[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Mar.13th: I really liked "A"-rated LW Oscar Hemming at the Hlinka, who plays a more rugged and physical power game than his big brother, Emil- a Dallas Stars’ first-rounder from 2024. He's also bigger, listed at 6'3.5",193lbs, but likes to score like his sibling. The younger Hemming was a standout in that Tournament, placing first in scoring for Suomi, and tying for ninth-overall (third in goals, with 4), with 6 points in 5 games. Hemming has been limited to just 17 games this season, all with Boston College, posting 1 goal, 8 points, and 18 PIM so far. His aim was to play in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers, who he signed with in August, after they chose him 56th-overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, but his Finnish club, Kiekko-Espoo, refused to release his rights, claiming that his contract wasn't legally terminated. He tried to get on with the BCHL's Sherwood Park Crusaders, but the IIHF threatened him with a three-year ban from competing in international events. Because the NCAA is exempt from having their contracts governed by the IIHF, he was off to play with the Eagles, and had his first game of the season on December 28th. Central Scouting has him ranked #11 for North American Skaters on their Mid-Term List.

While his scoring totals in the NCAA look rather meager, he has actually been garnering positive reviews for his staunch defense, and his ability to be physically imposing against men. As a junior-aged player who doesn't turn 18 until August 13th, he hasn't yet been able to exert the full extent of his offensive capabilities, but has nevertheless shown his effectiveness in all three zones, while outworking and overpowering College-aged competition. Hemming plays a hard-charging, straight-ahead power-game, devoid of much flash or dynamism, but carrying a ton of NHL-translatability. He bullies his way through traffic, knocks attackers off of the puck, muscles his way inside, terrorizes on the forecheck, and throws violent, bone-crunching hits that put opponents on their backs. Hemming isn't the smoothest skater, but he generates a surprising amount of power out of a rather heavy-looking stride, complete with a peppy short-burst to win races to loose pucks, and rapid acceleration up to a pacey top-speed that pushes defensemen back on their heels when he is barreling through the neutral zone. He is also fluid on his edges, capable of spinning off of hits, and making tight turns and pivots, while being able to change pace and direction adroitly. Like a fast-moving avalanche, he is strong on his skates, well-balanced, and difficult to knock off stride. While his handling is reliable, and he can maintain control of the puck through physical pressure, it’s his well-developed protection ability that best allows him to navigate up the boards, and lean into defenders to drive the inside. Oscar's office is down-low and in front of the net, where he's an immoveable object who looks for second-chance opportunities to pounce on loose pucks, and will drive the net with reckless abandon. Like his brother, he owns a powerful shot that can beat goalies from distance, the superb accuracy to pick corners, and an NHL-release; he also possesses soft hands to deke out netminders in-tight, and the fearlessness to attack the middle. Hemming may not have high-end creativity, but he has enough vision and passing-skill to make plays, often providing teammates with advantages. As a mobile power-winger with an avid physical presence, and a detailed two-way game, you can be sure that he’ll be drafted in the top-20.