Scouting Report: Derrick Prince, 16-year-old Right Wing

Height: 6’2”
Weight: 211 lbs

Prince is a solid two-way presence on the forward end that… is big and physical. Um, yeah. Yet another one. I feel bad for the GMs that really wat a purely offensive sniper or playmaker. Regardless, his skills are balanced and impressive. He has the shot that can carry any player in this league, and the reading ability and puck handling to make any defensive scheme turn to dust. He can make the pass to set up a play, can shift to get to open ice, and can work the front of the net. Defensively, he can isolate the play with a well-timed check on the boards. He’s positioned effectively for a steal with his stick, and his ability to sacrifice his body comes clutch when his teams really need it. It’s also a hidden secret that he can fill in for the center to take a faceoff. He’s got the mindset of a captain.

Now, Prince is raw in a few places, but it’s not a weakness, simply something to be worked on. His hitting and shot blocking form needs some tweaking, and he needs more time in the film room to read a defensive setup. This shouldn’t diminish his ability or pedigree, it only means he has places to start working on when he joins a team, and he’ll be an impact player in no time.

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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