Eric "E J" Emery

Born in Canada to a Yankee dad and Canadien mom, he has duel citizenship and chose the United States National Developmental program to grow his game. His father played pro football in Canada, and followed his father's footsteps in hockey on the defensive side of the game. A high end skater for a big man with good skill, balance and agility and willingness to jump into the rushes. His true strengths right now are that he has been part of an elite training and developmental program that continues to produce NHL defenseman at all pairs. His offensive ability has underwhelmed in the eyes of many as he has concentrated on improving the skills that his position requires. He has good gap control, makes solid decisions on his transition retrials, and uses his size to make himself known. Has good lateral agility to stick with shifty forwards, holding his ages well, and and using an active stick to break up passes, or chances in his defensive zone. He may not be a play driver from the back end but has the makings of huge quality minute muncher, work the PK and chip in pints along the way. I will use Chicago's Vlasic as a example as he was the 13th defenseman taken in 2019, and built on his USA team game, going to BU for three seasons and then continuing to improve from the moniker of a defensive defenseman to an all around confident attacker. I think they is significant evidence to think that a slow and steady development awning with his commitment of improvement, that he may follow that same path. Still raw.  Committed to the University of North Dakota. 

                                                                 --Bill Płaczek--