<div align="center">C – Beau Ballard
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Status: SMJHL Prospect

Beau Ballard’s a strong center who can beat you with the puck with numerous ways. He’s dominant on the offensive side of the game, but there’s room for improvement on his defensive game as he was caught on the ice for many goals that could have easily been avoided with more effort and a stronger hockey sense. He’s been blessed with a great body frame and now he’s just going to need to learn how to use it. He’s going to need to become more of a factor on the face-offs as his percentages in the juniors were terrible. Ballard’s not a physical player, so that comes to bite him a bit as he can easily be targeted by big bodied, strong defensive defenseman. Nonetheless, a dominant offensive center who needs to work on defense a bit more. – SHL Central Scouting

Beau Ballard was drafted in the second round by the Vancouver Canucks, however both parties could never come to terms on an ELC as the center always showed an interest in joining the SHL. Now, the 21 year old center is heading to Toronto where he’ll see the season 23 draft class’ draft, then sign his papers to declare for the SMJHL draft. Beau Ballard’s got it all. He’s got the size, skill, talent, and he’s a good ‘ol Canadian boy. Beau Ballard comes with confidence like no other he’s already claimed for him to be one of the elite centers out of the S24 draft class, which is true considering there’s only three centers to declare for the draft currently there’s not much competition for him to work with. However, that doesn’t take away anything from the talented prospect. Ballard’s represented by the legend Russian forward, Sergey Kovalenko, so with that comes experience and advice that could go a long way. Ballard’s quickly claimed the title as one of the top prospects going into the SMJHL Entry Draft moving ahead of goaltender, Prince Kyle and winger, Vlad McZehrl. However, with all the talent that Ballard possess on the offensive side of the game he doesn’t play a whole 200 ft. game as his defensive skills are weak. He’s going to need to improve his defensive game if he’s certain that he wants to become an elite center.



GTHL Statistics
Season 17: GP: 36 / G: 20 / A: 35 / P: 55
Season 18: GP: 70 / G: 37 / A: 60 / P: 97


OHL Statistics
Season 19: GP: 63 / G: 9 / A: 22 / P: 31
Season 20: GP: 34 / G: 16 / A: 39 / P: 45
Season 21: GP: 40 / G: 20 / A: 40 / P: 60
Season 22: GP: 63 / G: 35 / A: 50 / P: 85

Strengths
Puck Handling & Passing – Beau Ballard’s offensive game is very strong and that comes from his strong puck handling skills. Ballard’s fooled many defenders with his quick transitions, and quick moves with the puck. If we were to pin point a resemblance on Ballard’s puck handling skills it would probably be NHL superstar, Patrick Kane. Ballard’s Marlboros coach told us that he was one of the best puck handlers he’s had come through his program. Also, he said had he signed a contract with Vancouver he had the potential to become one of the top playmakers in the league. Ballard showed his passing skills throughout his junior career tallying 151 career assists over 200 OHL career games and those numbers are strong enough for us to consider him the top playmaker out of the draft class thus far. Ballard’s skills will definitely help a SMJHL team next season as he can easily fill in as number one center. It’ll be interesting to see how Ballard can transition to the SMJHL with his playmaking skills. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if he transitioned well to the SMJHL game nor would it surprise us if he transitioned terribly as it all matters on where he’s drafted to and the role he plays.

Scoring & Hockey IQ – Ballard doesn’t consider himself a scorer, but he’s got a wicked shot coming along to add to his offensive skills. He tallied 80 career goals over 200 OHL career games, those numbers are above average, however it isn’t enough for him to be considered a scoring center in the league, which he is not. His coaches from the Marlboros said, “He’s someone you need to watch when he has the puck for two reasons he’s either going to make you look like a fool or wrist a scorching shot. He was someone that was needed for our powerplay and attack. He never disappointed when we called him out onto the ice and we hope he continue his high level of play in the majors.” Ballard was in his hometown, Toronto for the SHL Draft Combine where we spoke to him asking a few questions on his scoring game. He said, “I’m a pass first center, so I’m not looking to be selfish on the ice. I’m looking to make my teammates better and that’s that. However, when I do have the puck I can definitely pot it into the back of the net. I’ve got a strong shot, but don’t use it as often as I possibly should.” That’s what’s different about Ballard with his play comes a strong hockey sense he knows when to shoot and when to pass. He’s the one that’s making his teammates better not the other way around and that was evident when he played in the juniors as he set up his teammates with 151 assists. He’s definitely a talent to watch out for as many scouts have started to target him for their team hoping he’ll be their number one center. However, his IQ isn’t top notch as his defensive game is very weak.

Skating & Endurance – Ballard’s the type of player that’s always on the ice. He’s the one that you can trust as the clock’s winding down to tie the game up or finish them off. He’s familiar with being the number one center because that’s the role he’s been given throughout his whole career. Ballard’s was regarded as one of the strongest skaters in the juniors and he definitely showed that with his speed. He speeds by players with his strong and powerful legs. His skating is so strong being one of the ways he beats the defenders making them look out of place. Ballard was tallying 24 minutes a night in his final season in the OHL. One of his OHL coaches said, “He was our number one center and we were always counting on him to start the game, play huge on the powerplay, and finish off the game. He did just that and that makes him the high level player he is today.”

Weaknesses
Defense – Definitely one of Ballard’s strongest weaknesses that sets him back from the pack. If he wants to become an elite center he’s going to need to up his defensive game as he was caught on the ice numerous times for bad defensive plays. His coaches are aware of that calling that his weakness that sets him back from becoming that elite center for the future. There aren’t many players that make it to the SHL as an elite center playing just one side of the ice. We expect this to be on the list of things Ballard’s going to work at through the off-season.

Strength & Physical Play – Despite his tall height Ballard’s not the strongest player out there and he’s easily knocked off the puck. He’s a bit lanky, so he’s an easier player for defenseman to target pushing him around trying to get him off the puck. He’s going to work hard in the gym to get stronger because his opponents will definitely be prepared to get to his head with their strong and physical play. We’ve seen this get to many superstars’ heads when the defenseman can perfect this and if a defenseman can do this we could see Ballard held off the scoresheet many times.

Faceoffs – Ballard’s going to need to work on this tremendously through the off-season because if he’s willing to call himself one of the elite centers of the class he’s going to actually need to win face-offs. This could be another thing that puts Ballard behind the other centers of the class and in the league. In the SMJHL we see more and more centers who are perfecting the defensive side of the game, so he’s going to need know that other players are on the ice to shut him down. With a low face-offs percentage that’s just going to make their job easier.

Future
We’re expecting Ballard to be a future top center in the SHL. With the help of his agent we can predict that he’ll most likely end up as a number one center on some team, however that’ll come with time and we cannot see him jumping into that role out of the gates. He could possibly be in the SMJHL for two seasons just for seasoning as there’s not many openings in the SHL for centers. Although, if he’s ready it’d be stupid for a general manager to deny him the chance.

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