WildHBcommunity: MNWild Prospect Scrimmage at Braemar Arena Observations
Minnesota Wild Prospect Development Camp is My Favorite Offseason Event
I have spoken about it previously and written about many times but the Minnesota Wild's Prospect Development Camp is what got me interested in writing about hockey. After seeing the class of 2010 on the ice for the Wild shortly after being selected in the June draft, I was hooked. What an impressive class that was too with Mikael Granlund, Brett Bulmer, Johan Larsson, Jason Zucker, and more. My information seeking personality made prospect researching and writing a perfect outlet for my non-stop stream of thought process haha as WildHBcommunity members can attest to given my long-winded run-on paragraphs writing style haha!
This year the Wild has a loaded roster of very diverse prospects and has switched up the format a bit providing a staggered scrimmage schedule the first having taken place today in Edina at Braemar Arena (Home of the Cake Eaters) and then a final scrimmage on Monday night under the lights and brand new scoreboard at the Excel Energy Center. I was in the building today and I was hoping to link up and meet/talk some hockey with some of the people that frequent HB or follow me on Twitter. Instead I was sitting 3 feet from MN Hockey Royalty "The Don" Gopher Hockey Head Coach Don Lucia. Lucia was there with his wife to support his son Mario and a couple other Gophers Michael Shibrowski (Backup Goalie Invitee), Vinni Lettieri (Forward Gophers Sophomore Grandson of Lou Nanne Invitee), and Tyler Sheehy (Forward Future Gopher who is NOT the Son of Agent Neal Sheehy Invitee). I was able to congratulate Lucia on returning all of his drafted underclassmen to include a player I love their Captain Kyle Rau. Lucia was very friendly and gave all the credit to the kids of course!
The Forwards Group Observations
The line of Raphael Bussieres/Brady Brassart/Zack Mitchell looked very strong in both ends gritty but skilled with chemistry. They could very easily find themselves together on a line for the 'Baby Wild' this fall in Des Moines. All three of these forwards scored a bunch of goals and point in Canadian Juniors but all three have been praised for their ability to play physical style while also being skilled. These three all fit what has become the Wild system with Head Coach Mike Yeo firmly entrenched here.
Both of the WHL late round draft picks Chase Lang from Calgary and Reid Duke from Lethbridge were fast and aggressive today with the puck on their sticks. Although it was just a brief look at them both, I would expect each will be fun and exciting to watch growing up in juniors over the next couple of seasons. Both carried the puck through neutral zone right to the net no fear or hesitation.
Kurtis Gabriel is a difference making presence with his size and energy and opponents must account for his where abouts at all time or pay the consequences. Gabriel was paired on a line with Zach Phillips for today's scrimmage which is an interesting combination and led my mind to race a bit. Gabriel is certainly capable of contributing to the actual hockey game while always being a physical presence and punishing body checker. Phillips on the other hand is a player that is stuck in prospect limbo a bit at this point. Being a former first round pick a huge point producer in his juniors career, maybe Phillips wont crack an NHL roster unless he prove capable of playing bottom six minutes?
Christoph Bertschy a 5th round selection by the Wild in 2012 is an undersized center from Switzerland who has played the past 3 seasons for Bern of the Swiss League. An injury caused Bertschy to miss the WJHC last year which was a let down because I wanted to see how he stacks up against the best young players in the world. Bertschy's stats are nothing to write home about but today he was very fast and served as a catalyst for the Team Green offense. Bertschy's playmaking abilities jumped out at me today as he found team mates for premium opportunities on the rush. He is certainly skilled I wonder if he ever come to North America to play though?
Mario Lucia has grown since the last time I saw him in person and is a much more confident polished player. Lucia had several premium scoring chances and assisted on a rebound goal scored by Eric Sheid (Penn State Invitee) off an odd man rush. Lucia should be a premier NCAA winger this year as the ice time and elevated role are his to earn at Notre Dame. Lucia was strong with the puck and looks to be right on track.
Olivier Archambault is a former 4th round selection of Montreal in 2011 who went unsigned by the Canadiens. Archambault is an undersized skilled winger, he was fast and dangerous today with the puck. He will be a guy that could be working on earning a shot with the 'Baby Wild' this fall. Archambault is a former 1st overall pick in the 1st round of 2009 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Val d'Or Foreurs.
Michael Keranen was a bit of a disappointment to be honest but maybe that is being unfair given that all of his highlight reel dekes and snipes where taking place on a larger ice surface in Europe. Keranen didnt accomplish anything dynamic today against the Team White defensive corps. Keranen attempted a couple dangles and breakouts but was stifled in each. Keranen actually showed some frustration and played a bit of physically punishing hockey which was an interest development and reinforced a bit what we heard on him. Keranen maybe had bad day but certainly the word for Michael Russo earlier today that he was open to playing for the 'Baby Wild' gives him a more realistic shot to play in North America this fall.
Alex Tuch was all over the place but the thing I took away from his performance was the ESPN/Hockey Prospectus writer Corey Pronman was right that he struggles to carry the puck. Tuch is definitely is big as advertised and he mixed it up well today but his offense didnt translate to much of an impact today. He played on a struggling line with Keranen and fellow Boston College Wild prospect Adam Gilmour who moved the puck well but didnt generate much offense or impact either. Hopefully Monday provides a better result.
The Minnesota kids Avery Peterson, Lettieri, Sheehy, Iafallo, and Scheid seemed to all be buzzing looking to make the most of their ice time. None jumped off the page really. Lettieri and Sheehy are fast but tiny and carried the puck with speed and energy before getting rubbed out pretty good. Peterson is big and carries it strong so he got off a couple shots no paydirt though. Iafallo seems to be a kid with a bit of a cult following so I paid him some attention he nearly busted it open a couple times but was contained.
The Defensive Group Observations
I was very impressed with nearly all of the Wild's defensive prospects today as this group is loaded with all types of talent in all shapes in sizes. The most impressive in this group in my opinion was 2013 2nd round selection Gustav Olofsson who used is big frame to eliminate opponents opportunity and separate them from the puck often. Olofsson is a big kid and although he is just 19 years old he showed he is strong and smart enough already to stifle opponents with very little effort. Beyond his excellent defensive zone play, I could have sworn Jonas Brodin was out there as Olofsson dipped, dangled, and dazzled opponents while possessing the puck with these slight subtle movements. Olofsson was so controlled and calm when handling the puck. This kid is better than we all realize already.
Mathew Dumba was held mostly out of the play as he was obviously the most high profile player on the ice with out question. Dumba was outshined a bit by Olofsson most because he didnt touch the puck much because the other team seemed to be shadowing him. Dumba played very solid positionally though and looked to have improved his awareness and positioning defensively which is very important for him. He looked like he was itching to make something happen but he stayed at home which is interesting to me.
Christian Folin was the #1 defensemen on Team White today and he was solid in the defensive end. He didnt do anything to flash anything dynamic today other than being very physical/punishing towards his opponents and he was very strong with the puck on his stick which basically how I would describe his game to anyone that asks. Folin still remains my favorite out of the group of defensemen participating in this camp to make the NHL roster but we will see how he performs Monday.
I was very impressed with Louie Belpedio the 2014 3rd round selection of the Wild. Belpedio is a player I described previously as a jack of all trades but a master of none. Seeing him on the ice today he was all over the place making his impression felt. Belpedio is a bit undersized and as result maybe he will be under estimated going forward but he was so good today in all aspects. Belpedio move the puck, hit opponents often, and challenged just about every puck carry then entered the zone while he was on the ice. Belpedio is going to be a pillar of the Miami-Ohio Hockey program during his time there I know it.
Guillaume Gelinas and Carson Soucy were both pleasant surprises today as they displayed abilities to push the play as puck carriers while playing solid in the defensive end as well. Soucy was a paired with Folin for Team White on their top pairing and his own. Gelinas was a 92 point scorer last year in juniors and today he fired a quick release wrister top shelf past the Team White goalie. Gelinas will begin his professional career in Iowa this fall and fans will appreciate how aggressive he is. Soucy will return to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Dylan Labbe and Tanner Faith are both juniors defenders that will graduate eventually to playing at minimum with the 'Baby Wild' in the AHL. Labbe appeared in several games with Iowa last year on a PTO after his Shawinigan season ended early. Labbe is a lanky kid that is capable of playing in both ends. Faith was drafted this year in the 5th round largely based upon his size and potential as a stay at home defender despite only playing 10 games last season due to injury. Both of these guys were okay today nothing dynamic but very capable.
The defenseman invitee group included Alex Gudbranson who is the brother of Florida top prospect Eric who was selected 3rd overall in 2010. Alex is 19 years old and has gon undrafted to this point. Hunter Warner is an Eden Prairie kid who has been playing for Waterloo of the USHL. Warner was looking to make a name for himself today lining up opponents and delivering punishing body checks including a center ice hit on Bartschy that caused hum to miss a shift or two shaking the cobwebs out.
I have purposely not addressed the goaltending group because I have yet to preview it but that will come before Monday night's final camp scrimmage.
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Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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