12. On the Radar
Pre-Draft Scout Report: Ethan Cross
Position: Center | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 190 lbs | Playstyle: Two-Way Forward

As the S80 SHL Draft approaches, Ethan Cross has set himself up as one of the more exciting prospects to come out of the San Diego Tidals system. A two-way center built off the dynamic playstyle of Sydney Crosby, Cross mingles hockey IQ, defensive reliability, and offensive versatility in what should be an intriguing selection for teams looking for balance with high impact.

Strengths:
- Faceoff Dominance: With a 58.9% faceoff win rate during their rookie season and steadily improving in that area, Cross brings critical puck possession skills that every team needs
- Defensive Reliability: Strong attributes in defensive read and stick checking have made Cross one of the best players at breaking up plays and causing disruptions. The physicality, complimented with the recent upgrades to Hitting, adds an element of nastiness to his game
- Offense: Although statically, there is still work to be done in the possession game, Cross was clutch in the limited playoffs run in the rookie season with 5 goals and 4 assists in 7 games, including a game-winning goal. A high scoring percentage in the playoffs (71.4%) shows evidence to be precise and convert scoring chances with skill.

Overall Outlook:
Ethan Cross has a very high floor and an even higher ceiling. They will be a valuable addition to any SHL team that needs a center that can create scoring chances and help on the defensive side. Even though I am not as active in the LR, I am on top of my weekly tasks and gain TPE to improve my player over time. While Cross isn't overall dominant offensively, his two-way play should make any SHL team better and become a cornerstone prospect to develop and help a team for their very best!

Comparable Player: Patrice Bergeron with a touch of physicality.
Total TPE: 6