| Seamus Powell | Boston College | NCAA | L | D | 6’0″ | 168 | Boston College | 2022 | Marcellus, NY | 2004 | 2022-2023: C 2021-2022: C+ |
NCAA, Beanpot Tournament: Boston College vs Harvard, February 6, 2023: Powell totaled 8:22 in ice time. He did not play on either special team’s unit. With Boston College running around and a few of their defenders often looking a step slow, the freshman did not get his first shift of the game until 6:30 was left in the first period, but from that point on he played a regular 5on5 shift and his feet were a real asset. Immediately we noticed his pace as he used his speed to gain the redline multiple times for momentum gathering dumps. Offensively his passes were on the tape and even though the ice looked pretty bad Powell did not need to stickhandle before making a hard flat pass. During offensive transition we like how he worked to be an outlet for his partner as he did not over skate passing lanes. Defensively his quick feet and lateral mobility allowed him to be up on the play setting his gap early and often times to defend while skating forwards with an extended stick that forced turnovers. With BC losing 3-2 Powell’s last shift ended with three minutes left in the third period, but on it he gained the redline for another momentum gaining dump that kept Harvard retreating for pucks and on their heels. He finished the game even with 0 points, 1 shot, 1 hit, 6 giveaways (3 were dump-ins), 3 takeaways and he won 50% of his 4 puck battles.
NCAA: Boston College vs Northeastern, January 31, 2023: Powell totaled 11:48 in ice time. He did not play on either special team’s unit. Overall we feel that Powell is looking more confident and comfortable. During defensive zone coverage he was more patient as the weakside defender as he scanned the ice looking for NU’s scissor plays or top of the circle rolls. He played on his toes ready to attack the opposing forward or 50/50 puck rather than being too eager to force the play and getting trapped on the wrong side of the puck / play. In defensive situations away from the puck there were still times when his stick was parallel with the ice rather than on the ice, but once he was engaged in a 1on1 situation he used a hidden poke check to force bobbled pucks or deter shooting opportunities. Offensively he went with his first option and made hard quick outlets. During the second period he showed nice poise along the offensive blueline when he changed the shooting angle on the hard charging NU winger to get his shot through. It was not a crazy offensive dangle, but the subtle move showed confidence and growth to his game. He finished the game even with 0 points, 2 giveaways, 3 takeaways and he won 100% of his 2 puck battles.
NCAA: Boston College vs Boston University, January 27, 2023: Powell totaled 9:30 in ice time. He did not play on either special team’s unit. Earlier in the season we noted that he got spun around while in net front coverage, tonight he looked stronger through contact and kept his chest more upright for better balance. In general we felt Powell was playing with more confidence. Not trying to do more or too much, but just being more assertive and going with his first thought rather than looking for the “special play”. Midway through the third period he activated down the weakside for a grade “A” one-timer that he got absolutely robbed on. He finished the game -1 with 0 points, 1 shot, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 1 hit, received 1 hard body check where he took a hit to start a breakout, 0 giveaways, 1 takeaway and he won 20% of his 5 puck battles.
NCAA: Boston College vs Notre Dame, November 25, 2022: Powell totaled 6:28 in ice time. He did not play on either special team’s unit. The first thing we noticed was that he looked noticeably faster and his stride looked noticeably more explosive. During defensive zone cycling coverage he was patient as the weakside defender and you could hear him communicating with his low forward calling out switches and picks. In offensive transition he moved the puck quickly making hard flat tape to tape passes that were easy to handle. He was on the ice for one goal for and two goals against. The goal for originated in off a defensive zone face-off where Powell won a 50/50 puck battle along the mid-wall which led to a clean breakout and offensive zone entry. One goal against came off high tip that was the result of a grey area turnover by the right winger. The other goal against came off a point shot and a rebound where he was outmuscled for the puck. On this goal his initial positioning was sound, but he allowed the Notre Dame forward to spin him around for net side positioning. He finished the night -1 with 0 points, 0 shots, 0 hits, 1 giveaway, 5 takeaways and he won 100% of his 1 puck battle.
NCAA: Boston College vs Holy Cross, October 1, 2022 (Exhibition): Powell totaled 12:51 in ice time. He did not play on either special team’s unit. The left shot defender showed the foot work to look comfortable playing both the right and left side. During offensive transition he maintained dot lane width which allowed him to move his feet as he was receiving the puck for better passing options / lanes. He looked comfortable beating the F1 to carry the puck out of the defensive end, but there were a few times that once he was in the neutral zone Holy Cross’ positioning at the lines closed on him too quickly which resulted in offsides or pucks out of play. He did not telegraph his outlet passes and his passes were easy to handle. During the play he worked to get up the ice to set his gap early which allowed him to limit the opposing forward’s options and force poor decisions or dumps. While defending line rushes or the cycle Powell played with an active stick which allowed him to deflect multiple passes. In the first period he got caught napping on two left circle defensive zone face-offs. Neither set face-off play resulted in a goal, but Holy Cross had a right shot forward line up on the left hashmarks and there was definitely confusion when he rolled behind the center to rip a snapshot. Powell was on the ice for a second period goal against that came directly off a face-off play, but to us it looked like BC’s center told Powell where to be positioned and the positioning essentially took him out of the play. Midway through the third he showed nice wiggle and puck poise as he received a pass in the offensive dot lane and he juked out the Holy Cross weakside wing for a grade “A” opportunity. On the night he finished -1 with 0 points, 2 shots, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 0 hits, had 2 shots blocked, 3 giveaways, 4 takeaways and he won 25% of his 4 puck battles.
Neutral Zone NHL, July 4, 2022: Why an NHL draft pick, he is a fleet-footed 6’0″ 168-pound defender who won 59% of his puck battles during his draft year. His angles during defensive neutral zone transition are excellent. His offensive game has matured into a quick outlet transition producer. During his NTDP career he was a primary penalty killer. He had twelve penalty minutes in 157 NTDP games. Why not an NHL draft pick, he attempted 69 total shots in 2021/22. During his time with the NTDP, he has averaged being on the receiving end of 1.00 hard body checks per game.
U18: Team Canada vs Team USA, April 24, 2022: Powell finished with 1 assist and 2 giveaways compared to 7 takeaways, but what stood out to us here was his penalty killing. He attacked bouncing pucks with assertiveness and after winning the 50/50 battle Powell made sure he or his penalty killing unit got 200′ clears. We also noted his hand eye coordination and ability to knock down Team Canada’s sauce passes. Offensively Powell worked well with his partner, especially below the goal line where he showed the confidence to use the net as a pick to start transition or breakouts.
Toronto Marlies Classic, February 2, 2020: Powell seems to have the puck on his stick for extended periods of time and uses various escape maneuvers to elude pressure and maintain possession. He does an amazing job getting a few quick strides up ice which makes it easier to make a first pass in or out of the defensive zone. Given open ice he will take it and back defenders in only to use them as a screen. He knows how to get inside the dots quickly as he backs off the offensive blue line. He uses his partner to change the point of attack in the neutral zone and hinges back for a return pass so he can transition up ice. Powell’s lightning fast feet helps creates lanes for passing and shooting and he only needs a sliver of space to get up ice. Grade: A-
U15: USHL Showcase, October 25, 2019: Seamus plays a similar game to his brother who was also in town with the NTDP on the weekend. Seamus’ best attribute is his skating. He has a long, fluid stride and gets up to speed easily. He wheels the puck out of his end and escapes pressure well. He uses the net to his advantage and will either skate to open ice or snap a breakout pass to his wings. He has good recovery speed which lets him take chances on the offensive end. He can make defenders miss and made several nice plays in transition. Will need to sure-up his play in his own end. At times would run around a bit. Solid player with high upside. Grade: B+
USA Hockey Select 15 Development Camp, August 24, 2019: He does an excellent job of moving his feet to create passing lanes on the breakout and has the balance to fend off forecheckers after contact. HIs tournament point total does not reflect his offensive talents. Seamus passes the puck with authority yet still has the awareness to place touch passes onto areas where only his forwards can receive them. In the offensive zone he initiates the high cycle at the proper times and easily loses his defender when going back door. He walks the blueline with his head up in all situations and his quick release creates rebound scoring opportunities. He has a tendency to cheat in the defensive zone and get caught on the wrong side of the puck, but his skating ability allows him to recover quickly. Seamus has a strong stick in front of his own net and our scouts noted his poise while carrying the puck out of dangerous areas. Grade: B
Junior Chowder Cup (2004s), August 6, 2019: Powell was smooth and silky both on the offensive end as well as the defense end. We like his ability to shutdown plays in his own zone particularly using his long stick to influence the play (listed at 5’11). When he needs to change direction he keeps his hips open and is able to swivel effectively to both create space and shuffle away from the opposition. He can move the puck up ice both with his feet and with sharp passes to waiting forwards. We like the fact that not only were his passes authoritative but they regularly arrived on the tape of the recipient which meant little wasted time collecting the puck before turning up ice. Alternatively when he was patrolling the point in the offensive zone he was a great receiver of the puck: ensuring that it didn’t get too far away from him and adjusting his hands based on how hard the pass came in. He recognizes coverage quickly in his mind and sometimes that comes before his body can catch up. At one point he made an off-balance pass that hit his intended target but forced him to stutter-step in order to regain his footing. Despite this, he is a smooth, athletic defender who will be worthy of a watch moving into his age 16 season. Grade: B+
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images