“I think the biggest thing for Eriah is consistency and proving he can do it on an everyday basis,” Jutting said. “He’s definitely taken another step this season. He’s such a big, physical kid, but he’s so athletic. I think he’s still in the development stage and his best hockey is still ahead of him.”
Hayes knows he will have to do a lot of dirty work if he makes it to the pros. He’ll have to live in front of the net and in the corners. He might even have to fight.
“(The Blackhawks) talked to me about the role I’d be playing: a third-line kind of a grinder, someone that’s going to have to have a lot of hits every night and play that big guy role, maybe fight here and there.”
Hayes said he would accept that job, even the fighting, which is an aspect of the pro game that has come under scrutiny in recent years.
He leads the Mavericks in penalties (22) and penalty minutes (69) this season.
“I’m going to do whatever it takes to get to the next level,” said Hayes, who missed two games this past October with a mild concussion. “So if someone’s telling me I’ve got to be an energy guy, hitting people, maybe fight, I’m going to be OK with that.”
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“He deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done,” the scout said. “I admire him because of his willingness to compete. He works like a son of a gun, and he tries his best every time he’s on the ice. The thing for us is maybe his puckhandling skills and hockey sense may not be way up there, but some guys are going to make it that don’t have that because they work so hard; that’s how they do it.”
The scout said Hayes’ size is a plus factor, along with his willingness to use it.
“He’s aggressive, he’s not afraid to go into the corner and bang and whatever it takes. He competes. He works his (butt) off and the questionables are the skating, the speed and puck skills and hockey sense.”
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the questionables are the skating, the speed and puck skills and hockey sense
those are big 'questionables'
yup especially when you consider how much emphasis the Flames are now putting on hockey sense in scouting players. Also keep in mind that scouting report is a year old and he may have improved in those areas.
I think what is getting teams excited about Hayes is his physicality and using his size to his advantage. Perhaps a reasonable expectation is for him to have a career similar to Tim Jackman.
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How does Hayes compare to Anders Lee? It seems less and less likely that Lee will sign with the Islanders, but they sound like similar players. Lee seems to have great offensive skill (especially on a Notre Dame team that struggles to score goals) while Hayes is a bigger, meaner man.
Signed by SJ: Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie1m SJ signs UFA Eriah Hayes. RW had 20 goals for Minnesota State in senior year. Two-year deal, two-way, not entry level. Too old, 25 in July.
I would think that a lot of these college guys just don't exposed to the Calgary market that much, whereas teams like Detroit, Tampa, etc. are all much more connected to the average NCAA player in terms of name value. Calgary doesn't have that quite yet. Big names in NCAA might be more comfortable with the aforementioned destinations.
Although Justin Schultz did sign in Edmonton, so you never know. Maybe he was drunk.
I would think that a lot of these college guys just don't exposed to the Calgary market that much, whereas teams like Detroit, Tampa, etc. are all much more connected to the average NCAA player in terms of name value. Calgary doesn't have that quite yet. Big names in NCAA might be more comfortable with the aforementioned destinations.
Although Justin Schultz did sign in Edmonton, so you never know. Maybe he was drunk.
Tambellini and Lowe promised a circle jerk with RNH/Hall/Yakupov/Eberle. Schultz couldn't say no.
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As per the Schenectady Gazette, Union College goaltender Troy Grosenick will forego his senior year and has signed a three year entry-level contract with San Jose. He will join the Sharks at training camp in September.