[Sandman]

C Brett Harrison,6'2"185lbs (Oshawa, OHL): In 2019-20, he recorded 21g/16a/37pts in 58 games with the Generals-only 2 other rookies scored 20 goals or more, McTavish and Wright. This year, with the OHL shutdown, he played for a weak team, Koovee, in Finland's U20 league, putting up 4g/5a/9pts in 7gp- his 1.29 p/gp tied him for 3rd among players under 18, with Ville Koivunen. At the U-18s, he had 2 goals in 7 games- he looked a bit vanilla to me at the time, but his defensive play drew my attention a bit.

Harrison is a pretty good two-way C, who scores goals from the net-front. Although he has a good shot with a pro release, and can beat goalies from outside of high-danger, he gets the vast majority of his goals from in-tight. He is able to convert on an incredible 70% of his shots from home plate. He uses his size to battle for space and positioning in front of the net, and gets the tips and rebounds. His ability to find those open spaces aroung the net is outstanding. He has excellent offensive instincts and vision, and can pass the puck well. Harrison isn't the most physical, but his game centers around his ability to use his size and physicality to win pucks in the dirty areas, and the slot. He has no problem initiating contact, and doling out hits when needed-he's active and hard on loose pucks. Harrison is aggressive on the forecheck, applying pressure on defenders, who he stops from breaking out. He works well off the cycle, protects the puck, and moves to the net-front. Strong on the puck, and he has good enough stickhandling to get through checks and tight areas.

Defensively, Harrison is a hard worker- he covers his man, ties up sticks, and blocks shots. Works well at using the aforementioned size and physicality to keep attackers to the outside, and win board battles. He protects the slot, and helps out down low. He is excellent at getting into passing, and shooting lanes, and uses an active stick. Harrison is able to play in all situations, including the PK.

Harrison is good skater, but far from elite. He has an ok top speed, but looks heavy-footed. In order to be able to perform at the next level, he has to improve his quickness and acceleration. He also loses speed in turns, and struggles with his lateral movement. It has been said, though that his mobility has been steadily improving over the past few years, so that might be good news- his mechanics look ok. His transition game suffers from his lack of mobility, and is almost non-existent-he defers to his teammates to carry the puck through the neutral zone, he's usually almost stationary waiting for them to pass by, so he can follow. His play away from the puck also needs work. It has been said that he might be a middle-6 winger in the NHL, as his game isn't that suited to center, and he may depend on having play-driving linemates. Most mocks have him going in the first, but I don't think he's taken until the second round.