[Sandman]

More Draft Thoughts (and more RHD):

RHD Luca Marrelli, who measures 6'3", and 187lbs, may have been the Oshawa Generals' best defenseman in 2022-23, according to some. This season to date, he's racked up 36 points so far in 45 games, a pace that would put him on a trajectory to end the year with 54 points in 68 games. He is Oshawa's top-scoring D, and 12th overall in the OHL for defenders. Marrelli is one of the older prospects in this draft, with an October 4th birthday, and cousin to another draft-eligible defenseman, Frankie Marrelli of the Ottawa 67's. The Gens are currently 4th in the East, 9th overall, and 7th in goals-for.
Marrelli is a developing puck-moving, two-way rearguard, leaning towards offense, showing above average vision and playmaking, and a penchant for running the show from the point with patience and poise. He's adept at walking the line and opening lanes, keeping the puck in the zone and extending offensive zone time, and he's a crisp, accurate passer who consistently finds teammates in high danger. He uses deception in his body language, and has the moves to manipulate open space for well-timed passes, or to get a shot on net. Marrelli has excellent puck skills, and stays composed under pressure, making good decisions. He's confident and cool with the puck on his stick, efficient in retrievals, and makes a good first pass to ignite the offense, often opting for a stretch pass on his outlets to push the pace. In the defensive zone, he positions himself quite well against the rush, and the cycle, and employs his stick and quick lateral movement to keep opponents to the outside. He's aggressive and competitive, with good anticipation, and will finish his checks. Skating is not a glaring weakness for him, as he can close fast on attackers and has good agility and lateral mobility to get in lanes and break up rushes, but he needs a better top speed and more explosiveness- he's still quick and smart enough to take away space and time from opponents, and uses plenty of deception in his feet and stick placement to make himself room to move.
Marrelli gets some criticism for inconsistencies in his effort from time to time, and he has been known to cheat a bit for offense. He needs to get stronger and faster to win more battles, improve his top-speed and explosiveness, and work on his shot, but he's looking like a good two-way, second-pairing D in the NHL someday. Listen for his name to be called in the second round.

RHD Harrison Brunicke was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and moved to Calgary when he was two years old- later playing for the Royals. He's been given a "C" rating by Central Scouting, meaning they believe he's a candidate to be picked in the 4th or 5th round, but it's my guess that he goes in the 2nd or 3rd. The 6'3",187lb rearguard has 18 points in 41 games this season to date with Kamloops of the WHL, who are dead last in the league, and second-last in goals-for. This is a player who is much more than his stats, as he doesn't have much to work with, and I think scouts will recognize this. Brunicke's 18 points are second-best for defensemen on a very poor squad. In 2022-23, Brunicke got to participate in the Memorial Cup, as Kamloops was the host, and he put up 1 goal.
Brunicke is a fairly raw, all-around defenseman with size, skating, skill, and snarl, who can munch minutes. He's quite physical and intense, and has bite to his game- he will even drop the gloves when needed. He is used in all situations for the Blazers, and plays both special teams. His highlight reel is very entertaining, and fans say he's good for a least few jaw-dropping moments each night. This is a big guy who is highly mobile, maybe even explosive- with great agility, balance, and edgework, who can beat smaller players in a foot race. He did well in on-ice testing leading up to the CHL Top Prospects Game, and finished 4th in the field in "Weave Agility with Puck". Brunicke likes to join the attack, and has a good, hard shot, with soft hands in close. He will pinch low, manipulating opponents to open space, and make plays to teammates in high-danger. He's a supremely talented stickhandler, with some dynamic skill, and has an arsenal of 1-on-1 moves to make opponents look silly- he can fake them out of their skates, then deke around, or through them. He's highly deceptive on breakouts as well, using little fakes in his body, stick, and feet to shake off attackers, then form a quality breakout. He shows intensity in the D-zone as well, angling opponents to the boards, then finishing them. One has to ponder how he would look on a better team...
Brunicke is very raw, and will need time to round out his game. He needs to learn patience, and has to tighten up his defensive positioning. Many say he's prone to mistakes in transition- he can throw the puck away, or pass into his teammates' skates. He's much better off carrying it in himself. I love this kid, and I think he has major upside- the ceiling is high, but the floor is low.