| Alex Bump | Omaha Lancers | USHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 194 | Vermont | 2023 | Prior Lake, MN | 2003 | 2021-2022: B- |
USHL Playoffs. Fargo vs Omaha, April 27, 2022: Bump has good size forward with length and skill. He was consistently involved in the play offensively and can put up both goals and assists. He stickhandles with quick, soft, wide-rangy hands. He uses his long stride and long reach to attack on the rush and protect the puck away from defenders. He uses his long reach and soft hands to hold onto the puck when curling around the offensive zone. He scored in game 2 on a 2-on-1 when he corralled the pass across on his forehand and quickly deposited it into the net. Grade: B+
USHL: Omaha Lancers vs Des Moines Buccaneers, April 9, 2022: Bump is a solidly built left winger who showed the ability to protect the puck while cycling as well as the hockey IQ to change speeds manipulating the gap into his favor while on a line rush. One of the first things we noticed was his willingness to work away from the puck to create space. He did not just float around looking for passes. He sprinted to areas which created better passing lanes for his linemates and open ice for the pass receiver. Bump handled indirect passes cleanly and showed the ability to make on the tape backhand passes. He finished the game with 5 grade “A” scoring chances and 2 goals. His first goal game on an odd man rush where as the puck carrier he looked to his right and fired a bullet 16″ off the short side post. On his second goal he showed the awareness of a goal scorer where after a 2on2 line rush he stopped hard on the back door as his linemate carried the puck behind the net. This allowed him to get lost in coverage and fire home a one-timer from the top of the crease. Bump processes the game like a goal scorer and certainly has the ability to find the quiet area for open shots.
MNHS: Class AA Semifinals. Maple Grove vs Prior Lake, March 13, 2022: Bump was coming off a 5-goal outing in the quarterfinal game, Bump was frustrated and slowed down dramatically only able to put one in the back of the net. Every time he touched the puck, he had multiple guys all over him, containing him to small areas. Bump doesn’t have the ability to separate or break away from defenders and given the minimal space to work he wasn’t able to create much offense. That being said he is a highly skilled player with an absolute laser of a shot and incredibly soft hands. He uses his size well with the puck when he carries it up ice. His goal came from an individual effort as he grabbed the puck at his own hashmarks near the boards, carried it along the wall then toe dragged to the middle, with two guys on him and fired a rocket off the goaltender’s glove that trickled to the back of the net. When he touched the puck, the crowd gasped and waited for something big to happen, but his game was taken away by the pressure of the Crimson. GRADE: B
MNHS: Class AA Quarterfinals. Prior Lake Bumps Off #2 Cretin-Derham, March 10, 2022: Alex Bump was first star of the game did it all for his team in this quarterfinal. He scored five goals and assisted on the other tally. He uses his frame and reach well. He plays with a ton of confidence at this level and thrives with the puck on his stick. Gets to open ice routinely and is always in a shooting position. Able to slow the game down with the puck on his stick and use his hands to break down defenders. He has a rocket shot and a quick release which surprises the goalie. He also has the patience around the net, as shown on his fifth goal, to outwait defenders and the goalie. He is tough to contain at this level, and the C-D defense did not have an answer to his line. Will be counted on to drive the offense for the remainder of Prior Lake’s run. Grade: A
GAME RECAP: Minnesota HS Sectionals. Prior Lake vs Holy Family, February 25, 2022: The first period was competitive, with each team generating some good chances. Prior Lake held the edge in shots 12-6. The game remained scoreless until 8 minutes to go in the period. On the PP, Prior Lake shot a puck in from the point, the puck was saved but bounced up into the air, where Alex Bump #19 (F, L, 6’0″, 180, Prior Lake HS, 11/20/2003, Vermont) batted the puck past the goalie for the 1-0 lead. Prior Lake looked to be heading to the room up 1-0, however with just over a minute left, Parker Osborn #9 (F, L, 5’9″, 150, Holy Family Catholic, 04/06/2005) capitalized in front on the PP. The game would head to the first break knotted at one. The second period was similar to the first. A competitive period, with Prior Lake getting the better of the chances. With about 12 minutes to go in the stanza, Alex Bump #19 (F, L, 6’0″, 180, Prior Lake HS, 11/20/2003, Vermont) drove the puck wide and beat a defender. As he cut to the net he centered a pass to a waiting Will Schumacher #14 (F, L, 5’10”, 166, Prior Lake HS, 05/04/2004) who one-timed the puck into the back of the net. The rest of the period was fast paced with each team trying to stretch the ice. The home team would take a 2-1 lead into the locker room with 17 minutes to play. The third period went as expected as both teams tightened their defense in a one goal game. Both goalies, Kam Hendrickson #1 (G, R, 6’2″, 175, Holy Family Catholic, 01/09/2006) for Holy Family and Trevor Boschee #1 (G, L, 5’11”, 150, Prior Lake HS, 07/11/2003) for Prior Lake were strong and made some key saves. The game would remain 2-1 until the final minute. Holy Family took a penalty and on the ensuing Power Play, Schumacher scored his second of the game, with the assist going to Bump. Prior Lake gets the 3-1 victory and moves on. Prior Lake advances to play Eden Prairie on February 26th.
Minnesota High School: Prior Lake vs Farmington,, December 23, 2021: Bump was the most dominant player in the game. He had the puck on his stick all game along. He plays with a ton of confidence and swagger. Bump is a strong skater and used it to drive offensive plays. He showed deception and good vision to create scoring chances. He has good size and uses it to protect the puck. He also loved to shoot it with between 15 and 20 shots. Unfortunately, Bump didn’t find the back of the net. He liked to come off the wall from his off wing and shoot the puck. He was not afraid to play in traffic. Bump’s hockey IQ was evident when he had the puck on his stick and made a lot of little plays to his teammates. He made a very nice indirect pass to spring his teammate on a breakaway resulting in a shorthanded goal. The power play runs through Bump from a top flank position. He logged a lot of ice time and was used to killing penalties. Grade: A-
MN High School: Prior Lake vs. Lakeville North, January 15, 2021: Alex was a force using his size, strength, and solid edges to create havoc in all 3 zones for the opposing players. He hunted pucks on forecheck and fished the D every time which provided him space and the ability to win the battles later in the game. He is also responsible in his d-zone with several blocked shots. His physicality and willingness to attack the net made him stand out the most. Grade B+
U18: Minnesota Elite League Review, October 28, 2020: Bump came to the Elite League this fall after a promising season at Prior Lake noticing 32 pts in 25 games as a late ‘03. We noticed him last season as a big, raw forward with some skill but he’s really rounded out his game and looks to have taken the next step in his development. He’s strong on his skates, balanced and generates real power on his edges. He has size, he can bear down and win puck battles and push opponents off the puck to gain space in congested areas. A true power forward with soft yet sturdy hands to make plays in open ice and in traffic and a quick release he can get off anywhere in the offensive zone. He has more puck poise than he gets credit for which was highlighted on a 2v1 rush where the defender took away the passing option and instead of trying to force a pass or shoot from the dots he carried it in, delayed to get the goalie to move and made a nice deke which was saved. He’s tough to defend below the dots as he bounces off checks and he’s gritty in his own end to win pucks back and start breakouts. Undrafted in junior hockey but a prospect on the rise who we’ll be keying in on this upcoming season as he’s averaging a point per game in the Elite League so far with 5 goals and 7 assists in 12 games.
Minnesota High School ‘AA’ Section Preview and Predictions, February 20, 2020: The Lakers are one of the biggest surprises in the state as they are led by very young players. Their top 3 leading scorers (F) Will Schumacher (35pts), (F) Alex Bump (32pts) and (F) Sam Rice (27pts) are all in 10th grade! Prior Lake being the #1 seed was highly unexpected coming into the season in a strong section featuring Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. The Lakers have wins this season over Eden Prairie, Minnetonka and Rosemount.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images