Game played on 12/05/2024.
General Game Notes: This is a report on the overage forwards for both Erie and North Bay. A close game was down to the wire as Erie edged North Bay 4-3 in overtime.
Sam Alfano (RW, R, 6’4″, 210, Erie Otters, 01/18/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: The 6’4 lanky winger had a good night in this game. Adding a goal and assist, he used his size and reach to make an impact below the dots and in all three zones. His best asset being his reach, he can use this to disrupt plays all over, pokechecking and maneuvering it in lanes. He towers over opponents and brings a strong presence to the ice. Offensively, he excels below the dots as he can hold off defenders and make plays in tight. This led to both his goal and his assist, as he was creating havoc and making seperation for himself down low. His goal was highlighted by him finding open ice and finding a loose puck with his long stick and powering it home. His assist was a soft touch through the neutral zone, where he then middle-lane drove causing disruption for his teammate to score. Off the rush he is able to move the puck laterally with his width, with his head up to scan the zone and find open lanes. His skating can continue to get quicker and with more jump but his length allows him to get into lanes solely. Overall, being over a point per game and making differences all over the ice , he projects as a versatile forward who can play up and down the lineup and add offense.
Martin Misiak (C, L, 6’2″, 200, Erie Otters, 09/30/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: The signed NHL prospect Misiak provided a detailed and versatile game. He controls the play with his patience and mature style, disrupting on the forecheck and with defensive awareness. It’s simple things that separate him from his peers, as he wins faceoffs, forechecks with intent and disrupts pucks with an active stick. In the defensive zone he supports pucks well and comes low with support to be an outlet. Once with the puck he uses strong crossovers and acceleration to get to top speed making him a dynamic rush player. He is fluid and has quick feet that allow him to put pressure in all areas. Consistently being in the right areas , his IQ shines through including his assist on the game winning goal where he displayed patience and slowed the game down to make a quick pass. He sits at a point per game on the season. His 200ft effort and detailed approach make him a prospect who projects as a checking forward with the ability to move up and down the line-up.
Pano Fimis (C, R, 5’10”, 185, Erie Otters, 06/17/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: The Erie captain was deceptive and making impacts all night, finishing off with an assist and multiple high danger chances. He has dynamic ability to shift into open space and create lanes where he uses quick hands to make subtle and creative passes. This was seen on his assist as he made a slick slip pass with soft touch to an open player. He has a waterbug style as he can gain speed at a glance , getting in on the forecheck and through the neutral zone with pace. His stick is quick and he often is pressing from behind with stick-lifts and moving feet. He forced a few turnovers through the game that quickly transitioned the puck leading to scoring chances. Though undersized, he makes his presence felt in all three zones. Offensively he is well over a point per game, and uses deception to get to open space where he makes his plays. Last season he was nominated by Erie as one of the leagues most outstanding players, and also led the league in faceoff percentage at 61%. This NHL prospect is one of the leagues most dynamic and versatile forwards and projects as a 5-tool player.
Owen Van Steensel (LW, L, 5’10”, 174, North Bay Battalion, 08/04/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Owen is the captain for North Bay, and produced in all areas for the Battalion. He plays with versatility and high work ethic, using quick feet to get to the right areas. His skating is agile and quick twitched, as he jumps to loose pucks and recovers well above the puck. Playing in all situations, he plays a lot of minutes for a forward including special teams and key moments. Offensively he has had a slower start compared to last year, but is still producing at a high rate and using his playmaking abilities. His best offensive asset is his vision and passing, as he constantly makes creative and subtle plays that put his teammates in high danger scoring positions. He is slightly undersized, but does well to hide the puck on his back hip and get it into ready positions. Overall, he is a versatile forward that can impact the game in all three zones, with high IQ and creativeness.
Jacob Leblanc (D, R, 6’1″, 190, North Bay Battalion, 06/03/2004, Princeton)
Grade: B+
Comments: Leblanc is a high scoring defender, who is constantly looking to activate and jump from the back-end. He corrals the puck in his own end with his head up and makes strong transition passes up ice. An example of this was his assist in this game, as he hit a quick stretch pass to create an odd-man rush for his team. He is over a point per game as a defenseman this year, and is near the top of the league for his position. His skating is fluid and above average in transition, as he can pivot and accelerate up ice with ease. Defensively he can look to shore up and add grit, as he can get beat wide and out of corners at times but this comes with his offensive characteristics for a defender. He excelled in overtime and on the powerplay, as he is tasked with lots of key situation and plays big minutes for North Bay. Projecting as an offensive and powerplay defender, he can odd diversity and point production from the back-end. He is committed to play at Princeton University for next season.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images