| James Doyle | Bismarck Bobcats | NAHL | R | F | 6’1″ | 170 | St. Lawrence | 2021 | Plainfield, IL | 2002 | 2020-2021: C |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, February 2021: He makes pro styled plays every time I see James play. He reads gaps well and is effective with the soft chip and chase entering the offensive zone. Again, I like how he can pick pucks off the wall cleanly and find his teammates. Obviously he’s not a finished product, but I think he’s a player who will put on weight and strength at St. Lawrence. To me, his style and comfort with making the right decisions is something that NHL teams will be looking at when considering college free agents in a few years.
NAHL: Fairbanks Ice Dogs vs Bismarck Bobcats, February 2, 2021: James is a smart hockey player that puts himself in great scoring areas. Skilled with his passing as he has the ability to make small saucer or cross-ice tape to tape. On the smaller end of stature but is not afraid to take hits to make plays. Grade: B+
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, December 2020: James has a slight frame right now, but I think he’s got the stride or base to handle carrying more weight. He makes good decisions at the blues and has the ability to pick pucks off the wall to make clean breakouts or plays during a cycle. These may not be sexy things, but in professional hockey they lead to wins.
NAHL: Thanksgiving Weekend, December 2020: Keeps his feet moving at all times which allows him time, space, and scoring opportunities. Had one shift where he entered the zone wide and wasn’t able to get himself closer to the net so he put a low shot near side to avoid creating a breakout for the opposing team. This shot didn’t create any sort of danger but Doyle was able to keep his feet moving and pick up the rebound as he circled the net, got into open space in the slot and put a great scoring chance on net. Grade: C+
NAHL: NHL Prospects and Potential College Free Agents, June 2020: Doyle is a crafty player who uses his balance, edges and reach to his advantage. He consistently got to the net with and without the puck. Showed he could dip and drive as he scored with a nice cross crease deke. He picked pucks off and knows where to be away from the puck both to make plays defensively and also to get in spots to score in the offensive zone. Not a burner but uses leverage very well and can get off checks and protect the puck down low. His edges are strong and when he wheeled in the zone, his head was always up. Thus, he was able to make passes to good spots. He put his teammates in spots to succeed and showed a mature overall game for an ’02. He had a lot of NCAA eyes on him as one of the best uncommitted prospects in the tournament. His feet will need to improve especially his first few steps to get NHL traction, but his edges are solid and he plays a complete game.
HPHL 16U Showcase, December 2018: Doyle plays a power-forward type game but has a nice level of skill and plays with a lot of smarts. Excellent hockey sense and awareness. Good puck skills and can create chances in the offensive with his hands, size, and explosive acceleration. He uses his body well to shield the puck and create space. Equally strong defensive game and effort. Grade: B+
HPHL Illinois Showcase, November 2018: James is coming into his own as he played a north and south game with the ability to score. He was aggressive and looked to snap the puck off coming down the ice. His size and straight line skating ability were hard to stop. He showed soft touch on the puck and was able to create his own shot. Hard to get the puck away from with his size and puck protection. Teams are most likely not happy to see him with the confidence of a goal scorer.
USHL Fall Classic U16, October 2018: James has the size and skating ability to be a constant threat. A nice release and ability to shoot the puck with his feet moving on the rush. In open ice, he glided by player with ease and gained the zone. When he was using his size to roll off checks down low, he became a threat there. If he can keep his consistent hard work up, he will have a big year.
T1EHL U16: Chicago Mission vs. Little Caesars, October 2018: Doyle’s foot speed has improved from last season where he struggled with the pace of play. He now has the ability to beat defenders to the edge which he demonstrated several times over the course of the game. He was anticipating the play extremely well and showed nice finish by scoring. Doyle won several puck battles as he was able to use his frame to his advantage. He does tend to take shifts off by not moving his feet at all times and getting out of position in all three zones. He is still a work in progress but he is another intriguing prospect for college and junior coaches.
USA Hockey Select 16 National Development Camp, July 2018: Doyle is a tall goal scorer. He played a north/south style with jam around the cage. His skating is smooth and his stride should allow for more speed as he matures. He did a good job of moving to scoring spots in the zone and in transition, Stretched the D out some. Scored a goal on an excellent shot as the right wing on the rush. Felt the pressure and got the puck off his stick. Can fire the puck. Played through contact with possession and showed he would drive the net without the puck. He does play too much one on one at times when he would be better suited to move it and get to a better spot. He has good sense without the puck and can use that more. Big goal scorers are tough to come by and he is that. Should have a good year in midget hockey.
HPHL U16 Plymouth, MI Showcase, February 2018: His size and athleticism was on display as he got up and down the ice with good pace. He showed separation speed through the neutral zone as he cruised by defenders. He attacked defenders on the rush and took them wide or put pucks through them. His compete level was impressive as he used his body to his advantage with the puck.
Battle of the Border, December 2017: James was able to get away from checks in the neutral zone with his strong skating ability. He separated as he attacked defenders wide and got pucks to the net. A quick release and accuracy made him a threat to score in given time and space.
CCM World Hockey Invite U16 and U14, December 2017: A north-and-south skating ability gave James the time and space to make plays off the rush. He played fast and put a lot of pressure on defenders. Mix in his quick stick with the ability to get pucks to the net quickly with accuracy, and you have a dangerous player.
U14 USA Tier 1 Nationals, April 2017: We have the word “dominant” next to his name four times. His speed, size and sense were too much to handle for opponents all week. They tried to key on him, especially as the week moved on but to no avail. He scored on tips in front. He made crisp passes and showed an ability to process all his options quickly. He finished checks and got out to his point in his end. One play that showed off his quick processing was on a wrap around breakout. He was about to receive a puck that had been rimmed hard up the wall to him. He knew the pace was too much to handle. Instead of trying to receive it (right shot, right wing), he intentionally let the puck go the opposing D. He jumped him quickly,forced a turnover and headed up ice.
HPHL Bantam Championships, February 2017: James has great combination of size and skill and he uses it to his advantage by taking the puck to the net. He is not a selfish player and he sees the ice well while making great passes. He’s a real asset on the PP on the wall or he can go to front of net to use his size for screens. He has great confidence and poise with the puck.
STX Elite Hockey Shootout, October 2016: Mission’s top forward this weekend. He has great size and skill. His hockey sense may be his best quality as he has the ability to feel pressure and get free to make the next play. He makes it look easy. He is not selfish and sees the ice well. Passes well and not afraid to drive the net. He can be the setup man on the PP on the wall and he can go to front of net to use his size for screens. Confident player with the puck. Grade: A+