Zach Plucinski (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Defense
(1) Brain – Zach does a good job reading line rushes and understanding angles. He sets forwards up into thinking they have shooting or passing lanes and then forces turnovers with his active stick or by eating pucks. When shutting down the cycle he defends from the inside and does not get trapped along the wall.
(2) Vision & Poise – He makes quick tape to tape outlets in the transition game and understands that touch goes a long way in a good transition game.
(3) Feet – He has an explosive backwards thrust that allows him to play a little longer on the offensive blueline. While in motion and setting his gap, Zach has quick lateral movement and pinches plays off early.
(4) Compete & Effort – Zach is a hardworking competitive player who blocks shots and is willing to do the little things that help teams be successful.
(5) Contact or Physicality – He is strong powerful. Zach is one of the few players we have scouted this year who has the ability to go for the kill shot without taking penalties.
(6) Release – He has a bullet and hits the net. Goalies have a difficult time controlling his rebounds.
(7) One Timer Ability – Again, Zach has a missile.
(8) Body Language – After a big hit Zach doesn’t skate around looking for high fives.
(9) Special Teams Potential – He is not a number one power play guy, but his shot and quick release will make coaches put him on the second unit. He is a penalty killer. Zach shows anticipation when breaking down passing lanes and he consistently makes the 200′ clear.
(10) Intangibles – He’s big and he’s a righty. That’s a great combination. Plus, he skates backwards quickly and maintains tight gaps. But the biggest thing to us is Zach’s improvement over the past 10 months and the coaching he will have received along the way to turning professional. He has blossomed playing for former NHL defenseman David Wilkie in Omaha and he is going to Notre Dame in the Fall where Jeff Jackson is a detail oriented Head Coach and Paul Pooley is in charge of the defensemen. His expectations will be high and we feel he will thrive in South Bend.