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Sandman · 07-07-2021, 04:25 AM

LHD Dylan Gratton,6'0"176lbs (Youngstown,USHL): 47p/4g/13a/17pts,20PIM. Highest-scoring D on the worst team (and lowest scoring) in the USHL, with a +/- of -73. He should really get some credit for his numbers. Tied for 30th amongst D, 7th most for D under the age of 18 (17th in p/gp), ahead of Guillaume Richard, Henry Nelson, Roman Schmidt, Carter Schade, Jake Martin, and Ethan Straky. Plays a mostly defensive-minded game, making simple, smart plays with calmness and poise-he never panics.

Gratton is a good skater, with a nice first 3 steps, and great edges to make sharp cuts and change direction to throw off attackers. He has the speed to join the rush to provide another option, and get back into position at the point quickly. He defends well against the rush, and makes solid reads in the defensive zone. Keeps an active stick, with superb placement to pokecheck, block lanes, and take possession. He makes sure he keeps his area covered, suppresses chances well, and is always on the right side of the puck. His defensive awareness might be his biggest asset-he knows where to be to take away time, space, and options, and turn defense into offence. Excellent vision, his passing is extremely accurate, even under duress, and he can connect with stretch-passes. His stickhandling is sound, and has good puck-protection skills. Good shot, that's hard and accurate. He can make entries and exits with control, and can move efficiently through the neutral zone with the puck, or find teammates for breakout passes-even when under pressure. Battles in the corners, along the wall, and in front of his net, but could use more aggressiveness and intensity in doing so, in order to win more battles.

Gratton has some untapped offense, and will need time to properly develop it. He needs to learn when to activate and pinch, and when to be conservative-he can pinch too early, giving up odd-man rushes. His puck-control is not as consistent when carrying deep into the offensive zone-he tends to lose possession. He could stand to develop more of a physical edge as well. He projects as a bottom-4, two-way D with special teams time. Committed to Penn State. 4th-6th round.

07-07-2021, 04:25 AM	#1488
Sandman Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Calgary Exp:	LHD Dylan Gratton,6'0"176lbs (Youngstown,USHL): 47p/4g/13a/17pts,20PIM. Highest-scoring D on the worst team (and lowest scoring) in the USHL, with a +/- of -73. He should really get some credit for his numbers. Tied for 30th amongst D, 7th most for D under the age of 18 (17th in p/gp), ahead of Guillaume Richard, Henry Nelson, Roman Schmidt, Carter Schade, Jake Martin, and Ethan Straky. Plays a mostly defensive-minded game, making simple, smart plays with calmness and poise-he never panics. Gratton is a good skater, with a nice first 3 steps, and great edges to make sharp cuts and change direction to throw off attackers. He has the speed to join the rush to provide another option, and get back into position at the point quickly. He defends well against the rush, and makes solid reads in the defensive zone. Keeps an active stick, with superb placement to pokecheck, block lanes, and take possession. He makes sure he keeps his area covered, suppresses chances well, and is always on the right side of the puck. His defensive awareness might be his biggest asset-he knows where to be to take away time, space, and options, and turn defense into offence. Excellent vision, his passing is extremely accurate, even under duress, and he can connect with stretch-passes. His stickhandling is sound, and has good puck-protection skills. Good shot, that's hard and accurate. He can make entries and exits with control, and can move efficiently through the neutral zone with the puck, or find teammates for breakout passes-even when under pressure. Battles in the corners, along the wall, and in front of his net, but could use more aggressiveness and intensity in doing so, in order to win more battles. Gratton has some untapped offense, and will need time to properly develop it. He needs to learn when to activate and pinch, and when to be conservative-he can pinch too early, giving up odd-man rushes. His puck-control is not as consistent when carrying deep into the offensive zone-he tends to lose possession. He could stand to develop more of a physical edge as well. He projects as a bottom-4, two-way D with special teams time. Committed to Penn State. 4th-6th round.