By Russ Cohen
These are my choices.
Who is the fastest player?
It’s never that easy. There are different ways to look at this. So, I am going to go with acceleration. I’m having a hard time choosing between Ivar Stenberg and Wyatt Cullen. I think both possess great acceleration that helps them get past the defense. I would say Stenberg is more elusive, and Cullen can make that bang-bang play out of nowhere. Both are exciting players to watch, and Stenberg will be the better point producer for sure.
Who is the strongest?
Everybody lifts the same amount of weight at the NHL Combine. Landon Nycz was the leader in the bench press power test at the combine, and he’s very fast, too, but I still think there’s someone who is hockey strong. And that’s more important when playing. Alberts Smits might be the answer in the end, but right now I choose Ethan Belchetz. He stands guys up or beats them down. I wouldn’t go anywhere near him on a hockey rink.
Who plays the longest on average?
The Canadian Hockey League doesn’t publish time on the ice, AI doesn’t have the answer, and technically, I don’t. But I spend a lot of time on InStat, and it told me that Chase Reid averaged 26:20. I have checked on quite a few players as I do, and that was the highest I’ve seen, so he is the winner
Who has the hardest shot?
This is my perception, but I think it’s Gavin McKenna. In my notes, I have noticed the “zip” on his wrist shot and his ability to wire a long shot in the back of the net quickly. He is my choice.
