Went to the Ice Haus to get a look at the prospects tonight and lets just say that Jakub Voracek was a man among boys! Absolute stud that has hands and vision that almost every player in the NHL would dream to have. He even had a time where he fought off a check on a 2 on 2 drill and still built speed going to the net. He is the real deal!

Now all of this is being said by watching one practice with a bunch of prospects thrown together but there were some things about some players that stuck out for me.

#75 Matt Fornataro - Played in New Hampshire last year where he had 18 goals and 46 points in 38 games and was a +20. He snuck in for 1 game with Syracuse last year scoring a goal and was a +2. This kid has a beautiful shot and you can tell he is a pure goal scorer. He lacks a little speed but get him the puck in the offensive end of the ice and it probably will find the back of the net.

#72 Maxim Mayorov - You can see glimpses of what kind of talent this kid has as when given space and time, he can really make things happen. Good speed and really want to drive to the net. Wasn't always consistent today but if they get that solved the Jackets might have stole one.

#80 Dmitry Kosmachev - one of the oldest player at the camp, this hulking defensemen impressed me with a laser like shot. His play stuck out on the 2 on 1 drills and drills where they had the defenseman shooting in the puck. Being 23 surely helped him out there but a guy to keep an eye on.

#86 John Hughes - This kid really suprised me. He has speed and a lot of skill. Last year he had 28 goals and 91 points in 68 games with Brampton. I was talking to some people at the rink and we agreed that he reminded us of Geoff Platt with more skill. He is on the small side but in the new NHL and if he continues to develop, he could make the big club some day.

#67 Teddy Ruth - Ruth has a nasty streak in him and Hitchcock stopped practice to rip him a little for being a little too physical. I would rather have that than the opposite. It will be interesting to watch him develop at Notre Dame and see if this right hander can turn into a shut down defenseman.

That's all I got but be sure to join me Wednesday night for "Fire the Cannon" as we will go over all the new additions to the team and I would bet some Voracek talk. All of it starts at 7pm est. See you then.

Fire the Cannon!

Eric Smith
[email protected]

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