Quote:
Originally Posted by serratedmuffin
Thanks for posting this, I do have a question for you! When evaluating prospects, how much does age come into play? For example, Jett Luchanko has a late Aug birthday and Yakemchuk has a Sept birthday of the previous year. Luchanko seemingly has a solid mid-late first ranking where the older Yakemchuk seems a bit more all over the place.
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I'll speak for myself in particular as we don't have a hard-and-fast policy or anything at FC. I think this is more of an issue when looking at overagers or players re-entering the draft more so than a September birthday versus a June birthday, but one does have to take into consideration how many years of service a player has in a particular league. For example, Yakemchuk finished his third full season in the WHL where as a player like Luchanko (not that you'd cross-shop one versus the other) was a sophomore. Older, more experienced players typically get more opportunity and ice time, and are a bit further in their development -- which in itself has benefits and detractions, similar to how physical testing at the combine can be a double-edged sword (a guy in top physical condition may have already hit his ceiling while a prospect lacking development may indicate another level or two to reach).
Birth month would be a data point than anything in my mind, but if you're asking me which I'd prefer in a prospect if if I view them on the same level, I'd want the younger one.