Lawson Crouse —
Winnipeg Hockey Talk’s evaluations of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft top prospects continue today with our featured prospect Lawson Crouse.
League: OHL Team: Kingston Frontenacs
Position: LW Shoots: Left
DOB: Jun. 23, 1997 Birthplace: Mt. Brydges, ON
Height: 6’4 Weight: 220
2014-15 OHL Stats: Regular season
Games: 56 G: 29 A: 22 Pts: 51 PIM: 70 Plus/Minus: +10
2014-15 OHL Stats: Playoffs
Games: 4 G: 2 A: 1 Pts: 3 PIM: 18 Plus/Minus: -7
Lawson Crouse played this past season in the OHL for the Kingston Frontenacs.
Achievements:
1. Selected 5th overall in the 1st round by the Kingston Frontenacs in the 2013 OHL Priority Draft.
2. Named 2013-14 OHL Second All-Rookie Team.
3. Represented Canada and won a Gold Medal at the 2014 U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament .
4. Represented Canada and won a Gold Medal at the 2015 U20 World Junior Hockey Championship.
5. Played for Team Orr at the 2014-15 CHL Top Prospects game.
Offensive Buzzwords
Lawson Crouse is a big, strong, power forward with a better than average skill-set. He is very tough in the corners, in front of the opposing team’s net and a very strong forechecker. He passes the puck well, uses his line-mates, and possesses a very good shot with a quick release. Crouse uses his size effectively and creates time and space for his teammates. He is a handful in front of the oppositions net on the PP.
Skating
Lawson Crouse is a good but not elite skater, extremely strong on his skates, with good agility and decent speed.
#67 Lawson Crouse: video – 1:40 seconds
Defensive Buzzwords
Lawson Crouse is a very good defensive player that contributes in all three zones. He plays a very strong positional game and can kill penalties.
Comparable
David Backes – St. Louis Blues
Prospect Analysis
Lawson Crouse is a big, strong, gritty winger with a nice skill-set to match his size. He has very good hockey sense, a solid compete level, and a strong two-way game that all NHL teams covet. My only knock on Lawson Crouse is I don’t think he scored consistently enough and this concerns me moving up to the pro-level. Buyer beware!
Projected: #6 – #10
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