Dylan Duke | NTDP U18 | USHL | L | F | 5’10” | 181 | Michigan | 2021 | Northville, MI | 2003 | 2020-2021: A |
U18 World Championship: Team USA vs Team Finland, May 2021: Duke is a quick forward who has a high compete level and is a high energy player for the USA team. He is aggressive on the forecheck and does a good job of anticipating the next pass to meet the puck. He would then consistently finish his check, looking to create loose pucks or turnovers he could quickly turn to offense. The University of Michigan commit does his best work at the net front where his hunger to finish and compete level take over. He scored team USA’s first goal by battling hard at the net, winning space, and finishing a play off on the backside of the crease when the puck found his stick. He was a presence throughout the night in the crease, fighting for rebounds and always giving second and third efforts when fighting for loose pucks. He was one of the key players on the ice when USA tied the game late and was right in the middle of things at the net front, looking to force the puck into the back of the net. Duke also has the ability to make plays on the rush where his speed allows him to force defenders back and makes them uncomfortable when he is bearing down on them. Overall, he is a quick, tenacious player around the puck and consistently does his best work at the net front. Grade: A
U18 World Championship Quarter Finals: Team USA vs Team Sweden, May 2021: Duke is an ultra competitive forward for the United States who was a consistent presence around the net front in this game. The University of Michigan was hungry around pucks and never gave up on a play. On the forecheck he was driving his legs, doing his best work as the first man in. He created loose pucks and would look to quickly turn those pucks into offensive scoring chances at the net front, which is where he was most effective. Anytime Duke was on the ice and a puck was thrown to the net, you could count on him making the goaltender’s and defensemen’s lives difficult. He never quits on a puck and always gives extra efforts to help create second-chance opportunities. He is not a big player but will do whatever it takes to find the rebound and will continue to fight until the ref has definitively blown the whistle. With the puck on his stick, Duke can also make plays in open ice and has the speed to beat defenders wide and push the puck to the net. Overall, he was most noticeable around the net front in this game and was doing whatever he could to create loose pucks and second-chance opportunities for his team. Grade: A-
2021 USHL: Biosteel All American Game, April 2021: Duke is a speedy forward who never stops working and hunting the puck. When he has the puck on the stick he plays straight ahead and always looks to find ways to get the puck to the net. He uses his speed to push defenders back and lowers his shoulder any chance he gets. In the offensive zone, he uses quick cutbacks and the small area plays to create offence, often making it dirty in front of the net. Without the puck on his stick, he is effective on the forecheck and coming back through the neutral zone. He uses his speed and his stick to create turnovers and looks to transition those turnovers to offence. Overall, his speed is his best asset and he combines this with a relentless compete level to create opportunities. Grade: B+
USHL: NTDP 18s vs Youngstown, January 6, 2021: Duke is a physical and hard working forward for the NTDP that won a number of puck races and battles. The Michigan commit was strong on his stick and worked hard to win space in the tight areas. He protected the puck well and used cutbacks in the offensive zone to allow himself time to make plays. Duke had two or three really hard hits in the neutral zone early in the game, establishing his physical play and showing that his team wouldn’t back down to the Phantoms. He also does a good job of winning space at the net front, competing and making life challenging for opposing defenders. Overall, he is a hard working forward that went to the dirty areas and played a physical game for the NTDP. Grade: B+
USHL Preseason NTDP U18 vs Des Moines, November 2020 (Ian Moran): Dylan was his normal creative self showing elite puck poise and confidence in all offensive situations. He instinctively changed attacking angles manipulating the defender’s gap into his favor on line rushes or neutral zone transition allowing for easy zone entries. As an F1 Dylan’s anticipation was excellent. He showed high end awareness by forcing defenders to their backhands and using his stick to take away passing angles. He was not a physical presence or threat to put anyone through the boards, but he finished checks with the intent of generating turnovers, and he did. After contact, Dylan consistently beat his man to the net to establish net front presence and he has the hand eye coordination to regularly get his stick on point shots. Dylan was an effective penalty killer, maintaining shooting angles, playing in straight lines and forcing quickly on bouncing pucks. We know he is a dynamic offensive presence, but we feel it’s his consistent attention to detail that separates Dylan form his peers. In a 4-2 loss he finished the night with 1 goal, 2 PIMS, 4 shots on net and and even plus/minus rating.
U16 USA Hockey Nationals, May 2019: Duke was one of the top performers at the recent NTDP Evaluation camp and followed that up nicely here. He wasn’t as dominate playing against older players but the completeness of his game really stands out. He was excellent on faceoffs in all three zones, he showed high level hockey sense and puck skill. He played on the penalty kill and the power play and exceeded in both areas and was able to create with his passing and shooting ability. He competed hard, he picked up coverage in his defensive zone and got open on breakouts to make it easy for his teammates to move the puck. He does little things that are impressive like catching hard passes on his backhand in stride and sneaking behind defenders away from the puck to get in quality scoring areas with easy passing angles to get him the puck. He scored a big goal on a catch and shoot play with under a minute remaining in the second period to tie it 1-1 against Little Caesar’s. He didn’t stand out here in any one area but was all over the ice and arguably the most important/effective players in that he won draws, played in every situation, won battles, competed away from the puck and made plays with the puck. He was one of the tournament leaders in points with a 3-5-8 line. College: Michigan
NTDP Evaluation Camp Report, March 2019: The best way to describe Duke is that he’s a “hockey player.” He plays the game the right way, he contributes in every facet of the game from winning faceoffs, supporting on breakouts, open up space for teammates and creating offense. He played a strong all-around game here as well. He’s a poised, skilled puck carrier but doesn’t overexpose it like a lot of the other skilled prospects here; he’s more subtle and timely. He has great vision and hockey sense and was able to exploit defenseman who were flat footed or out of position. Duke was constantly on the score sheet because he’s got great patience around the net and plays a heads-up game and can find his teammates through a crowd. One play in the neutral zone he saw the speedy Colby Saganiuk cut in front of him but didn’t have a good passing angle so he instantly flips the puck over the defenders’ head and it lands perfectly in front of Saganuik for a clear breakaway chance. Very few players would see that let alone be able to execute that instantly. He has a high IQ, he manages the puck well for a center and he is able to buy and time space for himself and find passing lanes to set up his teammates in scoring areas. He can get off checks, he competes hard in traffic and came out of scrums with the puck consistently and doesn’t shy away from the tough ice. He’s a deceptive shooter; he reads goalies well, shoots with his head up and has a slick stick to change the angle and catch goalies off guard. He scored a lot of goals here from a variety of ways from rebounds to catch and shoots to beating them cleanly off the rush. He worked the toe-drag well here and blasted the puck on his release which is both quick and smooth. One of the underrated areas of his game that he showed here was his ability away from the puck to get open for teammates, to create a passing lane and support the puck in all three-zones. He’s a much more detailed player than he gets credit for and has a sophisticated game hidden at times with his flashy stick skill and scoring ability. A threat both in open ice and in tight areas; he worked the corners well, he turned defenders inside out on rushes, he made the simple pass when necessary and he was effective around the net. An excellent week for Duke. College: Michigan
Day #1 Recap at NTDP Evaluation Camp: It would be hard to say any of these kids are under the radar as they are the top 50 or so prospects in the US. However, there is a top tier of kids like Luke Hughes, Dylan Duke, Chaz Lucius, etc. In our estimation there are 7 forwards and 4 defenseman who are locks (in our opinion only, not official) so the rest of the camp is trying out for the second half of the roster. Of those players we were impressed after day #1 with the performances of Davis Codd (Little Ceaser’s U16), Vincent Salice (Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16), Davis Burnside (Chicago Mission U15), Sasha Pastujov (Compuware U16), Ethan Starky (Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16) and Daniel Sambuco (ISS Kings U16).
2018 Minor Midget International Silver Stick, December 2018: Duke is a high caliber speedster with a next level gear when the puck is on his stick. He has an ability to see the play develop and is dangerous in the ozone using his speed to take pucks to the net. We liked Duke’s two-way play as the games became more tight checking and his ability to make plays in all three zones. Duke’s puck management skills and ability to dictate the pace of play when he was on the ice showed very well against some of the top Minor Midget AAA centermen from Ontario. College: Michigan
Battle of the Border U15/U16, December 2018: A true leader on the ice, Duke has good balance and a hockey IQ that is off the charts. He has great vision before the puck is even on his stick and is comfortable playing the top of the 1-3-1 PP with his puck-handling and passing abilities. He has good anticipation and knows where the puck is going and quick to loose pucks. Duke centers the top line and uses his wingers effectively and is used in all key situations. High end skill and smarts. College: Michigan
HPHL 16U Showcase, December 2018: Among his many positive attributes, Duke’s passing ability and vision stood out to us the most this showcase. He can find an open teammate seemingly 100% of the time. It was rare to see him make a play with the puck that was not directly to the tape of a teammate or the near vicinity with purpose for them to skate to it. Great vision and reads, highly intelligent player. High-end shooting ability in all facets and very skilled with the puck. He shields the puck well with his body and hands and uses his explosive acceleration to evade pressure and create space. Very creative in the offensive zone. Grade: A+
HPHL Illinois Showcase U15/U16, November 2018: You can run out of words to describe the game on Dylan at times. He is one of the most complete hockey players in his age group. He would be classified as a great two way player, except for the fact he has high end offensive ability. His game is built to win as he plays in all ends of the rink and does it the right way. The compete level was excellent as he did whatever his team needed to win a game. Whether he is scoring, setting up a teammate, finishing a check or killing a penalty. He has a huge impact on the game. COLLEGE: MICHIGAN
USHL Fall Classic, October 2018: Dylan simply did it all playing alongside Savage and Pastujov. A very strong skater with skill and a compete level to match it. You can run at him all day long and he will fight through checks and come out the other side to make a skilled play. A complete two-way player, but with high end skill to match. You can take your pick how he beats you; he can pass it or just fire the puck. USNTDP Candidate. College: Michigan
HPHL/Beast Showcase U16, October 2018: Dylan created offense each time out on the ice. He is cerebral with the puck on his stick and will wait defenders out to make the right play. Explosive first step lets him separate from defenders through the neutral zone. Plays a responsible game defensively and works hard in all three zones. Breaks down defenders one-on-one and will shoot in stride. Doesn’t hesitate to play in the dirty areas and drives the puck to the net. Sees the ice well and passes to seams just as they are opening. Big time potential. Grade: A College: Michigan
MAHA Festival 2003s, July 2018: Dylan had a great week of scoring goals and making nice passes. He stood out the most of any of the players who seemed to have the puck on his stick and creating scoring chances. He is a big, strong and powerful skater who works hard on every shift. He has great hands and the ability to beat defenders with his skill. He plays with a lot of confidence and controls the play using his smarts with the ability to set up his teammates.
World Selects Invite, June 2018: Dylan had a lot of puck possession time as he wheeled to create. Made plays at pace in both open ice and in traffic. Has elite 1v1 skill with a slick stick in space and a slippery element along the boards. He is explosive towards the net with elite skill. Played with poise and patience hen he had to. Beyond his skill, he plays to win. Worked relentlessly in puck pursuit, blocked shots, played in all situations, ran the point on the PP and took its to make plays. Elite talent with elite compete. College: Michigan
U14 Nationals, April 2018: Dylan led the whole tournament in scoring. He has elite skill, elite skating ability and elite hockey sense. Ran the power play from the point, can snipe, make people miss in tight or in space and has excellent vision. His physical ability combined with his ability to process his options were unparalleled here. Now that we have established that he can make puck plays, we can explain why he earned an “A” grade. His overall effort all over the ice and in every situation is what made him great. Dylan never once was outworked. He dove in his end to defend and killed penalties. He blocked many shots over the weekend. He sacrificed his body to make plays. He stopped on pucks. He went to the crease. True 200-foot player with all sorts of tools but most importantly the compete level it takes to win. Quite impressive and a pleasure to watch. He was the best overall player in North Carolina. High ceiling prospect. College: Michigan
Michigan State U14 Finals, April 2018: Dylan had a great weekend scoring numerous goals and assists as well. He is very efficient on the power play and has good chemistry with Sasha Pastujov. He is a big forward and a strong, powerful skater. He has great hands and the ability to beat defenders with his skill. He is also patient with the puck and makes good choices. College: Michigan
Compuware/Honey Baked Invitational U14, October 2017: Dylan is a big forward and a strong, powerful skater. He has great hands and the ability to beat defenders with his skill. He has a hard, accurate shot and he scored a nice goal coming out of the corner. He is also patient with the puck and makes good choices.
2003 Michigan Bantam Fest, July 2017: Dylan is a big kid and a strong, powerful skater. He has great hands and the ability to beat defenders with his skill. He has a hard, accurate shot as he scored a couple of nice goals this week in camp. He also has good patience with the puck and makes good choices. Well rounded for his age.