Evan Vierling (4.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, May 2020: Evan can flat out play. He’s got great feet which allows him to manipulate and almost toy with defenders. He changes speeds so easily getting them off balance and then boom he’s either by them or cuts to the open ice before they can respond. He’s got great touch and phenomenal vision as the puck carrier and when he’s away from the puck Evan’s eyes are on the entire surface looking to pick apart the defender’s defensive lapses in spacing. He’s deadly on 1 on 1s, but look out if he is the puck carrier on a 2 on 1 because there’s a pretty good chance the red light is coming on. I have no doubt that Evan is going to play in the NHL it’s just a matter of if he’s on the wing or not. I honestly believe Evan has a chance to do some special things in the league.
OHL – Barrie Colts NHL Prospcts vs Sudbury Wolves, April 2020: Evan showed phenomenal foot speed and acceleration all game. He hounded loose pucks and won battles all over the ice, especially in the offensive zone. He was quite honestly a force and was a threat to score at any time. He showed excellent vision and poise on line rushes by judging the defenders gaps and exposing what was given and was by far the most effective player when finding the late attacker. In the defensive zone Evan can be a bit of a puck watcher, but his anticipation and quick stick made up for any short comings. His effort and determination were on full display. Game Grade: A-
OHL – Barrie Colts NHL Prospects vs Erie Otters, February 2020: He was so smooth and poised with the puck that there were times when it seemed as if he was playing a different game than everyone else. There wasn’t a situation all night where he looked overwhelmed or surprised all night. He has phenomenal touch on his passes and even his rockets through tight seems were easy for his teammates to handle. Evan is slippery in 1 on 1 situations and his edge work allows him to evade attacking players with ease. He has been a special player since his trade to Barrie.
February NHL Draft Rankings, February 2020: Evan was ranked #250 with a ‘C’ Neutral Zone NHL Grade.
OHL Gold Cup, May 2018: Evan was one of the best two way players in the tournament. He continues to impress and displays a 200ft game. He finds space where he can receive the puck and take charge. He was a game changer scoring goals off the powerplay and creating scoring chances for himself and his team. Vierling has good hockey sense and knows when to move the puck. He quickly gets to full speed and has a deceptively hard and accurate shot that makes him a double threat.
2018 OHL Draft Rankings, March 2018: Vierling finds the seams and is very quick to get up to full speed. He wants the puck and makes others on the ice better with his vision and accurate passing. He scored big goals in tournament, league play and playoffs when YSE needed an offensive spark. He is an offensive catalyst for YSE and makes players around him better. We continue to like his ability in the faceoff circle as he is very difficult to beat on faceoffs. His 200-foot game continues to impress. The more we viewed YSE during the season, the more we felt Vierling was YSE’s most consistent, two way forward, with the ability to break games open.
Marlies Holiday Classic, February 2018: After a disappointing Silver Stick, Evan and his YSE teammates showed progress in the Marlies tournament. Verling finds the seams and is very quick to get up to full speed. He wants the puck and makes others on the ice better with his vision and accurate passing. He scored some big goals in the tournament when YSE needed an offensive spark. We continue to like his ability in the faceoff circle as he is very difficult to beat on faceoffs.
OHL Draft December Rankings: OMHA-ETA TOP 55, December 2017: Evan was Neutral Zone’s 2nd ranked player behind only Quinton Byfield. He had a 4.25 Neutral Zone Amateur Star Rating.
Battle of the Border, December 2017: Evan is a strong skater with exceptional shiftiness. He turned off of checks and separated from opponents. Skill and skating is the name of the game for the deceptive forward. He possessed the puck and was poised with it on his stick. His vision, skating and skill were consistent and dangerous.
OHL Draft October Rankings, November 2017: Evan was Neutral Zone’s 2nd ranked prospect behind only Quinton Byfield. He had a 4.5 Star Amateur Rating.
Wendy Dufton (2002s), October 2017: Evan is an underrated centerman playing behind Byfield and played a key role in YSE’s win in London. He showed as well as any of the top offensive players in the London Dufton tournament. A fluid skater who pursues the puck well. A play maker who also possesses a goal scoring touch. Perhaps the best 200 foot player on the YSE team. Evan showed the ability to make plays all in all zones of the ice.