Scouting Report
EVALUATED 09/06/2022
Brayden Olafson
Head of Eastern Canada Scouting
Player Type: Decisive defenseman with high engagement at every stage of the game
QMJHL Draft Projection: 2nd round
Projected QMJHL Arrival: Fall 2023
Projectable Skills: Ample composure and deliberate execution in his puck control
Development Opportunities: Waugh has a relatively high risk tolerance that comes along with his composure. While his composure has immense value in most respects, he can get into a bit of trouble.
The PEI native has been held high in our regard since very early in his QMJHL draft season for many reasons. A fleet-of foot defender, Lincoln Waugh has established himself as an ultra-composed and ultra elusive puck handler who can posses and control the puck with ample poise while he seeks outlets. Waugh's skating technique is a blend of fluid forward crosscuts and abrupt point-to-point agility. His decisions are made with need and practicality in mind, checking his ego at the door, Waugh does not employ superficial skill or tactics, but rather manages his technical ability in such a way that he often has the adequate tools to extend possession and deliver scoring chances. His pass execution is among the most deliberate, powerful and precise in the class, something that stands out in his game consistently. Under pressure, he manages his emotions well and stays even keel in order to make an effective play. There is a side to his game that seems inherent to defensemen from PEI which is that of being a hard-nosed net-front presence. He seems to take crowding at his goalies crease personally and acts accordingly to clear the area with sturdy posture and rugged physicality.
Skating
7.5Puck Skills
8Hockey IQ
7.5Playmaking
8.5Scoring
7Physicality
7Defense
7Overall
7.50Game Reports
EVALUATED Brayden Olafson
Head of Eastern Canada Scouting
I absolutely love Lincoln Waugh’s on-ice demeanor. He’s a defenseman who very rarely shows indications of distress and is able to find creative ways out of most pressure. In this game he did a good job tracking his opponents lateral movement when entering the zone and highlighted this element of his game when he stood up Jeremy Leroux in the 3rd period. He has quick hands and very securely cradles the puck by tucking it in close to his body for extra security.
Game Reports
EVALUATED Brayden Olafson
Head of Eastern Canada Scouting
Strengths: As in every other opportunity I’ve had to scout Waugh, his composure at the Monctonian was ample, his technical passing ability was second-to-none, especially on the opposing blueline, and his combined ability to leverage all of his technical tools resulted in a very impressive performance. While he has many individual technical skills, he is not an individual type of player. Opportunities: I couldn’t help but feel like the performance Lincoln had at the Monctonian wasn’t the best that I’ve seen him at. It was absolutely still deserving of a 4-star ranking, but at the top of his game there’s no doubt for me that he’s in the conversation for the first round of the 2022 QMJHL draft. What I found at the Monctonian was that some of the aspects of his game that I’ve previously praised him for, tended to get him into some trouble. His composure with the puck, as mentioned above, is ample. His tendency to circle back to the defensive zone and out-work, or out-smart attackers as they bear down on him is one of his signature elements, but it’s something that was certainly challenged over the weekend. Premium forecheckers like Riley Sampson from the Cape Breton West Islanders made Waugh seem mortal in these situations – something that hasn’t been the case against other opponents. Keeping himself out of situations like this is probably the most sustainable solution, but since he usually does it so well, I’d hesitate to steer him into an entirely different direction. Challenges like the ones he faced here will force him to adapt in one way or another, which we think he’s certainly qualified to do on his own.
Player Card
- All Data is derived via 5v5 per 60 minutes rate displayed in percentile format.
- Data Courtesy of In Slat.
SIGNED:
Halifax Mooseheads
25/08/2024
LEAGUE PREDICTION
-
CHL
Confirmed
100%
TEAM PREDICTION
-
Halifax Mooseheads
Confirmed
100%
TIMELINE
- 2024
25/08/2024
Lincoln Waugh is traded to the Halifax Mooseheads
- 2022
01/10/2022
Cape Breton Eagles sign Lincoln Waugh
- 2022
05/07/2022
Drafted by the Cape Breton Eagles in the QMJHL Draft
