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Sandman · 06-09-2021, 12:58 AM

RHD Ryan Ufko,5'10"181lbs (Chicago,USHL): 53gp/10g/29a/39pts, 3rd highest-scoring D in the USHL. Added 7pts in 8 playoff games, 5th highest scorer on the high-powered Steel. Ufko is a 200-ft, puck-moving, minute-munching defender, who can QB a powerplay. Ufko is very smart, and plays at a high pace. He likes to jump into the rush, or pinch towards the net or to the corners, where he can set-up, or capitalize on opportunities. His passes are accurate, and come with mustard-and he can pass at high speed. He's always a few steps ahead, thanks to his top-notch IQ and vision, and he's a frequent contributor of offensive opportunity. Talented play-maker who is not afraid to take chances. His wrist/slap shots are above average, and he can pick off the tightest windows-he can also shoot from anywhere.

Ufko has excellent mobility, and his edges are near elite-he can change direction very quickly, which makes him effective in transition. He's elusive enough to weave through the neutral zone, and make clean entries, or entry passes. He has great vision for breakout passes as well. He can turn defense into offense by switching direction and starting the rush. Defensively, he takes away angles with speed, and has fantastic gap control. Blocks passing and shooting lanes with his body and his very smart stick, and is very good at shutting down entry zones to thwart the rush. Very good PKer. He can break down cycles down low, and can push bigger opponents to the boards, and away from high-danger. He's strong on the puck, and will throw the odd bodycheck if needed.

While Ufko is considered a good skater, there's still room for improvement-specifically, he needs to get more explosive. Also, he needs a lower center of gravity in his stride, as he skates too upright. He needs to get stronger, as he can be overpowered, and he's not very physical-particularly in front of his net. He has very little presence in that area, and doesn't make it hard enough for opponents to set up there. There's also room to improve some of his decision-making, mostly in the d-zone. Much of this is probably due to the fact that he is so used to the offensive zone, but he can be pressured into making mistakes, and he is far less patient in his own zone. The great news for any team that drafts him is that he's headed to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he will be coached by Greg Carvel-whose program has produced some good offensive D in the past few years, most notably Cale Makar. If there's a coach who can give Ufko the necessary instruction to turn him into an NHLer, it's him. Ufko has been compared to Tyson barrie, but to me, he looks like Ryan Ellis at times. Ufko got a "B" rating from Central Scouting, meaning they expect him to be taken in the 2nd/3rd round.

06-09-2021, 12:58 AM	#974
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	RHD Ryan Ufko,5'10"181lbs (Chicago,USHL): 53gp/10g/29a/39pts, 3rd highest-scoring D in the USHL. Added 7pts in 8 playoff games, 5th highest scorer on the high-powered Steel. Ufko is a 200-ft, puck-moving, minute-munching defender, who can QB a powerplay. Ufko is very smart, and plays at a high pace. He likes to jump into the rush, or pinch towards the net or to the corners, where he can set-up, or capitalize on opportunities. His passes are accurate, and come with mustard-and he can pass at high speed. He's always a few steps ahead, thanks to his top-notch IQ and vision, and he's a frequent contributor of offensive opportunity. Talented play-maker who is not afraid to take chances. His wrist/slap shots are above average, and he can pick off the tightest windows-he can also shoot from anywhere. Ufko has excellent mobility, and his edges are near elite-he can change direction very quickly, which makes him effective in transition. He's elusive enough to weave through the neutral zone, and make clean entries, or entry passes. He has great vision for breakout passes as well. He can turn defense into offense by switching direction and starting the rush. Defensively, he takes away angles with speed, and has fantastic gap control. Blocks passing and shooting lanes with his body and his very smart stick, and is very good at shutting down entry zones to thwart the rush. Very good PKer. He can break down cycles down low, and can push bigger opponents to the boards, and away from high-danger. He's strong on the puck, and will throw the odd bodycheck if needed. While Ufko is considered a good skater, there's still room for improvement-specifically, he needs to get more explosive. Also, he needs a lower center of gravity in his stride, as he skates too upright. He needs to get stronger, as he can be overpowered, and he's not very physical-particularly in front of his net. He has very little presence in that area, and doesn't make it hard enough for opponents to set up there. There's also room to improve some of his decision-making, mostly in the d-zone. Much of this is probably due to the fact that he is so used to the offensive zone, but he can be pressured into making mistakes, and he is far less patient in his own zone. The great news for any team that drafts him is that he's headed to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he will be coached by Greg Carvel-whose program has produced some good offensive D in the past few years, most notably Cale Makar. If there's a coach who can give Ufko the necessary instruction to turn him into an NHLer, it's him. Ufko has been compared to Tyson barrie, but to me, he looks like Ryan Ellis at times. Ufko got a "B" rating from Central Scouting, meaning they expect him to be taken in the 2nd/3rd round.