Antonio Stranges

Ultra fast and skilled with the puck, he is yet another undersized centre-wing who excels on the offensive side. Terrific hands and good recognition and ability to get the puck to his open teammate, besides jumping up in plays to score in all varieties of ways. This Michigan native, a former a Lil Caesar’s grad, entered his draft year with many eyes upon him with the hopes he finally used his gifts and put together a strong offensive performance night after night. He has good offensive zone instincts, a god first step, quick feet, and nice outside speed, creating offense off the rush. Has good hands an accurate snapper, shiftiness, and an ability to beat junior defenders one on one. He can find the open man and get the biscuit to him. Displays plenty of talent but the production and consistency never came to fruition. He is short but near 180 pounds. His work in the defensive end continues to show he is unsure of where he is supposed to be positioned and if you isolate on him, he effort level seems to only ramp up when it involves an offensive chance is involved. Sure, we all understand at every level of the game the guys who are expected to score get leeway, but he put 19 goals and 40 points in London surrounded by a pretty strong support group that should have helped as he pushed himself to higher levels and expectations all sixty minutes.

—Bill Placzek—