| Jacob Napier | Northstar Christian Academy U18 | 18U | L | D | 6’2″ | 185 | Western Michigan | 2022 | Lancaster, NY | 2003 | 2020-2021: C |
Taken 12th overall in the USHL by Muskegon and he will be playing there this year before attending University of Western Michigan for the 2022-23 season. Jacob has an effortless free flowing skating style with good powerful stride and can change direction quickly or keep moving at his top speed, transitioning while carrying the puck or not. He has quick feet and although he stumbles occasionally, for the most part is excelling with his skating especially for a big player. The puck seems to follow him around which usually means that he is positionally sound on both sides of the puck. His stick is good but will require many reps while practicing as he occasionally loses the handle. Playing in this league has a double edge sword as he has developed a few habits which may be considered bad but we like the fact that he tries things in real time and they are only going to help him in his development going forward as long as he corrects the blunders when they happen. One of these has become very noticeable when he fires the puck around the boards in his own end blindly usually losing possession. He is also getting knocked off the puck at times.
A strength & conditioning program along with puck protection drills will teach him to maintain puck control, in all areas, especially in his own end.
Jacob is a project but his size, athleticism and leadership could make him attractive in the later rounds.
He is a team leader and was the captain of his team.
This player was chosen to play in league all star game for past two years and was selected as the best defenseman of the league
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images