That has to be highest ranking ever for a Dutch born and raised player. I always think it is interesting when players from non traditional hockey countries do well.
Sprong has lived in Canada quite a while and wants to play international hockey for Canada.
Although born a Dutchman, I believe he has lived in Canada since he was 8-9 and identifies as Canadian and has played for Canada internationally. He's basically Canadian.
It's kind of like how some places list Dany Heatly as German although he lives in, identifies as and has played for Canada.
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I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get Sprong
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Although born a Dutchman, I believe he has lived in Canada since he was 8-9 and identifies as Canadian and has played for Canada internationally. He's basically Canadian.
It's kind of like how some places list Dany Heatly as German although he lives in, identifies as and has played for Canada.
It's a little different because Dany Heatley's father was an expat Canadian working in Germany. He (Dany) was a Canadian at birth despite being born in Germany (and came back before he was 3).
In the case of Sprong, from what I read, the main reason why the family moved to Canada was to get him into serious hockey. They used to bring him over for summer training before then.
It's not surprising that he would want to represent Canada. I am sure he feels Canadian at this point, but I would still consider him a product of Holland since that is where he started to play and where his talent was first recognized and discovered (apparently his teams used to beat other teams by 20-30 goals). Canada is the more prestigious country to play for in hockey and the way the lower tier tournaments work, the NHL schedule would likely not allow him to participate much for Netherlands internationally.
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Last edited by FlamesAddiction; 10-07-2014 at 10:55 AM.
Must suck for BU knowing they are only going to have Eichel for one season.
They might be lucky enough to have him for just this season considering he would have played in the OHL had the CHL allowed him to switch leagues from the Q.
at 16 years old it was scary to think what he could do if he gained another 20 or 30lbs of muscle and he has been able to do that
such dynamic speed, a bit of a throwback player that attacks the defending player off the rush and cuts to the net
no fear going into high traffic areas
cerebral player that makes other people better
whoever grabs McDavid will definitely be a contender in the next 5 years
can't remember the last time the World Juniors will have such an impact on the top 2 players
Eichel was better at the WJC than McDavid last year, but McDavid will have a much more prominent role this year
Dylan Strome
Strome is such a smart player as well, reads the plays well and executes
little more of a playmaker/passer
exceptional on faceoffs, can't remember the last time he lost a draw
coming out party was last year during the playoffs
easily could be a top 10 pick
was a 2nd overall pick [OHL draft], comes from good bloodlines [Ryan Strome and another brother born in 1999 who projects to be a 1st round pick too]
really good at the Ivan Hlinka
really helped his stock with his hot start to the season (13 pts in 4 games)
Pavel Zacha
already 210lbs
has a lot of international experience, played at 2 u18s and WJC
still trying to figure out North American game
can tell he has played against elite competition/men by the way he makes passes and thinks/anticipates the game better than his linemates
bit of an 'engineer', likes to setup high in the offensive zone and look for options
doesn't always play to his size with respect to physicality, but takes up a lot of room on the ice
when he is defending he has that slooping stick with the long range and is able to just bat pucks away
got to play a more urgently on the defense
has a lot of ingredients that will translate well at the pro level
lack of offensive production attributed to Zacha adjusting to NA and Sarnia being a young team in midst of a rebuild
Zacha being the goto guy in Sarnia is a lot for him to handle right now
Lawson Crouse
shame to hear about Bennett being out for up to 6 months, but Kingston fans should still be excited about Crouse
compares Crouse to a more physical James Neal
has a great shot and is a mean surly player
loves his game and thinks it will translate well at the pro level
co-lead the Ivan Hlinka with 6 goals
he is a bit of a bull in the china shop, and has a great shot too
played a lot of PK as a rookie
has gotten familiar on how to play without the puck
like to lean on guys like Crouse (6'4'') as opposed to a smaller player
Travis Konecny
if you are going to playing in the NHL at that size (under 5'10'') you better bring a skill dynamic
won the OHL rookie of the year
solid offensive player who creates so much with his speed
has a great shot too in transition, very fluid. he will streak in on a defenceman, the defenceman will start to back off and the next thing you know he lets go of the shot and the puck is in the back of the net
does everything at a high tempo and is always pushing the pace
doesn't back down either, plays a pretty physical game, always in your face and constantly battling
got to utilize his linemates better
Mitch Marner
is an incredibly cerebral player
not many guys who can step in as a rookie and immediately play with guys like Bo Horvat and Max Domi and find chemistry
was on the PP last year and paid immediate dividends
a slippery and elusive guy - always in and out of scoring areas
got quick hands, very creative
gotten a little bit bigger but size and strength still needs work
definitely a point a game player in the OHL
Last edited by sureLoss; 10-12-2014 at 06:10 PM.
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Just finished looking up some players I thought would be interesting. This years going to be an impressive draft year.
Looked up these guys and thought the Flames could use one of them too.
1. Rasmus Andersson (OHL) Barrie
2. Nikita Koroseltsev (Sarnia) Russian and Canadian! Best of both worlds!
3. Mikko Rantanen (Finnish Elite) Could be another Barkov type.
It kinda sucks that we won't be a top two pick by the looks of our play the first week of the season. Seems we're back to the days of picking between 5-11