Scouting Report: Barrik Siris, 16-year-old Right Winger

Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs

Siris is quite similar to Liam Logger, a forward with excellent two-way capability with room to grow in areas, but adept in others and exceptional work in the offensive zone above all else. He’s got the ability to get open for a quick, accurate shot, and he can go to the front of the net to screen the goaltender. He can handle the puck and can make the pass if he needs to keep the play going, and his hockey mind in the offensive zone is solid, able to read the defense and can shift mid-play to make a dangerous chance even more deadly. Defensively, he has some work to do with the physical side of his game, but his fundamentals in taking the body hard is just as solid as many other players in his draft class. He needs more time working with his stick, and maybe some more time in the film room studying defenses, but his positioning is sound, he doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice his body for a shot, and he has nothing but skill in taking over for the center for faceoff draws. Physically, he has the agility and acceleration among the best in the class, and his stamina and strength mean he can play any way an opponent wants to. He’s not afraid of anyone or anything, and he doesn’t hesitate to get a little muddy to make the play.

But the big hole in Siris’ game is his speed, or lack thereof. It’s not that he doesn’t have the skill to get better, his agility and acceleration make him just as shifty as anyone else, but his sluggish pace leave him as the last offensive player in the zone during a quick zone switch, leaving his teammates to cover the difference until he can plug the gap. It is the one part of the game Siris must address before the draft, as a lack of speed can be deadly to a career, leaving all the natural talent and physical gifts in the dust.

Eddie Morozov signing off for now. Stay tuned for more info and more reports from my trips abroad scouting the next SHL stars!

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