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Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden
I will admit that I dont know much about the NCAA prospects. What exactly is the appeal of Koumontzis?
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He jumped straight from high school hockey to the NCAA where he helped ASU have their best season ever. He put up 20 points in 34 games as a freshman. That was 6th in the entire country ahead of a guy like Oliver Wahlstrom who went in the first round and later played AHL games last season. The other freshmen ahead of him were all second and first rounders except for MEP. ASU didn't have a ton of firepower either.
He was relatively unknown when he was drafted, but he is starting to get noticed now as US Hockey invited him to their world junior summer showcase.
Treliving singled him out at development camp this year as the most improved player. The Flames obviously like his skill set as they took him in the 4th round.
Flames Director of Development thought Koumontzsis flew under the radar during the draft because of a major injury the year before which eventually led him to playing another year of high school hockey where he led the league in points. He even went as far to say if they could snag him in the 4th round they would be getting a steal.
Still a long term prospect, but the potential is there and you have to be happy with his development so far.