Thursday, May 29, 2008

Schultz, Ian - RW - Calgary

Ian Schultz / Calgary Hitmen WHL
RW-R / 6-1.25, 179 / 04-Feb-1990

Skating: 30 / Skill: 30 / Sense: 50 / Compete: 70 / Tough: 70

Strengths: Very rugged and competes. Good fighter, drops the gloves frequently. Some goal scoring touch.

Weaknesses: Can't skate. Limited skill.

High effort level all the time. Not an end of the bench goon, usually gets regular shifts. Stiff hands but finds a way to contribute offensively. Fierce along the boards. Wins battles for the puck. Fighting majors: 18 + 1 playoff. Did not fight any of the older league heavyweights, but still very good in scraps I saw.

Summary: Best fighter in the WHL draft crop in a down year for tough guys. If not for skating, would be a top 60 pick.

Target/Want: Toughness always goes higher in the draft than you think. If I'm reaching in an early round for a WHL tough guy, this is the one to get. May go surprisingly high, but I'd consider in the 4th.

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