Scouting Report: Tank Sharksy, 17-year-old Center

Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 212 lbs

Tank Sharksy plays the game with dexterity, a strong skater and an excellent offensive presence. Not intimidated by defensive pressure, Sharksy is slippery and stable enough to find open space in the critical areas to shoot. He can handle the puck with effective range and can find the open areas with his speed, and he’s got a great shot, which he can release from almost anywhere. He’s also very adept at taking faceoffs, utilizing his balance and quick stickwork to battle at the hashes or winning outright at the dot. He can take contact well, and he can engage the play at high speed. Most desirable for coaches is his motor, which can withstand heavy minutes all over the lineup, and on the powerplay. There’s a lot to like in Sharksy’s game, and that makes him an impressive kid.

What I find admirable about Tank’s game is that very few of his skills can be characterized as bad. Many of his base abilities are at a skill level one would find “fine”. His ability to screen the goaltender in front of the net is fine, his passing ability is fine, his ability to use the body to separate the player from the puck is fine, his positioning in the defensive zone, his ability to use his stick to strip opponents, his ability to read the play in his own end are all fine. His acceleration and agility on his feet, and his strength are unnotable. Sharksy only struggles with two crucial parts of the game, his ability to deliver hits, and his ability to deploy his body to block shots. All else is reasonable, and leaves room for a great amount of improvement.

Sharksy appears to be one of the highlighted players in preparation for the S75 SMJHL Draft, as his game is one that can quickly adapt to the speed and toughness. He will likely be an asset for the United States in the future, with the WJC teams, Blue and White. For whatever team claims him, he will be an important piece to their future, provided he put in the work to polish his skills from “fine” to a shimmering gleam.

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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