Quote:
Originally Posted by cral12
|
"Russian-born Aydar Suniev had some very positive reviews for his play in the 2022 BCHL Showcase, and the comments are in line with everything else I've read about him this year. Suniev is a sturdily built 6'2", 205lb power-forward playing LW for the BCHL Champions, the Penticton Vees, and finished 3rd in league scoring behind teammates Bradly and Josh Nadeau, with 45 goals and 45 assists in 50 games, followed by 23 points in 15 playoff games. Suniev uses his size and strength proficiently in all situations, and fights hard- winning more than his fair share of puck battles, and muscling through traffic. He's a load to handle on both the forecheck and the backcheck, and his game has plenty of deception to shake off defenders, and he has excellent protection skills as well as stickhandling. He attacks the middle, and there's little anyone can do to stop him. He's a force along the boards, and nearly impossible to move from in front of the net, and he's strong on his skates. There's effort, and awareness in his game defensively, and he can steer his man to the outside, and away from danger. His shot and release are NHL-calibre, but unfortunately, his skating is not. Some say he has a good short-area burst, but he has a stiff, lumbering stride in need of improvements to his acceleration, top-speed, and his crossovers. More important to me is the fact that he's not really a play-driver or facilitator, and is more a player that feeds off of the more skilled playmakers- and in his case, I wonder how much he's propped up by playing with two of the best in the league, one of them (Bradly Nadeau) being a potential first-round pick. Another question is- how much does he benefit from being so well-developed physically in a Junior A league? Suniev is committed to UMass next year."
~ from Sandman's Scouting Notebook
