| Owen Power | Chicago Steel | USHL | L | D | 6’5″ | 210 | Michigan | 2020 | Mississauga, ON | 2002 | 2020-2021: A |
Brian Murphy, Neutral Zone’s Director of U.S. Scouting, November 2020: This past weekend our Head of US Scouting Brian Murphy watched Owen at Michigan and added that he dominated the corners against AZ State, quickly knocking opponents off the puck and skating or passing rapidly up ice. His play along the offensive blue line was extraordinary. His length allows for last minute keeps even as he starts backing out. he also made a player miss, went at the net, moved laterally to his right to make a shot blocker miss and created a shot with his reach and a quick step left. His skating and mobility are unmatched for a player of his size. He stood out in a major way. They don’t make many players with his size, skating and skill.
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, August 2020: Heading into his draft year Owen is an NHL General Manager’s dream. He’s so big, strong and fluid that he looks like he will be a top pairing guy in today’s National League for a long long time. He has the lateral quickness and agility to match up defensively with today’s smaller quicker players, yet he has the frame and strength to over power his competition in battles. Offensively Owen has an easy first touch and plays with his head up. He has great anticipation while finding open lanes and open teammates. At this point Owen looks to be a sure fire top 5 selection in my eyes, and can possibly move higher. I really hope Michigan plays because he is ready for the next challenge.
2002 National Rankings Top 420, July 2020: Owen ranked 2nd overall in Neutral Zone’s 2002 age group rankings behind Jake Sanderson and ahead of Brock Faber.
USHL – Chicago Steel NHL Draft Prospects (11/29/19), December 2019: The game just appeared very easy for the hulking defenseman. It isn’t very often you see a player with his size so refined at his age. He played extremely well with his partner and made strong plays with the puck on his forehand. His feet were very impressive for his size and he moved laterally with ease. He always had his head up and made high percentage plays. Defensively he didn’t play an overall physical game but was in great position and used his stick and length to separate players from pucks. He moved the puck on the power play very well and handled pressure. His feet and hockey sense allowed him to open up passing lanes and get pucks to the net or find the open man down low. He finished with 0-1-1 and 3 shots on goal. Tonight he continued to make his mark as a possible 1 st round 2021 NHL Draft pick. GAME GRADE: A
OHL Gold Cup, May 2018: Power carries the puck and moves fluidly for a big man. His ability to skate with the puck was on display in the finals of the OHL Cup. Power and D partner Lleyton Moore dictated the pace of play, broke down forechecks with ease and really set the tone in the blowout of GTHL Red. He created space and gained entry into the offensive zone easily. His long stick and big body made him difficult to get around for opposing forwards.
USHL Phase I Draft (2002s), May 2018: Owen was the highest rated defenseman and ranked second overall for the USHL Phase I Draft.
USHL Phase 1 Draft Grades – Team: Chicago Steel, May 2018:
Grade: B+
Best prospect: Owen Power (#2 Ranked), Best Value: Cole Perfetti (#5 Ranked / #46 Overall), Dylan Robinson (#135 overall)
Picks: 12 Total; 5 in Top 50; 10 in Top 100
Summary: The Steel had 12 picks in the draft and occupied 10% of the Top 100 picks which left them in a great position. They went after the #2 ranked prospect in the draft in Owen Power, a pro style 6’5” Michigan committed defender out of Mississauga Reps. He has the size, athleticism and versatile skill set to play in the league next season if needed. They didn’t stop there; they tapped into the GTHL market again for arguably the smartest player in the draft in fellow Michigan commit Cole Perfetti out of Vaughn Kings. In the second round they selected an elite pace and playmaker in Cole Shepard who is signed with Penticton next season and expected to attend Harvard University. Their last Canadian pick was NTDP Evaluation camp invite and Toronto Jr. Canadians standout Dylan Robinson, a skilled power forward who can finish but carries high OHL risk so it was a smart risk/reward play in the ninth round. With their American picks they selected 4 NCAA D1 commits in nifty, skill forward Joe Miller out of Blake HS, slick handed Matt Coronato out of Long Island Gulls U16, a high compete, all-around forward in Sasha Teleguine and mobile, two-way, puck moving defender Jason Marsella out of NJ Avalanche U16. Among their uncommitted prospects they added some nice prospects in Tim Lovell, a small but elite skating defender out of Boston Advantage, NTDP Evaluation camp invite and Shattuck U16 standout Matthew Samoskevich, sneaky, slippery forward in Josh Doan (son of NHLer Shane Doan) and speedy, hard working David Ma out of Shattuck St. Mary’s. This was a solid draft; they took some chances taking high skill up north and they complimented it well with US NCAA commits and great value picks late in the draft. The Steel staff lost their GM late in the scouting season so this was an impressive performance by the scouting staff and new GM to take over last minute and put together this draft.
2018 OHL Draft Rankings, March 2018: Power continues to show as one of the top D-men in the tournaments, league play, and overall in the age group. Power’s size, skill and hockey IQ present an excellent overall package. This package, combined with a late birthday, ensure he won’t be waiting for his name to be called on OHL Draft day. Power in recent viewings continues to improve his overall offensive play – distributing pucks to forwards, following up the attack, and getting pucks through offensively. Defensively, we would like to see more attention to detail in his zone and more physical play from Power as he moves on at the next level.
Marlies Holiday Classic, February 2018: One of the top D-men in the tournaments, league play, and overall in the age group. Power’s size, skill and hockey IQ present an excellent overall package. This package combined with a late birthday ensure he won’t be waiting for his name to be called on OHL Draft day. Power in recent viewings continues to improve his overall offensive play – distributing pucks to forwards, following up the attack, and getting pucks through offensively. Defensively, we would like to see more attention to detail in his zone and more physical play from Power as the year progresses.
Battle of the Border, December 2017: There are a lot of defensemen who have played hockey for a long time due to their size and ability to be reliable. Owen has these traits as he is a hulking defender with big time presence. He has sound skating fundamentals and can handle the puck with poise. His first pass was consistent along with the ability to defend opponents with his body. He separated players from pucks and broke it out. His talent level has scouting dreaming of a defender who can play 30 minutes a game and be a plus player. Grade: A+
GTHL 2017 Prospects All-Star Game, December 2017: Owen continues to show as one of the top D-men in the age group. As a big blue liner we feel he moves extremely well. He handles the puck well, makes good decisions under pressure, and showed well playing the body defensively. Power does many things well, plays in all situations and looks for a shooting lane from the point and makes smart decisions all over the ice. Was definitely one of the top players on team Navy during this game.
OHL Draft December Rankings, December 2017: Owen was Neutral Zone’s 4th highest rated defenseman behind 2020 NHL Draft prospects Jamie Drysdale, Lleyton Moore and Ryan O’Rourke.
Wendy Dufton: Top 150 Prospects, October 2017: Owen continues to show as one of the top D-men in the tournament and the age group. He has impressed us as the top D man on the Reps and has been able to play a key role in the Reps advancing to the semi finals at both the Titan’s tournament and London Wendy Dufton tournament. Power plays a fearless game out on the ice given his size and skating abiliy (think Darnell Nurse.) He takes the body when he should but doesn’t really impose his will. Power does many things well, plays in all situations and looks for a shooting lane from the point and makes smart decisions all over the ice.
Mississauga Reps vs. Toronto Titans – 2002 GTHL SCTA Bantam Playoff, February 2017: Owen is big, long, skates well and seems fairly coordinated given his size. Captain and plays a lot. Protects the puck well, skates with it well. Could be more physical in our opinion and we don’t know if he plays with an edge. we questioned his decision making at times but has lots of potential. B+
STX Elite Hockey Shootout, October 2016: Best player overall throughout the weekend for the games we saw. Tall lengthy defenseman, very smooth skater who always makes the smart decision. Really impressive skater for his height and slender build, especially considering his age. Doesn’t have to be physical due to his reach and skating ability. He played in all facets of the game PP-PK. We would have like to see what kind of shot he had but he didn’t take too many here. He continues to develop on this pace he could be a top draft in any league in North America. Even having a late November birth date. Grade: A+