Payton Mount (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
NHL Evaluation: Payton has great edge work and balance, as well as a powerful first step which allows him to be at top speed quickly. He has very good 1 on 1 puck skills. He uses his speed to generate scoring opportunities by driving the opposing defenders deep into the offensive zone, delaying and either cutting to the middle or finding the late attacker. He is hungry for goals and attacks rebounds. Payton plays on the first power play unit and is relied upon to be an offensive catalyst. At the time of this writing, Seattle has scored 175 goals and Payton has been involved in 39 and is second on the Thunderbirds with 24 assists. He shows good awareness on defensive zone face-offs by knowing his responsibilities as a both a center or a wing. He plays with his head on a swivel while defending the cycle and maintains shooting lanes, has an active stick and tries not to get trapped on the wall during scrums. Payton uses his speed and quickness to be a very effective penalty killer at the WHL level and we feel he has the ice awareness to be a killer in professional hockey. Payton has the hockey sense and offensive skills to be an NHL draft pick in June and we feel his 5’8″ 183 pound frame will be able to handle professional hockey as well.
World Selects Invite (2002) June 2017: (R, Western Canada Selects, 5’8”/170, ’02) – Delta Hockey Academy Prep / Victoria, BC, CA – Payton came to the tournament after a highly successful season where he led Delta Academy Bantam squad in points and earned a first-round selection in the WHL Draft. He’s strong, he out-muscles opponents along the wall and he possesses a powerful stride. He’s balanced and strong on his edges, tough to knock off the puck and has a hard shot. His hands are more agile than he gets credit for and he zips passes tape to tape, flat across the ice. What stood out about his game this particular tournament was his compete level, ability to separate from opponents to gain time and space and his puck protection along the boards and down low in the offensive zone. His game is mature and direct and it should translate nicely at the next level.
WHL Cup October 2017: (F, R, 5’10”, 174lbs, 2002)- Payton possesses quick feet, and good agility on his skates. His fleet footedness allows him to break away from defenders and make plays with his soft hands and good vision. He plays a sound positional game defensively where his biggest asset is his brain and ability to read and react with speed and efficiency. Grade: A–
CSSHL Midget Playoffs April 2018: (F, 2002 Delta)-Payton is very quick and smooth. He is quick in all aspects of the game, he has the ability to pull away form defenders with his speed and his quick hands disorient the defenders as well. In all Payton is a producer. He is positionally sound and he jumps on opportunities and produces chances and results.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images