On February 12th we watched Erie play hosts to the Barrie Colts. How did the Otter’s NHL prospects perform:
Aidan Campbell (4.5 Star Amateur Prospect, NHL Grade — C+) Goalie
Aidan was very impressive in this one. He was technically sound from the very beginning and was in control of his every movement. He played on the top of his crease while showing tremendous poise and out waiting the Colts’ shooters in a number of out numbered situations. He was explosive laterally and showed how athletic he really is by stopping 2 royal road one-timers and he made the saves look easy. He gave up the tying goal late in the third on a bouncing puck wrister that appeared to bounce of his defenseman on the way to the net. Barrie played a puck possession game that tried to expose Aidan’s aggressiveness, but he played a very controlled confident game. Game Grade: B+
Hayden Fowler (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B-) Forward
Hayden is listed at 5’10” 181lbs and it looked like all of it was compete and effort in this one. He was constantly in the paint annoying Barrie’s goalie and absorbing sticks to the ribs so it was nice to see him be rewarded with a beautiful late game redirection. He showed excellent speed and quickness in transition and was a threat to gain the offensive zone on every line rush. We liked his shoot first mentality and noted that he has the ability to shoot through a screen while his feet are moving. Game Grade: B
Maxim Golod (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade – C) Forward
Erie’s leading scorer was very noticeable during this one. When he was on the ice Maxim controlled the pace of play and made his teammates better. We loved his poised when gaining the offensive blueline and felt he looked especially good on the power play. His unpredictability was a team asset and the Otter’s coaching staff gave him the free range to be creative and generate mismatches from anywhere on the ice. Game Grade: B
Brendan Hoffman (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C+) Forward
We really liked his game. Brendan was excellent on face-offs and controlled the circle. His leadership leading up to a face-off was obvious by his communication skills and willingness to tell his linemates what to expect on both wins or losses. In the past we have questioned his foot speed, but that was not the case in this one. Brendan showed patience in the defensive zone, but at the same time was quick when transitioning from protecting the scoring ares to jumping into the line rush. He showed great speed and soft hands when blowing past a defender to generate a half ice 2 on 1 and Barrie’s goalie was lucky to get his arm on a very quick curl and drag release. We thought he excelled in penalty kill situations and he was far more involved physically than in past viewings. Game Grade: B+
Brendan Kischnick (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Defense
Brendan had an increased role with the absence of Jamie Drysdale and we feel as though he had a good game. His skating ability, primarily edge work and quickness, were an asset all game. He retrieved pucks with confidence starting clean breakouts and and transition from anywhere behind his redline. Defensively, he was able to get to his spots early and protect the scoring areas from both tips and secondary scoring opportunities. We liked that he played with confidence and was a very involved two way defensemen. Game Grade: B
Kyen Sopa (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — Free Agent) Forward
Maximum effort player on every shift. He was one of the, if not the most, noticeable player on the ice. Kyen played with reckless abandon and it was obvious that winning mattered. He was very strong on his skates and delivered some big hits. On the penalty kill he worked within the coaching staff’s system and his stick was a positive factor. He showed strength and poise on his breakaway goal as well as terrific acceleration. Game Grade: A-
Jamie Drysdale & Austen Swankler both missed the game due to injuries.