Dylan Wendt (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, April 2020: So realistically do I think Dylan will get drafted? No, but that doesn’t mean that he is not a player worth tracking. As you can see from his history he has always been a good player on very good teams. He hasn’t been the best kid that’s always had everything go his way. He’s been a good player who’s always had to work hard and play direct hockey to produce or contribute. Yes he went to National Camps and did well, but he never won best in show. He worked his ass off and learned how to compete and be a team player at a young age. Those traits have carried through into his junior career and they will follow him beyond. And how do we know that this? Well, this year he was traded to Muskegon from Green Bay a few weeks into the season and shortly thereafter Dylan was named Captain of the Lumberjacks. That’s pretty impressive and very hard to do at any level, never mind in the premier Tier 1 junior league in the United States. So NHL teams know that Dylan is ultra competitive, has good skills, puts the team first and is a leader. He accepts his role and plays. We’re guessing he doesn’t complain about power play time and we know that he has the characteristics to be a high level killer. And lets reiterate that he’s a leader. So again when it comes right down to it do I think Dylan is going to get drafted? Even though he put up 30 points in 35 games for Muskegon my answer is still no. But I do think he’s the type of player who will contribute to a team’s success as much as their draft picks and he has a chance to be a highly sought after college free agent in a few years. Can I say that will definitely be his career track, again no. But he’s got the track record and leadership traits that NHL General Managers like to have in their organizations so my money is on Dylan continuing to wear a letter and earning an opportunity to play NHL games when his college career is over.
USA Hockey Select 17 National Development Camp, July 2018: Wendt is coming off a season where he was top-line forward for a talented Honeybaked U16 squad. He’s not a pretty skater, he has a wide and choppy stride, but he’s smart, he’s strong on his skates and on his stick and can make plays in traffic. He sees the ice and makes quick decisions with the puck and he is able to bounce and spin off checks out of the corners and take the puck to the net. He is a firm, accurate passer with vision and soft hands who shoots the puck with power and accuracy and can score from anywhere inside the offensive zone. Wendt plays with some edge, he likes to hit back when getting body checked and he is tough on puck pursuits throwing his weight around and separating opponents from the puck. He has a two-way game, he competes in his own end, blocked shots and stopped on the puck. His style of play will translate nicely at the next level as he can play a hard, two-way game or he can go to the net and score goals or he can protect pucks in the corners and feed the slot with passes. However, he’ll need to continue to improve his stride and straight-line speed so that he can make a quicker adjustment to the pace at the next level. He finished the camp with a 1-3-4 line in 5 games and will look to make the final roster at Green Bay in the USHL. College: Michigan
USA Select Festival Michigan 2001s, May 2018: Dylan is a smart player who sees the ice very well and will make hard, accurate passes. He has good speed while having slick hands with the ability to beat defenders through or around them. He has the patience in the offensive zone and will not throw the puck away and will attack the net to shoot. Direct with skill and good puck management. Has a dverse offensive game. College: Michigan
U15 & U16 – Michigan State Finals, April 2018: Dylan played very well on the weekend scoring a nice goal coming off the boards. He makes quick moves and has the ability to beat defenders 1 vs 1.
HPHL U16 Showcase, February 2018: Although not the most glamorous skater he gets from point A to point B just as fast as the next guy. His stick is extremely quick and he can snap it off with little or no time. He proved again that he is a player you can’t leave open in the slot as he can finish consistently. He was tough to check with his strong edge work along with his size and strength. COLLEGE: MICHIGAN Two of the highest rated forwards at this showcase were Josh Lawrence and Jacob Perreault, both are potential high 2020 NHL Draft picks.
Battle of the Border, December 2017: He showed the ability to make plays with little or no time with this quick stick. He attacked defenders directly and gave them fits with his strength and skill. A danger to score from the top of the circles or in tight around the crease. He showed the ability to be passer or a shooter, which was difficult for opponents to defend. College: Michigan The players who evaluated well at this tournament looks like a who’s who of 2020 NHL Draft hopefuls: Quinton Byfield, Cole Perfetti, Wyatt Schingoethe, Tanner Latsch, Tyler Tullio, Evan Vierling, Dylan Robinson, Landon Slaggert, Andrey Bakanov, Ryan O’Rourke, Mitchell Miller, Gerard Keane, Mitchell Smith, Michael Bianconi as well as potential 2021 first round picks Jack Bar and Owen Power.
USHL Draft Phase 1 Top 300 Rankings, May 2017: Dylan was ranked #86.
OHL Draft Top 150 American Rankings, April 2017: Dylan was ranked #45.
Tier 1 Elite League Playoffs U16, February 2017: Another Belle Tire forward with a nice size, speed, and skill combo, Wendt is a dangerous, dynamic forward. He had the puck on his stick a lot, and never wastes an opportunity to make a play happen. Very heads up in traffic and manages to squeeze through coverage while maintaining possession of the puck. Very slippery, but he can equally bull his way around defenders with his size, strength, and reach. He has a nose for the net and a knack for finding the back of it.
U16 Tier 1 Elite Showcase (NJ), December 2016: Dylan has good skills. He sees the ice well and created chances. He hits and gets involved. He showed good hands here but not really dynamic. The 2001 has solid upside. Another U16 event loaded with NHL hopefuls who evaluated well: Ty Smilanic, Trevor Kuntar, Chase Yoder, Andrey Bakanov, Case McCarthy, Marshall Warren and Jack Williams,
T1EHL U16 Ontario Showcase, October 2016: Played hard and fast consistently throughout the weekend. He played with pace and pressured the puck all around the ice. Showed the ability to make plays on the rush at top speed. He had a high compete level along with a solid skill set. This Showcase was loaded with 2019 NHL Draft picks and 2020 hopefuls who evaluated really well including Marshall Warren, Chase Yoder, Ryan Johnson, Ryan O’Reilly and Trevor Kuntar.
USHL Fall Classic U16, October 2016: Wendt is another undersized Belle Tire forward who plays with speed and pace. He doesn’t have to slow down to access his full set of tools and can read the play at full speed. Wendt had some rushes where he went hard to the net or pulled up just inside the blue line to create time and space. A smart player who can score goals and create for his teammates. A lot USHL teams were impressed with his game. 2020 NHL Draft hopefuls who were evaluated: Luke Toporowski, Mathieu De St. Phalle, Ryan O’Reilly, Ty Smilanic, Antonio Venuto and Mitchell Miller.