In an offseason that’s been very quiet since early July, the progress of one Alex DeBrincat to a possible NHL role has been arguably the focal point of the summer for Hawk fans.
As is so often the case, with some prospect every summer, a portion of the fanbase has been ready to anoint the 5’6… former OHL scoring champ the next Patrick Kane. Others, like myself, have taken a much more patient—some might call it 'cynical’—point of view.
After what has been generally agreed was a disappointing Blackhawk prospect camp for DeBrincat, the Traverse City Prospect Tourney—which is a notch up in terms of intensity and competition—has proven the opposite.
DeBrincat has shown the creativity and nose for the net—and, best of all, the production—he was known for in junior hockey, playing against, well some junior and recent junior players like himself—albeit the better of those players (as top prospects of NHL teams).
He’s also shown a lot of feistiness, getting in a scrap with Detroit prospect Dylan Sadowy, and more than holding his own against a larger opponent.
All good. And encouraging.
The next test for The Anointed One will be Hawk pro camp and NHL exhibitions—a venue where DeBrincat quite frankly disappeared last summer, losing the spotlight to undrafted QMJHL free agent, Alex Fortin. Fortin is rumored to still not be 100% following hernia surgery, so the tables have turned a bit at least. For now.
And the truth is, while DeBrincat is (ironically enough) head and shoulders above his prospect tourney competition, we have to remember that this is not NHL competition, nor really that close to it.
So get ready for the next phase of the journey when Hawk camp opens.
I’ll have a more complete prospect report after the end of the tourney tomorrow.
JJ