| Paul Davey | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | F | 6’2″ | 180 | Boston College | 2021 | Greenwich, CT | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
USHL: Fargo vs Des Moines, February 9, 2022: A creative and skilled player that really showed his skill on the power play this game. All game he possessed the puck with confidence wanting to make plays. On the power play obviously, he has more time and space to do this but it would consistently work out. The cross ice seam pass with and without sauce was a go to for him. He would drag the puck low fooling the goalie to go on one side of the net and pass to the other. Scored a nice goal constructing space in front and finding a tip on a shot from the point. With rotation, he used his size to own a spot in front of the net. A-
USHL: Des Moines Buccaneers vs Waterloo Blackhawks, December 31, 2021: In the 5-3 loss to Waterloo Davey earned 17:32 in total ice time, including 0:43 while on the power play and 1:22 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 1 goal, an even plus/minus, 2 shots on goal (0PP), 1 grade “A” scoring chance, 12 minutes in penalties on a scrum with 0:30 seconds left in the third period, 1 hit, 5 giveaways compared to 1 takeaway. Davey has the build of a taller and little bit lanky but this gives Davey reach and the size of a lot of smaller defenseman in the game and I’m sure the league. What stands out about Davey’s games is how he’s able to get to the front of the net and get sticks on pucks. Anything near the house it seems like he gets a stick on. Below is the goal line and down the wall is where he excels. Davey’s long strides make it hard for defenders to read his speed and his talent allows him to beat them. Grade: B+
USHL: Des Moines vs Tri-City Storm, November 20, 2021: In the 2-0 loss to Tri-City Davey earned 18:13 in total ice time, including 2:53 while on the power play and 1:09 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished 0 points, was -1, 2 shots on goal (1PP), 2 grade “A” scoring chances, 2 hits and 8 giveaways compared to 3 takeaways. This was Davey’s sixth game in 15 days since returning from injury and it is easy to say that he looked much more comfortable. He was faster in 50/50 puck pursuit, stopped on pucks in transition and looked much more confident playing through contact. On the power play Davey moved to the weakside right point and roll to the mid-wall as Des Moines gained possession. He looked poised on the mid-wall showing a soft first touch, one-touched passes with authority and ability to look off the penalty killer’s sticks as he opened up passing lanes. We liked how he fired a one-timer off an awkward bouncing pass. After coming back from an extended injury, this game was another step in the right direction for Davey.
USHL: Des Moines vs Cedar Rapids Rough Riders, November 6, 2021: In the 5-3 Buccaneers win Davey earned 18:06 in total ice time, including 3:38 while on the power play. He did not factor in the penalty kill game. Statistically he finished with 0 points, was -2, 2 shots on goal (1PP), 1 grade “A” scoring opportunities, won 1 of 3 face-offs, 0 hits, 1 blocked shot and 5 giveaways versus 8 takeaways. It was Davey’s second game of the season on the second night of a back to back versus Cedar Rapids and we feel he looked much more comfortable. As a puck carrier he looked comfortable on zone entries and did not try to over complicate things. There was no confusion as to what type of player he is as he drove defenders off the blueline showing speed and power as he beat them wide. He played the left point on the power play, dropping into a strong side mid-wall option when they rolled into the umbrella. In this position he showed the puck poise to suck the penalty killers to him which opened passing lanes to both the bumper and weakside. It still looked like he was getting his legs under him, but he hunted pucks on the forecheck and was willing to throw his body around.
USHL: Des Moines Buccaneers vs Cedar Rapids Rough Riders, November 5, 2021: Davey started the season on Injured Reserve and tonight was his first game of the season. In the 5-3 loss to Cedar Rapids Davey earned 13:17 in total ice time, including 2:10 while on the power play and 1:30 while short handed. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus rating, 0 shots on goal, 0 grade “A” scoring chances, 6 penalty minutes, 1 hit and 13 giveaways versus 1 takeaway. It was nice to see a healthy Davey back on the ice competing and trying to be an impactful power forward.
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, February 2021: I really like how Paul’s game is evolving. He’s playing with more pace. He seems stronger on the walls and is a threat to spin off contact to bring the puck to the net. But the thing that really is starting to stand out is his compete. He does not take the easy way out. He battles in the tough areas and wins those battles consistently. Paul’s turned himself into a legit net front presence. He has very good hand eye and rebound anticipation or retrieval skills. He’s obviously a big kid and I think he’s starting to realize what type of player he is.
Avon Old Farms vs Salisbury Weekend Scrimmage, November 2020: The Avon center is tall, long and has a smooth stride. He could generate speed when he got his feet moving with straight-line acceleration. Davey has poise with the puck and does not force plays. He could draw defenders towards him and open up space if he had no other options. He is physical in the defensive zone and helps support the puck. Davey also sacrificed his body with blocks to help his netminder. Offensively, he can go unnoticed which can be dangerous: on one play, he snuck behind Salisbury defenders on their blue line and was in on a breakaway, which he was then able to bury. He fired pucks on net anytime he got a chance. He will be a factor for the Winged Beavers this year. Grade: B+
NE Prep: Avon Old Farms Intersquad, October 2020: Paul played on a line with Siedem and the duo controlled large portions of the game. He is a long, rangy forward that has a fluid, balanced stride. He uses his speed to pressure defenders and uses his reach to buy time and space in the offensive zone. Worked the scissor play well on the half-wall and holds the puck out wide to protect it from defenders. Got to the net and isn’t afraid to play in the dirty areas of the rink. Has some touch on the puck and uses a slick set of hands to make quick plays in tight. Scored a goal on a rebound by outworking a defender in the crease. He was creative and tried to make plays backdoor in the offensive zone. Grade: B+ College: Boston College
Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic, January 2020: Davey is long and wiry. The 2003 has improved playing against older players. He used his frame well here as he invited contact and leaned on players in traffic. He made space for himself and his linemates. He is smart and took productive angles with an active stick on the forecheck. He backchecked hard through the middle of the ice. On top of that. he created plays with the puck. His skating is deceptive as he was able to win puck races and negate icings. He is tough to handle with possession. He can break down defenders with his long, powerful stride off the edge, slip through seams in traffic or use his long handle to dangle through opponents. He is a talented player with NHL upside. He scored on a backhand on the rush but we didn’t see him score any others when we watched. No matter as his talents are evident and his upside is very high.
Select 16’s USA Hockey National Camp, July 2019: Davey was easily one of the most talented players in Buffalo. He is big, strong, and can skate or play any way you want. Paul went in and hit on the forecheck making a huge hit in his own end and playing with toughness and some jam. He also had quality first touches as his hands are soft. Davey had the puck many times in space and along the wall. In space, he wheeled and could stickhandle his way at top speed to break down defenders. Along the wall and on the cycle, he slid with contact, stopped and started quickly to lose defenders, protected possession and hit open seams quickly. He played with a terrific combination of wiggle and strength. He regrouped well as he used his defensemen and moved to get pucks back and even pulled a clever spin move in the neutral zone. His glide is excellent and he stayed around the play all week. He sniped in the slot to tie the game late against White and then made a slick stop pull back deke in the shootout. He has a ton of tools and lots of upside. As one of the best prospects at this event, he had an argument for the All-Star game. Davey took a couple silly tripping penalties and must find more consistency, but he is a teenager and a talented one at that. He is trending in the right direction for sure. Grade: B+ College: Boston College
NTDP Evaluation Camp Report, March 2019: Davey is a tall, thin, athletic forward who showed glimpses here of a really exciting prospect. He has a long stride and deceptive speed on the edge; he did a great job driving wide and feeding passes through the slot. He carries the puck well in stride, he has his head up and makes crisp, accurate passes. He protects the puck well both on drives and down low in the offensive zone with his reach and body positioning and while he didn’t shoot much he has a powerful release. His passing ability is what stood out here; he sees it, he has great touch both on-ice passes and saucer passes, but we would have liked to see him get the puck to the net more and become a scoring threat. He could also benefit by playing a harder, more physical game to fully utilize his size and athleticism. Another prospect who put himself in the bubble conversation after a strong performance this week. College: Boston College
U14 Nationals, April 2018: Davey is a long, strong power forward in the making. Played with real jam and went hard to the net. Pushed pace and moved laterally to set up screens and create his shot. Can fire the puck and also showed he can track and bang home rebounds. He doesn’t force his skills on the game and has a slippery element where he can slide with contact and use is reach to keep the puck. Made him elusive below the dots and in the cycle game. Willing to hit and punished opponents. He is still raw and clearly growing into his frame but he was noticeable each day here. May have as much upside as anyone on this report. Has some nice tools and is a prep player to watch next season.
Labor Day Bantams at Mennen (NJ), September 2017: Davey is a good skater with nice hands who is unselfish and works well with other skilled players. He is strong and very good one on one on the attack. In the zone, he knows where to go and is not afraid of the danger zones. A high end kid.
2003 Crimson Combine, August 2017: Big left shot forward who worked really well with his linemates, Turner & Gould. They were fun to watch, every time they were on the ice they were in the offensive zone. Davey works hard and uses his body to get control the puck all over the ice.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
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