While he didn’t light up the scoresheet per se, I felt like you could still see how his speed, power, and engagement translate pacing wise to higher levels. His length gave him the ability to move through the neutral zone while protecting the puck and attempting to retrieve his dump ins when appropriate. He did lose the puck a couple times to pressure in those spots too. I felt like his best work came as a net front player as he can be a big screen and slip past defensive players to get rebound chances. His goal came in exactly that type of spot. I do think his game translates into a bottom-six role eventually.

There are players like him who get targeted decently high in drafts every year due to his size, length of stride, and his ability to use his wingspan to his advantage to protect the puck and alter his shot angles slightly. He was heavily pursuing pucks into the corners in these games; applying pressure in straight lines to close out the point and attempting some nice give and go plays to the wing down low before trying to squeeze into a better shot angle. He extends his reach, flicks shots on net around screens, and often is barrelling in straight lines to attempt to retrieve little self-dumped pucks around defenders. He cuts well, battles effectively, and plows his way to the net front when appropriate. At the very least, I could picture him playing effective bottom-six minutes in the WHL.

I think he was particularly even more effective in the second game than the first but his north-south speed and determination was a factor in both contests. In game one, he was finishing checks down low, forechecking heavy, patrolling the slot as a defensive C in moments, and stepping up physically in multiple moments. He was able to grab a rebound and shovel in a goal as well. The second game was much of the same but his pacing was a bit more evident against OHA. He was able to stickhandle a bit more in tougher spots and still get off heavy shots in a downhill fashion. The ability to always apply pressure and always play harder was certainly of notice. He finished the event third in team points and I think it showed.