Spent significant time out of Barrie's line up with a wrist injury, but ranks as the top forward on my list. That's due not only to his scoring ability, but also his ability to generate looks on the attack in many ways. Despite his injury, he's still second among all CHL rookie prospects in terms of points per game. Possesses good size, a lightning quick release, and a resume that includes a 30 goal season as a 15 year old in Russia, a 29 goal, 58 point in 48 games in the USHL as a 17 yr old, and 36 points in 21 games with Barrie this season.
Strong, disciplined and high hockey sense, he doesn’t just want to be a one zone player; he will be active in the middle and defensive zone with the hopes he can break things open to go back the other way. He's already a big man with high end skill, strong hockey sense, and the feet to beat opponents one on one. He gets loose from coverage with regularity. He exmploys a power game in junior and projects to be a power wing as he progresses, very similar to former first rounder, Jacub Voracek. He makes his linemates better, and projects as one of the top three wingers in the draft class.
—Bill Placzek—
