Antonio Venuto (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
(1) Brain – Antonio makes the right play. He has very high ice awareness and thinks the game cleanly. This is going to sound ridiculous because you would think every player in the USHL should do this, but they don’t. He knows what his job is, as well as his linemates, and he does it. Antonio is a reliable F3 on the forecheck, he reads activation well as an F2 and jumps when appropriate. In the neutral zone he understands playing the lines and does not allow for easy zone advancement for his opponents and in the defensive zone he is conscientious and reliable. It might nor always be a high light reel play, but his coach you would love his dependability.
(2) Vision & Poise – He makes the right play all over the ice. Again this might sound foolish because you would expect every player to do this at the USHL level, but it is incredibly difficult. A player’s mind plays tricks on them and they think they need to do more and more to get noticed, but in reality high level coaches just want you to make the right play. Antonio makes the right play.
(3) Feet – He is big and has good straight line speed and acceleration. He will need to continue developing his first step and lateral agility for a shot to be an NHL player after his time at Ferris St.
(4) Compete & Effort – He is a hardworking dependable player. Effort will not be an issue.
(5) Contact or Physicality – He is as strong as anyone in the USHL when it comes to puck protection. He can extend plays along the walls, hold off multiple opponents and has the strength make plays while a defender is on his back.
(6) Release – He has a good release and can shoot while his feet are moving, but where we noticed his stick most was on rebounds. Antonio has the ability to get bouncing bobbling rebounds back to the net in a hurry.
(7) One Timer Ability – See above. He gets pucks to the net quickly and cleanly with a quick strong stick.
(8) Body Language – Antonio carries himself like a pro.
(9) Special Teams Potential – His understanding of body positioning and quick stick make him a solid second unit net front option. His situational awareness and willingness to do the little things make him a natural penalty killer.
(10) Intangibles – Antonio is a big and strong kid who keeps improving. We feel he is long shot to get drafted, but an NHL team should bring him to their development camp and get to know him better. His brain and hockey IQ are his best asset. His size and quick stick are second and third. We can judge these attributes while watching him play. But if he takes his off-ice training anywhere near as responsibly as he takes being an F3 then Antonio could end up being an NHL player.