Every time Watson steps out on the ice you’re getting a physical and competitive power forward who thrives at winning board battles and creating off the cycle. His best work came below the goal line in the offensive zone where he was able to hound defenders to strip them of the puck and win back possession before demonstrating good vision to spot options in dangerous areas through traffic. This ability to win back pucks and distribute to teammates was an integral part of his lines success throughout the tournament and made me optimistic about his potential as a complimentary player at the next level. Even in the defensive zone he was using his physical style to knock puck-carriers off stride and create loose puck opportunities. Off-puck he did a great job of getting himself to the front of the net and creating all sorts of havoc in the crease area by screening goaltenders and looking to deflect shots from the point.

Playing alongside Waterhouse and Sercerchi on what was one of the more effective lines throughout the event, Watson played a key role in earning his linemates puck touches by getting in heavy on the forecheck, reading and reacting to the play around him and disrupting as often as he could. This allowed him to generate puck touches for himself by forcing turnovers, jumping on loose pucks and initiating a cycle sequence that lead to a prolonged offensive zone shift. His size advantage allowed him to win plenty of puck battles in the offensive zone and establish himself as net front presence where he could pounce on rebounds if they presented themselves.

Watson proved to be a strong complimentary piece for whatever line he was placed on throughout camp. He did a good job of placing himself in the soft spots in coverage in the offensive zone, making himself a passing option for his linemates and getting off quick shots from the middle of the ice. He earned himself some breakaway opportunities as well by slipping behind defenders in the neutral zone and catching a pass in stride but ultimately couldn’t capitalize on his chances throughout.

Watson played a similar role to that of Waterhouse, which was basically dominate along the perimeter, win puck battles and tire out the opposing defenders with lengthy offensive zone time. What I liked about Watson’s game was his willingness to take the puck to the middle of the ice himself, often opting to drive the interior and take defenders with him to open up space for his teammates. He was putting himself in advantageous situations in the offensive zone well, getting plenty of looks from the inside by finding the soft spots on the ice. He scored his teams 7th goal of the game on a two on one when he tapped home a cross-ice feed into the back of the net off the rush.