Category: HPHL Profiles

OHL Prospect Profile: Rutger McGroarty

Although committed to the University of Notre Dame, Rutger McGroarty is one of the top prospects eligible for the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Of great size and skill, there’s a reason why he’s drawn comparisons to Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves.

– Rutger McGroarty –

Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U15 (HPHL) | Centre | 2020 OHL Draft Eligible

Lincoln, Nebraska | 6’1”, 175-pounds | March 30th, 2004

Rutger McGroarty is one of the top 2004-born prospects eligible for the 2020 OHL Draft, however, his current commitment to the NCAA and the University of Notre Dame could very well mean that McGroarty will never play a major-junior game. If he does opt for the OHL, however, it goes without saying that McGroarty would be one of the most valuable and highly sought after prospects come the annual Priority Selection.

Related: 2020 OHL Draft Rankings

Boasting terrific speed, intimidating size, a polished skill set and the ability to alter the course of any game he competes within, McGroarty has decisively established himself not only as a top prospect eligible for the 2020 OHL Draft but a game-changing talent poised for selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft as well. If he continues to add strength to his frame while standing as a consistent offensive threat on a nightly basis, McGroarty could battle for selection in the top-five overall of the NHL Draft — he is simply that good.

Strengths:

  • Skating Speed, Acceleration, and Strength
  • Puck Handling Abilities
  • Innate Playmaking Prowess
  • Elite Goal-Scoring Ability
  • Two-Way Play

As mentioned above, McGroarty’s skill set and capabilities on the ice are seemingly endless. For McGroarty, his game revolves around his ability to traverse the ice surface. Although of substantial size given his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, McGroarty is a smooth and polished skater who can blow past his opponents owing to his speed or fight them off below the goal line given his impressive agility and raw physicality. As a player who drives puck possession for his team, McGroarty can elude opposing players owing to his slick puck-handling abilities — he is decisive as his effective when the puck is on his stick.

These strong foundational skills feed into McGroarty’s lethality on the ice, as the youngster’s ability to create time and space for himself allows him to devise plays and score goals with incredible frequency — he tallied 11 goals in eight games played during the Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament. Due to the strength and accuracy of his shot, opposing defenders often afford McGroarty far too much time and space with the puck — opportunity which allows McGroarty to view the ice and fire crisp passes to his fellow teammates too. This ability to score goals as well as create them makes McGroarty an unpredictable and persistently potent threat each and every time he takes to the ice — oh, and he plays a complete 200-foot game to boot.

Areas of Improvement:

  • First Step Acceleration
  • Game to Game Consistency

Well, it’s time to nitpick — a to-do that will be extremely hard to accomplish given McGroarty’s on-ice exploits. Of the few areas in need of improvement within McGroarty’s game, first step acceleration and his game to game consistency are the most notable. Although he is a terrific skater, McGroarty would to well to improve his first step acceleration, as the youngster can be caught by his opponents in the short amount of time it takes him to reach full speed — once he’s flying, however, he’s downright unstoppable.

Related: 2020 OHL Draft – Player Profiles

Secondly, there is McGroarty’s game to game consistency. Now, although McGroarty is one of the most devastating 2004-born players on the planet, he can — like any player — have his off days. Fortunately for McGroarty, he has proven his capability to bounce back from difficult games time and time again — usually marked by a multiple point performance. If he can come to make an impact in each and every game which he competes within — offensively or not — McGroarty will quickly establish himself as one of the top young prospects in the hockey world.

Future Projection:

The future is blindingly bright for McGroarty, as he holds the skill-set necessary to develop into a premier offensive player for years to come. Having drawn comparisons to Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves, McGroarty’s raw strength and polished puck-skills will allow him to dominate each and every level of hockey which he competes within. Further, as he continues to mature physically, McGroarty’s existing skill-set will only become more powerful and more potent — a reality which will instil fear in his opponents regardless of the developmental path which he pursues.

OHL Prospect Profile: Jack Devine

Jack Devine of the HPHL’s Chicago Mission is a crafty centre known for his creativity and confidence with the puck. A premier playmaker, Devine could be made a first round pick in the 2019 OHL Draft if he chooses to forgo his NCAA commitment.

– Jack Devine –

Chicago Mission 15U (HPHL) | Centre | 2019 OHL Draft Eligible

Glencoe, Illinois | 5-foot-9, 150-pounds | Oct 1st, 2003

The Chicago Mission 15U were a force throughout the 2018-19 HPHL season, skating to a pristine 19-0-1 record alongside an overwhelming 102 goals for and just 25 against.

For the Mission, their devastating offence came from a large number of sources — namely the likes of Jack Silich, Davis Burnside, Jonah Copre, and Alexander Babich. However, arguably no one played a greater role in Chicago’s torrent play this campaign than centre Jack Devine.

Although somewhat undersized considering his 5-foot-9 frame, Devine is a slick and purposeful skater capable of dishing the puck to a nearby teammate or firing home the puck himself. Endlessly creative and confident in his abilities on the ice, Devine is a potential superstar in the making if he forgoes his current commitment to the University of Denver.

Strengths:

  • Playmaking Abilities
  • On-Ice Creativity
  • Speed and Agility
  • Work Ethic

Devine is unquestionably one of the most lethal offensive players eligible for the 2019 OHL Draft. In his 20 HPHL games played in 2018-19, Devine racked up 26 assists and 40 total points for the Mission — an output reflective of his versatile offensive approach on the ice.

Related: 2019 OHL Draft Rankings

On one hand, Devine is an impeccable passer. As creative as they come, Devine can fire passes to his teammates with relative ease and has no trouble setting up high-percentage scoring plays throughout the ice. On the other hand Devine is also a threat to shoot, as his passing abilities afford him with a greater deal of time and space within the offensive zone.

Related: 2019 OHL Prospect Profiles

Amplifying Devine’s offensive productivity and lethality are his tremendous skating abilities and general work ethic on the ice. Crafty in his skating and endlessly agile, Devine can carve through opposing defenders and maneuver in limited space before devising a high quality scoring chance. What’s more is that Devine is consistent in his ability to do so, as the youngster brings an unwavering drive to the rink each and every night.

Areas of Improvement:

  • Shot Power
  • Personal Strength

Although he scored 14 goals in his 20 HPHL league games this season, Devine would do well to add more pepper to his shot. While accurate, additional power would allow Devine to beat opposing goaltenders clean and transform him into a more well-rounded offensive threat than he has already become.

Related: 2019 HPHL Prospect Profiles

Alongside Devine’s shot power is his personal strength — a facet of his game which will undoubtedly improve with time as he continues to age. However, at just 150-pounds as of the 2018-19 campaign, it goes without saying that Devine would do well to add greater muscle to his frame — doing so would allow the native of Glencoe, Illinois to protect the puck with improved ease.

Future Potential:

Ultimately, Devine is an absolutely devastating offensive player who can pick apart opposing defences in a variety of manners. In fact, it is Devine’s innate offensive skill set which will afford him a great deal of success regardless of where he chooses to play in the years ahead.

As mentioned earlier, Devine is committed to Denver University and stands poised for a long and prosperous NCAA career. However, if Devine decides that the major-junior route will be a path more beneficial to his long-term success, than it would come as no surprise to see the youngster selected well within the first round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection.

OHL Prospect Profile: Dylan Duke

Dylan Duke has shown dynamic abilities as a two-way centre who can add substantial offence as well. A Michigan Wolverine commit, he plays an intelligent and mature game. Duke projects as a top-10 talent for the 2019 OHL Draft.

– Dylan Duke-

Detroit Compuware (HPHL) | Centre | 2019 OHL Draft Eligible

5-foot-10, 166-pounds | April 3rd, 2003

Dylan Duke is a dominant centre who plays the game with authority at both ends of the ice. Captaining Detroit Compuware to the Silver Stick Championship, Duke ranked second in tournament points with 14, behind only his winger, Sasha Pastujov.

Related: Check out Prospect Pipeline’s 2019 OHL Draft Rankings.

A reliable player in all three zones, Duke shows flashes of elite offensive potential, featuring a heavy shot and a strong forecheck. Teaming up with Pastujov and Red Savage to form a dynamic first line, Duke is the workhorse of the team who projects as a two-way centre with promising offensive upside.

Strengths:

  • Two-Way Awareness
  • Vision and Instincts
  • Skating

Duke’s game is extremely projectable at the professional level, as he displays a great understanding of the responsibilities of his position. Backchecking deep into the defensive zone, Duke regularly supports his defencemen below the dots and battles behind the net to force turnovers.

Related: Don’t miss out on any of our OHL Prospect Profiles.

Up front, Duke showcases a strong and efficient stride. He protects the puck well on the rush and distributes to puck effectively, both north-south and east-west. As a playmaker, Duke dishes impressive saucer and cross-crease passes through traffic.

Area of Improvement:

  • Shot Release

Using his strength to put some power behind his wrist shot, Duke possesses an above-average shot with great accuracy. He can be a lethal goal scorer as well as an effective playmaker, but his shot release is an area that could really push him into the next level.

Not a liability to his game in any way, Duke could become an elite sniper by adding some quickness to his release, especially in being able to change angles in order to fire a shot around screens. He seems to prefer a wrist shot over a snap shot, meaning his release time is slightly slower than some of his comparables.

Future Potential:

In all, Dylan Duke has shown dynamic abilities as a two-way centre who can add substantial offence as well. With tremendous instincts and skating ability, Duke looks like a prospect who is more than prepared to make the jump to the next level.

A Michigan Wolverine commit, Duke plays an intelligent and mature game. He projects as a top-10 talent for the 2019 OHL Draft, but will likely slid down the draft board as a result of his NCAA commitment.

OHL Prospect Profile: Sasha Pastujov

Sasha Pastujov is an incredibly talented winger with elite puck skills and processing capacity of the game. He displays impressive vision in the offensive zone and a quick and accurate wrist shot. A University of Notre Dame commit, Pastujov is a a top-five talent for the 2019 OHL Draft.

– 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.