Danny Weight (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, May 2020: Well, I feel like I’ve been watching Danny play since he was in mites. He’s just one of those players that I always remember watching and liking. His skating has always been the knock, but for me his brain makes up for his perceived skating issues. He just processes the game very quickly and cleanly. His anticipation is excellent and he has a knack for picking off passes while defending. Danny’s skating seemed to have gotten better this year playing in the BCHL and I’m sure it will improve dramatically while he’s at Boston College. That’s the little stuff that NHL teams will be looking at. Danny’s going to BC where he’s going to not only have great competition in Hockey East games, but he’s going to be competing against recent NHL first rounders (Newhook, Boldy, Knight) and other legitimate NHL prospects for ice time in every practice. Coach York’s practices will be great for his feet. And when his feet catch up to his hockey IQ Danny will be an NHLer.
February NHL Draft Rankings: Danny was ranked #217 in Neutral Zone’s February NHL Draft Watch List.
CJHL Top Prospects Game, February 2020: Weight has taken a noticeable step forward in his game this year after playing with the US National Program the previous two seasons. He isn’t the prettiest skater and has a bit of clunky stride; but his hockey sense, vision and puck handling ability are high end. He was constantly around the puck, making plays to set up his teammates or get to openings for scoring chances. He’s added a step and gotten faster, he has great puck control when rushing the puck end to end and showed real poise. His assist from behind the net which was both a skilled delivery and smart look, was one of the highlights of the game. He’s a rare talent who can slow it down, lure defenseman to him and then dish to the soft areas. Smart, aware and skilled. He was passed up in last year’s draft but could get a second look this time around after his success with Penticton this season. Grade: B+ College: Boston College
BCHL – Penticton Vees NHL Prospects, January 2020: Danny has always had the ability to process the game quickly from an offensive stand point. He is very good at reading offensive gaps and creating space for himself or his line mates. As expected, he was very good while cycling the puck and generating scoring opportunities from below the goal line (1 primary assist from below the goal line), but what we really liked seeing was the added grit to his game. Danny looked confident engaging in net front battles and was very strong while screening the goalie or getting his stick on point shots. We also noticed that he has grown defensively and looks much more patient away from the puck. In the defensive zone he was able to maintain net side positioning while keeping an eye on the puck. This made him a much more reliable low forward. In general he has become a more complete player and it is easy to see the confidence he has in his game.
All American Prospects Game, September 2018: Danny is a responsible player and worked hard all night here. He play an honest game and is hard on the puck in each zone. He showcased some creativity and skill in the first period by making a few nice plays out of the corners to find teammates in the slot. He is slick down low in traffic and fights through/spins off pressure well. An All-Star game format is not the best showcase of his talents, but he picked his spots and made plays. Grade: B-
Junior Chowder Cup 2001 Division, August 2017: Heady player that plays a positionally sound game. Always in the right position and is always supporting the puck. Drives hard to the net and uses his body well to maintain positioning. Has is an above average skater who will get more explosive as he gets stronger. Choppy, short stride, really slick hands, high level hockey sense, sees the ice well, made a lot of plays but struggles when the pace is high. He has a strong hockey sense and is just a pure hockey player. College: BC
USHL Draft Phase 1 Top 300 Rankings, May 2017: Danny was the 43rd ranked prospect for the USHL Phase 1 Draft
OHL Draft Top 150 American Rankings, April 2017: Danny was ranked #27 with a 4 Star Amateur Rating.
NTDP Evaluation Camp Rankings, March 2017: Weight is a real hockey player. He doesn’t pass all of the eye test skills, his skating is a bit choppy and his hands are solid but not overly dynamic, but he’s got high level hockey sense and awareness and plays a complete game. He understands where to be on the ice, he has a strong stick at both ends, a hard, quick release and makes great reads when carrying the puck. He had a lot of puck possession time here and created offense both on the rush and in zone. He did two things here consistently that showed his maturity; first, he had the poise to draw defenders towards him and then dish to the open guy both in the neutral zone and in the offensive zone. Second, he manages space well so defenseman were collapsing on the goalie and not stepping up on him, he’d cut in and fire from the high slot using the defender as a screen instead of trying to dangle the defenseman to take a shot five feet closer to the goal. Grade: B
The Case for: He’s got the sense, he’s got the skill and he’s an honest ceneterman who does all the little things to make the players around him better. He’s also got a nice last name which never hurts.
The Case against: He’s a left shot and a natural center which is a competitive position in this crowd. He lacks the speed and an explosive first step as some of the other forwards and has only average size
USPHL – U16 South Division Playoffs, February 2017: Danny continued to be the pivotal guy on this team. He was less effective against the Hitmen but still we noticed him. He had an assist on one of the two goals. His awareness and hockey sense are high end. A lot of the plays are subtle, just keeping possession in a crowd and making a key pass.
USPHL – Philadelphia Showcase U16, February 2017: Danny was strong the entire tournament. His feet still need work, he needs more leg strength in his stride however he is getting stronger when taking the hit. His hockey sense and hands are outstanding. He understands where to go, he sees the whole ice, has good puck protection and can make the play in tight. He has a good shot and is defensively responsible. Once his feet come around he can be an elite player at the highest levels.
U16 Atlantic Roundup: LI Royals, Virtua, Titans, Penguins, Rockets, PAL, November 2016: Once again created chances. The feet are an issue, not quick and he is too easily knocked over in mid ice contact BUT he has hands and shows that second and third effort on every play. Showed a little chippy play too. Has the most upside of anyone in this game.
Beantown Fall Classic (U16s), November 2016: Improved as the tournament went on, was on his A game for the semi final and final game. Real confident with the puck, he looked pass first and shot second. Not just an offensive forward, he really focused hard on not allowing any scoring chances against. The puck went through him on the power play, give him time and space and he will always find the open man.
Hitmen Classic (U16s), October 2016: Did not get on the scoreboard but you just kept noticing him. Awkward feet and weak legs, is very easy to knock over at mid ice. But he has excellent hands understands the game and sees the ice well so he creates chances right and left. Very good in tight spaces. The proverbial guy the puck always seems to find. When the feet get better he has nice upside.
Mass Tier 1 Labor Day Showcase (U16s), September 2016: Danny is 6’ tall and very strong. What separated him from the other U16 players is his IQ and vision. He understands leverage down low and can create space with his body or his stick skills. He has unique vision in the offensive zone, particularly below the dots. He is always a threat to drive the net, shoot or pass and that keeps defender off balance. His skating form is good that will allow him to increase his speed as he gets stronger. He is an excellent prospect.
NYS 2001 Player Development Camp, June 2016: IQ and strength on the puck separate him from his peers. Danny currently lacks separation speed, but opposing defenders typically bounce off of this sturdy, puck protecting centerman. Patient with the puck offensively, and on multiple occasions, Danny was able to drive pucks off of the wall and into the scoring area. Could improve his game by limited one on one situations where he tries to go through the defender. Danny’s upside is huge, and a D1 school believing in him and DNA should be on the horn now or very soon.