Five Manitobans listed in 2024 nhl central scouting's final rankings.
NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft on April 16 with five Manitobans making an appearance.
This is a weaker class when it comes to Manitobans, but there are some intriguing prospects. This year, the centralized draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada over the familiar two-day period: Friday June 28 to Saturday June 29.
Game On's Jackson Bachewich has put together a scouting report on each of the five Manitobans listed, with each set to be revealed in the coming weeks as a five-part series leading up to the draft.
No. 223. Gavin Hodnett (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL), Winnipeg MB
5’6”
158 lbs
Left Wing
Mid Term Rankings: 224
Final Rankings: 223
Season Stats: GP:61 G:23 A:47 PTS:70
Former Teams: Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg U15/U18
NHL Comparable: Tyler Johnson
Gavin Hodnett Scouting report:
Strengths:
- Finish
- Skating
- Defensive game
Weaknesses:
- Size
- Consistency
Gavin Hodnett is a dynamic forward for the Edmonton Oil Kings, presenting an intriguing blend of offensive prowess and defensive reliability. Despite his small stature, he has demonstrated the ability to excel in a competitive league, showcasing his skillset in both ends of the ice.
Hodnett's offensive game is his most notable asset. In 61 games, he recorded 23 goals and 47 assists, tallying 70 points. His ability to generate offense from various situations, particularly at even strength, where nearly 70 percent of his shots come from high-danger areas like the slot, underscores his effectiveness in creating scoring opportunities. He is great at producing off the rush and cycling the puck, using his speed and vision to read the defense.
One of Hodnett’s standout qualities is his speed. His ability to accelerate quickly and maintain high speeds allows him to be a constant threat on the ice. His quickness enables him to forecheck effectively, forcing opposing defensemen into making hurried decisions. This speed is crucial for a player of his size, as it allows him to evade larger opponents and find open ice to operate.
Defensively, Hodnett is a responsible player. He consistently positions himself well and uses his speed to backcheck efficiently. His defensive awareness and ability to disrupt plays make him an asset in all situations, not just when his team has possession of the puck.
At 5'8" and 158 pounds, Hodnett’s size is a concern for some scouts, especially when projecting his game to the professional level. However, his fearless play style mitigates these worries to hopefully some extent. He is not easily pushed around and battles in high-traffic areas.
While Hodnett is effective when moving and creating space, he sometimes relies too much on his linemates to generate opportunities and he does need to leverage his speed more consistently on his overall weak forecheck.
Gavin Hodnett's blend of speed, offensive skill, and defensive responsibility makes him a compelling prospect, particularly for teams looking for a high-energy, two-way forward. While his size remains a potential barrier to higher draft rankings. We could see him selected in the later rounds of the draft if he is selected at all.
Stay tuned for the next player to be revealed on Game On's Manitoba Draft Spotlight.
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