Jacob Marsh
Position: Left Wing
Weight: 210 lbs
Height: 6’3
Hometown: Dundas, Ontario
Season Stats: 66GP, 21 G, 21 A, -4
 
Jacob Marsh was a bit of an enigma coming into the SMJHL draft. He had all the tools, size, speed, and a wicked shot but was unable to put it all together until relatively late in his minors career. This resulted in him being picked late at 37th overall. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Marsh. He was able to head to a Newfoundland locker room along with 7 other rookies to grow with over the course of his SMJHL career. While his first season was nothing to write home about the opportunity provided playing on a young team allowed him to ease into the league before focusing maniacally on the W/L column. If the team continues to grow as expected there may be some very exciting times ahead for Newfoundland and Marsh.

 Strengths

Marsh’s strength is in the offensive zone. A big bodied winger that is hard to knock off the puck and can capitalize on even limited opportunities as evidenced with his first SMJHL hat trick. Puck handling is another strength of Marsh and that coupled with his size and balance make taking the puck from him a chore. In the defensive end his strength is his ability to separate the puck from the puck carrier. Despite 3rd line minutes he finished 7th on the team with 100 hits but will need to improve the non physical aspect of his defensive game as he was close to dead last on the team in takeaways. His temperament is also something coaches love to see, he will attempt to draw penalties while not retaliating and seems to relish in goading his opponents into the box.

Weakness

It’s defense. He has a lot to improve in his own zone if he ever wants to successfully transition to the SHL. While not a full liability in the defensive zone he definitely is not an asset currently. He tied for 3rd to last in plus minus on the Berserkers and while playing on an all rookie line for the season, that isn’t enough of an excuse to justify the poor play. Along with that his takeaways were abysmal and turned the puck over to much to maintain consistent pressure in the offensive end. Luckily for Marsh these things are all able to be corrected and has shown the ability to be coachable which is every GMs dream.

Outlook

Marsh will be heading to the SHL it is just a matter of how high is his ceiling. If he is able to put it all together consistently, he will be worthy of a top 10 pick but the question marks remain. Especially for a player who lacks the historic success some of the other highly touted prospects have on their resume. So that is really the main question for Marsh will he become a high pick and be able to handle the high expectations that come with it, or will he be a potential late round steal which is starting to look like the case in regard his SMJHL draft position.


(531 words)

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Loving these scouting reports! Good work!

“The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. ... There are neither beginnings nor endings to the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.”





Ólafur Atlason| C | SMJHL Prospect | Future Edmonton Blizzard
Birthplace: Reykjavik, Iceland
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SMJHL Season Stats
S76: GP: 0 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P: 0 | 0 | PIM: 0 | Hits: 0 | |
SMJHL Playoff Stats
S76: GP: 0 | G: 0 | A: 0 | P: 0 | 0 | PIM: 0 | Hits: 0 | |
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SHL Season Stats