It is really easy to become enamoured with Pentney’s game as his work ethic and hustle really maximizes his skillset. I will never have to wonder if he has more to give as he uses every tool he has available to try and make his mark on the game. He doesn’t have the prettiest stride, but he is always churning his feet, attacking with speed, and putting pressure on the opposition. He is a loose puck merchant and seems to unlock an extra gear when he senses weakness in his opposition. He is also smart at dissecting what is needed at any given moment and putting himself in the right place at the right time. That marriage of intelligence with work rate is a potent combo and makes him far more than the sum of his parts. There is no zone where he is a passenger as his hockey IQ extends to his play with possession as well. He is engaged in the offensive zone, attacking with his head up, and showing a balanced ability to create for himself or others. The level of focus he brings means that he is opportunistic when pouncing on opposition mistakes while also being able to problem solve and force the issue when no breakdowns occur.

I’d say Cohen was one of the most determined and effective forecheckers throughout the entire tournament. He skates very well by controlling his momentum through his turns and anticipating passing lanes while in motion. He;s a very heads up and smart player with and without the puck which allows him to apply pressure and take advantage of spatial gaps. With smooth stickhandling and skill stacking through his crossovers, whether it’s a drop pass, curl pass, or pull moves in heavy traffic, he can disguise his intention and keep the defenders guessing. One of the things I’ve appreciated about him the most with the views throughout the year is his consistency of effort and puck control. Whether he gets points or not in a game, he’s often the player setting the tempo, challenging players defensively, and making all sorts of space and opportunity for his teammates.

For a player with more physical growth to come, he already moves so powerfully on his turns, edges, and with longer strides through the neutral zone. It appears like he will continue to build separation speed off the rush, the ability to cut and turn away from pressure, and be effective in all three zones. Since he already moves with poise, determination, and a naturally athletic stride, the rest of the skill elements of his game will have higher chances to show themselves in multiple situations. I’ve seen him win puck battles along the boards, burst away from defenders at 5on5 or on the PK, and use his ability to separate in order to deliver slip passes and curl passes into the interior. He appears to be one the higher-end of players I’d describe as truly “two-way” players thus far. With much growth to come, I’d imagine Albertan scouts will be watching him very closely.