If you’re looking for a final score or blow by blow recap, then this report isn’t for you. Let’s talk about some of these prospects.
Nick Cousins – 5-11, 177 – C – 68th overall pick in 2011- Initial: He took a shot off his foot and shook it off like a pro. He has excellent transitional speed and a very fast shot.
Final: He played like a pro without the puck. He has a lot of moxy and is a great agitator. He also carries and controls the puck in traffic very well. Sometimes needs to reel in his passes in tight situations.
Chase Hatcher – 6-3, 181 – RW – Undrafted – Initial: He has a big frame. He has slick moves and he’s a good skater. Good shot. One to watch for sure. Listen to his interview as he talks a bit about his dad, and Flyers coach, Derian.
Final: He was creating plays out there with his ability to carry and create on the rush. His on the fly passing is very good. He is lacking some strength but not skill. He was able to beat Laughton on a key face-off.
Download the interview here:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_IUCHqyVLRhY2RSdDlvVG1iQk0/edit
Justin Hamonic – 6-2, 190 – D – Undrafted – Also attended Toronto’s camp – He exhibited good instincts and professional strength. At one time he totally prevented Scott Laughton (20 pounds lighter) and Hatcher (9 pounds lighter) from getting to the puck for a while in a particular drill.
Final: He didn’t stand out in this game.
Cal Heeter – 6-4, 195 – G – Undrafted – He covered the angles well. He was good against deflections and he didn’t have a big five-hole. He was a great interview as well.
Final: I thought he was the best goalie today. He’s a 4-yr college vet too. He too has a NAHL background and at 23 he can make the windmill saves as well as hugging the post and gliding through the crease. He gives his teammates confidence. Should be solid for the Phantoms this year.
Download the interview here:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_IUCHqyVLRheFh5VFNGZzJBbVk/edit
Anthony Stolarz – 6-5, 200 – G – 45th overall pick in 2012 – He looked very comfortable out on the ice. He moves very well. He was solid.
Final: He’s very good up and down, he clears the puck well, and his kick saves to teammates are excellent. He needs to read and react better. I think he’ll have a similar career path to Heeter.
Download the interview here:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_IUCHqyVLRhOTRZNGp3VVltd2s
Trevor vanRiemsdyk – 6-2, 185 – D – Undrafted – I liked his passing ability, vision and size. I will keep an eye on his skating to see how it improves this week.
Final: His skating was fine getting to pucks in the corners but not terrific in transition. He does make smart, safe, clears.
Scott Laughton – 6-0, 170 – C – 20th overall pick in 2012 – He isn’t the kind of player who will “wow” you in practice. He practices hard he’s just not flashy.
Final: He has a game speed to his skating. He also has game strength. He looks skinny but he was able to handle anybody out on the ice including Chris Williams who is 6-2, 215! He has to work on his face-off strength; his technique is good, just lacking some extra oomph there. He controls the puck very well along the wall. He has good drive to the net.
Shane Harper – 5-11, 193 – RW – As Bill Meltzer pointed out to me, this guy has gained a lot of confidence since getting the game-winner in last year’s AHL outdoor game. I remember that shot as well. He’s grown an inch and gained 12 pounds of muscle since his WHL days. He has a heavy wrist shot.
Final: He likes to roof his shots. It’s a strength of his and he has come into camp with a big muscular jump much like Adam Henrique did for the Devils last year.
Christopher Clapperton – 5-9-166 – LW – He looked slick, fast and sharp from the moment he stepped out on the ice.
Final: He isn’t much taller than Buffalo’s Nate Gerbe. He scored a hat trick in the Sunday scrimmage and he showed he can take a hit. With all of that said he reminds me of a lot of players from the QMJHL who excel for a while and when time and space gets diminished so do their numbers.
Brandon Manning -6-1, 195 – D – He looked great all camp long.
Final: He’s a pro, plain and simple. Could he make the big club? I think so if things break right. He tried to lay a big hit on 6-6, 220 pound Oliver Lauridsen. He fell down but he also got right back up. He’s ready for a bigger challenge.
That’s all for now. If you have questions about anybody I haven’t mentioned, just tweet me @Sportsology
Big thanks to Anthony Mingioni! He’s made our coverage of Flyers camp the best ever. He has sound bytes compiled on Cinch. This is Ian Laperriere talking about the week-long camp.
More to come...
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