[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Captain America Edition):

RW Brodie Ziemer has earned the nickname,"Captain America", because he wears the "C" for the NTDP's U18 team, where he has amassed 24 goals, and 50 points in 49 games. He earned rave reviews for his performance in the most recent 5 Nations Tournament, where he was tied for 1st overall in goals with 6, and 2nd overall in points with 8, on a line consisting of himself, Bednarik, and Stiga- the best line in the tourney. Ziemer is only 5'11", but is built like a tank at 192 lbs, which serves him well as another "pocket power-forward", who plays a complete game.

Ziemer doesn't have a whole lot of high-end skill, and lacks flashiness, with a game that's built around his incredible work-ethic. He is primarily a scorer, with the ability to both snipe or finish, and has a deep arsenal of wicked shots- from curl-and-drags, to his sharp wrister, to his blistering one-timer, and everything in-between. An unusually high number of his shots make it through to the net, and he's deft at using his opponents as screens, with a high amount of deception to disguise his release, such as changing the angle of his shot, or the use of feints, fakes, and look-offs. Most of his goals come from within 10 feet of the net though, as he attacks the crease, with and without the puck, and will park himself in front to screen, snag rebounds, and convert second-chance opportunities- he also has excellent hand-eye co-ordination to tip incoming shots, and the moves to beat goalies 1-on-1. Z is more of a "facilitator" than a genuine playmaker, as his passing game hovers around average- he advances the play if there's not a pass option, gets pucks deep, moves the puck to high-danger areas, and keeps the play alive in the offensive zone. He sees the ice quite well, but usually keeps it simple, relying on quick touches, and doesn't attempt the more complex plays, although he connected on some high-end passes to the slot at the 5 Nations. He makes sound plays in transition, but mostly defers to teammates to do most of the carrying. Ziemer has solid hockey sense and can be used in any situation, including both sides of special teams, and is often shuffled between the first, and second line.

Despite his size, Ziemer plays a robust physical game, and is relentless on the forecheck to remove space and dislodge pucks. He finishes all his checks, and can dish out some big hits. He is a high-effort, high-energy, high-intensity player, staying active, and always moving his feet- he sets a good example for his teammates, while pushing the pace on opponents. His grit and sandpaper meter runs high- he goes to war in the hard areas, and never gives up on a play. His off-puck game is a big plus- he finds his way to open spaces to make himself an option for a pass, and can sneak into high-danger areas. He plays well in small areas, and has good puck-control, with above-average 1-on-1 moves to beat checkers. Ziemer's skating is neither spectacular or dynamic, perhaps hovering around average, and he could use another gear or two. His edges are good enough to give him agility in turns, and some lateral mobility to fool defenders. Some of the deficiencies in his speed are offset by his work-ethic, and by the way he keeps his legs pumping. This kid has character, and is a true leader.

Though he may not be a stalwart, Ziemer brings his work-ethic and awareness to the defensive zone, with a quick stick to break up plays. He anticipates the play well, cutting off passes, removing time and space, and playing the body. The coaching staff trusts him with regular penalty-killing duties. Projections for Ziemer are all over the place, with some seeing him as a bottom-6 checker, some seeing him as a 2nd-line scorer- in addition, some even have him in the first round of the draft. I would put him late 2nd round, early 3rd. He needs work on his skating, his strength, and his playmaking, which will make him more of a dual-threat. It would be a good idea to further augment the power of his shot as well. In the fall, Ziemer will be attending the University of Minnesota.