**Updated May 25, 2020**
Cross Hanas (4.5 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B-) Forward
Neutral Zone NHL’s Donald Godreau, May 2020: Hanas has the offensive intangibles to be a threat at the next level. He has quick feet, plays with good speed, and is shifty in open ice. His quick edge work and agility make him hard to attack in open ice, and Hanas is the type of threat that given an extra second, he can be a nightmare. He has good instincts in the offensive zone, he sees the ice well, will hold up on zone entries, look for trailers and has the skill to make long passes to fast moving targets if he sees it. His hands skills are slick and he has lots of tricks in his arsenal to find space and time. He can protect the puck a long the boards, and use his body to create space, and when he sees a shooting opportunity his release is one of the best in the league. It is fast, pucks leave his stick with accuracy, and we’ve all see the lacrosse style goals he’s been able to convert. Hanas has the skill and confidence in the offensive end to be a dynamic contributor at the next level. Where Cross is falling short with us, is in his inconsistent play. Some nights we want to compare him to his teammate Seth Jarvis, and other nights we have to double check that he’s in the lineup. He is competitive, and he can grip his stick a little too tight at times, try to put the team on his back offensively too much, when in times where he is struggling, it would do him wonders to relax and let the game come back to him. Of course, this is easier said then done. But if Hanas can continue to develop his all around game, and gain strength, he could end up being a gem in the middle rounds. Grade: C
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, April 2020: Cross is a pro. He plays a committed 200′ foot game and does the little things well. He’s very smart at the lines and does a great job providing support for his linemates all over the ice. He’s a good F2 or F3 in all three zones and is excellent at reading the cycle in the offensive zone. All those details are important and will matter to the team that drafts him, but the thing that really matters when it comes to the details is Mike Johnston. Coach Johnston demands structure and accountability. The type that NHL coaches demand because he was one. So whoever drafts Cross is getting a player who knows about the high expectations of an NHL coaching staff and the little details that will be necessary to play. When he does turn pro what will that team be getting? In my mind Cross is a reliable 200′ forward who can play any where in the line up, but I think he’s a third line guy who will excel playing against the other team’s top players. Will he be able to chip in offensively? Absolutely. His nose for the net will make him a second power play option and a five on five contributor. His grease, grim and intelligence will make him a valuable asset while short handed or when asked to shut down the other team’s guns. In my mind Cross has a future in the NHL because he’s a multipurpose player who can impact the game in other ways than just being on the score sheet.
2020 NHL Draft Left Wing Rankings, April 2020: Cross was our 17th ranked left wing in our April Rankings. His overall NHL Draft grade had improved from a ‘B-‘ to a ‘B’.
February NHL Draft Rankings, February 2020: Cross was ranked #109 in Neutral Zone’s February Draft Rankings.
Scouting Report – The WHL’s Portland Winterhawks vs Seatle Thunderbirds NHL Prospects, January 2020: Hanas is a highly skilled forward for the Winterhawks that consistently makes plays. He has a long frame and good stick on the forecheck. He plays with pace and is not afraid to get dirty and play physical. He started the game undisciplined, collecting two penalties – one of which cost his team a goal against – in the first period alone, but cleaned up is play for the remainder of the game. He is nifty with the puck as he caught the puck between his legs and went in for a good scoring chance blowing by the defender. He has a long stride and both his acceleration and speed were unmatched. He was always moving out there and was deceptive in his decisions. He moves one way when you think he is going the other. He takes good angles on the forecheck and earned a spot on the second power play for the Winterhawks. He had a nice assist on a curl and pass to the slot and was a threat all over the ice. Grade: B+ Seth Jarvis, Robbie Fromm-DeLorme, Jonas Brondberg and Tyrel Bauer were also evaluated.
NHL Scouting Report, October 2019: (1) Brain – Cross is a hard working smart two way forward. He takes smart angles that limit his oppositions options whether he is forechecking on the neutral zone or offensive zone. He has the quick and active stick that he uses to not only shut down passing lanes, but to bait defenseman into thinking they have an open lane, only shut it down quickly and create a turn over. He reads line rushes well and does not foolishly force low percentage plays. In the defensive zone Cross maintains his line up while providing both weak or strong side support. (2) Vision & Poise – He plays with his head up and can make plays on both the cycle or a line rush. Cross has the ability to the correct decision while under pressure. (3) Feet – He has strong edge control which he uses to his advantage while protecting the puck. Although Cross has good top speed, we feel his lateral quickness will improve as he matures (4) Compete & Effort – Cross is a maximum compete player. (5) Contact or Physicality – He finishes checks and can continue plays through contact. We feel that with training his frame will carry 195lbs and this will only enhance his development and projection as a player who plays against the other team’s top players every night. (6) Release – He has the ability to shoot with his head up and with a purpose. Cross will consistently hit the net from bad angles creating chaos, rebounds and high quality scoring chances. (7) One Timer Ability – We have seen Cross set up shop in the high slot and fire high quality one timers that hit the net and make the goalie move. He also has the ability to cross body one time the puck with authority while crashing the net. (8) Body Language – Only Note Extremes (9) Special Teams Potential – Cross projects as a high end penalty killer and his athleticism only enhances this projection. His willingness to battle for ice in front of the net and compete for loose pucks make him a solid second power play net front option. (10) Intangibles – The Portland Winterhawks put a premium on high IQ hockey players and Cross is no exception. He is playing for former NHL Head Coach Mike Johnston who, no doubt, keeps the expectations and accountability high. This will only help his development and we feel will allow him to make a quick adjustment to professional hockey.
WHL – Ranking the 2020 NHL Draft Prospects, October 2019: Cross was ranked the 16th best NHL prospect in the Western Hockey League and the 9th best forward.
USA Hockey Select 16 National Development Camp, July 2018: Cross along with Biondi rose above the rest and were clearly the two best forwards here. Hanas is long, fast, athletic, skilled, wiry and tough. He was a threat to create a scoring chance every time he touched the puck. Led the showcase with 2 goals and 8 assists. Made and inside out move at top speed and put a quick pass on the tape for one assist. Threaded a puck through sticks on the PP for another. Made a spin-around, no look pass on another assist. His game is exciting and he broke down defenders with strength, speed, reach, skill and intensity. His offensive IQ is elite. He scored one goal, shorthanded where he put a puck in his feet to absorb contact, kicked it to his stick and fired it home. Showed off a quick release on a hard shot on another. His offensive ability was obvious but he also came back hard on the backcheck, he hit and ha some snarl in his game. He was consistent, tough to play against and worked really hard. He will play in the WHL and has a chance to be a high NHL pick down the road. Five nations team and all-star selection. Cross was one of five forwards who received an ‘A’ grade. The others were Blake Biondi, Aidan Thompson, Tanner Dickinson and Daniyal Dzhaniyev.
Tier 1 Elite Playoffs Top 30 2002s, March 2018: Cross has tremendous upside as he has length and is still not filled out physically. Excellent soft touch on the puck in traffic areas and the ability to set teammates up making him dangerous anywhere in the offensive zone. He is a smooth skater with vision and poise off the rush. His ability to thread the needle to produce scoring chances was outstanding. He will only get better as he gets stronger with time. CHL: Portland Winterhawks
NHL Youth Cup U16, February 2018: Cross is a really nice combination of skill and grit. He is tall but still a bit light. However, he is very willing to invite contact and go to tough spots. He showed quick hands and played with pace on the rush. Hanas has lots of upside as he plays like a bigger, stronger forward now so when his body catches up to his approach, he will be very tough to contain. He is very good right now as a 2002 and a possible NTDP candidate. Forwards Patrick Guzzo, Antonio Stranges, Ty Smilanic, Aidan Thompson, Alex Servagno, Chase Yoder, Ryan Robinson and Alex Jefferies all received an ‘A’ grade at the NHL Youth Cup and are 2020 NHL Draft candidates.
Tier 1 U16 Super Showcase, January 2018: Cross has high potential with his soft feet and good footwork. He is smart with the puck and can make quick skilled plays. He made several touch plays with the puck whether it was an area pass or some sauce over sticks. His upside is high as he gets stronger which will make him faster and harder on the puck in traffic. These 2020 NHL Draft hopefuls excelled here: Josh Groll, Colby Ambrosio, Ty Smilanic, Alex Gaffney, Ryan Robinson, Travis Treloar, Luke Tuch, John Waldron, Chase Yoder, Aidan Thompson, Alex Servagno, Tabor Heaslip, Jarod Crespo and Noah Ellis,
Mid Term NTDP Bound Rankings, December 2017: Cross was our 16th ranked forward.
T1EHL U16 New Hampshire Showcase, November 2017: Cross is another skilled forward for Dallas. He was consistently noticeable on the weekend. He has a bigger body, but still has the frame to add more bulk. He is tough to play against along the walls. He uses his reach and finesse to win puck battles. On a few occasions he was able to slip by defenders and walk out of the corners and find the open teammate. Is able to slow the game down in the offensive zone which makes him a threat to score each time out on the ice. 2020 NHL Draft hopefuls Colby Ambrosio, Josh Groll, Ty Smilanic, Chase Yoder, Aidan Thompson, Alex Servagno, Tabor Heaslip, Luke Tuch, Mikey Citara were all evaluated in New Hampshire as well as 2019 1st rounder Ryan Johnson.
Tier 1 U14 Showcase-Philadelphia, December 2016: Cross is very strong on the puck and protects it well. He is more finisher than a play maker. We like the fact he gets involved and goes to the danger areas. He has some physical edge to him that affords him space and allowed him to make plays. Forwards Ryan Beck, Jackson Nieuwendyk, Johnny Waldron, Josh Doan and Matthew Knies as well as defensemen Jared Crespo were also evaluated at the showcase.