[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 52):

C/LW Kieren Dervin (6'2",181lbs)
Kingston (OHL): 10gp/ 1g/ 2a/ 3pts, +2, 6 PIM

Kieren Dervin (ranked # 71 NA Skaters) has committed to Penn State in 2026-27, and because of that, he started the season with St. Andrew's College in the Prep School circuit where he was dominant- posting 92 points in 61 games as one of the league's top players. When the rules preventing CHL players from playing on NCAA teams was overturned in November, he was free to join the Frontenacs- which he did only periodically through December and January, before joining the team full-time in March, once his season at St. Andrew's was completed. The sample size on Dervin is quite small, as he only got in ten regular-season games with Kingston, while playing fairly limited minutes- but he seemed to struggle with the pace and physicality of the OHL. In the playoffs, he only managed to post 3 points in 11 games, and was invisible at times. Despite standing 6'2", he is very weak and slight, and too easily pushed off the puck. His physical engagement has been inconsistent at best, according to reports. We may just have to wait until next season to see the real Kieren Dervin. Scouts love his frame though, along with his excellent mobility and high workrate, and will bet on his upside.

Dervin isn't yet a burner, but owns a fluid, projectable stride with above-average speed, and is quite light on his edges, possessing remarkable agility. Though he needs to play with much better pace, and must improve his processing speed and decision-making at the OHL level, he is skilled and smart with solid playmaking instincts, with flashes of high-end vision and anticipation. He has made some crisp, accurate passes through traffic for high-danger opportunities- passes that came a lot more frequently at the Prep School level. Dervin supports the play well off-puck in all three zones, and remains a playable option for his teammates at all times. He's not a very physical player at the OHL level, and needs to play better through contact, but competes hard in puck-battles and manages to win his fair share- he is considered to be a hard-working, high-motor player. While he's not exactly deking opposing players out of their jocks, he does possess quick hands, deft puck-skill, and tight protection ability, exhibiting poise under pressure with the puck- often showing the ability to move in traffic, and make plays in tight areas. He is proficient at finding lanes off the rush, and locating gaps in coverage on the cycle. His shot looks like it could use more power, but he owns a quick and deceptive release that could paralyze a goalie, along with good hands in-tight.

Considered to be a quality player in all three zones, Dervin works hard on the backcheck, and is driven by excellent sense and anticipation in defensive scenarios. While he was said to be an excellent face-off man in the Prep league, his faceoff percentage of 46.6% in OHL play suggests a need for further refinement in this area. Putting mass on his frame and adding strength is imperative for Dervin, and he desperately needs to learn how to better handle the pace of the OHL, with an emphasis on making much faster decisions. It doesn't seem like he was getting a lot of ice-time in Kingston, but as a player who is destined for college, he has a much longer runway than most- and he will need it. Scouts say he has the ceiling of a second-line power-forward, but has a long way to go, in my opinion. Look for him in the middle-rounds.