Ryan McGuire (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
You can tell by watching Ryan that he has spent a lot of time around professionals and has really absorbed how they approach the game. He is very aggressive as an F1 on the fore-check while understanding that his job is to cut the ice in half, eliminate options and create a bit a of chaos. But his mental game is on display as he reads the fore-check as an F2 or F3. He quickly recognizes if the opposing defenseman is on his forehand or backhand and has the patience or aggression needed to play at higher levels. Aggression needed, Ryan is going to take away the opposition’s time and space finish his check. Patience is the read, he will play with his stick on the ice and take the correct angle to slow the attack while limiting options so his line mates can force back pressure. In the defensive zone, Ryan provides reliable low support as a center. He maintains defensive side positioning and does not get trapped along the wall. Ryan has quick feet and is able to contain with his body strength or quick stick and he does an excellent job of boxing out while making sure the shooting lanes are clear. Long term we feel Ryan will be able to play all three forward positions, but his ability to win face-offs will be a huge asset as he continues to grow and develop his overall game. Lastly, Ryan has a bullet. He shoots with his feet moving, through screens and has the physical ability to adjust his hands quickly while receiving a pass so that he can still fire it without needing the extra time to dust it off. He also has a professional one timer right now. He does not need a perfect pass to rip it and he not only hits the net, he puts the puck where he wants it. We feel Ryan is a very intriguing long term National League prospect. He has good feet and agility, competitiveness and is very willing to be play on the edge, all the while his back ground around the game has given him a head start as to what the professional game is all about. We feel he is a solid ‘C” NHL prospect who has the potential to be a very effective professional after finishing his college career at Colgate.