| Kyle Crnkovic | Seattle Thunderbirds | WHL | L | LW | 5’7″ | 165 | Saskatoon Blades | 2018 | Chestermere, AB | 2002 | 2022-2023: Free Agent 2021-2022: C+ 2019-2020: C |
Neutral Zone’s Ian Moran, February 16, 2023: Even though his production is down from 2021/22, Crnkovic is still a productive offensive player as he has 25 goals and 55 points in 50 games for Seattle. Under duress he has puck poise to go with excellent vision and a quick smooth release that has hit the net 58.5% of the time over the past two seasons. His ability to create scoring opportunities while moving laterally through the Royal Road or middle lane is a skill that translates to professional hockey. He has consistently shown the ability to contribute on the power play, with an average of 3:24 minutes of ice time, and can be relied upon in high-pressure situations. The real knock on Crnkovic is his lack of physicality. This year he’s winning only 43% of puck battles and he needs to continue working on his strength to be effective against the stronger and smarter defenders that he will be facing in professional hockey. Overall, Crnkovic is offensively gifted and offense will always get someone’s attention. In professional hockey he will generate scoring chances and be a valuable asset on the power play. There’s no doubt he needs to continue developing his strength to be effective at higher levels, but his creativity and ability to generate offense could peak a free agent or development camp look.
Neutral Zone NHL, July 4, 2022: Why an NHL draft pick, he is an offensive presence who has played at over a point per game pace over his last three seasons in the WHL, including 94 points in 68 games in 2021/22. He’s very difficult to make solid body contact with (0.33 hard body checks against per game). Including the playoffs, he scored 41 goals on 420 shot attempts. 32 of his goals came while playing even strength. Why not an NHL draft pick, although difficult to body check, he is undersized at 5’7″ and 165 pounds. 173 of his shot attempts came while on the man advantage. Eighteen of his goals came from within feet of the crease. Will he be able to find that same ice in professional hockey?
WHL: Saskatoon Blades, March 5, 2022: Crnkovic is a smooth skating, high IQ player for the Blades that is a dangerous player on and off the puck. As a smaller player, Crnkovic relied heavily on his footspeed to generate time and space for himself. Crnkovic is able to move pucks quickly, accurately, and jump to open space to receive passes back, or pull defenders in as a high risk player on the ice to give his linemates more time on the puck. Crnkovic seemed to be a water-bug on the ice, buzzing around the whole sheet with speed and tenacity, snapping the puck around, and snapping pucks on net to the tune of two goals (one shorthanded) on Sunday. While he is undersized at 5’7, Crnkovic is the type of new age player that a team would be lucky to have as apart of their long term plans. Crnkovic is over a point per game player, on pace for over 100 points on the season, which speaks to his commitment to playing the game at a high level despite his size. Grade: A+
Kyle is a perfect fit for today’s National Hockey League. He is shifty with the puck and elusive without it. In one on one situations he can make big guys miss by overwhelming them with his speed, making them get off balance and blowing past them or he can make smaller quicker defenders look foolish by his surprising strength and over powering them while he attacks the scoring area. He has a quick release that he gets away in tight spaces while his feet are moving and he has the accuracy to put the puck where he wants it. Some goal scorers are predictable with their release and where they’re shooting, but Kyle can fire it from varying body positions and catches the goalie leaning by out waiting him. He can slow the play down to manipulate gaps in his favor or he can accelerate past defenseman who have gapped up to play in his face. Kyle has a high compete and motor. He plays every shift with a chip on his shoulder and like he has something to prove. In all offensive situations Kyle is creative and smart, but he is electric on the power play because of his anticipation and first touch. Back in October Kyle was a ‘C’ rated Neutral Zone NHL prospect, but we have upgraded him to a ‘B’ after a strong draft year in the Western Hockey League. We feel he is a player who has the attitude and skills to produce offensively in the NHL. (1) Brain – Excellent at creating space and manipulating gaps to his advantage. (2) Vision & Poise – He has always had poise when the puck is on his stick in the sot, but we feel his ability to generate opportunities for his linemates has improved this season and has begun to differentiate him from others in his draft class. (3) Feet – Quick laterally & very explosive first step. He is as fast with the puck as without it. (4) Compete & Effort – Maximum effort and compete. (5) Contact or Physicality – Very strong on the puck and we have noted many times that he has very strong hands. (6) Release – Quick and accurate. Kyle does not need much time or space to bury it. (7) One Timer Ability – An area to continue working on as he develops. (8) Body Language – He plays with a chip on his shoulder. (9) Special Teams Potential – Kyle’s first touch, poise, vision and ability to finish makes him a power play option in professional hockey. (10) Intangibles – He may not be tall, but he is very strong on the puck and can extend plays after contact.
CSSHL Midget Playoffs, April 3, 2018: Crnkovic was a favorite at the championships. Entertaining and exciting each and every shift. Kyle’s pace is extremely high and despite having a whole bunch of skill, he will play the 200 feet and does not shy away from anyone or any situation. His skating is his best asset with his long stick. He has a quick first step and has the ability to change speed to beat opponents or get out of corners and rolling out of checks quickly. He put up a number of goals and points. He possesses a quick release despite not having the heaviest of shots and has the ability to make plays. Fun player to watch.
WHL Cup (2002s), October 31, 2017: An explosive skater who has a relentless engine. He forces opponents into mistakes with his aggressive style. On the offensive side of the puck he shows great vision and looks to make plays for his teammates. Because of this, it allows him to get off his tremendous shot. His release looks effortless, but it explodes off of his blade with pin point accuracy and power. Grade: A
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images