Trudging along and getting closer and closer to draft day. With so many positional players, who can guess where to start in breaking them all down. Lets take a look at three "under-the-radar" forwards that could make an impact come this season:
Pietra Volkova
Height (ft.): 5'8"
Weight (lbs.): 150
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Player Type: Sniper
Strengths: Scoring, Skating, Puck Handling
Out of Russia and a bit undersized, Volkova has the work ethic to be something unique. She has the drive to push herself along all facets of the game. When you look through her scouting you don't really see an attribute that pops out. Why? Because she works on all parts of her game. While being tagged a sniper, she grinds it out up and down the rink.
Ieuan Llewellyn
Height (ft.): 5'10"
Weight (lbs.): 190 lbs
Birthplace: Wales
Player Type: Enforcer
Strengths: Checking, Fighting, Strength
What can we say, Llewellyn will make an impact immediately. Maybe not in the way most like to light the lamp or dipsy-doo with the puck. With hands of brick and a trucking mentality, look for a new definition of enforcer. He will fight literally anyone... including the zamboni driver if he misses a strip of ice. At 5'10", Llewellyn fights as a possessed 6'6" slugger, but has the temperament of a 5'5" thug with short-man syndrome. Needless to say, he will fill the seats... he will fight... and he will score... just not on the ice.
Llewellyn getting handled by a referee at his latest Junior tournament.
Michael Burrows
Height (ft.): 6'2
Weight (lbs.): 205
Birthplace: Latvia
Player Type: Sniper
Strengths: Scoring, Puck Handling, Skating
He will score. That's all he is about. Make sure your cameras are on when the puck hits his stick as a human highlight reel with a shoot first, shoot second, score third kind of mentality. After reviewing the scouting report, it isn't surprising seeing his ratings are at what they are as they mirror his documented strengths. He's got size, but until he finds his man card he won't be seen duking it out in the corner or dropping the mitts at center ice. The physical side isn't for everyone and Burrows will be sure he makes his case by lighting the lamp on a consistent basis.