Ben Kindel (C, R, 5’10”, 176, Calgary Hitmen, 04/19/2007)
Benjamin Kindel is an intelligent, highly skilled, and competitive two-way center with excellent vision and playmaking ability. Despite being slightly undersized for the professional game, Kindel’s agility, hockey IQ, and willingness to engage physically make him an intriguing prospect. His ability to create and capitalize on scoring opportunities, combined with his strong work ethic and defensive awareness, gives him the tools to develop into a reliable NHL forward. However, improving his strength, shooting efficiency, and puck management will be critical for him to maximize his potential.
Strengths
Hockey IQ and Vision:
Kindel displays elite hockey sense, consistently reading plays ahead of time and making quick decisions with the puck.
His ability to keep his head up and scan the ice allows him to find teammates in high-danger areas, as evidenced by 1.91 passes per game leading directly to grade “A” scoring chances for his linemates.
Skating and Agility:
A low, strong stride and excellent edge work allow Kindel to maneuver through traffic and maintain speed and change pace in all three zones.
His ability to accelerate quickly and adjust his angles creates challenges for defenders trying to match speeds or set their gap.
Offensive Playmaking and Scoring Instincts:
Kindel generates 2.3 grade “A” scoring opportunities per game, a testament to his offensive instincts and ability to process the game quickly.
Demonstrates a soft first touch on both his forehand and backhand, particularly in tight spaces, and can release the puck quickly, capitalizing on loose pucks around the net.
Effective in transition, rushing the puck up ice and creating chances with flair, such as threading passes through defenders or executing creative plays in the offensive zone.
Compete Level and Physical Engagement:
Plays bigger than his size, willingly taking hits (0.89 per game) and sacrificing his body to make plays.
Works hard in dirty areas, winning 53% of his 50/50 puck battles and retrieving loose pucks rebounds in both the offensive and defensive zones effectively (2 per game).
Effective on the forecheck and backcheck, using his stick and positioning to disrupt opponents and create turnovers.
Special Teams Contribution:
Versatile, playing key minutes on the power play and penalty kill.
Wins 60% of his face-offs, highlighting his reliability in important situations.
Areas for Improvement
Shooting Efficiency:
Despite generating a high number of grade “A” chances, Kindel scores on only 17% of these opportunities.
Needs to improve the deception and quickness of his release, as well as his shot accuracy (1.2 missed shots per game).
Physical Strength and Durability:
At 5’10” and 176 lbs, Kindel’s size limits his ability to consistently win physical battles against the larger opponents in the National League.
Increasing his core and upper-body strength will help him better withstand contact and maintain possession.
Puck Management:
Averaging 6 giveaways per game, Kindel needs to improve his decision-making under pressure, particularly during breakouts and in the offensive zone.
Must balance creativity with efficiency to minimize high-risk plays that lead to turnovers.
Consistency in Defensive Zone:
While effective on the backcheck, Kindel can occasionally struggle with sharpness during while defending the cycle and scissor plays.
Projection
Benjamin Kindel projects as a middle-six NHL forward with strong two-way capabilities. His ability to create offense, combined with his skating and hockey IQ, makes him a versatile option for both power play and penalty-killing roles. If he can improve his shot, puck management, and strength, Kindel has the potential to develop into a reliable second-line center or a dynamic third-line forward capable of contributing in all situations.
Draft Outlook
We currently have Kindel as a late first-round, early second-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. Teams looking for a high-IQ, versatile forward with playmaking ability and competitive drive will be particularly interested in his skillset.
Player Comparison
Marco Rossi: Kindel mirrors Rossi’s blend of speed, skill, and determination. Both players excel at creating offense despite being undersized, using their hockey sense and quickness to consistently make an impact in all situations.
Key Development Goals
Strength and Conditioning: Focus on improving overall strength and explosiveness to enhance durability and effectiveness in physical battles.
Shooting and Scoring: Work on shot accuracy, release speed, and placement to maximize conversion on high-danger chances.
Puck Management: Refine decision-making under pressure to minimize turnovers and improve efficiency in transition.
Defensive Zone Play: Develop greater consistency in defensive zone positioning and execution of breakouts.
Final Assessment
Benjamin Kindel combines elite hockey sense, strong skating, and a competitive edge to make him a promising prospect. While he has areas that need refinement, his overall skill set and work ethic position him well to transition to the professional level with proper development. He is a dynamic playmaker and hard-nosed competitor who can be a valuable asset for an NHL team.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
