| Tomas Galvas | HC Olomouc | International | L | D | 5’10” | 141 | Olomouc, CZE | 2006 | 2023-2024: B- |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Another impressive performance from 2024 draft eligible defenseman Tomas Galvas. He is an incredibly speedy and mobile two-way defender. His transition game is fantastic. As soon as he picks up the puck in the defensive zone, he bursts up ice with speed and confidence. He keeps his head up and makes timely stretch passes as well as smart cuts into open lanes to avoid defenders in the neutral zone. Galvas picked up the primary assist on the game winning goal during a fantastic rush play. He picked up the puck in his own end and flew up ice. He worked his way around and through multiple defenders in the neutral zone before eventually breaking free and pushing pace on the outside which set up a 2v1. He found his teammate far side and hit him with a pass on the tape for an easy tap in. His agile footwork is used very well to escape pressure. He executes hard stops and a quick acceleration in the opposite direction to create space for himself, away from nearby defenders and uses the separation to make a play. Galvas is an offensive leaning defenseman, but he is no slacker in his own end. He uses his quick feet to stay between his man and the cage. He also has a quick stick which he uses to shut down passing lanes and plays with a slashing poke check. He retrieves pucks well, winning races and scanning the ice before picking up the puck so that he knows where his next play will be. We have been very impressed with Galvas and with the way he has played so far in this tournament, he will likely be a surefire second rounder who is making an argument to go in the late first round.
| Daniil Ustinkov | ZSC | NL | L | D | 6’3″ | 174 | Avon, OH | 2006 | 2023-2024: B |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Ustinkov had an average performance today. He continues to show confidence on the rush. He is patient when carrying the puck up ice and scans the ice in front of him to find teammates ahead to pass to. Defensively he was not as good as he was in our previous viewing. He still showed the active stick but missed many of his attempts which allowed opponents time to beat him with speed. He was also far too aggressive with his step ups. There were far too many times where we noted that he missed his attack at poor times, allowing opponents an odd man rush as they skated past him. He seems to have a tough time when playing higher quality opponents.
Scout: Henry Lawrence