Draft dandy of the week: Draisaitl
Prince Albert Raiders center Leon Draisaitl is one of five forwards from the Western Hockey League tagged with an A rating on NHL Central Scouting's November Players to Watch list for the 2014 NHL Draft.
"I think I'm a playmaking center with good vision," Draisaitl told NHL.com. "I like to make good passes but can finish as well."
The Raiders selected the native of Germany No. 2 at the 2012 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. Draisaitl had options to play in Sweden and Finland but decided the CHL would provide greater opportunities.
With soft hands and smarts on the ice, the 6-foot-1.75, 208-pound left-handed shot has 10 goals, 29 points and a plus-3 rating in 22 games. As a WHL rookie last season he had 21 goals, 58 points and a plus-22 rating.
"He plays a big, power forward-style of game," Central Scouting's B.J. MacDonald said. "He goes to the net and the opposition has a hard time stopping him from getting there. He's a big presence in front of the goal and skates well with deceptive speed. He can shoot the puck and overpower goalies with it. I like his style and attitude; he has a lot of upside."
Draisaitl had 97 goals and 192 points in 29 games for Mannheimer at the under-16 level in 2010-11, and 21 goals and 56 points in 35 games for Jungadler Mannheim at the under-18 level in 2011-12. He's also represented his country on several occasions, including the 2013 World Junior Championship when he had two goals and six points in six games for the ninth-place Germans.
FAVORITES
NHL team: Detroit Red Wings
NHL player: Pavel Datsyuk
Shootout move: "Probably backhand, five-hole."
Goal celebration: "Just the basic arms in the air and maybe a fist pump."
Video game: NHL 14
Movie: Happy Gilmore
Actors: Kevin James, Adam Sandler
Website: NHL.com
Preferred music: "Hip-hop and some German music too."
Three you would invite to dinner: Pavel Datsyuk, Kevin James, Sidney Crosby
Sport (other than hockey): Ping pong, soccer
Breakfast food: Eggs with bacon, hash browns and toast
Superhero: Pavel Datsyuk
-- Mike G. Morreale
