[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hidden Gems Edition, Vol. 57):

RD Owen Schoettler (6'0",185lbs)
Spokane (WHL): 68gp/ 5g/ 13a/ 18pts, +15, 26 PIM

Righty Owen Schoettler (ranked # 138 NA Skaters) doesn't play much- mostly third-pairing minutes on a deep Chiefs defense that features 3 NHL Draft-picks. Spokane finished 4th-overall in the regular season, 2nd in goals-scored, and are currently competing in the Western Conference Championship in the WHL Playoffs, with Schoettler contributing 4 assists in 14 games so far. He could very well not be drafted this summer due to his poor production, but this kid's best days are ahead of him. Despite his paltry stats, he is an effective two-way D with a well-rounded skillset, and can contribute in all situations reliably, as well as both special teams, with a steadying presence on the blueline. Schoettler gets up and down the ice expeditiously, with a long and powerful stride that's fluid and mechanically sound. He generates above-average speed with superb edges that give him effortless maneuverability, plus the ability to transition seamlessly, and match footwork with oncoming attackers when defending the rush.

With strong puckhandling and well-developed puck-skill, he exerts accuracy in his feeds, and firm control at high speed. He protects well, skates into passes, and exhibits calmness and poise under duress with the puck. One of his calling-cards right now is his plus-level defensive awareness, and he is known to excel in his own zone as an impactful shutdown defenseman, and shows prowess against the rush. His positioning is immaculate, and his stick-placement is spotless, which gives him the upper-hand when defending and helps him rack up a high number of turnovers and takeaways. With his aggression and high engagement level, he works to limit the time and space his opponents have to work with, keeps aggressors to the outside, and boxes attackers out from the net. Initiating contact early and often, he wraps his targets up along the boards and pins them to the wall, containing and neutralizing threats. He employs tight gaps, and closes space quickly by surfing across the ice to seal off the boards with a poke-check and a hit. Despite being below-average in size for a blueliner, Schoettler is potent in puck-battles and wins much more than he loses, with an exorbitantly high success rate; he gives second and third-efforts to win possession. He's a gritty, physical presence, and will throw his weight around to separate man from puck, or to win inside position, and skates into hands. He is always engaged, active and energetic, and possesses a high-motor.

Schoettler recovers a high-number of pucks in the defensive-third, and can make high-value plays to get the puck out of the zone with poise and patience, kicking off the breakout, and giving advancing forwards advantages in the process. He has the mobility and the handling to weave through the neutral zone in transition, and will push the puck up-ice by working give-and-go's for controlled entries. He flashes a robust offensive side, and has all the tools to be a big breakout player in the WHL, as early as next season. He sees the ice well, with the ability quarterback the play from the point with his distribution skill, and walks the line skillfully to pry open lanes, keep the play alive, and extend offensive-zone time. He owns a hard shot that finds it's way to the net with good frequency, and he will unleash it as a playmaking device to create rebound opportunities for teammates. He's quite active though, and pinches in to the play often, sneaks in on the weak side, and will join the rush as an extra forward. I think that, if Schoettler were 6'2", he would probably be projected to be drafted in the top-four rounds, but as it stands- he will most likely be chosen in later rounds, if at all.