| Valentin Zhugin | Guelph Storm | OHL | L | LW | 5’11” | 185 | Guelph Storm | 2021 | Magnitogorsk, RUS | 2004 | 2022-2023: C |
Zhugin is a slightly below average sized left shot left wing who is born in December of 2004. He has a compact frame and shoulder width skating base that allows him to protect the puck for extended periods so he can attack the crease looking to score. In the offensive zone Zhugin has a shooter’s mentality and when he has the puck from anywhere inside of the house he is looking for the opportunity to rip it. He has an easy first touch on his forehand and does not need to stickhandle before his release. He is averaging 3.2 shots per game this year, up from 2 shots per game in 21/22. During the 2022/23 season he is averaging almost 2:20 of power play time per game (up from 0:47 in 21/22) and he loos very comfortable playing the mid-wall on his strong side. We like his deception and ability to fire hard tape to tape passes into the bumper or through the royal road to the shooter in the right dot lane.
Our areas for concern; Zhugin is currently playing in his second OHL season, but has not yet gained the trust of his coaching staff to be used as a penalty killer. Last year he averaged 0:01 seconds of penalty kill time and he has the same 0:01 per game this year. The second area that we feel needs to improve is his puck battle winning percentage. Yes we are well aware that this number is not an exact science, but last year he won 44% of his puck battles and this year he has been winning 41% of his puck battles.
And lastly, an area that can be viewed as both a positive or a negative. This year four of Zhuglin’s eight goals have come from the top of the crease and lower than the middle has marks with two of those goals coming on the power play. You can view that as he has the intestinal fortitude to battle for loose pucks in front of the other team’s net. Or you can say he is a physically mature 2004 who will have some serious off ice training to do if he is going to win those same net front battles in the NHL.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images