| Ryan Cook | Collingwood Blues | OJHL | L | D | 6’4″ | 201 | Uncomm. | Toronto, ON | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
OJHL Playoffs: Collingwood Blues vs Pickering Panthers, April 17, 2022: It was impossible to take your eyes off this long and lanky defender. In the defensive zone he won wall battle after wall battle. He ended the cycle and started transition. After winning the battles Cook showed a quick first step and very long stride that allowed him to jump into play as well as the four way agility to recover defensively when needed. When Pickering dumped the puck in he retrieved the puck with his head on a swivel looking for the easiest way to exit the zone. We liked that he played in straight lines using his extended stick to force Panther’s players to make poor decisions. An example of this occurred early in the third period when Cook was caught on a bad line change after a turnover, but while coming off the bench he sprinted with an extended stick that seemed to reach half way across the rink which forced a potential 2 on 0 to go offsides. He cleared shooting lanes while shorthanded and we liked the focus he showed when firing the puck down the ice for 200′ clears that allowed his penalty killing unit to make clean changes. Cook is obviously a work in progress, but we feel National League teams should be paying attention to a 6’4″ 200lbs defender who had played a grand total of 29 games over the past two seasons. He carries 200 pounds fairly easily and still looks like his skating base could allow him to add another 20 pounds while still keeping his mobility.
OJHL Showcase, December 1, 2021: The defenseman is a very reliable puck mover and supports the attack up ice. Cook will activate inside the offensive zone, providing options for forwards on cycles or exchanges. He made excellent reads at the offensive blueline, moving laterally, holding the line on plays up the wall, shrinking the ice as required or withdrawing to accept an attack. Cook successfully executed opportunities to advance the puck or utilizes his D partner to change the point of advancement. He transitions the puck quickly to forwards in all three lanes. Grade B
2018 Minor Midget International Silver Stick, December 22, 2018: Cook is comfortable quarterbacking the PP and moving the puck quickly. He willingly unloads his shot on the PP and does so quickly to create second chance opportunities in front of the net. Cook sees the ice well in transition. He is able to hit forwards in stride with breakout passes.
Toronto Titans Minor Midget Tournament, September 28, 2018: Cook is a strong puck carrier and a heads up skater. He has the ability to wheel out of his defensive zone to evade pressure and distribute as he enters the neutral zone. He plays the game with a high IQ and is often in the right area to make the correct play. He has a solid frame and did a good job defending opponents 1 on 1. On the penalty kill he had an active stick and was able to deny time and space for the opponents to set up.