Projection: Third Line Winger

Strengths: Compete, Physicality, Net Drives

Development Opportunities: Fluidity, Discipline

Hewitt is a big, strong forward who makes his living in the hard areas. He drives to the net consistently, battles on the forecheck, and wins pucks all over the ice. Nathan is always disrupting plays and the compete level is one of the better ones in this class and it shows up every game. Especially off the rush, he can win lanes to the net, relying on his frame to barrel his way past opponents and attack downhill. The combination of physical elements, compete, and finishing in tight gives him a profile that translates well to the junior game.

He’s still a little unrefined in his skating and handling, lacking control at times while operating with the puck in motion. Being more balanced on his feet and more agile laterally would help him fend off pressure at the OHL level. There are also moments where the physicality gets undisciplined, and channeling that compete without taking himself out of plays will be important moving forward. At the very least a team will be getting a solid depth forward that brings compete and physicality with some potential as a net-front goal scorer.

Hewitt showed some really intriguing flashes. He has the baseline physical tools, a 6’0 frame with long, rangy strides and ambition to attack the interior. Attacking the middle was the key theme in my notes, as he was always to drive the inside off the rush and didn’t hesitate to drive the net. Everything was centered around how he could protect pucks from opponents, create separation, and attack open gaps in the defence. There’s a nice blend in his game of promising physical attributes, more than capable puck handling, and a sense of confidence to make plays that caught my eye in the game I caught of the North Stars.