Originally Posted by Sandman
Draft Thoughts (Czechia Edition, Vol. 2):
LHC Adam Benak (5'7",160lbs)
Youngstown (USHL): 44gp/ 13g/ 32a/ 45pts, -6, 28 PIM
Mighty-mite Adam Benak (ranked #60 for EU Skaters by Central Scouting, and #39 by both Button and McKenzie) is one of the most dynamic offensive players in the draft, as well as one of the most exciting, and anyone who has watched the last two Hlinka-Gretzky tournaments can attest to that. Benak holds the all-time points record for the Hlinka, posting 21 points in 10 games over the last 2 years, with 4 goals and 11 points coming in 5 games in the 2024 event, and 2 goals and 10 points in the summer of 2023- when he was just 16 years-old. He also put up 3 points in 5 games for Team Czechia at last year's U-18 Tournament, and is currently 10th in scoring in the USHL, after a rather slow start (he has amassed 21 points in his last 16 games). Benak is a creative playmaker, with awe-inspiring passing skill and high-end vision; his feeds are always easy for the recipient to catch, as they are tape-to-tape with the exact prescribed velocity needed, and right to the sweet-spot in their wheelhouse for them to skate into. He can dish crisply and accurately while in full-flight, and a high-number of his passes find their way to the slot for high-danger looks.
Benak has quick hands and superb puck-skills to enable him to weave in-and-out of traffic, and pry open space for himself and his teammates- he can beat anyone on the ice one-on-one. Deception is a huge part of his game, and he's a magician in the way he manipulates the opposition with his arsenal of feints, and controls the pace of the game with the puck on his blade. Spatial awareness is another important facet of his playbook, as he can slip into soft spots in coverage, and position himself in high-danger off-puck, but he also knows how to make defensemen move to make room for teammates. The one big issue here is that he often has trouble getting to the middle with the puck due to his size limitations, and doesn't get many chances in the slot- he plays a largely perimeter game as a result, and is too easily neutralized in front of the net. His shot needs work on it's power and velocity, but he carries an excellent release with lethal accuracy, and he needs to shoot more, as he can beat goalies from bad angles. He sneaks into the low-slot for chances when he can, and has the soft hands in-tight to beat goalies 1-on-1. To perhaps offset his stature a bit, he puts forth a relentless work-ethic with a high energy level; he's small but tenacious, and has an impressive motor, and most surprisingly- he plays with physicality. True, he loses some board battles, but he's always game, and never gives up on a play.
Speed-wise, he's more quick than outright fast, with above-average straight-ahead speed that could use some work, but he keeps his feet pumping hard in an effort to enhance his mobility. He's extremely shifty and elusive on his edges, with a quick burst in small-areas, and excellent acceleration. Best of all, he exerts a low center of gravity that gives him uncommon balance, making it hard to knock him off the puck, and giving him leverage when initiating contact. To his credit, Benak is a three-zone player who forechecks with intensity, and backchecks with urgency, throwing hits in the process when he can. He forces turnovers and giveaways, intercepts passes in all areas of the ice, and forces dump-ins at his blueline. In transition, he brings tremendous value and high-end efficiency, racking up a high number of entries with control; he's even better at completing controlled exits by carry or pass, strangely enough. He doesn't make many mistakes in performance of these duties, and will chip it in-or-out as needed, when there's no other option. He's an excellent defensive performer with high-end awareness, and effectively takes away the middle of the ice from attackers with superb use of his stick. He stays active to remove time and space from his opponents, and seals off entry from oncoming rushers. Going forward, Benak needs to work on simplifying his playmaking, and sharpening his decision-making, as he tries to force too many plays. His size is obviously a huge concern, and his perimeter play is another, both of which hurt his draft-standing, and he will most-likely have to switch to the wing at some point. I can't see him getting picked until the middle-rounds at most.
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