| Hunter Strand | Tri City Storm | USHL | L | F | 5’11” | 174 | Notre Dame | 2021 | Anchorage, AK | 2002 | 2020-2021: C+ |
USHL: Waterloo vs Tri-City, March 22, 2021: Strand had an excellent game for Tri-City registering two goals and an assist on seven shots in the game. The Notre Dame commit is a highly skilled and effective offensive player, threatening to create almost every time he steps on the ice. He does his best work in the offensive zone and attacking off the rush. On the rush he uses his vision to make plays, making a few nice seam passes in this game with his feet moving, on the forehand and backhand. Strand also showed off his shot, registering 7 shots on net in the game. On his first goal, his team was shorthanded and he caught a pass in the middle of the ice with speed, walked over the blue line and ripped a wrist shot high short side that Beattie goalie cleanly with no screen. In the offensive work Strand does a great job of working low in the zone, winning puck, and making plays to the front of the net. He often looked to attack immediately after winning a puck battle and was able to create some high quality scoring chances this way. Overall, Strand is an effective and aggressive offensive player who was all over Waterloo’s net in this game. Grade: A
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, November 2020: I like Hunter. I think he’d be a phenomenal teammate because he’s always plays like he’s well prepared, he’s smart and he competes his ass no matter what the situation is. This year in Tri-City he has a chance to really make some noise. He’s going to counted on to play in key minutes and will be a valuable member of special teams, so he’s going to be getting high leveraged experience after spending the past few years with the NTDP. We have him as a “C+” right now and I honestly can’t see his grade going any lower, but there’s a real chance Hunter’s consistent play moves him higher.
USHL: Omaha vs. Tri-City, October 2020: Younger player but plays like he’s been in the league. Shifty skater that likes to make plays. Has great offensive instincts and can make defenders look inexperienced with his handles. Grade: A-
NTDP: Team USA vs University of Wisconsin, January 2020: We watched The U.S. National U18 Team take on the University of Wisconsin in a New Year’s Day matinee. Hunter received a “B” game grade, but please click on the link to see our single game evaluations for Team USA and our post game grades.
NTDP: Muskegon at NTDP U17, October 2018: Strand had a strong stick on walls and battling for loose pucks. Good edges and cut back used to escape defenders and create space. Plays with his head up and very hard to keep up with. Excelled in tight areas protecting puck with body and good hands. Slippery in traffic while distributing the puck well. Got job done on the PK as well blocking shots and making strong clears. College: Notre Dame Grade: B
NTDP Evaluation Camp Report, March 2018: Having seen Strand several times this season; this was his best performance we’ve seen from him in the past year. He’s a strong skater with powerful and balanced stride. He bounces off checks, he uses his edges and lower body strength to use his body and create separation in tight areas in order to get a shot or pass off. However, what stood out this week was his hockey sense. He made several high IQ split-second decisions with the puck and he was always aware of his time and spacing in relation to the rest of the players on the ice. He plays an honest defensive game by playing aggressive and physical but doesn’t overextend and get himself out of position. He brings a versatility and a two-way game to NTDP and with his hockey sense and skating ability he should be able to create offensively as well. He doesn’t have the upside of some of the others at camp; but he’s deserving of his place on this team given his style of play and how well he played at this camp. College: Notre Dame
CCM World Hockey Invite U16, December 2017: Hunter was the straw that stirred the drink for his team, which made a run to the playoff round. He put up some big performances and produced at a high rate in order for his team to win. His ability to make defenders miss in one on one situation was uncanny. He showed a high skill level with an above-average hockey sense. As a player who doesn’t get seen as much due to his team geographical location, he turned some heads here. He showed the ability to create his own shot on the rush from anywhere as he attacked defenders with speed and high-end skill. He is a top 40 USNTDP Candidate. College: Notre Dame
Junior Chowder Cup 2002 Division, August 2017: Strand came to Chowder Cup after the Select 15 National Development Camp in Buffalo. He’s a strong skater, a consistent work ethic and who played an honest, two-way game. He wins battles, can get shots off in traffic and has the skill and strength to beat defenders 1v1 both in open ice and in small areas. He plays a direct game, goes to the net with his stick on the ice and is willing to pay the price to make a play. He wasn’t as strong here as he was at Select 15’s but he’s a quality prospect.
U14 USA Tier 1 Nationals, April 2017: Hunter was impressive and a new addition to our profiles. He is a smart player and anticipated plays in all three zones. He is big and strong, won faceoffs and showed some ability to make defenders miss. He scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over SSM including an ENG to seal a nice win for his team. He is versatile, mature and poised right now and should progress well as his approach is solid.