| Teddy Townsend | Eden Prairie HS | Minnesota HS | L | F | 5’10” | 165 | Minnesota | 2024 | Eden Prairie, MN | 2005 | 2022-2023: B |
MN-HS: Eden Prairie vs Duluth East, December 10, 2022: Townsend totaled 19:21 in ice time including 2:13 on the power play and 1:35 while shorthanded. He finished the game +3 with 4 assists and often times it looked too easy for him. On line rushes he changed pace as if he was toying with his opponents. He would look one way while going the other manipulating the defenders into doing whatever he wanted them to do. His passes were excellent and very easy to handle. Townsend did have a few power play shots blocked and had an opportunity to fire a one-timer during a second period power play but he chose to catch, stick handle and then shoot. At the higher levels this will need to be a one-timer or a sweeping wrist shot. Townsend also earned an offensive zone hooking penalty in the third period that we feel with his speed there was no need to take. Overall he went 14/22 on face-offs, received 2 hard body checks, had 1 shot blocked, had 10 giveaways, 8 takeaways and won 59% of his 27 puck battles.
NCAA: U18 NTDP vs St. Thomas, October 14, 2022: Townsend played 6:24 of even strength hockey. He was pointless in the game and finished with 4 giveaways, 0 takeaways and he won 20% of his 5 puck battles. Considering two days ago he was playing against Shattuck’s prep team this was a big jump in pace, compete and strength for Townsend. His pace was very good as he has a quick first step and easy glide. His compete was where you would want it to be as he hustled to be a participating unit of the forecheck, cycle and applied back pressure in transition. His strength is where we saw he was lacking as he tried to make the right plays along the walls, but St. Thomas often just looked more mature and physically developed. We still feel he is a very high end prospect.
USHL: U18 NTDP vs Dubuque, March 5, 2022: Townsend led Team USA with 22:13 in ice time including 1:42 while on the power play. He did not play shorthanded. Townsend was constantly around the puck looking to win 50/50 pucks and then make plays. Early in the first period he applied hard back pressure forcing a turnover and after winning the loose puck he passed back to his defenseman for a poised regroup which he led for an easy zone entry. It was a little play but for a player in just his second game with the National Team it showed real game awareness and confidence. Later in the game he earned a primary assist on a cycle play where he created separation after a power turn and then made a beautiful backhand sauce pass into the slot for a one-timer.
MN-HS: Eden Prairie vs Hill Murray, January 1, 2022: The sophomore in his first year of high school hockey had the tough assignment of going up against the Pioneers top line and did not disappoint. He played a solid game in all three zones. He worked hard below the dots and battled for pucks. Townsend was able to get moving quickly on transition to push the offense. He never stands still and can transition in any direction quickly. He can handle the puck and process the game at top speed. Scored the lone goal for the Eagles with a quick lateral move from below the goal line to the side of the net, stuffing it in before Erickson could seal the post. Grade: B+
MN-HS: Eden Prairie v Grand Rapids, December 20, 2021: Townsend stood out in the game because of his skating. He was the quickest player in the game. Townsend’s skating put pressure on the D by driving them back with his speed. He was a danger every time he touched the puck. Townsend used his speed and quickness on the forecheck and backcheck and competes for pucks. He was effective without the puck defensively. On the PK he created many turnovers and two quality offensive chances. He made a key block on the PK. His line was effective in creating offensive chances and scored 2 of the 3 goals for EP. Grade: B+
Minnesota Elite League, December 7, 2021: Teddy was constantly around the puck making plays here. He is a smaller forward but is light on his feet and gets up to speed quickly and with no wasted movements. He knows where he is going with the puck before it gets to him and has the ability and creativity to slip the puck into tight areas. On a few occasions snapped passes backdoor to teammates for tap-in chances. He skates with his head up and handles the puck well at speed. He moves well through the neutral zone and attacks defenders directly. Has the ability to break them down one-on-one or curl back and find a better lane. He is confident for a 2005 and holds the puck to find the high percentage play. He was slippery below the dots in the offensive zone and used his balance and edges to beat defenders in tight spaces and create chances. Slick touch passes through the middle to create easy zone entries. He plays fast and has above-average skills. Smart and gets to the right spots. A good deal of upside. Grade: B+
2005s: USA Hockey’s Select 16s, August 12, 2021: Townsend came to camp after being named Bantam Player of the Year in Minnesota and was arguably snubbed by NTDP not getting an invite to camp and then falling in the USHL Draft to the third round but proved he’s the real deal by his play here. He is the best pure skater in the group; he’s smooth, he’s quick, he’s balanced, he’s fast and can maintain top speed with ease. He showed his speed on both the forecheck and backcheck; he was quick to the puck, he beat defenders to loose pucks and got his stick in lanes to cause turnovers. On one backcheck he stopped on the puck off a turnover from a teammate and caught his opponent who was 4-5 steps ahead of him by the time he got to the blue line, came up behind him, gave a stick check and stole the puck clean. He takes smart pursuit angles taking away half the ice for the puck carrier and he’s so quick to close on opponents that if they hesitate for a second then he’ll be on them. Townsend, who is coming off a 54 goal season in 45 games this season had 3 in 5 games here; one of which was a top corner snipe after settling a puck in the top slot and scored another on a nice quick handed deke in tight. He curls and spins off checks in the corners, he makes effortless saucer passes and works give and go’s down low in the offensive zone. He played center and wing here and was good in both positions; he can win draws, he has a quick stick and can get shots off in stride with his head up to read the goalie and find the open net. Not only can Townsend separate with his first step quickness and change of direction but he’s got a high IQ, he can process the ice quickly, find the seams, and make quick decisions. He’s fast, skilled, he hunts pucks, he has hand eye coordination to pick pucks out of mid air and catch bad passes at top speed and he’s got both a scorer’s release and a playmaker’s instincts. High ceiling prospect who will play for the defending state champion Eden Prairie HS this upcoming season as well as TDS Transportation in the Minnesota Elite League. Last week we saw Sam Rinzel, the best uncommitted prospect in the state of Minnesota; Townsend might be #2. He was surprisingly left off the All-Star game but our scouts have him as easily one of the top 24 forwards in the camp. Grade: A-
U14AA: Chaska Chanhassan U14AA vs Eden Prairie U14AA, January 21, 2021: Townsend was the most skilled player on the ice in this game, and was a consistent threat every time he had the puck. He is a smart player that is able to find the soft areas well when he doesn’t have the puck too. He scored a nice rebound goal sneaking behind the opposing player on the backside. He possesses some good hands and made several plays to walk defenders and create odd man opportunities for his team. He was a fun player to watch in this game. Grade: A
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images