[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (U-18 Edition, Vol.14):

With how often he activates into the play, it's a shock that LD Adam Belusko didn't get more than his 1 point in 7 games at the U-18 Tournament, where he wore an "A" for Slovakia. Belusko put up some gaudy numbers in league play back home in Slovakia, finishing 21st overall in scoring (and 3rd in ppg for defensemen) in the U20 league with 19 points in 17 games split between HC Kosice (6 assists in 6 games), and Team Slovakia's U18 team (13 assists in 11 games). In Slovakia, the U18 team plays games against opponents in the U20, and opponents in the second-tier men's league to get prepared for international tournaments like the U-18's. Against men in the second-tier, the 5'11",187lb blueliner put up 11 points in 24 games (8th-overall for U-18 players), to go with 20 PIM. He wore the "A" in last summer's Hlinka as well, but only managed 1 goal in 4 games, and had the opportunity to play a game in the Extraliga for HC Kosice, where he scored a goal.

Belusko is a solid two-way player who does a little of everything, and can play in all situations, including both special teams. At times, Belusko seems to be everywhere all at once in the offensive zone, touching every inch of ice in one shift. At the U-18's, in the first period against Team USA, Belusko seemed to be rarely at his post, abandoning the point to activate deep into the zone for long periods, letting his forwards fill in for him. He was so rarely at the blueline that he seemed like he was playing pond hockey, which showed a bit of immaturity to me. The period ended with Team USA up 2-1 on the Slovaks, and Belusko came out in the 2nd playing a much more responsible game. Belusko will join the rush to support the attack, and will pinch in to keep plays alive or to kill the rush coming back in it's early stages. He can fly at top speed, but his acceleration and first-step need refinement- he can be beaten to pucks in small-areas. In certain situations, such as walking the line to open space to distribute in the offensive zone, he displays solid edges and footwork. In the contests I watched, he had difficulty in getting his point shot through to the net, but he's not really a big goal-scoring threat right now anyway, and not much of a puck-rusher, either. Despite his small stature, he is punishing along the boards and physical in front of the net, with no fear of competing for pucks in hard areas.

With his style of play, it would seem like Belusko is a big, mobile shutdown defender trapped in the body of a small, high-octane offensive blueliner- his best contribution to his team is his defensive play, as his offense is a question mark going forward. He is very preoccupied in playing defense in all 3 zones, stopping plays as early as possible and playing a disruptive game. Against the rush, Belusko is indispensable, killing entries with his footwork, positioning, and physicality- he also uses a well-timed, active stick to cause turnovers, and pick pockets. He is tenacious in puck battles, difficult to play against, and positions himself well off-puck to support his partner with his stick on the ice to be ready for passes, and be proactively positioned defensively. He covers his net well, and manages to box opponents out from the crease, taking their sticks with lifts and slashes, and blocking shots. In every corner the ice, Belusko hounds puck-carriers and cuts off lanes, while angling attackers away from the middle. On retrievals, he needs to scan better as he can make mistakes under pressure, and his breakout passes can be inconsistent. He can pinch at innopportune times as well, leaving his team short-handed. Belusko is an excellent junior player back home in Slovakia, but it remains to be seen how his offense will translate to North American hockey, and his size isn't ideal to play a shutdown game at the next level- he may not have enough to hear his name called at the draft, but if he does, it will be in the later rounds.