NHL Draft

2012-2013 London Knights Training Camp Report

Posted on by HP Staff

 

RD Centorame, Santino (2014) – Showed good anticipation ability, intercepting pucks well. He didn’t look out of place and has the talent to be recalled mid-season should injuries arise. Centorame already looks to be a bright piece in the Knights

future as a potential two-way defenseman who can contribute in all areas.

LD Hofford, Marc (2014) – Hofford had a little trouble keeping up with the speed of some of the forwards in camp. He is a little undersized, but was very slick during puck battles in the corner and emerged with the puck on multiple occasions. Most of the time he took the smart safe option with the puck out of his zone. Hofford has his work cut out for him as he appears to be caught behind several strong young defensemen in the Knights system. However he is not one to be counted out just yet.

LD Liberati, Miles (2013) – Showed excellent positioning between the circles in the defensive zone. He battles hard however he hesitated most of the time to go into the corners or along the boards and battle. Engages forwards 1 on 1 maintaining strong position and a good stick. He showed good hands and puck movement up ice. He rushed the puck well as the camp with smooth skating and went on to show some real potential at both ends of the ice. Excellent patience with the puck in the offensive zone. He also impressed with his vision and decision making. A little undersized, Miles has the potential to be a legitimate NHL Draft prospect looking to go in the mid rounds at this point.

LD Martyn, Bryce (2014) – Martyn battled hard in his own zone, and showed good strength for a 16 year old. He kept it very simple in camp and minimized his mistakes while moving the puck up ice effectively. Martyn will likely push for a spot with the Knights next season.

LD Zadorov, Nikita (2013) – Zadorov was a little inconsistent, especially in the physicality department. However when he did choose to use his size he hits hard. Zadorov has a lot of power behind his wrist shot and seems to prefer using this as supposed to a slap shot. He shows good patience with the puck and makes good decisions most of the time. Very promising outlook for Zadorov as he appears to be a defenseman that could fight his way to the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

LC Domi, Max (2013) – Domi wasn’t taking it easy in camp looking to show off his individual talents. He constantly challenged defensemen, and would even take on multiple players at once and beat them. His skill is undeniable, and he works extremely hard. Max is primed to be a first round selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

LC Elie, Remi (2013) – Elie was probably the biggest surprise of the draft. He brought the same impression we had when first seeing Josh Anderson on the ice. When a player with clear NHL potential jumps out at you, it’s easy to notice. Elie skates like a pro and while he’s not the fastest skater on the ice, he’s very smooth, quick and has his head up. His strongest asset may be his shot, and he has an absolute laser of a release. Remi showed good patience with the puck and uses his vision effectively. Elie has good hands and showed that he has the potential to be a game breaker at times. Remi showed good backcheck and will hurry back defensively and work in all three zones equally. Remi is a player we will keep a close eye on. He is a very intriguing prospect, and has developed immensely over the last 18 months.

LW Horvat, Bo (2013) – Horvat played on a stacked line with Namestnikov and Griffith, so he spent a fair amount of time at camp just having fun and being creative. He did battle hard most shifts, but the training camp really didn’t seem to be a great time to get a feel for what Bo Horvat is capable of. Horvat has clear first round potential for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. We fully expect to see him take his game to the next level this season. Bo is no longer an under the radar hidden gem, it’s very clear how high his potential really is.

RC MacDonald, Owen (2014) – MacDonald showed off his great work ethic and he is actually fairly strong for his size. He was par for the course in scrimmage action and if he doesn’t step up his game a little in pre-season, he may be left playing at a lower level to start the season. This may not be a bad thing for Owen who simply just needs to adjust to the speed of the game. He is a player who seems to absorb knowledge and with a little seasoning, could be an impact for the Knights while working his way up the depth chart.

LC Panowyk, Michael (2014) – Panowyk is a very “London Knights” type of player. He combines a high level of work ethic with good hockey sense and smarts to be effective every shift. Panowyk started out quiet but seemed to get better and better every shift in camp. He works extremely hard and showed good hands and a nose for the net. He isn’t afraid to engage although he is slightly undersized. However with the large amount of forwards vying for roster spots on the Knights, it’s the fact he plays a similar game to those already under contract that likely saw Michael get cut. If he tried out for a different team, one that was a little more in need of forwards, it’s very possible Michael ends up playing in the OHL this year. Panowyk is a player to watch moving forward as he is a late 1995 birthdate, meaning he will have a little extra time to gain exposure before the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Michael will spend the 2012-2013 season with the Whitby Fury of the OJHL.

RW Platzer, Kyle (2013) – Platzer is a very hard worker who is constantly visible in the corners when puck battles are going on. He likes to crash and bang when possible and always seems to have a high energy level. Combine this with some good hands, and Platzer has the potential to become a regular contributor on the Knights starting this season. However it may be in a somewhat limited role unless injuries or trades occur. Platzer is on our radar for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, however he is on pace to be one of the later selections.

RW Taylor, Ryan (2014) – Taylor played the same game that pushed the London Knights to select him in the 5th round of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. He plays with plenty of energy and is tenacious on the forecheck and backcheck. He shows plenty of determination, however his skillset seems to be the area of concern at this point. With a deep group of forwards, Taylor will play at a lower level this year, and will look to crack the Knights next year, likely as a hard working energy player.

LW Wallace, Aiden (2013) – Aiden has excellent skating ability and likes to drive the wing with the puck and cut in. he showed flashes of what he is capable of but just not enough to warrant a roster spot in this deep forward core. Aiden was a favorite of ours in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. He is known for his work ethic, and creativity with the puck. He has a good shot, and is simply caught behind the depth of the London Knights. His size and style may end up leading him to the NCAA rather than the OHL.

RC Welychka, Brett (2013*) – Showed off his playmaking ability in camp and was excellent setting up his teammates. It seemed like every shift he created at least an opportunity for one of his linemates to score. Brett’s passing ability and vision was clearly on display. He was a player who probably could have gone in 2012 and if he elevates his play, may make a run at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.