As the Russian and American teams are about to gather this weekend for their respective World Junior hockey Championships camps, and with Canada already having chose their team and assembled in Alberta, we can't help but feel for the players left behind due to injury. One of the ones being left behind by Team USA is Sarnia Sting sniper, Alex Galchenyuk. He was looked at as one of the top two prospects as little as 3 months ago, but now adversity has found the 17-year old. Let's get to know his game a little better...
NHL Draft Prospect: Alex Galchenyuk -- Sarnia Sting
The Line:
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Centre
Draft Eligible: 2010
The 2011/2012 Ontario Hockey League season has not gone as planned for the native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Life hasn't been easy for Alex. He has travelled all over the world following his dad who played professional hockey in Europe and North America. The Pedigree is there for Alex. you can see it when you watch him play. he reads the ice so well that he always seems to be where the puck is going and not where it is. His hockey sense is something that can only be learned from years of watching high level hockey and being around high level hockey players.Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Centre
Draft Eligible: 2010
Alex is not just a pure sniper, although his shot is impeccable and deadly accurate. He can play against the other teams' best players and keep them off the score sheet. Alex plays a very physical and in your face game. He will throw his weight around and will go into the corners to get the puck himself instead of needing a winger to do it for him. This kind of elite center with these intangibles is something that is very rare, especially for this age of player.
Misfortune struck for Alex early this season due to an injury suffered in the pre-season (torn ACL). It has taken him from the projected top three down to about 20th in the rankings. Missing an entire season in your draft year when development is key would kill some kid's chances, but not Alex's. he is a can't miss prospect, even after missing all of this time due to injury.
Alex is a complete player, skating, defensive zone coverage, offensive ability; he can play it all, but what makes him extremely special is that I see Alex as a player capable of playing center and the wing. He is a very creative player especially off the half wall, and can create offense from below the icing line. These are both qualities that top wingers posses. He is a very flexible player and if he falls to twenty, the team taking him there will be extremely happy, but I don't think he will fall out of the top 8 come draft day when teams are under the gun.
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great description of his play...we miss him here in Sarnia.