Baer. Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Written by Bob McKenzie Most of the college teams are on their Christmas break, but NHL teams have, for the most part, identified the players worthy of their attention. It’s far from an exact science. One team’s top target is another team’s “are you kidding me?” That said, and bearing in mind this is far from a scientific poll, it would appear Minnesota State University junior defenceman Casey Nelson is generating more interest than most. Nelson is a 23-year-old, 6-foot-2, 182-pound right-shot blueliner from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc. “Decent size, good skater, moves the puck, definitely has a chance,” one NHL scout said. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=90050 Nelson has three goals and 12 points in 19 games played this season. He attended Philadelphia’s prospect camp last summer. Beyond Nelson, a pair of smallish goal-scoring wingers and a goaltender led the way in a highly informal/random poll of scouts. University of North Dakota senior Drake Caggiula probably could have signed an NHL contract after last season – I wrote about him here – but the Toronto-area prospect (grew up in Pickering, moved to Whitby) opted to return for his final college season. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound, 21-year-old has 13 goals and 27 points in 19 games. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=97396 University of New Hampshire sophomore winger Andrew Poturalski, a Buffalo-area product, has been on fire for the Wildcats this season, scoring 14 goals and 30 points in 15 games. He’s 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds. Scouts seem divided on whether he has that special quality – usually speed – that allows a smaller player to survive and thrive in the NHL, but he’s still getting lots of attention. Poturalski turns 22 on Jan. 14. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=109632 The goalie most in the college UFA spotlight this season is Yale junior Alex Lyon, a 6-foot-1 Minnesotan who is 6-3-2 with a .932 save percentage in 11 games. It will be interesting to see if he opts to turn pro at season’s end. Since he’s already 24, if he were to stay at Yale and graduate, he’d be a 25-year-old free agent in 2017, which means he’d be too old to sign an entry-level contract in the NHL. Which is to suggest there are no compensation limitations once out of the entry-level phase. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=114768 A handful of other collegians received multiple mentions as targets from NHL scouts. They include: - University of North Dakota junior defenceman Troy Stecher from Richmond, B.C. At 5-11 and 191 pounds, with three goals and 13 points in 20 games, scouts are hoping the 21-year-old Stecher could develop like Jared Spurgeon. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=59042 - Union college junior forward Mike Vecchione, who had 19 goals and 50 points in 39 games last season for the Dutchmen but is off to a slower start this season with five goals and 11 points in 14 games. Vecchione, who is 5-10, 195 and turns 23 in February, attended (his hometown) Boston’s summer prospect camp. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=98845 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neutral Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 we should be looking hard to add free prospects we all know we need em and they dont always pan out so gotta try and hope you find a diamond or just a useful player. Saw stecher play for Penticton, he would be a nice add, and one of the forwards why not utica needs help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadcanucks Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Is it just me or do others read Caggilua's name as Caligula? If Drake C. is 1/10th as ruthless as his historical namesake was, he would be a great pick up. Oh and there's that bit about him playing on a line with Boeser. If JB can sign Caggilua and Stecher and Boeser, he'll have 3/5th of the band signed up. Hopefully JB can get it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spotted Zebra Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Something which has always gone against the Canucks is that they've never been in the position to give even a 50/50 chance to these guys to step in and play next year, shouldn't be the case any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neutral Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Be wise to try and sign Caggiula seing as he is on Boeser's team I didnt realize he was his linemate. Do they televise any of the north dakota games on tsn like they did for boston college last year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gstank29 Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=160748 Surpised Bob left Oksanen off the list. I think he's a Lw not a LD right now though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklax Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 2 hours ago, Gstank29 said: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=160748 Surpised Bob left Oksanen off the list. I think he's a Lw not a LD right now though Agreed, he was highly talked about last year but decided to not turn pro. As for the rest on the list, I see Lyon being highly coveted, probably moreso than O'Connor last year. I've heard very good things about Stetcher and lord knows Vancouver needs some youth on the backend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gstank29 Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Just now, canucklax said: Agreed, he was highly talked about last year but decided to not turn pro. As for the rest on the list, I see Lyon being highly coveted, probably moreso than O'Connor last year. I've heard very good things about Stetcher and lord knows Vancouver needs some youth on the backend. I believe Stetcher has been to prospects camp at least once and is form the Lower Mainland. So by Toronto logic HE WILL WANT TO PLAY HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilya Mikheyev Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Yeah, echoing what others have said I think, Caggiula would be a good player to pick up on a ELC. Even if he only plays in Utica for 3 years, he'll have some historical connection with Boesser and will probably be in his 2nd pro year when Boesser comes over, so wouldn't be a bad risk. Troy Stecher should definitely get a good look. Fits a lot of the characteristics that the Canucks need depth-wise: right-handed, three zone defenseman who can put up points and is from Vancouver—also playing on the same team and PP as Boesser. Also matched his college personal best this year, only 20 games in. I think there's a decent chance Stecher will do what Drake did last year and finish his college career off with one more year. Wouldn't hurt to have him attend prospect's camp though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilya Mikheyev Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Wonder if Canucks/Utica would be interested in a PTO or a 1-year contract for younger Tanev. Don't know much about him, but he's in his 4th year of NCAA and is a LWer. 6'0, 181 pounds. Had 23 points in 39 games last year, but is looking to smash that with 13 points in 15 games so far this year. Played in the BCHL before. He's 23 now. Might be awful, never seen him play, but if he has the composure of Chris, could be a good AHL pick-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salmonberries Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 I was hoping the Canucks would sign Stecher last year. One scout who covers the NCAA was touting him as the top 'under the radar' signing out there last year. Said he was ND's top D most nights in a D core where there were five NHL picks including first rounder Jordan Schmaltz and he was the only undrafted guy. He grew up and remains a Canucks fan: https://twitter.com/troystecher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neutral Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 any updates if anyone knows if we have scouted any potential college signings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gstank29 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-top-collegiate-free-agents/c-279491788 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstar Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I would love to pick up Oksanen. Big, versatile player who can play both forward and defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Well with all the injuries I'm sure Utica could use some defensemen or forwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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