Brendan Brisson (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward
World Junior A Challenge Update: Brisson was impressive throughout the tournament, leading in nearly all statistical categories. He finished with 5 goals, 3 of which came on the Power play, and 7 assists. His 12 points were tied for the most in tournament history, with only Nick Schmaltz and Evgeni Svechnikov equaling that amount prior to Brisson. He showed great speed, skill and offensive instinct in this tournament. His deceptive hands and quick feet led to many penalties drawn. One of his more memorable plays came on a great read in his own end where he picked off a D-to-D pass from a Czech defender, streaked down the ice, drew a hooking call but used his strength to stay on the puck and feed his line-mate with a great pass for a one-timed shot that beat the Czech goalie. Brisson led the rush for zone entries on countless occasions, using his skill to beat defenders and vision to find teammates. He gave a really great effort here, if he was not held off the board in the semi-finals and bronze medal game, he would have the tournament points record to himself. Grade: A
(1) Brain – Brendan thinks the game like a buzz-saw. He is in attack mode and swarms the puck at every option. In the defensive zone he provides constant low support for his defenseman and in the offensive he consistently creates 2 on 1 situations all over the ice.
(2) Vision & Poise – As a center his head is up and he is looking to make plays all over the ice. He is very good at finding the late attackers or passing the puck through seems or tight lanes. We noted that on a few quick goal line plays his poise allowed him to make the opposing defender slide and he was to find his line-mate in the high slot.
(3) Feet – Brendan is very quick in tight spaces. He can stop on a dime and change direction incredibly quickly. We do not think he has high end top line speed, but this does not mean he is slow. His agility and quickness will be an asset as he develops.
(4) Compete & Effort – Gives it every shift
(5) Contact or Physicality – Brendan is a player who plays with reckless abandon. He throws himself into larger players & expects to knock them down. He will initiate contact in all three zones and he looks to start transition after contact.
(6) Release – Quick accurate release. We noted that he has the ability to shoot bouncing pucks with ease and fires them at the mail slot.
(7) One Timer Ability – Had two hard accurate one timers on the power play Saturday versus Sioux City. A huge plus for us.
(8) Body Language – (Only Note Extremes)
(9) Special Teams Potential – Brendan’s quickness and a agility make him a natural option to kill penalties at the professional level. Combine this with his general fearlessness and ability to win face-offs and we view him a potential penalty killer in the NHL.
(10) Intangibles – Brendan has been around big name players his entire life. He will not be in awe of any situation and has seen how the pros carry themselves. Although I don’t know him I think Brendan wants to be an NHLer and is going to work his tail off to make it happen.