| Nathan Tobey | NTDP U18 | USHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 170 | Quinnipiac | 2023 | Lantana, TX | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
USHL: U18 NTDP vs Dubuque, December 17, 2022: Tobey totaled 12:30 in ice time including 2:33 while shorthanded. He did not play power play minutes. He finished the game +2 with 1 hit, 4 giveaways, 3 takeaways and he won 38% of his 8 puck battles. We like how he moved his feet after receiving passes or after collecting loose pucks off the wall in the defensive zone. The puck does not appear to slow him down. Defensively he is very willing to maintain shooting lanes to block shots and unfortunately received a minus after showing the willingness to block a shot but the puck ricocheted off his glove past Team USA’s goaltender. We like his aggressiveness at the defensive blue line as he did not give Dubuque’s forwards any time to make a strong play, but we still feel he is crossing his feet over a bit too much while defending or setting his gaps.
USHL Showcase, November 15, 2022: Tobey is a mobile defender out of Texas who plays a simple efficient game. He makes an accurate first pass and follows it up ice to support the puck. Defensively he’s solid in his balance and his angling he kept opponents to the outside and got his stick in position to breakup passes and passing lanes. He wasn’t overly physical but he did play the body maintained gap control and was rarely beat 1v1. He was quick to the corners contained forwards and was able to pin them to the wall. He’ll need to get a bit stronger and tougher to play against but it was a solid two games and while he doesn’t make a ton of plays up ice he doesn’t turn it over either. Grade: B-
USHL: Weekend #4, October 27, 2022: Smaller defender with the ability to play a great two way game. Has a scrappy side to him that really shows when players have their head down through middle ice. He wants to play physical but needs to catch most players off guard to flatten them. With the speed that he has combined with his aggressiveness, he’s able to make his presence known. His speed also allows him to get to lose pucks first to show off another strength of his which is his ability to move the puck. Quick and hard hell make passes out of the zone beating one or two forecheckers in the process. Grade: B
NCAA: U18 NTDP vs Michigan St, October 1, 2022: Tobey totaled 19:41 in ice time including 0:18 on the power play and 1:39 while shorthanded. He finished the game with an even plus/minus, zero points, 1 hit, received 2 hard hits, 1 giveaway, 6 takeaways and he won 42% of his 19 puck battles. Offensively Tobey played a simple yet effective game. He moved the puck very quickly in transition and moved his feet after passes to be a second wave in the attack. Early in the first period he did an excellent job as the lone defender on the ice while Team USA killed a 5on3 where he showed patience and strength on well timed stick lifts on attempted downhill tips and quick net front tap ins. Tobey was also very willing to maintain shooting lanes and eat pucks. One thing we will keep watching for improvement on, Tobey crosses his feet while maintaining gaps and just before exploding laterally to pinch off line rushes.
2005s: NTDP Evaluation Camo, May 23, 2021: Tobey played up this season with the U16 squad and earned an “B+” grade at Nationals in St. Louis. He’s got good-size and knows who to use his reach and force opponents to low percentage areas. He plays the body in his own end, he makes crisp passes and has the athleticism and mobility to stay with skilled forward and contain them to the outside. He is raw in his stick placement and body positioning but he competes hard and can close a gap quickly and seal opponents off on the rush. His puck play here was rushed at times and he had too many turnover, especially on the breakout, as the winged blind rims around the boards to the other team and misfired on a few passes in the neutral zone. He was able to recover and get back for some but others set up quality scoring chances for the other team. He needs to improve his poise when pressured and become a more detailed and physical presence in his own end as he let players sneak behind him at the backdoor. Tobey did a nice job on pinches and keeping plays alive along the offensive blue line and what we really liked what that he trusts himself to make the play and doesn’t hesitate or shy away from tough areas. Grade: B-
2005s: WHL Bantam Cup, March 3, 2020: One of the most impactful defensemen in this showcase. Nathan is a big defender who can rush the puck out of zone into the opponents’ end, or make the quick dish and join the rush. He plays the game hard at both ends of the ice with his long stride and he will pinch down off his blueline to keeps pucks and plays alive. Very strong on his skates and very hard to knock off of a puck. He is a confident player in his skating and skill, he plays like he wants to be a difference maker. Grade A
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images