back of the net are off the charts. He's one of those players who is always around the puck-- as if it follows him around on the ice. Like every good scorer, he wants the puck on his stick at crunch time and he delivers more often than not. A dedicated gym rat; works his butt off in the weight room, so size will not be an issue for him in the pros. Like other players with his condition, he has his diabetes under control and shows no signs of it affecting his play or energy. Has strong family support and good values. Has the respect of teammates and opponents alike for what he brings to the table and how he carries himself. Earned an invitation to Team USA Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid after going back on a U.S. NTDP commitment for the OHL, a sign that he has become the kind of valuable player who can help Team USA win the 2012 World Jr. Championship.
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp Assessment:
Along with Ryan Spooner, Knight was the best Boston prospect at development camp. He showed significant improvements in his strength, conditioning, skating and confidence. A year ago, he was impressive but still figuring things out. This time around, Knight was leading the way and played with a lot of energy and verve. Spooner is more flashy and dynamic, but Knight simply does not get enough credit for his dangerous scoring/finishing skills and his nonstop motor.
Development Camp video: Jared Knight
3rd Day
Projection
Knight projects as a top-six scoring winger who could push for 40 goals in the NHL one day and could be a consistent 30-goal threat from year to year. At his floor, he's a third-liner who will play a solid two-way game. The style comparisons to Ryan Callahan are valid, and the two share some remarkable similarities in terms of size and style, as well as developmental path. Knight also reminds of a young Mark Recchi in that he is not the most explosive skater, but has excellent hands and a knack for generating scoring chances. You don't want to create unrealistic expectations for a player like Knight if he doesn't hit his target ceiling, but at the same time, he was the 32nd overall pick for a reason. The talent, drive and moxie is there and he appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential. He's going to have a tough challenge to win an NHL spot in the fall because of his junior situation, but he is physically ready to make a run. Knight might earn a 10-game audition if he can impress enough at training camp and during the exhibition season.
Quotable:
"So you see it firsthand, so, a guy like [Jared] Knight, he was already last year in tremendous shape and this year he’s even improved."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli , July 11, 2011
"[Jared] Knight was your typical up and down, north south style of winger. Got to the net, you know he would muscle his way through there and get second chances. I think he got a goal, I cant remember, I certainly noticed."- Providence Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy; July 8, 2011
"Well your hopes are that everybody gets away healthy, first of all, I mean, obviously Jared [Knight] drives to the net and it’s probably typical, I was talking, actually, to Doug [Hamilton] and Marc Cantin, two guys in the OHL, it wasn’t any surprise to them that it was he who ran into Hutch [Michael Hutchinson] but Mike’s fine and Jared’s not going to change his game. "- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 7, 2011
"Jared’s a little more ready-made in terms of his physical stature and what he’s going to be as a physical player. The cerebral part of the game for him, you know, we’re going to continue to work upon and I think we did that in Providence, when they got a snapshot."- Sweeney; July 7, 2011
5-11, 205
January 16, 1992 in Battle Creek, Michigan
Shoots: Right
Boston's 2nd choice, 32nd overall in 2010 Draft
Signing status: Signed 3-yr ELC; July 18, 2011
Talent Analysis
Physical:
Not tall, but thick-bodied and naturally strong. Close to his physical maturation already with not a lot of room left to add muscle mass on his frame. Squat, powerful build with low center of gravity. First step is average; lacks explosive burst, but straight-line speed is fine. Shows the ability to separate from defenders in open ice. Demonstrates agility in his movements, especially when gaining the zone and crossing over to shake opponents and open up passing/shooting lanes. Sniffs out offensive chances and takes his game to a higher level. Hands are elite- a nasty, wicked shooter who can find the back of the net at will. Can wire it top shelf from the outside, or crash the net and beat the goalie with quick moves in close. A relentless player whose feet are always moving. Aggressive and determined whenever the puck is anywhere near him on the ice and goes hard to the net. Soft hands for giving and receiving passes- an underappreciated playmaker who proved he can set the table this season when Nazem Kadri turned pro and Knight was a veteran top liner on a young, inexperienced team. A physical presence who gets up under bigger players with his low center of gravity and then lowers the boom. Defensive game is much improved from where it was previously and shows his commitment to being a better player. Diabetes has not affected his ability to perform at a high level.
Intangibles:
Scoring instincts and knack for finding the back of the net are off the charts. He's one of those players who is always around the puck-- as if it follows him around on the ice. Like every good scorer, he wants the puck on his stick at crunch time and he delivers more often than not. A dedicated gym rat; works his butt off in the weight room, so size will not be an issue for him in the pros. Like other players with his condition, he has his diabetes under control and shows no signs of it affecting his play or energy. Has strong family support and good values. Has the respect of teammates and opponents alike for what he brings to the table and how he carries himself. Earned an invitation to Team USA Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid after going back on a U.S. NTDP commitment for the OHL, a sign that he has become the kind of valuable player who can help Team USA win the 2012 World Jr. Championship.
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp Assessment:
Along with Ryan Spooner, Knight was the best Boston prospect at development camp. He showed significant improvements in his strength, conditioning, skating and confidence. A year ago, he was impressive but still figuring things out. This time around, Knight was leading the way and played with a lot of energy and verve. Spooner is more flashy and dynamic, but Knight simply does not get enough credit for his dangerous scoring/finishing skills and his nonstop motor.
Development Camp video: Jared Knight
3rd Day
Projection
Knight projects as a top-six scoring winger who could push for 40 goals in the NHL one day and could be a consistent 30-goal threat from year to year. At his floor, he's a third-liner who will play a solid two-way game. The style comparisons to Ryan Callahan are valid, and the two share some remarkable similarities in terms of size and style, as well as developmental path. Knight also reminds of a young Mark Recchi in that he is not the most explosive skater, but has excellent hands and a knack for generating scoring chances. You don't want to create unrealistic expectations for a player like Knight if he doesn't hit his target ceiling, but at the same time, he was the 32nd overall pick for a reason. The talent, drive and moxie is there and he appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential. He's going to have a tough challenge to win an NHL spot in the fall because of his junior situation, but he is physically ready to make a run. Knight might earn a 10-game audition if he can impress enough at training camp and during the exhibition season.
Quotable:
"So you see it firsthand, so, a guy like [Jared] Knight, he was already last year in tremendous shape and this year he’s even improved."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli , July 11, 2011
"[Jared] Knight was your typical up and down, north south style of winger. Got to the net, you know he would muscle his way through there and get second chances. I think he got a goal, I cant remember, I certainly noticed."- Providence Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy; July 8, 2011
"Well your hopes are that everybody gets away healthy, first of all, I mean, obviously Jared [Knight] drives to the net and it’s probably typical, I was talking, actually, to Doug [Hamilton] and Marc Cantin, two guys in the OHL, it wasn’t any surprise to them that it was he who ran into Hutch [Michael Hutchinson] but Mike’s fine and Jared’s not going to change his game. "- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney; July 7, 2011
"Jared’s a little more ready-made in terms of his physical stature and what he’s going to be as a physical player. The cerebral part of the game for him, you know, we’re going to continue to work upon and I think we did that in Providence, when they got a snapshot."- Sweeney; July 7, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Boston Bruins prospect profile #1: Dougie Hamilton
Dougie Hamilton
6-4, 193
June 17, 1993
Shoots: Right
Boston's 1st choice, 9th overall in 2011 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical:
Excellent size, with long limbs and natural athleticism. Projected to play at 215-220 pounds at his physical peak. Very good skater with quick acceleration, top speed and four-way mobility. Strong backwards skater with the ability to crossover quickly. Good passer and puck mover with the ability to make the short, intermediate and long stretch passes. Big point shot-generates power and torque and keeps it low for deflections. Likes to shoot and drive should only become more powerful as he fills out and gets stronger. Underrated wrist shot with quick release and accuracy. Likes to sneak in from the back door to put the puck in the net. Active stick. Uses big body to box out forwards from in front of his net. Strong along the walls and in the corners, and will get better with the added mass and physical maturity. Not a big open-ice hitter, but understands body leverage and not afraid to initiate contact. Angles well and will only get better as he continues to develop. Gets into trouble when he stops moving his feet and overthinks it. Will fight if called upon, but not particularly adept at doing so (not his role), even if he understands the need to defend teammates.
Intangibles:
Above average hockey sense, but still figuring out the defense position. Good worker and attitude. Bright, intelligent and comes from excellent athletic stock. Hamilton's developmental curve has been nearly vertical since last summer, when he helped lead Team Canada to gold at the Ivan Hlinka tournament in August, 2010. Although some question his natural feel and instincts for the game, others are confident Hamilton will develop into an accomplished two-way presence. He's shown the potential to reach an impressive ceiling in the NHL one day, but there is some risk with this player as well. Leadership potential, but not a rah-rah type and more of an unselfish leader by example, who is one of the guys and does his part to put the team first and do the little things needed to win.
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp Assessment:
In similar fashion to Tyler Seguin a year ago, Hamilton came into camp with a lot of fanfare and didn't produce all that much during the scrimmages even if he did show off his impressive skills and talent. During the various drills and skating sessions, he showed off a fluid, powerful stride and the ability to make tight turns and change directions quickly. Not afraid to shoot the puck, he wasn't rewarded with goals, but showed the willingness to tee off when he had the chance. He also moved well laterally along the blue line, opening up shooting lanes with his mobility.
Development Camp video: Dougie Hamilton
Projection
Hamilton is not quite ready for primetime, but that's more in the context of Boston's established top-six defensemen and some of the prospects who have been in the system a little longer. The defending Stanley Cup champions have the luxury of taking their time with Hamilton; he's still light in his frame and will likely benefit from more playing time in the OHL with Niagara. He's a solid kid with tremendous genetics working in his favor, plus the discipline and work ethic to make something of himself as a pro. He is good enough to develop into a top-pairing defender with offensive upside and power play/penalty killing effectiveness. Even if Hamilton fails to reach his impressive ceiling, he should be at the very least a solid middle pair guy given his pure size and speed/skating ability. However, given that the B's took him ninth overall, much more is expected of him.
Quotable:
"Each day I thought he played better, was more comfortable. He walks the line so well, he’s got the poise, I thought he carried the puck a lot in today’s session with strength and confidence. just, he has the poise, the vision and his passing is good and he’s got size. So by the time he’s ready to play he’ll be two hundred-plus so to get a defenseman who’s tall, rangy, and can make those fine offensive plays and still have the range and the ability to play shutdown because I believe he will have that. Obviously it’s a great type of player to have."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli , July 11, 2011
"If he can get to two-twenty that’d be great and he could. With his frame and he’s still growing. I think he’s still growing like from we had one posting measurement at some point towards the end of his season and he’s grown like a quarter of an inch or a half an inch since then so it’s got to be done properly and I’m sure he’ll do it. I know he’s conscientious about that. His parents are two former Olympic athletes. He’s got core strength too so like two-ten would be great."- Chiarelli; July 11
"I think it’s just been nice to get him into our camp and kind of start to fine-tune some of the things you see during the course of the season. And you know he can do a lot of these things. Where it goes will really be up to him. You know he wont know that until he gets on the power plays at the next levels, he knows he can do certain things at the junior level. And you know his physical stature helps him get away with some of that stuff. I would say at this point in time ,the decision-making is really what it will come down to as to where his impact will be. And you really, a lot of times don’t get that until you do go through these experiences and playing against guys that will expose you when you do run around."- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney, July 11, 2011
"I mean, that’s a good pairing. I mean, first of all, it’s a rather large pairing, you know and Tommy’s [Cross] really filled out, obviously, he’s had some injury troubles so it’s good to see him, you know, on full speed, full capacity, no limitations to what he’s doing on the ice. And he’s got kind of a calming influence for Dougie [Hamilton]. You know, like I talked about yesterday, Dougie’s looking to get up ice. He’s comfortable on the power play, he’s looking to be physical. You know he’s going to be a well rounded, you know, well rounded player with a two way component. Where that fits in on the high side, one or the other we won’t worry about that today that’s for sure. We just continue to work with him and get him to understand and process the game, you know as speeds go up. "- Sweeney on Hamilton-Cross pairing; July 10, 2011
"At six-foot-four, [Hamilton] moves very well. Very well. And he’s got a good skill set with the puck, without it, we’re just trying to fine-tune some of the things defensively. You’re not going to see, from a camp like this, in terms of you know, we might do a little power play in the scrimmage-wise, or whatever the case may be, but you’re not going to see the guys do that. I mean the ice gets chopped up, it’s a little frantic, the guys haven’t played together. So anybody that comes in here is not going to see somebody wow you with you know, there will be some wow moments, but overall it won’t be that way. I think we want, first and foremost, Dougie as well as everybody else, to feel comfortable in being part of this organization. So he comes in, in September, and he does work between now and then that will put him in the best light to challenge and to continue to get better. He’s got a lot of upside, I don’t think anybody in our organization feels that he’s pigeonholed in any capacity, be it defensive d-man, offensive d-man. I think he’s just going to be a real good, solid two-way player and we’re excited to have him."- Sweeney on Hamilton; July 9, 2011
"I mean, a guy like [Dougie] Hamilton, for example. For a big guy, at 6’5”, [6’4”], he moves pretty well, he’s pretty fluid, you know, most guys who are eighteen years old are still growing into their body, they’re a little bit clumsy, but he’s got very smooth feet for a big man and gets around the ice very well. I haven’t seen him play, obviously, I don’t do the scouting, but I imagine that’s going to translate and that’s why he was the ninth pick, because of his skating and his, he looks like a heady player, he has a good stick. Again, he’s one guy for sure that I’ve noticed that looks good and again, you don’t know until September comes around, until he’s playing against men, but he sure looks like the real deal out there for the past forty-eight hours."- Providence Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy; July 8, 2011
6-4, 193
June 17, 1993
Shoots: Right
Boston's 1st choice, 9th overall in 2011 Draft
Signing status: Unsigned
Talent Analysis
Physical:
Excellent size, with long limbs and natural athleticism. Projected to play at 215-220 pounds at his physical peak. Very good skater with quick acceleration, top speed and four-way mobility. Strong backwards skater with the ability to crossover quickly. Good passer and puck mover with the ability to make the short, intermediate and long stretch passes. Big point shot-generates power and torque and keeps it low for deflections. Likes to shoot and drive should only become more powerful as he fills out and gets stronger. Underrated wrist shot with quick release and accuracy. Likes to sneak in from the back door to put the puck in the net. Active stick. Uses big body to box out forwards from in front of his net. Strong along the walls and in the corners, and will get better with the added mass and physical maturity. Not a big open-ice hitter, but understands body leverage and not afraid to initiate contact. Angles well and will only get better as he continues to develop. Gets into trouble when he stops moving his feet and overthinks it. Will fight if called upon, but not particularly adept at doing so (not his role), even if he understands the need to defend teammates.
Intangibles:
Above average hockey sense, but still figuring out the defense position. Good worker and attitude. Bright, intelligent and comes from excellent athletic stock. Hamilton's developmental curve has been nearly vertical since last summer, when he helped lead Team Canada to gold at the Ivan Hlinka tournament in August, 2010. Although some question his natural feel and instincts for the game, others are confident Hamilton will develop into an accomplished two-way presence. He's shown the potential to reach an impressive ceiling in the NHL one day, but there is some risk with this player as well. Leadership potential, but not a rah-rah type and more of an unselfish leader by example, who is one of the guys and does his part to put the team first and do the little things needed to win.
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp Assessment:
In similar fashion to Tyler Seguin a year ago, Hamilton came into camp with a lot of fanfare and didn't produce all that much during the scrimmages even if he did show off his impressive skills and talent. During the various drills and skating sessions, he showed off a fluid, powerful stride and the ability to make tight turns and change directions quickly. Not afraid to shoot the puck, he wasn't rewarded with goals, but showed the willingness to tee off when he had the chance. He also moved well laterally along the blue line, opening up shooting lanes with his mobility.
Development Camp video: Dougie Hamilton
Projection
Hamilton is not quite ready for primetime, but that's more in the context of Boston's established top-six defensemen and some of the prospects who have been in the system a little longer. The defending Stanley Cup champions have the luxury of taking their time with Hamilton; he's still light in his frame and will likely benefit from more playing time in the OHL with Niagara. He's a solid kid with tremendous genetics working in his favor, plus the discipline and work ethic to make something of himself as a pro. He is good enough to develop into a top-pairing defender with offensive upside and power play/penalty killing effectiveness. Even if Hamilton fails to reach his impressive ceiling, he should be at the very least a solid middle pair guy given his pure size and speed/skating ability. However, given that the B's took him ninth overall, much more is expected of him.
Quotable:
"Each day I thought he played better, was more comfortable. He walks the line so well, he’s got the poise, I thought he carried the puck a lot in today’s session with strength and confidence. just, he has the poise, the vision and his passing is good and he’s got size. So by the time he’s ready to play he’ll be two hundred-plus so to get a defenseman who’s tall, rangy, and can make those fine offensive plays and still have the range and the ability to play shutdown because I believe he will have that. Obviously it’s a great type of player to have."- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli , July 11, 2011
"If he can get to two-twenty that’d be great and he could. With his frame and he’s still growing. I think he’s still growing like from we had one posting measurement at some point towards the end of his season and he’s grown like a quarter of an inch or a half an inch since then so it’s got to be done properly and I’m sure he’ll do it. I know he’s conscientious about that. His parents are two former Olympic athletes. He’s got core strength too so like two-ten would be great."- Chiarelli; July 11
"I think it’s just been nice to get him into our camp and kind of start to fine-tune some of the things you see during the course of the season. And you know he can do a lot of these things. Where it goes will really be up to him. You know he wont know that until he gets on the power plays at the next levels, he knows he can do certain things at the junior level. And you know his physical stature helps him get away with some of that stuff. I would say at this point in time ,the decision-making is really what it will come down to as to where his impact will be. And you really, a lot of times don’t get that until you do go through these experiences and playing against guys that will expose you when you do run around."- Bruins Assistant GM Don Sweeney, July 11, 2011
"I mean, that’s a good pairing. I mean, first of all, it’s a rather large pairing, you know and Tommy’s [Cross] really filled out, obviously, he’s had some injury troubles so it’s good to see him, you know, on full speed, full capacity, no limitations to what he’s doing on the ice. And he’s got kind of a calming influence for Dougie [Hamilton]. You know, like I talked about yesterday, Dougie’s looking to get up ice. He’s comfortable on the power play, he’s looking to be physical. You know he’s going to be a well rounded, you know, well rounded player with a two way component. Where that fits in on the high side, one or the other we won’t worry about that today that’s for sure. We just continue to work with him and get him to understand and process the game, you know as speeds go up. "- Sweeney on Hamilton-Cross pairing; July 10, 2011
"At six-foot-four, [Hamilton] moves very well. Very well. And he’s got a good skill set with the puck, without it, we’re just trying to fine-tune some of the things defensively. You’re not going to see, from a camp like this, in terms of you know, we might do a little power play in the scrimmage-wise, or whatever the case may be, but you’re not going to see the guys do that. I mean the ice gets chopped up, it’s a little frantic, the guys haven’t played together. So anybody that comes in here is not going to see somebody wow you with you know, there will be some wow moments, but overall it won’t be that way. I think we want, first and foremost, Dougie as well as everybody else, to feel comfortable in being part of this organization. So he comes in, in September, and he does work between now and then that will put him in the best light to challenge and to continue to get better. He’s got a lot of upside, I don’t think anybody in our organization feels that he’s pigeonholed in any capacity, be it defensive d-man, offensive d-man. I think he’s just going to be a real good, solid two-way player and we’re excited to have him."- Sweeney on Hamilton; July 9, 2011
"I mean, a guy like [Dougie] Hamilton, for example. For a big guy, at 6’5”, [6’4”], he moves pretty well, he’s pretty fluid, you know, most guys who are eighteen years old are still growing into their body, they’re a little bit clumsy, but he’s got very smooth feet for a big man and gets around the ice very well. I haven’t seen him play, obviously, I don’t do the scouting, but I imagine that’s going to translate and that’s why he was the ninth pick, because of his skating and his, he looks like a heady player, he has a good stick. Again, he’s one guy for sure that I’ve noticed that looks good and again, you don’t know until September comes around, until he’s playing against men, but he sure looks like the real deal out there for the past forty-eight hours."- Providence Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy; July 8, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Bruins 2011 Development Camp recaps
To keep your interest until the profiles go up, here are some teasers on the recently completed Bruins development camp (Monday) over at the New England Hockey Journal website.
75 Lars Volden
Vitals: 6-3, 198
Acquired: 6th round in 2011 (181st overall)
2010-11 team: Espoo Blues (Finland Jr.)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Impressive showing for late-round pick in last month’s draft who is a classic butterfly-style netminder from Norway. Takes up a large portion of the net and stays square to the shooter. Got more comfortable as the week went on and he began to adjust to shooters. Big, fast, athletic. Showed some real potential as a long-term option. Expected to play on the senior team for Espoo this season in Finland.
76 Rob O’Gara
Vitals: 6-3, 185
Acquired: 5th round in 2011 (151st overall)
2010-11 amateur team: Milton Mustangs (ISL)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Two-way blueliner with size and hockey sense is a Yale recruit for 2012. Raw and inexperienced having only played one season in the ISL (Independent School League) before beig drafted by Boston. Has a long, fluid stride and fine footwork for someone who just turned 18 in July. Thinks the game well in terms of diagramming plays and being able to make the breakouts to get the puck up the ice. Calm and composed defender who is only going to get better as he is challenged more and continues to develop. Named captain of his Milton team for 2011-12.
YOU CAN READ THE REST OF THE GOALIES AND DEFENSEMEN HERE
50 Alexander Khokhlachev, Center
Vitals: 5-10, 184
Acquired: 2nd round, 2011 draft (40th overall)
2010-11 amateur team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Highly skilled offensive player showed off his high-end scoring potential in flashes, but was overwhelmed at times with the physical demands of camp and environment. Good skater with effective first-step quickness, elusiveness and the ability to rapidly change direction. Not tall, but strong on his skates and gets under would-be checkers, using body leverage to gain position and maintain puck possession. Elite hands and stickhandling skills. Quick shot with rapid release and nice accuracy. Plays with passion and exuberance. Was not in the kind of shape he needed to be, but should improve on that when main camp rolls around in September and a year from now (assuming he returns to development camp). English skills are raw, but improving- he showed a willingness to take on any interviews and did his level best with a smile. Has future rock star potential in Boston if he can continue his upward developmental curve. Youngest player in the 2011 draft, just making the Sep. 15, 1993 cutoff by six days.
51 Anthony Camara, Left Wing
Vitals: 6-0, 194
Acquired: 3rd round, 2011 draft (81st overall)
2010-11 Amateur Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Impressive individual showing from a player who was initially thought to be a reach. The Toronto native isn’t all that tall at about 6-foot, but is around 195 pounds and is built like a fire hydrant. He skates well, with quick jump and good straight-line speed. Camara also has above average puck skills and a hard shot. While at camp, he showed a penchant for shooting often and scored from the outside as well as in close. Plays a physical game, finishing checks and relishing contact. Has a reputation as willing and fearless fighter. Won’t turn 18 until Sep. 4- just five days older than Alexander Khokhlachev, the youngest player in the NHL draft in June. Former 1st-round OHL pick (15th overall) in 2009.
YOU CAN READ THE REST OF THE FORWARDS HERE
75 Lars Volden
Vitals: 6-3, 198
Acquired: 6th round in 2011 (181st overall)
2010-11 team: Espoo Blues (Finland Jr.)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Impressive showing for late-round pick in last month’s draft who is a classic butterfly-style netminder from Norway. Takes up a large portion of the net and stays square to the shooter. Got more comfortable as the week went on and he began to adjust to shooters. Big, fast, athletic. Showed some real potential as a long-term option. Expected to play on the senior team for Espoo this season in Finland.
76 Rob O’Gara
Vitals: 6-3, 185
Acquired: 5th round in 2011 (151st overall)
2010-11 amateur team: Milton Mustangs (ISL)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Two-way blueliner with size and hockey sense is a Yale recruit for 2012. Raw and inexperienced having only played one season in the ISL (Independent School League) before beig drafted by Boston. Has a long, fluid stride and fine footwork for someone who just turned 18 in July. Thinks the game well in terms of diagramming plays and being able to make the breakouts to get the puck up the ice. Calm and composed defender who is only going to get better as he is challenged more and continues to develop. Named captain of his Milton team for 2011-12.
YOU CAN READ THE REST OF THE GOALIES AND DEFENSEMEN HERE
50 Alexander Khokhlachev, Center
Vitals: 5-10, 184
Acquired: 2nd round, 2011 draft (40th overall)
2010-11 amateur team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Highly skilled offensive player showed off his high-end scoring potential in flashes, but was overwhelmed at times with the physical demands of camp and environment. Good skater with effective first-step quickness, elusiveness and the ability to rapidly change direction. Not tall, but strong on his skates and gets under would-be checkers, using body leverage to gain position and maintain puck possession. Elite hands and stickhandling skills. Quick shot with rapid release and nice accuracy. Plays with passion and exuberance. Was not in the kind of shape he needed to be, but should improve on that when main camp rolls around in September and a year from now (assuming he returns to development camp). English skills are raw, but improving- he showed a willingness to take on any interviews and did his level best with a smile. Has future rock star potential in Boston if he can continue his upward developmental curve. Youngest player in the 2011 draft, just making the Sep. 15, 1993 cutoff by six days.
51 Anthony Camara, Left Wing
Vitals: 6-0, 194
Acquired: 3rd round, 2011 draft (81st overall)
2010-11 Amateur Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Signing status: Unsigned
Camp notes: Impressive individual showing from a player who was initially thought to be a reach. The Toronto native isn’t all that tall at about 6-foot, but is around 195 pounds and is built like a fire hydrant. He skates well, with quick jump and good straight-line speed. Camara also has above average puck skills and a hard shot. While at camp, he showed a penchant for shooting often and scored from the outside as well as in close. Plays a physical game, finishing checks and relishing contact. Has a reputation as willing and fearless fighter. Won’t turn 18 until Sep. 4- just five days older than Alexander Khokhlachev, the youngest player in the NHL draft in June. Former 1st-round OHL pick (15th overall) in 2009.
YOU CAN READ THE REST OF THE FORWARDS HERE
Coming soon: Bruins prospect profiles
We did it a year ago and it will happen again.
From this week and into August, B2011DW will bring you a player-by-player ranking and profile of each Boston Bruins prospect.
That will mark the official end of the Bruins 2011 Draft Watch coverage, as was the case a year ago.
Stay tuned- hope to get the first profile up before the weekend is out on Dougie Hamilton.
After that, we'll do 1-2 per day until everyone is in the books.
From this week and into August, B2011DW will bring you a player-by-player ranking and profile of each Boston Bruins prospect.
That will mark the official end of the Bruins 2011 Draft Watch coverage, as was the case a year ago.
Stay tuned- hope to get the first profile up before the weekend is out on Dougie Hamilton.
After that, we'll do 1-2 per day until everyone is in the books.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
2011 Boston Bruins Development Camp: Day 4 recap
Last day for B2011DW in Wilmington, and Sunday was a chance to see the players scrimmage for the first time since the Bruins prospects convened here on Thursday.
They did one more hour-long drills and skills session, resurfaced the ice, and then went to it in a 4-on-4 "Sunday Funday scrimmy" as defenseman Ryan Button put it.
Team Black battled White and after Anthony Camara scored on Zane Gothberg right off the bat to take a 1-0 lead for White, Justin Florek tallied twice, Brian Ferlin pumped in a goal and the "Black Aces" triumphed over the "White Spaders" by a 3-1 score.
Here are the observations and thoughts of the specific players
Black Aces
Ryan Spooner: He didn't get a lot done in terms of finishing, but he was the fulcrum for wingers Florek and Ferlin. Man, is this kid ever slick. He did snipe a memorable shot on Mike Hutchinson during the drills portion of the day and continued to show off his speed and high-end puck skills. He hit a tiny window on the short side with his shot (Hutch is a right-catching goalie so Spooner beat him high to the blocker side). Spooner is a dual threat- he can score and set up the play. Offense is what excites most people the most, so it isn't any real surprise that the kid who grew up a huge Montreal Canadiens fan (thanks to his dad, Brad) is the most popular B's prospect right now with the folks who have taken the time to come out to rookie games a year ago and the development camps.
Zach Trotman: One of the more impressive defenders this week given his size, agile skating and a big shot. Trotman looked a lot more comfortable this time around and he activates smartly, jumping up into the play and holding the blue line well on the point. The Michigander turns 21 later this summer, and he's still on the raw side, but for the last pick of the 2010 draft, this guy is worth keeping an eye on.
Justin Florek: Scored two goals- one was an absolute snipe from the outside, where he showed a real penchant all week during the drills, unloading his hard, heavy shot to beat goalies top shelf. Gothberg was the victim on this one, but Tim Thomas may have had a hard time stopping it. Florek has a fast release and a heavy wrister that he can pick the corners with. He's a nice skater for his size and looks like he's spreading his wings offensively from what we saw a year ago. He could score 30 goals this year for Northern Michigan as a senior, though not sure what his pro upside is yet.
Brian Ferlin: He showed why he was the USHL's third-leading scorer this week. He doesn't have textbook technique in his skating, but he has some real speed. He blew past Dougie Hamilton on one play and went in alone on Gothberg, getting robbed by the Minnesotan's glove hand on what would have been a goal to bring the fans out of their seats. He's got a quick snap shot and you can see some real instincts for the offensive side of things. Ferlin is just one of a growing crop of big league prospects coming out of Florida- you would have pegged him for a Michigander or Minnesotan the way he performed this week and in that scrimmage. Ferlin is looking like a solid value for the fourth round, but we'll withhold any further judgment until we see him at Cornell this winter.
Ben Sexton: Not a lot to report on the '09 seventh-rounder. He skates well and got himself in position a few times but either missed the net or wasn't able to generate much in the way of a scoring chance.
Ryan Button: Excellent performance all week from one of the veterans in his third development camp. We're probably not going to see a lot of points from Button, but he's such a good skater, smart defender and hard worker that he's going to be something in the pro ranks. He makes good decisions, can carry the puck on his own and has a quick acceleration and jump in his step that allows him to be effective in small spaces. On one sequence, he did several spin-o-rama moves at the offensive blue line to avoid Camara's forecheck and then got it over to David Warsofsky, who got a low shot on net that Ferlin converted on the rebound. He's also a gym rat who takes his conditioning seriously, and his physical maturation from 2009 when the B's draft him to now is significant. The upside is the issue with Button, but he's a solid performer and person and should become one of Bruce Cassidy's go-to guys in Providence despite his youth.
Robby O'Gara: Raw, yes. But anyone who watched O'Gara this week has to be encouraged by the Milton Academy captain's performance in Wilmington. He has such a long, fluid stride that will only get better as he fills out and develops his physical maturity. But he has the two things you cannot teach: size and hockey sense. At one point, he skated through several players in the neutral zone, gained the line and while looking one way, made a crisp pass in the opposite direction to an open teammate down near the right corner to set up the cycle. The puck ended up in the net shortly thereafter. That's the kind of play that won't end up in the box score, but it was essential to his team eventually finding the back of the net. This fifth-round pick could end up being a player, but the wait is going to be a long one.
David Warsofsky: The guy's an athlete. Even though he's smaller than his listed size of 5-9, 170, he's an agile, elusive skater. He lacks the explosiveness and dynamic element of a player like Ryan Murphy, but there is some potential here for the pugnacious defender. He wasn't a high-end performer this week, but you can see that he has the skill to be effective at the AHL level, at least. Warsofsky has managed to silence the critics thus far in his career, and seems to relish doing so. Whether he can do enough to develop into an NHL regular remains to be seen, but Cassidy intimated that he envisions Warsofsky in a key two-way role for him in Providence this season and he could one day force his way into the mix in Boston.
Alexander Fallstrom: The Harvard junior is quicker this year and stronger. He also showed off some nice hands and has some legitimate potential as an NHL fourth-liner one day (may not be with Boston, though). When he has the puck on his stick anywhere near the net, he's a threat to score. Hasn't done much for the Crimson, but this could be a breakout year for him.
White Spaders
Jared Knight: No points in the scrimmage, but Knight was one of white's most consistent and dangerous threats. If there is even a sniff of an offensive chance, Knight kicks it into high gear. We never thought he was all that explosive a skater, but he's obviously worked on it, because he showed an ability to separate from defenders. He has a preternatural sense for when there's an opening and he goes for it. Underrated in his passing skills and defensive play. The most complete prospect as far as forwards go in Boston's system right now- without question.
Alexander Khokhlachev: His conditioning was lagging a bit, but Koko showed flashes of his high-end offensive skills in the scrimmage. He is highly effective when coming out of the corners and off the halfwall with the puck. He just missed on several well-placed shots that Gothberg and/or Lars Volden got pieces of. He's not a blazer and looked lethargic (he admitted to being very sore on Day 2) at times during drills, but he came alive during the scrimmage. He has sublime hands and we expect much bigger things from him a year from now when he'll know exactly what to expect. He's going to be a good one, but he's going to need some time to develop. That's good news for Warren Rychel, Bob Boughner and the good folks at Windsor, who should have him back this season and possibly beyond. Real solid kid, who took on every interview with a smile on his face despite lacking a prolific English vocabulary.
Dougie Hamilton: It was a pretty mediocre performance from Dougie in the scrimmage, but he still showed off his impressive skill set and competed hard. Like most top picks, the expectations surrounding him were enormous, so it was disappointing to hear some folks banging on him like I did (some people chirping us on Twitter, even). We suppose that these "experts" expected Hamilton to fly over the action and simultaneously cure cancer. In all seriousness, Hamilton's talent is undeniable, but like most youngsters, he was taken out of his comfort zone this week and struggled at times with it. Watch him next year- we expect a much more comfortable, settled and skilled two-way defender. All the tools are there.
Anthony Camara: A pleasant surprise, but not really. B's Director of Player Personnel Scott Bradley told us at the draft how underrated Camara's wheels and hands were, but he proved it at development camp. He scored a nice goal to start the scrimmage by taking a Craig Cunningham pass and then waiting for Gothberg to open himself up before slipping it past him. Camara skated well all week, driving to the net hard and making some good body contact. Like Koko, he won't even turn 18 until September and was buried behind skill guys in Saginaw, but with an increased role, look for him to break out a bit. He's not a high-end scoring type, but could be a third-line staple in the NHL one day. Just an impressive overall showing from the guy who looked like a reach at first glance, but who could end up being much more.
Craig Cunningham: One of the most active, and hardest-working guys at camp all week. We're not sure how his offensive numbers will translate in the pros, but he always keeps his feet moving and is a smart two-way guy with high-end character. He's a bit of a stealth player in that you don't notice him all that much until a big play is made and then you realize he's in the middle of it. He's a good, not great skater, but he just seems to be in the right place at the right time. We think he's going to be a very good AHL player in time, but not sure where he fits into the NHL picture yet.
Tyler Randell: His skating is only average and he needs to pick up a step coming out of the gate, but his hands are NHL-caliber. Randell was sniping goals all week, and his shootout move on Volden was a sight to behold, as he moved in, deked at least 6-7 times getting the goalie to commit and go down before skying a backhander up under the crossbar. We're intrigued as to what Randell will do in the AHL this year. He can technically go back to Kitchener for an overage season, but Providence would do well to add his grit, snarl and potential to hit some goals. An effective bottom-six forward with some modest offensive upside.
Marc Cantin: Impressive as an invite to Boston d-camp a year ago, Cantin continued his run of steady, solid play. He looks a bit like Mark Stuart out there, but a better skating version of the former Boston stalwart. Cantin was the most physical presence among the prospects this week, looking to make big hits and never passing up a chance to staple an opponent against the boards whether in drills or in the scrimmage. He's a smart guy who plays well positionally and is an interesting prospect as a lower-pairing D. Not much upside with this guy, but he's solid. Watch for him to earn a lot of ice time in Providence this season despite being a rookie pro.
Tommy Cross: Sharp and composed, he looked and acted the part of Boston's most senior prospect in attendance and the captain of the Boston College Eagles for the upcoming season. Skates well and plays a physical but disciplined game. The main concern with Cross is with his overall offensive hockey sense, which is limited despite having a big point bomb, and with his right knee. He's healthy now, but like Gord Kluzak, will be day-to-day for life, meaning that you hope and pray he'll have a long pro hockey career, but wonder how much he thinks about it and whether he can be as effective at the pro ranks.
Mike Hutchinson: The best goalie in camp this week by far, and opened some eyes with his size and quickness. He didn't allow a single goal in the first scrimmage, and he was tough to beat during the shootout portion. One of the true good guys in any room- Hutch always has a smile on his face, but is also a legitimate competitor who hates to be beaten. Jared Knight revealed some insights about his former London teammate, which leads us to believe that Hutch will be an NHL goalie one day. Unfortunately for him, Boston is going to be a tough nut to crack, but he has an opportunity to earn some playing time in Providence. Consistency has been his biggest challenge thus far, but as far is physical tools and puckstopping skills go, he's a legit NHL prospect.
Zane Gothberg: He doesn't turn 19 until August, but we thought that Gothberg had a solid week. He wasn't Hutch, and his technique has more refining to do than that of Volden, but he's a big guy who battles like Thomas does. He was at fault on the Camara goal, but the Florek shot was a bomb and Gothberg was excellent the rest of the way. At times, he looked unsettled, while at others, he was a rock this week. Gothberg's attitude and competitiveness are strong suits of his, and as a long-term project, he can continue to address his style and build confidence. He's back in the USHL for one more year and will then be in Grand Forks at the University of North Dakota in 2012. We still think that Gothberg is a diamond-in-the-rough and is in the catbird's seat, with no pressure on him whatsoever right now. The Bruins will be patient with him and see where it leads them.
Lars Volden: Wow. We banged him for his performance in the WJC, but it was one game and he showed some legitimate upside this week. He's big, quick and a classic butterfly goalie. He didn't play as well in the scrimmage as he had in the drills the previous three days, but there's something there. He stays square to the shooter, takes up a lot of the net and has the look of a guy who could play in the AHL right away. He'll try and make the Espoo Blues senior team this season and see where it takes him, but for a sixth-rounder, this guy looks like a player. Like Gothberg, Volden is a long-term project, but worth keeping tabs on.
The invites:
Brett Olson- The Michigan Tech senior is the oldest guy there with a 1987 birthdate, but worked hard and appreciated the opportunity. He grew up with Devils prospect and former UNH standout Mike Sislo, the two skating on a line together throughout their minor hockey days.
Josh Jooris- Union College playmaker is a good skater and passer; not all that tall, but strong and showed flashes of talent. From Burlington, Ontario- skated in the OJHL for his hometown team before going to the NCAA.
Steve Spinell- Carter Camper's teammate at Miami University is from Illinois. Has good size and mobility, though doesn't have much upside. Along with Cantin, was the most physical player in camp. Reminds us of a Matt Bartkowksi-type guy.
They did one more hour-long drills and skills session, resurfaced the ice, and then went to it in a 4-on-4 "Sunday Funday scrimmy" as defenseman Ryan Button put it.
Team Black battled White and after Anthony Camara scored on Zane Gothberg right off the bat to take a 1-0 lead for White, Justin Florek tallied twice, Brian Ferlin pumped in a goal and the "Black Aces" triumphed over the "White Spaders" by a 3-1 score.
Here are the observations and thoughts of the specific players
Black Aces
Ryan Spooner: He didn't get a lot done in terms of finishing, but he was the fulcrum for wingers Florek and Ferlin. Man, is this kid ever slick. He did snipe a memorable shot on Mike Hutchinson during the drills portion of the day and continued to show off his speed and high-end puck skills. He hit a tiny window on the short side with his shot (Hutch is a right-catching goalie so Spooner beat him high to the blocker side). Spooner is a dual threat- he can score and set up the play. Offense is what excites most people the most, so it isn't any real surprise that the kid who grew up a huge Montreal Canadiens fan (thanks to his dad, Brad) is the most popular B's prospect right now with the folks who have taken the time to come out to rookie games a year ago and the development camps.
Zach Trotman: One of the more impressive defenders this week given his size, agile skating and a big shot. Trotman looked a lot more comfortable this time around and he activates smartly, jumping up into the play and holding the blue line well on the point. The Michigander turns 21 later this summer, and he's still on the raw side, but for the last pick of the 2010 draft, this guy is worth keeping an eye on.
Justin Florek: Scored two goals- one was an absolute snipe from the outside, where he showed a real penchant all week during the drills, unloading his hard, heavy shot to beat goalies top shelf. Gothberg was the victim on this one, but Tim Thomas may have had a hard time stopping it. Florek has a fast release and a heavy wrister that he can pick the corners with. He's a nice skater for his size and looks like he's spreading his wings offensively from what we saw a year ago. He could score 30 goals this year for Northern Michigan as a senior, though not sure what his pro upside is yet.
Brian Ferlin: He showed why he was the USHL's third-leading scorer this week. He doesn't have textbook technique in his skating, but he has some real speed. He blew past Dougie Hamilton on one play and went in alone on Gothberg, getting robbed by the Minnesotan's glove hand on what would have been a goal to bring the fans out of their seats. He's got a quick snap shot and you can see some real instincts for the offensive side of things. Ferlin is just one of a growing crop of big league prospects coming out of Florida- you would have pegged him for a Michigander or Minnesotan the way he performed this week and in that scrimmage. Ferlin is looking like a solid value for the fourth round, but we'll withhold any further judgment until we see him at Cornell this winter.
Ben Sexton: Not a lot to report on the '09 seventh-rounder. He skates well and got himself in position a few times but either missed the net or wasn't able to generate much in the way of a scoring chance.
Ryan Button: Excellent performance all week from one of the veterans in his third development camp. We're probably not going to see a lot of points from Button, but he's such a good skater, smart defender and hard worker that he's going to be something in the pro ranks. He makes good decisions, can carry the puck on his own and has a quick acceleration and jump in his step that allows him to be effective in small spaces. On one sequence, he did several spin-o-rama moves at the offensive blue line to avoid Camara's forecheck and then got it over to David Warsofsky, who got a low shot on net that Ferlin converted on the rebound. He's also a gym rat who takes his conditioning seriously, and his physical maturation from 2009 when the B's draft him to now is significant. The upside is the issue with Button, but he's a solid performer and person and should become one of Bruce Cassidy's go-to guys in Providence despite his youth.
Robby O'Gara: Raw, yes. But anyone who watched O'Gara this week has to be encouraged by the Milton Academy captain's performance in Wilmington. He has such a long, fluid stride that will only get better as he fills out and develops his physical maturity. But he has the two things you cannot teach: size and hockey sense. At one point, he skated through several players in the neutral zone, gained the line and while looking one way, made a crisp pass in the opposite direction to an open teammate down near the right corner to set up the cycle. The puck ended up in the net shortly thereafter. That's the kind of play that won't end up in the box score, but it was essential to his team eventually finding the back of the net. This fifth-round pick could end up being a player, but the wait is going to be a long one.
David Warsofsky: The guy's an athlete. Even though he's smaller than his listed size of 5-9, 170, he's an agile, elusive skater. He lacks the explosiveness and dynamic element of a player like Ryan Murphy, but there is some potential here for the pugnacious defender. He wasn't a high-end performer this week, but you can see that he has the skill to be effective at the AHL level, at least. Warsofsky has managed to silence the critics thus far in his career, and seems to relish doing so. Whether he can do enough to develop into an NHL regular remains to be seen, but Cassidy intimated that he envisions Warsofsky in a key two-way role for him in Providence this season and he could one day force his way into the mix in Boston.
Alexander Fallstrom: The Harvard junior is quicker this year and stronger. He also showed off some nice hands and has some legitimate potential as an NHL fourth-liner one day (may not be with Boston, though). When he has the puck on his stick anywhere near the net, he's a threat to score. Hasn't done much for the Crimson, but this could be a breakout year for him.
White Spaders
Jared Knight: No points in the scrimmage, but Knight was one of white's most consistent and dangerous threats. If there is even a sniff of an offensive chance, Knight kicks it into high gear. We never thought he was all that explosive a skater, but he's obviously worked on it, because he showed an ability to separate from defenders. He has a preternatural sense for when there's an opening and he goes for it. Underrated in his passing skills and defensive play. The most complete prospect as far as forwards go in Boston's system right now- without question.
Alexander Khokhlachev: His conditioning was lagging a bit, but Koko showed flashes of his high-end offensive skills in the scrimmage. He is highly effective when coming out of the corners and off the halfwall with the puck. He just missed on several well-placed shots that Gothberg and/or Lars Volden got pieces of. He's not a blazer and looked lethargic (he admitted to being very sore on Day 2) at times during drills, but he came alive during the scrimmage. He has sublime hands and we expect much bigger things from him a year from now when he'll know exactly what to expect. He's going to be a good one, but he's going to need some time to develop. That's good news for Warren Rychel, Bob Boughner and the good folks at Windsor, who should have him back this season and possibly beyond. Real solid kid, who took on every interview with a smile on his face despite lacking a prolific English vocabulary.
Dougie Hamilton: It was a pretty mediocre performance from Dougie in the scrimmage, but he still showed off his impressive skill set and competed hard. Like most top picks, the expectations surrounding him were enormous, so it was disappointing to hear some folks banging on him like I did (some people chirping us on Twitter, even). We suppose that these "experts" expected Hamilton to fly over the action and simultaneously cure cancer. In all seriousness, Hamilton's talent is undeniable, but like most youngsters, he was taken out of his comfort zone this week and struggled at times with it. Watch him next year- we expect a much more comfortable, settled and skilled two-way defender. All the tools are there.
Anthony Camara: A pleasant surprise, but not really. B's Director of Player Personnel Scott Bradley told us at the draft how underrated Camara's wheels and hands were, but he proved it at development camp. He scored a nice goal to start the scrimmage by taking a Craig Cunningham pass and then waiting for Gothberg to open himself up before slipping it past him. Camara skated well all week, driving to the net hard and making some good body contact. Like Koko, he won't even turn 18 until September and was buried behind skill guys in Saginaw, but with an increased role, look for him to break out a bit. He's not a high-end scoring type, but could be a third-line staple in the NHL one day. Just an impressive overall showing from the guy who looked like a reach at first glance, but who could end up being much more.
Craig Cunningham: One of the most active, and hardest-working guys at camp all week. We're not sure how his offensive numbers will translate in the pros, but he always keeps his feet moving and is a smart two-way guy with high-end character. He's a bit of a stealth player in that you don't notice him all that much until a big play is made and then you realize he's in the middle of it. He's a good, not great skater, but he just seems to be in the right place at the right time. We think he's going to be a very good AHL player in time, but not sure where he fits into the NHL picture yet.
Tyler Randell: His skating is only average and he needs to pick up a step coming out of the gate, but his hands are NHL-caliber. Randell was sniping goals all week, and his shootout move on Volden was a sight to behold, as he moved in, deked at least 6-7 times getting the goalie to commit and go down before skying a backhander up under the crossbar. We're intrigued as to what Randell will do in the AHL this year. He can technically go back to Kitchener for an overage season, but Providence would do well to add his grit, snarl and potential to hit some goals. An effective bottom-six forward with some modest offensive upside.
Marc Cantin: Impressive as an invite to Boston d-camp a year ago, Cantin continued his run of steady, solid play. He looks a bit like Mark Stuart out there, but a better skating version of the former Boston stalwart. Cantin was the most physical presence among the prospects this week, looking to make big hits and never passing up a chance to staple an opponent against the boards whether in drills or in the scrimmage. He's a smart guy who plays well positionally and is an interesting prospect as a lower-pairing D. Not much upside with this guy, but he's solid. Watch for him to earn a lot of ice time in Providence this season despite being a rookie pro.
Tommy Cross: Sharp and composed, he looked and acted the part of Boston's most senior prospect in attendance and the captain of the Boston College Eagles for the upcoming season. Skates well and plays a physical but disciplined game. The main concern with Cross is with his overall offensive hockey sense, which is limited despite having a big point bomb, and with his right knee. He's healthy now, but like Gord Kluzak, will be day-to-day for life, meaning that you hope and pray he'll have a long pro hockey career, but wonder how much he thinks about it and whether he can be as effective at the pro ranks.
Mike Hutchinson: The best goalie in camp this week by far, and opened some eyes with his size and quickness. He didn't allow a single goal in the first scrimmage, and he was tough to beat during the shootout portion. One of the true good guys in any room- Hutch always has a smile on his face, but is also a legitimate competitor who hates to be beaten. Jared Knight revealed some insights about his former London teammate, which leads us to believe that Hutch will be an NHL goalie one day. Unfortunately for him, Boston is going to be a tough nut to crack, but he has an opportunity to earn some playing time in Providence. Consistency has been his biggest challenge thus far, but as far is physical tools and puckstopping skills go, he's a legit NHL prospect.
Zane Gothberg: He doesn't turn 19 until August, but we thought that Gothberg had a solid week. He wasn't Hutch, and his technique has more refining to do than that of Volden, but he's a big guy who battles like Thomas does. He was at fault on the Camara goal, but the Florek shot was a bomb and Gothberg was excellent the rest of the way. At times, he looked unsettled, while at others, he was a rock this week. Gothberg's attitude and competitiveness are strong suits of his, and as a long-term project, he can continue to address his style and build confidence. He's back in the USHL for one more year and will then be in Grand Forks at the University of North Dakota in 2012. We still think that Gothberg is a diamond-in-the-rough and is in the catbird's seat, with no pressure on him whatsoever right now. The Bruins will be patient with him and see where it leads them.
Lars Volden: Wow. We banged him for his performance in the WJC, but it was one game and he showed some legitimate upside this week. He's big, quick and a classic butterfly goalie. He didn't play as well in the scrimmage as he had in the drills the previous three days, but there's something there. He stays square to the shooter, takes up a lot of the net and has the look of a guy who could play in the AHL right away. He'll try and make the Espoo Blues senior team this season and see where it takes him, but for a sixth-rounder, this guy looks like a player. Like Gothberg, Volden is a long-term project, but worth keeping tabs on.
The invites:
Brett Olson- The Michigan Tech senior is the oldest guy there with a 1987 birthdate, but worked hard and appreciated the opportunity. He grew up with Devils prospect and former UNH standout Mike Sislo, the two skating on a line together throughout their minor hockey days.
Josh Jooris- Union College playmaker is a good skater and passer; not all that tall, but strong and showed flashes of talent. From Burlington, Ontario- skated in the OJHL for his hometown team before going to the NCAA.
Steve Spinell- Carter Camper's teammate at Miami University is from Illinois. Has good size and mobility, though doesn't have much upside. Along with Cantin, was the most physical player in camp. Reminds us of a Matt Bartkowksi-type guy.
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