Sean Farrell (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B+) Forward
We have continued to be impressed by Sean’s play and have him currently rated as a ‘B+’ heading into the second half of the season.
World Junior A Challenge Update: (F, L, 5’8″, 168, Chicago Steel, 11/02/2001, Harvard)- Farrell was one of the Three Musketeers for the deep USA team along with Fontaine and Brisson. He finished 3rd in the tournament in points behind his linemates with 8, including 5 goals. He contributed throughout the tournament with at least a point in each game, including an assist on the game-tying goal in the Semi’s and a goal in the bronze medal game versus the Czech Republic. His best attributes are his quickness and his hands, which allowed him to gain entry and maintain possession offensively. His 5 goals were tied with his linemates and Russia’s Tyutnev for most in the tournament. The small shifty forward was fun to watch and will continue his career at Harvard next fall. Grade: A
Below are our comments on why we changed Sean’s rating from a ‘C+’ to a ‘B’;
Coming into the season everyone expected Sean to have a big year for Chicago. He is a smart hockey player who can fly and that combination usually makes for a successful Junior season. But we did not expect the look of a natural goal scorer to return. We gave him positive reviews earlier this year on his quick release and ability to shoot through screens while his feet were moving, but his shot never seemed to be heavy. And although Sean scored at nearly a goal per game pace in New England prep hockey, he did not have the same results while playing with the United State’s National Program the last two seasons. Well, that has changed this year. Sean seems to have added some zip and power to his snap shot. Even his misfires are catching the goalies off guard. Combine the added strength, the puck skills to get it away very quickly and how noticeably much more patient he is and Sean is looking like a goal scorer. Sean’s offensive skill set makes it no surprise that he is one of the leading play makers in the USHL, but his ability to put the puck away has raised his Neutral Zone NHL rating to a B.
(1) Brain – Sean is more than just a speed guy. He has a high hockey IQ. He does not cheat on 50-50 pucks. He is smart enough to read when the odds are in his team’s favor and he does an excellent job on those types of decisions.
(2) Vision & Poise – Sean has always been a player who sees the ice well and can make plays. He has the ability to find the 4th attacker on a line rush and can also see the weak-side defenseman crashing the net while cycling.
(3) Feet – He is an excellent skater. Quick to accelerate out of stops and starts while also having high end top line speed.
(4) Compete & Effort – Sean is playing like he has something to prove this year. And he does.
(5) Contact or Physicality – Sean does not shy away from contact and he does not look to make big hits. He uses his skating ability to to initiate contact through angles and he causes turnovers with his willingness to take away his oppositions hands. We do not see Sean as a net front presence, but he consistently skates through the shooting lanes to enhance screens and take away the goalie’s vision.
(6) Release – The USDP emphasizes the skill of shooting while the player’s feet are moving and Sean is no exception. He has a very quick deceptive release that seems to catch goalies and defenders off guard.
(7) One Timer Ability – We did not see any in Pittsburgh
(8) Body Language – See (4)
(9) Special Teams Potential – We feel that with Sean’s skating ability, quickness, stick skills and brains he has the potential to be a special teams player in the NHL. His brains and willingness to not cheat on 50-50 pucks only enhance his ability to be a penalty killer while his soft hands and smooth 1st touch make him an option on the mid-wall of even the point on the power play.
(10) Intangibles – Sean is going to Harvard and right now Harvard is producing NHL players as well as any school in the country.