[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Mr. Hockey Edition):

Whether he's drafted or not, LHC Nolan Roed deserves a ton of credit for the season he had as Captain of White Bear Lake in Minnesota's High School circuit, tying for 15th overall in goals with 33, and leading his team in scoring with 58 points. His output was 29 points more than his next highest-scoring teammate, showing that he didn't have a lot of help- but he was rewarded by being named a finalist for the title of Mr. Hockey, which eventually went to Hagen Burrows. The 5'11", 185lb Roed actually started the 2023-24 season with the USHL's Tri-City Storm, scoring a respectable 13 points in 16 games as their second-line center, before joining White Bear Lake High for their season. In his second stint with Tri-City after the High School season was over, he only managed a paltry 2 points in 9 games for a regular-season total of 15 points in 25 USHL games, but cranked it up in the playoffs with 6 points in 6 games- tied for second on the Storm, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Roed, who is an older draft-eligible with an Oct.25th birthday, comes from a hockey family with his older brother playing his first 5 pro games with the Coachella Firebirds of the AHL late this season after 2 seasons with Bemidji State University, and his father retiring in 2003 after a short pro career in Europe.

It's a bit difficult to project players coming out of the High School league, and while Roed looked dominant at that level, he appeared a bit more ordinary at times in the USHL- a lot of what can be said about his game must come with a disclaimer that his skills and abilities are a bit muted at higher levels. His skating, as an example, looks decidedly better at the HS level, showing speed in all directions on a long, powerful stride, with good agility and a quick change of pace- but he's closer to average in the USHL. His top-notch compete level and motor aren't up for debate however, and serve him well wherever he's playing. He applies endless pressure on opponents, winning battles in greasy areas with sheer will and tenacity, and smothering puck-carriers of time and space on the forecheck, causing turnovers. Though he's hard in trenches, he has soft hands for finishing plays around the net, and a good arsenal of shots to choose from- most of which will require better accuracy and power for higher levels. He will attack the crease to cause havok, and to seek second-chance opportunities to capitalize on- he's very inside-driven, and will explode to the middle to unleash high-danger shots. Roed is strong on the puck, and has a modicum of skill- he's no slouch in the passing department, showing the ability to see the ice and make plays. He's highly physical with a tireless motor that aids him in pushing the pace, but he's remarkably disciplined with only 18 PIM in HS play, and 14 PIM in the USHL.

Roed is a leader who sets an example for teammates with his highly responsible game, and his effort. He's an excellent 200-ft player with high-level awareness in defensive situations, and is as highly disruptive with his body and stick on the backcheck as he is on the forecheck- he excels on faceoffs too. At the High School level, he plays in all situations and White Bear Lake's PP runs through him. He's a clutch player, and is known to score big goals in big games. Roed is committed to St. Cloud State this fall, and the team that drafts him will get a player with a longer runway- which he will need. There's nothing in his numbers that suggest he'll ever be close to elite offensively at any level, but he might just make a fine bottom-6 defensive player that provides energy and physicality, along with a little offense here and there at the NHL level. Look for him in later rounds.