2014 NHL Draft Spotlight: Blake Clarke
Blake Clarke / Centre / Brampton Battalion / 6’2″ 195 / 1/24/96
Blake Clarke is one of the best American players selected in this year’s OHL Draft. He started last year in the USHL with the Fargo Force, but eventually left to play in St. Louis for the U18 Blues. He represented the United States at the 2012 World Youth Games, was a player who I had as a potential top 3 selection at one point of the season.
2012 NHL Draft Scouting Report: Dylan Blujus
Dylan Blujus / Brampton Battalion / Defence / 6’3″ / 193 / Jan. 22nd, 1994
Write Up
Blujus has been one of the more impressive and surprising player this year. Ever since scouting him for the OHL Draft, he has always been known as an intelligent, defensive first defenceman with interesting long term upside. In his first year in the Ontario Hockey League he showed good offensive development. This year, he really took a step forward in his overall development, and looked much more poised and controlled with the puck on his stick. His progression over the past two years has been quite impressive, and he continues to get better. What I like the most about him is his development curve. As a 15 year old in Buffalo, he did show a lot of offensive upside, but here we are almost three years later, and his offensive abilities are what is getting him noticed. He projects out as a smart two-way defenceman who can play in an NHL teams top 4.
Brampton Battalion – 2012 NHL Draft Eligible’s
Patrik Machac / Centre / 5’9″ / 168 / Apr. 23rd, 1994
Machac is a smart two-way centre who shows good complete levels. He is good positionally and effective in all three zones. He shows good overall puck skills, and sees the ice well in the offensive zone. He is a solid skater with good footwork and agility. Although he doesn’t lack willingness, his size and lack of strength do hold him back. Projected as a bottom 6 forward at the next level.
Connor Jarvis / Centre / 5’8″ / 174 / Aug. 27th, 1994
A hardworking centre that saw limited ice this year in Brampton. He is a very strong skater and always brings a high complete level. He is one of the team’s best penalty killers. His size and puck skills are question marks.
Jamie Lewis / Centre / 5’8″ / 178 / Aug. 22nd, 1994
Lewis is a high complete centre who shows good two-way play. He is solid positionally in all three zones. He has a good stick and has the ability to create turnovers by having an active stick in passing lanes or a strong stick check. His size, as well as a lack of long term potential are issues.
Marcus McIvor / Defenceman / 6’1″ / 203 / May 20th, 1994
McIvor had an up and down season for the Battalion. He showed good positional play and was effective down low and along the boards. He was one of the Battalions strongest defenceman down low, and effective at controlling gaps in own zone. He did not progress offensively as much as he would have wanted this year, which has raised questions about his long-term offensive upside. Projects out as a bottom paring defensive defenceman at the next level
Dylan Blujus / Defenceman / 6’3″ / 193 / Jan. 22nd, 1994
Click Here to Read His Complete Profile.
Blujus is the Battalions top prospect this year. He has really developed well in Stan Butlers system, and has added some strong puck skills and improved decision making abilities to his arsenal this season. He has improved his acceleration and footwork, and although he still has room to grow, the improvements that he has made are impressive. He has one of the best shots from the point on the powerplay. He projects out as a top four defenceman at the next level.
Brenden Miller / Defenceman / 6’1″ / 187 / Mar. 29th, 1994
Miller is a strong, physical defenceman who has progressed well this season. He started the year as a healthy scratch, but ended the season as a top four defenceman, and even saw some powerplay time. He is aggressive down low and in puck battles, and was very strong at pinning defenceman out of the play. He still has work to do, but showed improved puck skills. He could be a late round draft selection if a team sees potential in him.
2013 Draft Eligible’s:
There where no 2013 Eligible players on the Battalions roster this season.
