Scout Series: Justin Froese (WHL)

Future Considerations’ WHL scout Justin Froese gives his thoughts on who from the 2014 NHL Draft class left him impressed, who disappointed and who his sleeper is on draft day.

To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!

Who Impressed?

Looking beyond the Reinharts, Draisaitls and Virtanens of the league, it was harder to find a forward whose stock increased throughout the year as much as the Edmonton Oil King’s Brett Pollock.

A relative unknown entering the year, Pollock failed to impress me during early viewings with what seemed to be wavering confidence and inability to control the play. Admittedly, I viewed him as a complimentary player who benefited from Ottawa Senators prospect Curtis Lazar.

In follow up viewings, significant gains became prevalent as Pollock infused himself in the game more, showed greater composure and became a more valuable asset to the Oil Kings both offensively and defensively. I had the opportunity to see Pollock in two playoff games in Brandon before the Oil Kings ascension to Memorial Cup supremacy, where he was a key factor whenever he touched the ice.

Pollock was a warrior for the Oil Kings down the stretch and completely eradicated my thoughts regarding the player he was earlier in the year. Pollock is currently ranked 68th by our staff here at Future Considerations, and is a budding impact forward who should be coup of a pick outside the first round.

Who Disappointed?

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kamloops Blazers forward Collin Shirley underwhelmed me and earned the distasteful fate as my most disappointing draft eligible that I was able to view this past season.

One of the key pieces going to the Blazers from the Kootenay Ice in exchange for Tim Bozon, I expected Shirley to transition and excel in an expanded role on a team in dire need of forward depth after graduating and trading several impact veterans. This progression by Shirley, however, never seemed to take place.

Earlier reports from my peers indicated that Shirley’s size and raw skill were something to be reckoned with if he could ever fully utilize it to the best of his ability. In my viewing of Shirley, I saw a player who had flashes of skill and physicality but could not sustain any sort of dominance for an extended period of time.

Statistically, Shirley suffered on the Blazers this past season and never seemed to recover or flourish as a top six guy. It was a rather forgetful season for Collin Shirley, who never seemed to stop falling down my draft board from the preliminary 5th round ranking he once held.

Who Surprised?

Looking to potential wild cards from this draft class, defenseman Nelson Nogier of the Saskatoon Blades fits the bill.

Expected to be an impact player on a roster depleted due to a post Memorial Cup roster purge, Nogier saw limited action before being shelved for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. In two early season viewings, Nogier seemed to be in for a quality season, seeing top pairing minutes and playing all situations. A quality defender who is steady in his own zone and can chip in a little offensively, Nogier’s presence was sorely missed as the Blades struggled mercilessly until the end of the regular season.

The uncertainty of how he will recover after missing nearly a full year of development will surround Nogier come draft day and clouds an exact pin pointed ranking for the defenseman. Currently 72nd in FC’s draft ranking, Nogier is a guy to keep an eye on come draft day.

With the dearth of defensive depth in this class, Nogier’s value could spike if a team is looking to scoop up a solid defenseman with an offensive upside, despite limited viewings and a red flag attached to him.