Projection: Puck Moving Upside

Strengths: Skating, Two-way Impact, Puck Moving

Development Opportunities: Play Under Pressure, Consistency

Hendriks was one of the more well-rounded defenders in the HEO this season, offering a good blend of skating, puck-moving, and reliable defensive play for the Eastern Ontario Wild. What stood out most was his ability to quickly turn defensive situations into clean zone exits. He can disrupt plays, get his head up, and connect on passes up ice, often sparking counters the other way.

When he’s calm and patient he really shines as a puck-mover, but there are games where oncoming pressure gets the best of him and he can force passes. Incorporating more pre-scans and shoulder checks to have a better sense for forecheckers will be critical as he’ll have less time and space at the next level. The foundation is there for a solid two-way defender, but it might take a year of playing against junior level competition before being fully ready for the OHL level.

While he had some good defensive moments of winning pucks and tying up threats going to his net, I thought it was a solid offensive performance from the Wild blueliner. He showed the confidence to push pucks forward, operate with control, and involve himself up ice that was great to see. He was asserting himself within the offensive end, walking the line to find lanes, connecting on pinches to keep plays alive, and positively impacting the play in the o-zone shift after shift. Hendriks’ efforts sparked two of the Wild’s five goals, one he hit an open Allenby in the slot on the powerplay for an easy tap-in and the second his point shot sparked a rebound net-front. My usual assessment of Leo is more for the calmness and puck-moving to facilitate breakouts, so it was nice to see the offensive pop in this one.

I thought Hendriks’ poise and calmness was the main standout trait. Every decision seemed calculated and on-point, surveying his options and opting for the right choice. Breakouts and transitions were always seamless with Leo commanding them, moving pucks up ice with control and ensuring play kept flowing up ice. The same smart decisions translated to the offensive zone, where he was always spotting open teammates and moving pucks around well. Hendriks found the back of the net in this one with a power play one-timer that he blasted past the goaltender.