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Carson Bantle

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Carson Bantle (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward

(1) Brain – Carson understands that he is a power forward. He enjoys driving wide and crashing the net hard. On a cycle he knows to keep possession of the puck rather than fire blind hope passes into the slot. If the opposing defenseman have a tight gap Carson smartly uses a soft chip and chase as a opposed to trying a foolish dangle. He angles well in pursuit and back checks with a purpose. Carson’s awareness away from the puck has grown by leaps and bounds this year. He’s beginning to really understand that solid defensive side positioning in his end will lead to turnovers, transition and opportunities.

(2) Vision & Poise – His soft chips are a poise play. He could easily fire hard wraps or other badly placed dumps, but he has the poise to soft chip into areas where he will get the puck back. We really like the poise he’s showing in all three zones. In the defensive zone Carson’s consistent low / patient support is an asset to his defensemen on breakouts. He no longer flies the zone looking for the stretch pass at the earliest opportunity. He is reading the forecheckers and then providing the supporting outlet that his guys need. In the neutral zone he has begun to really read the oppositions gaps. He still understands that a soft chip may be the best option, but he is also recognizing poor gaps and using the space to make plays off the rush. While extending the cycle in the offensive zone he has head up showing the ability to find his linemates in the soft area or defenseman heading to the backdoor.

(3) Feet – Good straight line speed. His agility and quickness will continue to get better as he trains and his conditioning catches up with his size. We feel this is an area that has improved and will continue improving. In our opinion, over the past twelve months his conditioning level has improved and so has his agility and quickness. There is no doubt that his work ethic will have an impact on his first contract.

(4) Compete & Effort – Carson is your standard young big kid. Conditioning will be key for his development, but we do not question his compete. We think he runs out of gas and it might take a shift or two to get his feet back under himself. Here it is again. His conditioning. We understand that not everyone is going to be in “game shape” in July, but last summer Carson had furnace face while in Buffalo for the USA camp. We saw him two months later and he looked noticeably leaner, quicker and more focused. This continued all season. We’re not sure if Carson started paying closer attention to his habits off the ice, but we liked what we’ve seen. He is a big strong kid with skills and we feel that he is starting to understand the impact that training can make him a monster.

(5) Contact or Physicality – He’s a big boy who initiates contact. Please see above. We love the physicality that Carson can bring to a team. In a day where small quick players are earning their opportunities, Carson has the combination of size and skills that every General Manager craves.

(6) Release – Quick release and uses screens well. Madison scored 122 goals this year. Carson scored 20 of them. He has a quick stick on rebounds and does not attempt to settle a bouncing puck.

(7) One Timer Ability – We have not seen Carson effectively use a one timer in a game. Carson has an expanded shooting zone and can make the goalie move from, meaning that he doesn’t just hit the net. The goalie needs to make a save.

(8) Body Language – Carson wears an ‘A’ as an ’02.

(9) Special Teams – He will make money as a net front presence. Carson has everything a coaching staff will be looking for in a net front presence. Combine that with his improved conditioning and he will be a power play option for years.

(10) Intangibles – We noted at USA Hockey’s Select 17 Camp that Carson needed to get in hockey shape because he had furnace face. Well, he’s in shape now and will be getting a lot off attention. Read this again. We have no doubt that Carson will play NHL games, but with hard work and consistent dedication Carson has a chance to have an NHL career. You honestly can’t say that about everyone who gets drafted.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

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