Jake Crawford (LW, L, 6’3″, 181, Owen Sound Attack, 05/05/2007)
Jake Crawford is a tall, rangy forward who brings positional versatility, character, and a willingness to engage physically. He split time at wing and center for Owen Sound and served as an assistant captain. While his offensive production was limited, Crawford was a consistent presence in all three zones and took regular shifts on both special teams. His size and leadership traits are intriguing, but concerns about his pace, puck execution, and play-driving ability at the OHL level must be weighed against his potential as a bottom-six support piece at higher levels.
Statistical Profile (2024–25)
Season Totals: 65 GP | 8 G | 17 A | 25 PTS | 22 PIM | -21
He had Owen Sound’s lowest plus-minus rating
Ranked outside the team’s top 5 in goals, assists, or points
Single-Game Averages:
TOI: 15:45 | PPT: 1:25 | SHT: 1:34
FO%: 49% on 8 draws per game
Hits Given: 0.78 | Hits Taken: 1.3
Shots: 2.5 | SOG: 1.39 | SC: 1.51 | SC%: 7%
Puck Battles: 14 | Win %: 46%
Pass Completion: 83% | Giveaways: 5.4 | Takeaways: 3.6
Blocked Shots: 0.26
Reasons to Draft
Pro Frame with Room to Add Strength
At 6’3″, Crawford brings NHL size and reach to the wing or center position. While still filling out physically, he engages willingly in contact and shows flashes of a power-forward style, particularly when hunting pucks below the goal line or shielding defenders off cycle entries. He also blocked shots and took regular reps on the PK — he earned trust from his coaching staff despite his stat line.
Leadership and Special Teams Trust
Crawford wore an “A” on a struggling team and was deployed in all situations. That type of responsibility, paired with a willingness to play in defensive scenarios and battle through tough minutes, indicates a team-first mentality that NHL development staffs value in late-round selections or organizational depth pieces.
Flashes of Net-Front Play and Defensive Awareness
He does show offensive instincts in short bursts—especially when retrieving pucks below the dots and feeding high-danger areas. His 0.62 PSP per game reflects that he can create from along the wall or low seams. Additionally, he’s often on the defensive side of the puck, and while his pass completion percentage (83%) is slightly below average his completion rate shows his ability to make clean, simple plays under pressure.
Reasons Not to Draft
Limited Offensive Upside and Low Efficiency on Chances
Crawford’s 25 points in 65 games and 7% scoring chance conversion are well below the threshold expected of draft-eligible forwards at the major junior level. Despite getting over 15 minutes per game—including time on both special teams—he did not produce consistently, and his shot selection (0.65 shots missed per game, 0.43 blocked per game) shows a lack of polish as a finisher.
Poor Puck Battle Results for Size
Although he’s physically mature and engages regularly (14 puck battles per game), Crawford won just 46% of them. This underperformance is a red flag given his frame, particularly for a player whose future likely hinges on excelling in hard areas and providing energy or shutdown minutes from the bottom six.
Plus-Minus and On-Ice Results
Crawford’s -21 rating was the worst on his team. While plus-minus must be viewed contextually, it supports the eye-test concern that he was often in the defensive zone for extended possession. His game lacks dynamism, and he struggled to tilt the ice or make an impact in transition.
Projection & Recommendation
Projection: Bottom-six energy forward with defensive utility and leadership qualities.
Development Path: Likely to require two more seasons of junior before earning an NCAA opportunity and eventually a depth role in the AHL.
Draft Range: 7th Round / Priority Free Agent Watchlist
Verdict:
Jake Crawford brings size, leadership, and a willingness to do the hard things that many players his age shy away from. However, his limited offense, underwhelming physical battle metrics, and inability to consistently impact pace make him a lower-ceiling prospect. He may be worth a late-round flyer as a projectable fourth-line type with PK upside, but he would need to take significant strides in physical strength, puck battle competitiveness, and finishing ability to earn an NHL contract in the long term.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images