Vladislav Shilo

Neutral Zone’s Ian Moran, January 24, 2023: Why an NHL draft pick, he is 6’3″ and 196 pounds with good 1on1 creativity, especially in the offensive zone. The 2021/22 season was a huge step up in consistent competition and physicality from his native Belarus. Since his trade to Winnipeg he has scored 4 of his seven goals from within two feet of the top of the crease and another was a perfectly executed backhand downhill tip from directly between the hashmarks while on the power play. I would like to see him add more physicality, especially initiating body contact while on the way to 50/50 pucks because with his size and skating base I feel he could really knock opponents off their stride. Why not an NHL draft pick, he is a big strong player who won 45% of his puck battle during 2021/22 and has only increased his percentage to 49% as an ’03 in the WHL. He must learn to trust his linemates more and utilize them more often to create give-and-go situations. He is content to play through the right dot lane which is backed up by him scoring eight of his goals from the right side circle and the other coming on a redirect from below the goal line. I would also like to see him shoot the puck more and then use his natural strength to drive the net looking for rebounds or to create chaos. At this point in 2022/23 he is averaging 2.7 shots per game with 65% of his shots hitting the net. By looking to shoot more often and adding one more shot on net per game I feel he could increase his offensive production without trying to do too much and if he combined that with driving the net for his own rebounds I think he’d end up on the scoresheet quite often.

Neutral Zone’s Brant Kersey: Price Albert Raiders vs Swift Current Broncos, November 12, 2021: Vladislav, a first-year WHL player, was arguably the most dynamic player for the Prince Albert Raiders in this game.  He is a big, powerful forward with elite hands. His puck handling all over the ice was nice to watch, but when he got over the offensive blue line he turned it up a notch. His moves and dekes were the best on the evening, by far. He can use his reach to lure defencemen out of their comfort area and then quickly pull the puck around them or push it through their feet. Listed at 6’3″ 196lbs the undrafted ‘03 will most definitely get some looks. His footwork is decent, but not a match for his hands, as he uses his hands to elude and evade. If his feet and overall speed catch up to his hands he’ll be a handful for any defender. We found it surprising to see Vladislav has yet to score this season through nine games. He had three shots on the net in this game including a few on the power play. We guess it’s only a matter of time before he gets adjusted to the WHL pace and begins putting up points regularly.