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Who’s making an impression? Soo Greyhounds at Sarnia Sting (11/24/19)

5-2 final for the Greyhounds, who dominated early and a number of their first year draft eligible players had very positive showings and made positive impressions in this game.  Detailed write-ups on the 2020 draft eligible players from both teams can be found below. Two players drafted in last year’s 2019 NHL entry draft were standouts in this game and worth calling out for fans in Carolina and Montreal.

Sarnia Sting’s Jamieson Rees (4.75 Star Amateur Rating, Carolina Hurricans 2019 Round: 2 (#44)

He came into the game with 32 points in 16 games and recorded another two points this evening.  He is a bulldog centerman with a great work ethic, low center of gravity/strength, and a strong 200 foot game. Rees has a unique combination of skill and gritty play. This season Rees is elevating his game significantly. He has already surpassed his total point production from all of last season in this game in just 17 games played this season.  

The Soo Greyhounds’ Jacob LeGuerrier (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, Montreal Canadiens 2019 Round: 5 (#126) 

This slick skating defender was dominant defensively tonight and is showing development in his two way game.  LeGuerrier is the prototypical new age defender with a smooth skating stride and a mobile defensive game. LeGuerrier’s key asset on defense has always been his speed and ability to close gaps on opposing forwards but we are seeing continued development in his two way play this season with increased offensive output and increased confidence in his transition game. 

Jacob Perreault (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B+) Forward

A sturdy right winger with a nose for the net, Perreault scored 30 goals as a 16 year-old in his first year in the Ontario Hockey League and is hoping to follow up his excellent rookie season with another strong season. Perreault is built like a tank and has a strong core and a real sturdy frame. Perreault has a good first step, reaches top speed quickly, and has a low center of gravity. He used these assets well to get into good scoring lanes in the offensive zone.  Perreault scored on one timer on the power play in the first period with a heavy accurate shot. The puck comes off his stick with pace and his goal in the first was as hard as any shot we have seen this season. He was most effective on the power play in this game with a number of chances with the extra man. One area of development is the in game adjustments needed to develop a next level scoring threat. During powerplays late in the game when Sarnia had some chances to close the gap Perreault hit more defenders with one timers than he got through on target. Soo defenders made the adjustments and were effective in taking away his shooting lanes. A powerful, shoot first forward – Perreault has the skills to put up some big numbers again this season but could use some added dimensions to his game. He had very few chances 5 on 5 in this game. Game Grade: B-

Rory Kerins (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward

Kerins has been a Neutral Zone favorite since his Minor Midget AAA year in 2017-2018 for the Mississauga Rebels. He continues to show an excellent all round game and ability to make plays in all zones of the ice. Kerins gives an honest effort in all zones and plays the game with a high IQ on both sides of the puck. Kerins won pucks all over the ice in this game, he has a strong stick on the fore-check and is tenacious without the puck. A second year player, for the Soo he is an alternate captain and leads by example. He plays in key situations for the Greyhounds and is effective in the face-off circle. Kerins has continued to show steady development early in his early junior career and equaled his first season point production already this year in less than half of the games played in his rookie season. We see significant improved his skating in the past two seasons, particularly in the first few steps in his 50/50 battles. A player we see developing into an all round offensive center in the coming seasons. Game Grade: B

Cole Mackay (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward

MacKay was a leader on the ice for the Soo in this game at both ends of the ice. A right shot winger, MacKay does a lot for the Soo defensively. He blocks shots, takes hits to make plays, and breaks down opposing fore-checks effectively with cool hands to find streaking forwards in transition. His work ethic was excellent in this game and was particularly effective he didn’t have the puck. MacKay won back pucks with good board work and always seemed to be in the right position defensively to break up the attack or apply back pressure. Offensively, MacKay was excellent this evening as well. He scored on a great hand eye deflection to break the game open in the second on a power play and scored late to seal the game for the Soo. He also set up the Soo’s second goal with a great feed – MacKay showed patience as he let the play develop and threaded the needle perfectly to an open winger in the slot.  Game Grade: B

Jaromir Pytlik (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — A-) Forward

Pytlik is a lanky right shot center who can skate and distribute pucks. A late birthday 2001 centerman, Pytlik is 6’2 and 190+lbs and can dominate at times on the ice. He skates well and is difficult to knock off the puck when he gets moving up ice. A number of Sarnia defenders had good chances to separate Pytlik from the puck this game – he showed a solid skating foundation and was difficult to knock off the puck. Pytlik was a workhorse for the Greyhounds tonight, he took a number of key face-offs, he logged minutes on the penalty kill and distributed pucks effectively on Soo powerplays. Pytlik had a quiet game offensively on the scoresheet but played a solid 200 foot game and gave his wingers chances on a number of shifts.  His forward skating ability and pace through the neutral zone was excellent for the big framed forward and his reach allow him to get to the net effectively off the rush. As he continues to develop accuracy in his shot he will create more. Game Grade: B 

Tanner Dickinson (4.25 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — B) Forward

A first year left winger center for the Greyhounds, Dickinson played an excellent game for the Greyhounds this evening on left wing. Dickinson is a lanky, slight forward who is sneaky quick with a great first step in transition. We really liked his puck skill in this game in all 3 zones. In his defensive zone he was efficient along the walls and handled pucks very effectively under pressure to start the breakout. As a first year forward he was poised under pressure and broke down fore-checks well. Through the neutral zone he is sneaky quick and gets to top speed after a few steps. His hands and vision allow him to find the players around him effectively. Dickinson had an effective night on the power play this evening and found a number of players with good open looks. He scored a great goal on a two on one where his adjustment and change of pace gave him a great angle to the net. A player we will continue to watch. As he develops his overall core strength he could evolve into a front line offensive player. Game Grade: B-

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