[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.20th: The Tri-City Americans are currently sitting in 14th-place, out of 23 teams in the WHL, which is virtually the same spot they left off in the 2024-25 season. They were 14th in scoring last season, but they have tumbled down to 20th in that stat this year, with only 154 tallies in 53 contests. Their 4th-leading scorer is Calgary-born RW Cruz Pavao (5'11",196lbs), who has managed to post 15 goals and 33 points in 49 tilts (35 PIM)- I would've expected a bit more offense from him, considering that he was able to post 25 points in 63 games last year in a lesser role. Those totals prorate to 20 goals and 44 points in 64 games. In an 11-game stretch spanning from January 7th to February 6th, Pavao looked like he was finally breaking out, piling up 16 points- but he has followed that up with a 4-game pointless streak. Central Scouting ranks him as #209 for North American Skaters on their Mid-Term List, even though he is one of the youngest players available in his draft-class, born on August 24th, 2008. Pavao was selected by the Amerks in the first-round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, at 13th-overall, after a successful stint at the Edge School- even being named the CSSHL U15 AAA Most Valuable Player in the 2021-22 season.

Pavao is a very likeable player, displaying a high-pace, high-motor approach, bringing energy and rambunctious physicality to his team. While he lacks ideal size, he is tenacious and competitive in battles, a pesky, disruptive force on the forecheck, and a dogged puck-hound through all 200-feet of ice; he works to separate man from puck, disrupt plays, pick-off passes, create turnovers, and rack up steals in all three zones, with impeccable attention to detail. Pavao is built like a fire-hydrant at 194lbs, and has a lower center of gravity, which helps him to power through checks with uncanny strength on the puck. He is a regular visitor to the front of the net off-puck, timing his forays to coincide with shots on goal, and protects the puck like a 6'3" power-forward when navigating through traffic, and cutting to the inside. Pavao has a peppy start-up burst, a rather explosive acceleration rate, and a top-speed that keeps defenders off-balance, with strong edges that allow him to maneuver in tight-spaces, as well as cut laterally with adroitness.

Pavao's best asset might be his hands, and NHL-caliber shot that causes problems for goalies, and creates high-danger scoring opportunities for teammates; he varies the angles of his attacks, deceives with changes of speed and direction, and can fire off a dangerous wrister while in-flight. He has to work on finishing more of his chances though, and there are games where too many of his shots are coming from the perimeter in an effort to make plays. While he's a volume-shooter, he's been steadily working on diversifying his offensive profile, but he's more "crafty" as a playmaker than "creative", and most of his best ideas seem to go unfinished by the lack of high-end talent around him; he seems more willing to attack with give-and go sequences these days, and connective passing to get the job done. Of course, he's instrumental in transition, and a responsible contributor to defense- he is used on both special teams, and in all situations. I believe his lack of production might hurt him come Draft-Day, especially with a smaller frame, and he may have to wait until the later-rounds to be selected.