[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 30):

RW Jacob Cloutier (5'10",170lbs)
Saginaw (OHL): 67gp/ 23g/ 24a/ 47pts, +15, 41 PIM

Winger Jacob Cloutier (ranked # 193 NA Skaters) has plenty of parallels to teammate (and often linemate) Carson Harmer- both are OHL rookies, both played in the GOJHL in 2023-24, both have remarkably similar stats, both are a bit on the diminutive side, and both play bigger than their size. In the regular season, Cloutier was 4th in rookie scoring- just 3 points behind Harmer- and was tied for 3rd in rookie scoring in the playoffs (3 points in 3 games) as Saginaw was dispatched by Erie in 5 games, despite missing the first 2 games of the post-season. JC is a high-energy forward who obviously isn't aware of his size deficiencies- he throws hits, pins opponents to the boards, and wins battles in the greasy areas. He specializes on the forecheck, never giving up on a play, and disrupts with physicality and advanced stickwork- he's blessed with a relentless motor, and outworks his opponents. Though he's in a bit of a complimentary role in Saginaw, he is a difference-maker who tries to make things happen every time he hits the ice, and makes an effort to create advantages for himself and his teammates.

Cloutier is a high-IQ player with skill who makes a ton of plays off the wall, funnels pucks to the slot, and gets shots to the net to make plays; he skates with his head up to map out his surroundings, spots teammates on the other side of traffic, and displays a mastery of deception to facilitate his ideas. Though he's a skilled passer and shows the ability to drive play, he might not be a high-end creator, and must learn to play with more pace in possession for the next level. He's inside-driven, attacks up the middle off the rush, and can maneuver around defenders in open space in the slot to present his stick for a pass, or to be in the right spot to capitalize on rebounds, as well as tip opportunities. He's not afraid to park himself in front of the net to take abuse, and fight for positioning, but he also owns a bullet of a one-timer and a snappy catch-and-release wrister that can paralyze goalies and sneak through holes in their equipment, with a good knowledge of how to use screens to his advantage. When entering the zone off the rush, he creates space at the top of the zone for drop-passes by drawing defenders up the middle, delays to wait for the right play to develop, and will cut-back to wait for support rather than throwing the puck away on a dump-in. A skilled puckhandler, he can deke and dangle around defenders with the puck on a string, aided by his deception ability, and evades pressure with quick changes of direction, as well as cutbacks and hesitations.

JC is not a very dynamic skater, with a rather short and choppy stride, but he manages to generate surprising quickness with solid balance and good edgework to escape checks along the wall. Going forward, he will need more explosiveness and another gear to give him the ability to separate from pursuers. Cloutier hounds puck-carriers in all three zones, stripping pucks and picking pockets, and has some bite in his game. He's a diligent defensive performer, a trusted penalty-killer, and shows good engagement and awareness in his own-zone. He's a willing shot-blocker, and wields a well-timed stick for poke-checks and interceptions, as well as to tip pucks out of danger. With his smart stick-work, his tenacity, and his readiness to dish out hits, he pressures opponents into turnovers and uncontrolled play. In transition, he is a high-value contributor to his team, with the ability to skate dynamic routes in his carries for clean entries, or attack up the middle with speed. He can manipulate opposing defenses by working give-and-go sequences, but he can also slow the play down with skillful delays to find the right option. Just like Carson Harmer, I can see him being a more dominant OHLer on the Scoreboard over the next few years. If scouts aren't deterred by his skating, pace, size, or production, look for him in later rounds.