Projection: Top Six Upside

Tools: Offensive Creativity, Puck Skills, Finishing

Development Opportunities: Overall Physical Development

Guizzetti is the wildcard of this class. He is easily one of the most fun players to watch, the pace and skill is off the charts, and it’s always a treat to watch him buzz around and generate chances. He consistently uses his speed to get in behind defenders, beat them wide, and spark offence off the advantages he can create with his quickness. The hands can keep up with his footwork, and Cole is always a threat to deke his way around pressure, deceive defenders, and play with tons of offensive creativity. The hands, pace, and offensive creativity make for a really exciting package to bet on and one that could really pop if all goes right.

The flip side is obviously on the physical side of things. It’s no secret that Guizzetti is one of the smaller players in the U16 class and that presents some limitations moving forward. The bet here is on a player with tons of speed and offensive skills, and hope that takes him a long way. He is fierce and doesn't shy away from physicality, but occasionally will get closed down by some of the more imposing defenders in the class. I've had some hesitations with Cole throughout the year and I've had him a touch low as I worked through his game, but I'm certainly rooting for him, because if it works it will be a ton of fun.

Cole is a ton of fun to watch. He’s rambunctious, always motoring up and down the ice shift after shift. Guizzetti has the explosiveness and puck skills to swiftly beat defenders, take them on 1-on-1, and find ways to drive the scoring areas off the advantages he can create with his up-tempo playstyle. He’s confident, constantly looking to make a play with the puck, seemingly never backing down from an opportunity to flex his skills and try to make something happen. Despite not being the biggest player on the ice, Cole is often a disruptor on the forecheck, being a pest, and not shying away from an opportunity to engage physically. There’s obviously a lot to like here in Cole’s game and he’s someone I am certainly rooting for as he continues to move forward. He’s set to debut on my next set of rankings, but I’m still not exactly sure at what stage I’d be willing to bet on him in the draft, given the physical profile. The potential and upside are obviously there, I’ve just been a little cautious with not being overly aggressive with his ranking, so I can see how I may end up being too low by season’s end.

A diminutive winger, Cole Guizzetti is an absolute wrecking ball who plays the game with such good pace and an incredibly high motor. He also has the slick skill to carry the puck through transition, bobbing and weaving around opponents and using his elite speed to get past defenders and establish possession upon entry. When inside the offensive end, he has incredible vision of the ice surface and can find passing lanes and create them for himself, opening up teammates and finding them with high level passes, he has a good shot too and can pick corners and can simply let it rip. He rounds out his game with great two-way abilities, based on his unrelenting drive, he can strip pucks from opponents sticks with ease while also battling hard for it. In this game his entire skillset was on full display and was a real treat to watch.

Diminutive UCC forward Cole Guizzetti plays the game at a breakneck pace with an unrelenting motor. In this game he looked as he always does, shot out of a cannon with his quick feet carrying him up the ice. He has high end two-way abilities, allowing him to pressure opponents and win puck battles despite his size disadvantage and was able to use this skill effectively. He also is a player who possesses slick hands, allowing him to transport the puck and make deceptive movements to get past opponents and create time and space for himself.

Guizzetti was buzzing with his speed all game long. He was constantly playing up-tempo, using his explosiveness to beat defenders wide and create chances off the rush. Cole drew a penalty shot after using his speed to beat a defender wide, though he was denied on the attempt. His ability to threaten with his pace and attack with the puck made him a constant handful for the opposition.

Speaking of players with high motors, Cole Guizzetti embodies this to a tee. He is a natural athlete, possessing explosive skating and an unrelenting motor that carries him up and down the ice. He has the finesse to weave around the opposition, dish the puck, and take accurate shots. This was all on display in this game as well as his ability to create turnovers and wear down his opposing players. His two-way effort was commendable, despite not producing offensively he still created enough in transition and inside the offensive end with solid puck movement and creation abilities by getting pucks to the slot.

As always, Guizzetti was flexing his puck skills, carrying pucks up ice and weaving in and out of checks all throughout the game. He scored on the very first shift of the game, attacking the middle off the rush and wiring a shot from the slot past the netminder to kick things off for UCC. That sense of confidence held throughout the game, consistently looking to make plays with the puck on his stick, showing creativity and ambition shift after shift. Cole set up the overtime winner, controlling the puck on the outside of the zone and slipping a pass to a cutting Fransen who ended the game.

Guizzetti was a recent standout at the WSI, and I thought he played well here. The combination of skill and pace was once again the focal point of my notes, constantly playing at top speeds and buzzing all over the ice. Especially off the rush, Cole’s quickness was a tremendous asset, allowing him to create space from defenders and spark a chance. His passing game was stellar, constantly scanning for passing options in the offensive zone and frequently connecting on passes to the slot, gifting his linemates chances. After a few solid viewings now, Guizzetti is someone I’ve jotted down as someone to watch when things officially kick off in September.