Draft Thoughts (Hell's Kitchener Edition):
Unlike most 17 year-old draft prospects from the CHL, LHC Lucas Ellinas of the Kitchener Rangers played his 2022-23 season in Junior A for North York, so he had the disadvantage of starting this season getting used to the speed of the OHL. Ellinas was originally selected by the Barrie Colts, 29th-overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, but was traded to Kitchener last summer. He ended up finishing the regular season with 16 goals and 33 points (to go with 75 PIM) in 67 games, but went on a bit of a hot streak just before the playoffs with 12 points in the last 16 games. The heater followed him into the post-season, where he was 5th in scoring for Kitchener with 5 goals and 8 points in 10 games, and he made the highlight reel with the OT goal over Erie that sent the Rangers to the second round, beating 2 defenders coming through the neutral one on a breakaway. The 6'1",176lb pivot is versatile, being able to play all 3 forward positions.
Ellinas is a feisty power-forward who's game is built on his energy, tenacity, and work-ethic. He's a bit of an average skater with deficiencies in his acceleration and top speed, but he makes up for this problem somewhat by pumping his feet hard, and by applying a high work-rate to his stride. He has a modicum of offensive smarts, but isn't a true playmaker, with his skill and potential only coming in flashes. He could stand to shoot more though, as he carries a pretty good shot with a deceptive release that could perhaps use more zip, with amazing accuracy that he can use to pick corners with, and the ability to score off the backhand as well. He attacks the middle of the ice, and goes to the net to pick up garbage or to pounce on rebounds using his soft hands. He forechecks hard and heavy, fights for pucks in all the greasy areas, and is able to hunt down open space in coverage. Ellinas is a physical player with a large chip on his shoulder who finishes his checks and will drop the gloves in defense of a teammate, exerting an extremely high compete level and a highly contagious work-ethic. Being a true leader and character player for his team, he drags the troops into battle, and seems like a really humble, likeable kid off the ice.
Ellinas is a quality defensive player with superb stickwork to disrupt plays and deflect passes in all 3 zones. He's positionally sound, and highly aware with the anticipation to kill plays proactively. He's a penalty-killing specialist for the Rangers, and a good faceoff man, trusted in critical defensive scenarios by the coaching staff. I have no doubt that Ellinas has more offensive skill that he was able to show for the majority of the season, but he'll be drafted to be a defensive bottom-6 center who kills penalties, plays a robust physical game, and brings intangibles that don't show up in the boxscore. He needs plenty of work on his skating, shot, and strength for the next level, and could stand to round out his skill-set. Look for him in later rounds.
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