– Sasha Pastujov –
Detroit Compuware (HPHL) | Right Wing | 2019 OHL Draft Eligible
Northville, Michigan | 5-foot-11, 176-pounds | July 15th, 2003
The hype surrounding Sasha Pastujov has been growing all year, with no end in sight. Playing up with Detroit Compuware’s 16U team, Pasutjov has been downright dominant in a league composed largely of 2002-born prospects. An extremely skilled winger, he thinks the game at an elite rate and makes intelligent decisions with the puck.
A slick skater with quick hands and a tremendous sense of the ice, Pastujov really made his presence felt at the 2018 Silver Stick, where he led Compuware to the championship on the back of an MVP performance, tallying nine goals and 16 points in seven games.
Strengths:
- Hands & Puck Skills
- Hockey Sense
- Speed & Agility
Pastujov is a dynamic offensive threat who can burn his opponents in a multitude of ways. He reads the ice incredibly well and is able to position himself in advantageous positions as a result. He’s tough to knock off the puck as well, using his entire body to protecting the puck and dangling through traffic like a knife through butter.
An agile and shifty skater, Pastujov gains momentum quickly and tough to get a beat on as an opposing defender. While his hockey sense may be his greatest asset, Pastujov is best known for his outrageous, end-to-end goals. He has an elite sense of the soft spots in the neutral and offensive zone and consistently exploits them. All in all, Pastujov is a gifted offensive force who can create tons of offence.
Area of Improvement:
- Two-Way Awareness
As a winger, this may not turn scouts away, but Pastujov has some room to improve away from the puck. In his own end, he could be a little more aggressive in eliminating passing lanes and forcing turnovers. In fact, this adjustment would only create more offensive opportunities for himself and his linemates.
Adding this element to his game would allow for Pastujov to be relied upon in all situations, including the penalty kill and in dying moments of a game to secure the lead. In all, this aspect will certainly not deter teams from him, as he will always be immensely valued for his offensive prowess and future potential as he continues to grow and strengthen.
Future Potential:
A University of Notre Dame commit, it is unlikely that we will see Pastujov report to the OHL next year. Regardless of that fact, he has proven to be one of the top ’03 prospects in North America, thanks to an elite-level sense and understanding of the game, along with tremendous puck skills that make him a legitimate scoring threat each time he takes the ice.
As seems to be the trend this year, an NCAA commitment throws a wrench into projecting where Pastujov will be taken at the 2019 OHL Draft, but based on talent alone, he should be viewed as a top-five prospect eligible for the draft.
Prospect Pipeline 