LW Alexei Prokopenko,5'11"185lbs (Gatineau,QMJHL): 12gp/5g/0a/5pts, selected 8th overall by Gatineau in the 2020 CHL Import Draft. In 2019-20, for Omskie Yastreby of the MHL in Russia, he posted 14gp/8g/4a/12pts, with 3pts in 3 playoff games-very impressive production for a 16/17 year-old in that league. Started this year on Feb.27th, slotted mainly in the bottom-6-no points in the first 4 games, but scored 5 even-strength goals in the next 8 games.
Impressive shot, with a lightning release and good accuracy in his wrister, and his one-timer. Patrols the high slot, and attacks the net when he sees an opportunity arise. Strong physical presence, highly competitive, and works hard. Fearless in jumping into board battles, and causes turnovers. Keeps his feet moving, and works hard for positioning, and puck-possession. He's very often the one pulling the puck out of battles. Protects the puck well, while scanning for options-very strong puck possession ability. Gets in passing lanes, intercepts pucks-gets a lot of takeaways, but gives up very few takeaways.
There's not a huge amount of creativity here-he's a pure goal-scorer. Not much of a playmaker, he defers to teammates to facilitate. AP is an adequate stickhandler, who doesn't hold on to the puck for too long. Average skater, but has agility for tight-area quickness, and elusiveness-he has a hunched-over style that gives him balance and puck-control, but has to work on all aspects of his mobility. He has been projected as possibly being a dependable, bottom-6 winger, but that ceiling could rise with better skating. Rounds 5-7.
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