| Ty Henricks | Fargo Force | USHL | L | LW | 6’5″ | 202 | Western Michigan | 2024 | Las Vegas, NV | 2005 | 2022-2023: C+ |
USHL: Fargo Force vs Sioux Falls Stampede, December 17, 2022: Henricks is a big power forward type player who has an excellent net front presence. Goes to the net hard with and without the puck using his size and strength to plant himself in front of the goaltender making it hard to defend against. Gets his stick-on shots from the point and acts a screen when necessary. Scored the 2nd goal of the game by pouncing on a loose rebound and out muscling a defender to do so. Grade: B
USHL: Fargo vs Sioux City, December 9, 2022: Henricks is a 6’5″ potential NHL power forward. On his first shift of the game he did exactly what NHL coaching staffs will want him to do as he attacked the middle lane while carrying the puck. This simple maneuver drew both the opposing defenders to him and then he dished it to the wide lane and drove the net carrying the strong side with him to the top of the crease. The play did not result in a goal, but it was an easy zone entry and we were very happy to see that he did not try to dangle the defenders in the grey area. There is no denying that he is a physical presence who is still adjusting to playing against older stronger players in the USHL, but when he gets his sights on a player and leans on him Henricks is a dominant force. As a puck carrier he showed some nimbleness along the walls when he quickly spun his hips around to protect the puck and then used his reach to keep possession. Away from the puck there were a few times that he got caught going the wrong way as a forechecking F2 or F3, but at this point in his career we would rather see him being overly aggressive rather than sitting back to be cautious. Henricks totaled 9:37 of ice time including 1:04 of power play time, had 0 shots, a 0 plus / minus, 1 giveaway, 1 takeaway and he won 50% of his 4 puck battles.
U16: USA Hockey National Championships, April 15, 2022: Henricks was a total star this weekend tying for the tournament lead in points with 6 in 3 games during round robin play. He is big, fast, smooth and physical as he brings so many different dimensions to his game and is an unstoppable force. He made some big punishing hits and ran over bodies when he had the puck but was also able to finesse his way through traffic and dance around defenders with ease. Henricks plays mean below the dots and uses his size to his advantage as he can bump guys off him to create enough space for him to operate and distribute the puck. He passed rockets off his stick and were as accurate as they come. His one timer is an absolute missile that when he gets a hold of it, a goaltender wants nothing to do with it as that is how he scored one of his 3 goals over the week. Henricks is a freight train when he gets moving and can explode in any direction with or without the puck. He looks to make big time hits on defensemen along the wall. Once he touches the puck, he looks to move towards the net and create scoring chances. Henricks is a dynamic forward that brings a lot to the table and put it all on display this week. GRADE: A
2005s: USA Hockey Select 16s, August 12, 2021: Henricks is a tall, long, highly athletic forward out of Shattuck St. Mary’s U16s with a high ceiling despite his inconsistency. He has a 6’4” 210 lbs frame, he’s strong on the puck with a long reach and a smooth, hard release. He can beat defenders in a multitude of ways; he drove wide with speed and held the puck out beyond their reach, he cut inside and powered his way to the goal and was also able to curl back on zone entries and wait for the late trailer. He does a great job delaying on zone entries, changing speed to manipulate the defenders gap and create space for himself and he also has the poise to hold the puck, lure defenders out of position and slide pucks behind them to his teammates in the slot area. His second game was his best where he was arguably the best player on the ice and made some hard things look easy which is the sign of a high echelon prospect. He extended his reach on the rush to get the puck behind the defenders feet and was able to knock pucks out of mid-air and caught a pass behind him at full speed by reaching back and in one motion transferring the puck in front of him with pure puck control. He drifts a bit in his defensive zone and is inconsistent in his compete level and focused defensive game but he wins puck battles along the wall and was excellent on the forecheck using both his size and his reach to separate defenders from the puck and strip them clean. He didn’t find the stat sheet in his first two games but closed the camp with a 2-1-3 line in the final 3 games. His first goal he caught a hard pass in tight and showed his touch by cleverly sneaking it behind the goalie and his goal in the next game was also in tight but this time got a pass from the point and roofed it on the goalie with little to no room. Henricks is probably the most intriguing prospect in the camp; one game he’s backchecking hard and riding opponents off the puck and even off their feet and the next game he’s watching as they go by and waiting for his defender to win possession and pass him the puck. He walked defenders off the wall, cut to the slot and could rip the puck and then moments later would overexpose the puck and try to make a fancy play and get stripped. He has a hot and cold game but when he’s on he’s as good as anyone in the camp but he lacks consistency which is likely the cause of him dropping so late in the USHL Draft this spring when he’s clearly a top half of the draft from a talent and upside perspective. One play in the last game for example he deked through a defender’s legs on a zone entry and then cut to the net, opened up the goalie and slid a slick pass across the crease on the tape; a move very few players in the camp would have the skill or confidence to pull off and especially not the players at 6’4”. A rare, high ceiling skill set who has major potential but needs to improve his focus, his consistency shift in and shift out and utilize his size and strength to be tougher to play against style and not just rely on his physical tools. Grade: A-
Neutral Zone Brent Cullaton’s comments, June 2021: Ty is a solid power forward standing 6’3” 190lbs, he put up 33pts in 44 games with 15 goals. He is a very dynamic player in and around the net front and if he continues to utilize his size advantage will make opposition defensemen struggle to contain him.
U16: USA Hockey Nationals U16s, May 2021: Ty is a 2005 that plays with pace and creates chances each time out on the ice. He has a solid first step which lets him separate from defenders. He moves well through the neutral zone and has several solid zone entries. He sees the ice well and made several nice touches plays into space for teammates. He is strong around the net and uses his reach and body to get to the puck and make plays in tight. Had a breakaway in viewing and used his body well to buy time and space to get the puck on the net. Will be a player to watch going forward. Grade: B+
MN Blades Invitational, U14, U15, U16, September 2020: Henricks was very impressive this weekend with his dynamic offensive skills, and great speed and skating ability. He is a good sized player that has great hands and was able to create scoring chances from any situation. The highlight of the weekend came from Henricks who split two defenceman with a nice move and scored a beautiful goal while being tripped. His ability to make plays at such a fast pace allowed him to generate offense consistently each game this weekend, and assert himself as a top forward this weekend. Grade: A
MN Blue Army at SSM U14; U15; U16, September 2020: Ty is a solid power forward that is tough to contain. Used his reach for a beautiful tip in goal and created so much offense by utilizing his 6’3′ frame and reach. Showed soft hands as he made some nice sauce passes and seam passes to teammates. has a very powerful shot like to operate around top of circles and make drop passes with dman driving or cut and walk for his own shot from the slot. Was a very dynamic player and as long as he continues to utilize his size advantage will make opposition Dmen struggle to contain him. Grade: A
2020 International Silver Stick:, May 2020: Ty is long, rangy and stays around the puck with a good glide. The puck explodes off his stick and he is a pure goal scorer. His stride is smooth and he was able to protect possession, hold the puck and allow plays to develop. His passing is crisp and he can rip pucks through small seams on the tape. Ty also passes the puck to smart spots where his linemates have a chance to make a play. He scored a bunch of goals here. One he picked a puck from a scrum and quickly rifled it under the crossbar. Another he ripped off the rush and another he tapped in a rebound. He knows how to stay uncovered and hop to chances. His stick is strong and prepared. He is strong at the net front and in traffic and he finished checks. Henricks processed his offensive options at a high level. He changed pace, turned and delayed, cut across the zone or set up behind the net to create switches in the opposing defense. He rushed end to end, curled and hit the defenseman just entering the zone. Ty made a couple slick indirect passes in the neutral zone. He can drive the defense and dish at an elite level. In space he showed real speed and backchecked hard and through the middle. His stick presence was smart in his end. He is a legit power forward in the making. His puck protection is superb. A monster to play against and a talented offensive player. Grade: A
U14: Shattuck St. Mary’s vs. Long Island Royals, February 2020: Ty is a power forward with size and strength. He ripped a rocket home for a goal on a 2v1 as he looked the goalie off after he separated easily from the pack. Had three points in the first two periods. Made a beautiful cross seam pass for a goal on the power play. Also, rolled a high scissor to set up another power play goal. Ripped one off the pipe and was dangerous with possession for his team all game. He was the most impactful player on the ice.
STX 68 Combine, September 2019: Henricks was a standout amongst the forwards. Textbook stride and very good speed, he gets around the ice with ease. Good length to his game. He is hard on pucks and physical when carrying the puck. He will drive through traffic and bulldoze defenders even when he has the puck himself. He is equally cerebral as he is physical, showing an excellent awareness and overall vision. This was evidenced by some seeing-eye passes, in some cases even surprising the teammates he was passing to, with them not expecting to receive the puck. High-end shot, to boot. Very dangerous player who wear the “two-way” tag well. He can do it all.
U14: USA Hockey Nationals, April 2019: Ty was one of the few 2005s at this event and we noted him on a few occasions for good play not knowing he was an underager. He is a big, solid forward who knows his way around the net. He did a great job of gaining position at the net. Scored a goal around the cage where he stayed with a rebound and popped a puck home. He showed jam and also that he could fight off sticks and contact. He has a productive stride and good speed. Worked hard to create back pressure and easily picked up sticks to create turnovers. High ceiling. Finished with two points but grabbed our attention all week. High ceiling for the 2005.
North American Hockey Classic, June 2018: Ty is a pure shooter and racked up 9 goals on the tournament. His shot is heavy and he has the ability for a smooth toe-drag release. He plays physical also and has some grit to his game. He will battle in the corners and along the boards and is a force when he gets going up ice.