It was yet another standout performance from Diego Gutierrez this season at the WSI with his steady and smart play from the backend for the Young Kings. He carries all the tools of a modern-day defenseman with his great skating ability mixed with his range and size that make him really impactful in all three zones. He handles one-on-one situations with ease, being able to track opposing forwards, regardless of their speed, using such fluid lateral movements to guide them to the outside of the zone and a good use of his stick to stop plays from making their way to the middle of the ice. His passing ability is very impressive, most notably his ability to make difficult outlet passes look so easy by having a keen eye to notice open teammates past the center ice line and firing it right onto their tape from deep inside his own zone to create quick counter attack opportunities or catch his opponents on a change not just once but many times throughout the event. He is extremely effective with the puck on his stick with the mobility and puck skills to carry it up the ice along with the frame and reach to be able to protect the puck or side step defenders at top speed all while being extremely smart and disciplined with the puck in all areas of the ice, rarely looking to force plays when they aren’t available but rather hold on to the puck for those extra couple of seconds to outwait his opponents and look to make the right play.

The way Gutierrez moves around the ice looks so seamless and effortless and I was especially impressed by his back-skating ability using his smooth yet powerful crossovers to gather so much backwards momentum to track opposing forwards across the ice and keep a tight gap. He used his speed to join rushes up the ice and made nice passing plays that led to some serious scoring chances. On a power play in the third period, he sent a long stretch pass from his own end up to Sung who fed Fitzhenry in the bumper spot for a one-time blast.