Originally Posted by Sandman
Draft Thoughts:
Jan.26th: RHC Jack Hextall (5'11.75",188lbs) might be a little underrated; in the low-scoring USHL, he sits 16th in the scoring race, with 37 points (12 goals) in 38 games for the Youngstown Phantoms. Those numbers make him the top-scoring U-18 player in the league, although his ppg (0.97) ties him with Blake Zielinski (0.97), and puts him behind Victor Plante (1.00), Mikey Berchild (1.00), and Tynan Lawrence (1.31), albeit the latter trio has played far less games. He was the best player by a wide margin on Team USA in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and was tied for 5th in tournament scoring, with 7 points in 5 games- en route to a Championship win (he had 3 points in the Championship game against Team Sweden).
Hexy isn't the biggest guy on the ice, but he is usually the hardest-working and most competitive; he runs on an unrelenting motor, plays with immeasurable grit and fearlessness, pushes an insurmountable pace, and never gives up in battles. While his first-step quickness gets nitpicked, he's an excellent skater who can win races to loose pucks, and separate in open-ice from most pursuers. He is quite strong on his skates and well-balanced, but he's equally strong on the puck, and employs high-end protection skills, as well as outstanding stickhandling prowess- making it hard to take possession from him, and giving him top-tier puck;management. His numbers don't yet reflect his near-elite hockey IQ, but he has massive upside as a possession-driving playmaker who elevates his teammates with high-danger feeds, and always puts them in an advantageous situation. There is rarely an instance when Hextall isn't in the right place, at the right time, in perfect position, and he has the vision to spot seams that few others could see- nevermind pass through. He appears to be a reasonably good shooter as well, and has no problem attacking the net or cutting to the inside, but he most often looks to dish-off; I think he would have a lot more points if he were a little more selfish. Hexy works dilligently in all three zones, can drive transition, and wields a detailed, pro-style defensive game- he is as disruptive as they come, with the anticipation and intensity to limit time and space, block lanes, pick pockets, and intercept passes. He is as noticeable for his stellar play in his own-zone as he is for his abilities in the other end of the ice. He is committed to Michigan State next season, and it is my bet that his offensive numbers will be on a sharp upward trajectory over the next few years.
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