Hockey Prospects, NHL Draft, Hockey Scouting,OHL Draft

Binnington played in 22 games for the Owen Sound Attack as a rookie in 2009/2010. The Richmond Hill Ontario native posted a 6-10 record on a non playoff team with a 4.38 goals against average.  Jordan had a couple of rough outings which inflated his numbers a bit . The rookie tender had a rude welcome to the league as the Barrie Colts fired 49 shots his way en route to a 9 goal outburst.

This season was a different story after taking over for injured started Scot Stajcer. Binnington led the charge in the regular season and came to the rescue in the playoffs. Jordan did nothing to hurt his draft stock in 2010/2011.

Binnington was selected 40th overall by the Attack as their second pick in the 2nd round of the 2009 OHL draft. Jordan was the 3rd goalie selected behind Tyson Teichmann (Belleville 1st round) and Matt Mahalak (Plymouth 2nd round) Binnington was chosen out of the Vaughan Kings organization.

The Interview:

HP: How did you go about choosing to play hockey, and goalie specifically?

JB: When I was younger, playing hockey as my favorite sport. I just tried goalie and liked it so I pursued it.

HP: Did you feel pressure this season at Owen Sound after being a high pick in the OHL Draft?

JB: Well, I try not to worry about that stuff but there is always pressure with everything. I try to block it out as much as I can; but my teammates and family have helped me out a lot in terms of staying calm.

HP: Overall how did the season go for you at Owen Sound?

JB: It was all right. There were definitely some games where I got “lit up” for lack of a better word. It was obviously tough, but it went pretty well. As the season went on I matured a lot. Without those couple of tough games, my season would've looked a lot better on paper.

HP: So what style goalie do you see yourself as?

JB: I would say probably a hybrid goalie. I play up and down. I'm pretty flexible so I can make the desperation saves.

HP: What was the most difficult thing to adjust to in the OHL as a goalie?

JB: For sure the speed of the game. Everything develops a lot faster so you have to improve your reaction time; even as a goalie.
HP: What do you think improved most about your game this season?

JB: I would say without a doubt my mental toughness. I think I have grown a lot in that area as both a goalie and a person

HP: In terms of mental toughness, say you let up a soft goal; how do you about bouncing back from that?

JB: Well, in minor hockey I had a problem because I got too angry after stuff like that. I've started not to worry about it though. I try just to get past it and not think about it. That has worked out well for me.

HP: You play to make the next save instead of worrying about the most recent one ?

JB: Yeah, that's what works.

HP: So, what do you consider as some of your strengths on the ice?

JB: I consider my strengths to include my technique, my flexibility, learning how to read the play better and my position in the crease. I would say I'm also good at playing the puck.

HP: What about some things you want to improve on?

JB: Some things I still want to improve on are my flexibility and my strength. That is one thing I'm working on a lot this summer. You can also never go wrong by working on mental focus.

HP: How do you go about working on “mental focus”?

JB: Well preparation for the games is definitely one. You just want to always be ready to go in that sense.

HP: What are you doing this offseason to work on that?
JB: Yeah, I have a personal trainer who I've been working with since the end of the season. I've been gaining a lot of weight, which is good. I'm definitely getting bigger, stronger and faster.
HP: What is the best piece of advice you have received from a coach?

JB: My goalie coach is always giving me good insight and keeping me motivated. Picking one specific thing is tough. But, the best thing he reminds me of is to keep battling; to do whatever you can to make the save.

HP: What are you goals for the upcoming season?

JB: Obviously to play as well as I can. I have also been setting some goals for myself in terms of lower numbers. I just want to have a strong season.

HP: Have you had any nerves about the 2011 Draft?

JB: No, I'm trying not to worry about it. I'm going to do what I can, work hard and just try not to worry about.

HP: Who has been the toughest offensive player you've had to go against?

JB: That's another tough one. Thinking about the guys that have scored against me. Windsor is a tough team to play against for sure. Also, Nazem Kadri has given me some trouble along with Peter Holland on Guelph.

HP: Do you have any NHL or CHL goalies you like to model your gaem after?

JB: Yeah, Marc-Andre Fleury is a big one. I've watched him for a couple years now ever since he reached the NHL. I love his technique and how he reads the plays. I like to watch that; and another NHL games just to study the goalies and what they do. I watch him the most though.

Jurco's stock was helped out by a strong showing at the Memorial Cup. After an average season the winger with soft hands showed off his skills on route to a Memorial Cup championship.

It’s a couple hours before puck drop and players are warming up in Yost Ice Arena, home of the University of Michigan Wolverines.

And one of the team’s upcoming players, Phil Di Giuseppe, pops his head around the corner to give his former coach the peace sign.

The versatile player has a lot of skill, but there’s one characteristic he lacks: an ego.

From the first moment he stepped out onto the ice in a Wolverines jersey, he succumbed to his emotions.

“It was an exhibition game, but nonetheless the place was pretty packed and my eyes lit up. I was just really happy and excited to be there. We have a band and a student section. It’s been said that it’s hard for people to come in and play because the students are so into the game as well. The fans really help us out a lot and it’s a really great place to play.”

It’s one of the most exiting arenas in all of hockey, seating over 6600 fans, and now Di Giuseppe is part of its history. However, the forward is creating a name for himself. Having the opportunity to don the infamous yellow Wolverines jersey, the 18-year-old laughs and lights up every time he and his teammates wear them.

The Maple, Ont. native was a sixth round draft pick of the Niagara IceDogs in 2009, but was not picked up immediately. But he knew that when one door closes, another opens.

“My general manager and coaches sat down and asked if I wanted to play OHL or NCAA … I said NCAA. They told me what to do to expose myself to some school and what it takes to play at the college level.”

The differences for players in the NCAA are beyond that of just the mental game. The adjustment means a different workout routine, 39-game schedule as opposed to 68 in the OHL, and a university workload, including two hours of mandatory tutoring after practice.

It’s a change, but Di Giuseppe doesn’t see it as a disadvantage.

“There’s a lot more practicing and obviously a lot more attention to detail. As well during the week, there’s a lot more lifting. I’d say that’s one of the biggest differences [when training]. At the college level, that’s something that they strive on.

“In NCAA there are a lot of older guys. Some are 23, 24, or 25. Whereas in the OHL, the oldest you can be is 21. So I’d say the biggest difference is guys are stronger, possibly even a little faster here because they’re older. I’d say in the OHL there’s probably a little more skill and youth.”

Di Giuseppe isn’t on the fast track to a professional career, just a different one. His play throughout his young season is turning heads, and he thanks his development at the University of Michigan for that.

“I think it makes me more of a mature hockey player.

“They’re more tenacious out there and harder working. I’d say that’s the biggest difference between a young hockey player and an older hockey player. The older guys know what it takes to play at that level, so they set the tone.”

He might not acknowledge his own talent, but someone did. HockeyProspect.com recognized his skill during his minor midget years, but only recently did Hockey Canada see his potential. According to Di Giuseppe, that’s when more eyes followed him on the ice.

However, the recognition is still new to him.

“I started getting attention recently and I haven’t been really used to it, but I try to just keep it in the back of my head and try not to pay too much attention to it. I just try to ignore it.”

Yet, there was one call Di Giuseppe couldn’t ignore.

With attention shifting to the 2012 World Junior Championship, scouting eyes began searching for Canadian talent. Although most players had already seen action on the World Junior Development Camp roster in the summer, Di Giuseppe was one of 41 (one of two from NCAA) to get invited this past December.

Despite his heartbreak from getting cut, the winger will take what he can from the experience, but is still focused on his goals for this year.

“I want to try and help Michigan win. We have a good team and that’s my main focus now. Whether I get drafted first round or seventh round [in the 2012 NHL entry draft], it doesn’t really matter to me right now. I just want my team to win.”

As the freshman looks back on everything that’s happened, he still needs a moment to take it all in, but doesn’t forget the people who helped him get where he is today.

“If I had to credit someone, I’d have to say my dad and my family. My dad has always been a quiet guy. But he has always been there for me throughout hockey. And he’s very passionate and I guess that’s rubbed off on me. My mom has always been there for me as well.

Di Giuseppe has the talent, but he also has the intelligence, averaging mid-80s in his courses.

“Michigan, in my mind, is the best school to come to for developing. You see it through Mike Cammalleri and Andrew Cogliano, both former students here. It’s helped me develop as a player and person.”

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The team Rosters for the 2011 NHL Research and Development camp.

HockeyProspect.com first ranked Andrew Shaw with the rest of the 1991 class. We then ranked him both last year and if you read our NHL Draft Guide this season we had a feature on Shaw. Andrew Shaw is a player that other teams hate to play against. He has some scoring ability but mostly he is a player that does all the work and gets under the skin of opposing players. It's no small accomplishment for a 91' birth player to get drafted but Shaw had a huge playoff run and led the Memorial Cup in scoring.

The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Shaw in the 5th round and if i were an Owen Sound Attack fan I would have serious concerns about his return to the Attack. Shaw now gets a chance to show his skills against other drafted players and it will be his job to show enough to earn an NHL contract.

Matt Dumba was selected 4th Overall by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. He landed close to home coming from the Calgary Bronks AAA program. Dumba joined Edge prep school, before getting a taste of what the WHL has to offer with 8 games, two being playoff match-up’s as a 15 year old. In 2010-2011 Dumba got full time ice with the Red Deer Rebels, and faired very well. Mathew also excelled at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he finished the tournament as the leading scorer, playing for team Pacific. Dumba put up more goals than assists this past season, not a very common feat by a defenceman. Dumba possesses great skating ability, the technique needs a little adjustment, but the overall package is very solid. He gets a quick jump, and is able to generate a good top speed, particularly when skating down the wings. He really looks like a forward when driving down the wing with the puck on his stick, and has a quick and accurate release on his wrist shot.

Dumba also has a solid point shot, which he is able to release fairly quickly. He moves the puck with respectable ability, and appears to choose the right times to take his shot. One of the biggest standout features about Mathew Dumba’s play is his physicality. He is a very punishing defenceman, who despite being listed at only 165lbs. Has thrown some huge hits on some bigger opponents. He is equally effective throwing hits in open ice and along the boards. However he will occasionally leave his feet, and regularly put himself out of defensive positioning in order to connect with some of these hits. To go along with his physical play, he has shown complete willingness to drop the gloves whenever necessary, and has shown very well against guys bigger and stronger than him. Dumba is already built solid, going into next season he will hopefully add to his frame, and get even stronger. Also his defensive play will need to improve, he jumps out of position either for a high risk play, or to deliver a hit too many times. Dumba will need to try and control this a little in favour of remaining a steady presence in his own zone while continuing to improve his offensive contributions. Expect to see Dumba’s role with the team increase greatly, and to be a leader and key contributor from the blueline. Mathew is a potential top 10 pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, and is a player we see a great deal of upside in.

Nail Yakupov is in a much different position than he was 12 months ago. Last year Nail Yakupov was selected 2^nd Overall in the CHL Import Draft. Expectations are high when you’re picked at that spot, but you never really know what to expect. On the first day of training camp, he unleashed the biggest one timer I’ve ever seen out of a 16 year old. At that moment I knew Yakupov was something special. Nail is arguably the best prospect available in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft for several reasons. First and foremost is his skating. He maintains a low centre of gravity, great strength in his lower body and his quick footwork allows his first few steps to be very strong, giving him exceptional acceleration.

He likes to keep moving, and is not a player who likes to stand still at any point except when setting up his shot. He can explode on the outside, but also has excellent lateral agility and can go outside/inside better than most players in the CHL. He is a threat regardless of the talent and size of the opposing defencemen. The release on his shot is powerful and accurate, none more so than his one-timer. Goaltenders simply need to hope that the puck hits him, because when he connects it’s just a blur. Although he’s clearly more of a finisher than a set up man, he has at times made some great reads on the play and set up some very nice goals. Offensively Yakupov is a devastating weapon, and several times last year he turned an out of reach game into a close battle. It will be interesting to watch what he does with a team with the talent Sarnia currently has. Unlike many Russian players, and very much like one that currently plays in Washington, in addition to his outstanding offensive skill set, Yakupov has excellent core strength, and centre of gravity which allows him to be capable on a team with several players 6’3”+ to throw the biggest hits in a game. He has gained a reputation of being able to level opposing players. Despite all these strengths, Nail needs to improve his play within his own zone. He did make steps to improve last year, but will need to continue to get better.

He will likely never be used as a specialist in defensive situations, but if he can prove he can take care of his own zone effectively while still putting up big offensive input for his team, it will go a long way in helping him in his attempt to secure the #1 Overall spot. Maybe the easiest way to compare Nail Yakupov is a smaller version of Alexander Ovechkin. Although it is extremely unlikely for Nail to reach Alexander’s 6’3” 225lb size, he plays a very similar game and has a great number of similar traits. It’s too bad the London Knights were unable to grab Mikhail Grigorenko with the 1^st Overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, because both players will be battling for that #1 spot the entire year. However we also can’t write off Nail’s teammate Alex Galchenyuk, from that race.

His father made one of the greatest plays in New York Rangers’ franchise history, but Stefan Matteau, 17, isn’t concerned with the expectations that come with his bloodline.

“Obviously my dad has a pretty big name and I don’t really get talked to without him being mentioned,” Matteau said. “But I’m not really worried about being in his shadow or being compared to him because he’s not going to get me where I want to be. I make my path and whatever happens, happens. He’s a big part of it, but I’m my own person and he’s his own person.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Matteau is a prototypical power forward with the U.S. National Team Development Program, playing alongside many of the top prospects the country has to offer. But it’s Matteau that leads the NTDP in points with 23 (10 goals, 13 assists) and penalty minutes (110) in 30 games.

Matteau’s strong season has forced the NHL’s Central Scouting Service to take notice as he was ranked 13th among North American skaters, sixth among forwards, in the midterm rankings released last week.

“I saw that and it was a good feeling,” Matteau said. “But those lists and stuff, I’m not trying to worry about that. Nothing is certain until draft day, so I’m just trying to focus on the present and getting better every day.”

Matteau was slated to attend the University of North Dakota next season, but when the hometown Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL traded for his rights on January 7th, Matteau’s path changed.

“It became an option a few weeks ago when I was traded, but when I committed to North Dakota there wasn’t a ‘Q’ team in my hometown,” Matteau said. “But I think I can be an impact player on the team, get a lot of ice-time, my dad is the assistant coach, I’ll be living at home, I’ll be in my comfort zone and I’m really looking forward to playing a pro schedule with more games.”

There are clearly many sensible reasons for Matteau to join the Armada, but it doesn’t hurt that his father, Stephane, a 16-year NHL veteran, is an assistant coach with the club.

“Him being an assistant coach wasn’t really the reason why I wanted to [join the Armada],” Matteau said. “It’s a plus obviously, but my main reason was because they have a great organization. They moved from Montreal and the trainers, everyone, I’m already comfortable with because that’s where I trained in the summer. They have three NHLers on the coaching staff so that’s obviously huge development-wise.

“When I was growing up he wasn’t really around much. He was always on the road so my mom took care of me. But when he retired he was there, he was around the rink, seeing every game and the little details that NHLers do. He could bring that to the table and that really helped.”

Matteau admits that he grew used to dominating offensively as a young teenager but credits the development program for making him a more physical, well-rounded player and hopes that the different style of play of the “Q” continues to help him blossom.

“I think the development team really got me stronger and bigger,” Matteau said. “We play in a pretty fast league, especially this year playing D-I games. The ‘Q’ is more of a skilled league and I think I can use my speed to my advantage. With everything I learned here I’m stronger and I’m hoping I can just take that over and dominate. I’m hoping to dominate next year.”

Matteau prides himself on playing a strong two-way game in addition to being a bull in front of the net and he tries to model his game after Vincent Lecavalier as well as Jordan and Eric Staal.

“I’m a big bodied power forward with some skill and I can put the puck in the net, but I kind of play an all-around game,” Matteau said.

Like many big men, Matteau knows that his skating is a concern, but he has been working on his acceleration constantly and is determined to keep improving.

“[I need to work on] my first five strides, my explosion to the puck because I’m heavy,” Matteau said. “That’s kind of harder for big guys, but I’ve been trying to work on my first five and exploding to the puck.”

Matteau’s father was a second-round pick and never recorded more than 36 points in a season, but if Stefan’s development continues on its current arc then he could become a first-round selection come June and one day be the more recognizable Matteau.

“Obviously it’s in everyone’s mind,” Matteau said. “It’s the draft, it’s our childhood dream. But I’m not going to stress over it. I’m going to work on what I need to work on right now and I’ll worry about it in June.”