Alex Young (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
NHL Evaluation: Alex is a very gifted offensive talent. He sees plays developing early and manipulates defenders with both his skating and puck skills. He has a very quick stick, rocket release and an excellent first touch. In the slot he shoots with the intent of scoring goals, not just to hit the net. A high end player who we feel has the mental awareness to be an offensive catalyst after his time at Colgate.
(1) Brain – Offensively Alex is creative and dynamic. Defensively he shows patience in his end and is a reliable low support in transition. It seems simple, but he stays with his center on lost defensive zone face-offs and maintains net side positioning.
(2) Vision & Poise – He has high end vision and will look off defenders in all three zones. He has a good first touch and can move the puck quickly without having to dust it off.
(3) Feet – Alex has a powerful stride and can be at full speed in one step. His feet make him a threat in transition.
(4) Compete & Effort – Great motor. He plays whistle to whistle and will jam the net for rebounds.
(5) Contact or Physicality – Alex fights through contact to extend plays and generate scoring opportunities. He will finish checks and uses his quickness to beat the opposition back into the play.
(6) Release – Very quick release. He can shoot it with authority while his feet are moving, while gathering poor passes in his feet and he is a one time option on the power play.
(7) One Timer Ability – With authority and accurate.
(8) Body Language – He is an Assistant Captain.
(9) Special Teams Potential – Offensively talented players with a smooth first touch are power play options.
(10) Intangibles – We feel Alex is player who NHL teams will be very interested in after a few years at Colgate. He can make plays at top speed and has real offensive talent. The question is, will a team use a late round pick this year or wait to be a free agent bidder in 2022?
AJHL Showcase October 2017: (F, R, 5’9”, 155lbs, 2001)- A good stick handler who can weasel his way out of trouble when the puck is on his stick, Young also has a nice wrist shot with a quick release. Although it is very accurate, it lacks the real power needed to be an elite shot. His face-off prowess is average, and he’ll need to put on more weight to be more successful in board play. Grade: B
AJHL Showcase October 2018: (F, R, Canmore Eagles, 2001)- Young was very good over the weekend showing off his high-end speed and skill. Played on the top line for the Eagles and was all over the ice with his speed, the opposing defenders would look up and he would be in their face off the forecheck. He wins races to lose pucks to with his quick powerful stride and can set up teammates with his vision and passing ability to get shots off quick and accurate. Young creates chances because he’s hard to contain due to his quick hands and feet being able to spin off defenders and open up play for his line mates. One area Young could work on is to try and slow down play instead of always being at full speed. Grade: A
World Jr. A Challenge December 2019: (F, R, 5’11″, 181, Canmore Eagles, 03/22/2001, Colgate)- Young did not make much of an impact on the scoresheet for Canada West, but he was still noticeable as a playmaking forward with good skating ability. He had good hands in the tournament, and was usually seen making moves toward the net–having one goal called off against the Russians in their preliminary match. Young has good speed, and is committed to Colgate for next Fall. Grade: B
CJHL Top Prospects Game February 2020: (F, R, 5’11″, 181, Canmore Eagles, 03/22/2001, Colgate)- Young is one of the top prospects in the AJHL this year and showed why here. He scored a quick, hard release snap shot in the slot off a long rebound in the slot. He combines his powerful release with slick hands and explosive first step. He scored again later in the game on a speedy zone entry where he fired a snap shot from the outside hash and went under the goalies armpit and trickled in. He showed quick hands on draws and won a high percentage and was strong his stick winning 50/50 puck battles in the corners. He plays with pace and skill and can go wide on defenders on the rush or curl back and hit the late trailer with a pass using the time and space he creates for himself. He was all over the ice, constantly around the puck and not only scored two goals but was a factor every shift. Grade: A- College: Colgate
Photo Via Twitter: @Alex12Young