Thompson Notebook: November
Every season, scouts from Future Considerations spend countless hours in rinks across the world in an effort to gather information on the next wave of NHL talent coming down the pipe. Ontario Hockey League-based Zack Thompson is no different.
Here is Thompson’s notebook from the month of November.
Ryan McLeod, F, Mississauga, 6-2, 205, DOB 9-21-1999
Saginaw Spirit 2 @ Mississauga Steelheads 4 (OHL), Nov. 10, 2017
McLeod is a complete two-way center who skates in a low skating stance that generates a powerfully electric stride. He also possesses a silky smooth crossover and really soft hands that make his puck-carrying look effortless. His play in his own end is another strong attribute, getting sticks in passing lanes for deflections and taking away time and space at the point. Displayed a lightning quick release, which resulted in juicy rebounds for teammates which added up to two assist for McLeod. Also showed other intangibles, such as leadership, telling his defensemen where to go with the puck on the man advantage. He’s got great hockey IQ and can make soft little saucer passes to set up teammates, saucing it right past the defenseman for great scoring opportunities. Overall, he looked to be a complete player that projects to be a high-end pick.
Riley Damiani, F, Kitchener, 5-10, 165, DOB 3-20-2000
Kitchener Rangers 3 @ Barrie Colts 1 (OHL), Nov. 18, 2017
Damiani is an undersized forward who be evasive and shows tremendous skating ability and compete cutting in and round opposing forwards finding open spots to be a target for teammates. Has explosive skating ability constantly looking to break up ice for breakaway opportunities and has speed and acceleration to break away from opponents. Damiani has a small frame, but that doesn’t stop him from shying away from physicality. He’s a kid that competes hard sees a ton of ice time on this Kitchener team, plays in all situations down in that high traffic slot area and displays vision to set up plays. He has the vision to be a high-end playmaker. Overall I’m still real high on Damiani and think he could be potentially be a nice draft pick.
Nathan Dunkley, F, Kingston, 5-11, 188, DOB 5-5-2000
Kingston Frontenacs 4 @ Niagara Icedogs (OHL), Nov. 16, 2017
Dunkley is a multi-faceted forward who showed the ability to finish. He has the ability to show great poise and patience with the puck on his stick, making nice set up passes waiting for just the right moment for passing lane to open. Has explosive skating ability from a stopped position and a powerful north-south stride, but felt could improve top-end speed. Deceptively quick wrist shot that gains power through his sweeping release. He used that shot to beat the goaltender for the first Kingston goal, also liked the way he could fake one way and shoot back across his body. Many times in the game did look to hesitate too often to shoot. His play along the boards wasn’t overly physical but was smart and effective angling players off. Dunkley showed the vision to see open lanes to fire nice cross-ice passes, but then a couple times on the power play repeatedly tried to force the same pass that didn’t get through. Dunkley played in all situations and saw a lot of ice time. Right now I would have him as a late second rounder.