Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2015 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! The following is a complete listing of all our 2016 Draft Articles.
The United States National Team Development Program has produced a number of top defence prospects over the last several years, and Adam Fox hopes to join Chad Krys, and Ryan Lindgren as graduates from this year’s team taken relatively high in the NHL Draft. Fox had a monster year at the offensive end of the ice, with nine goals and 59 points in 64 games for the US NTDP. He really showed his stuff at the 2016 IIHF Under 18 World Championships with one goal and eight assists in nine games. The leading scoring defenceman in the tournament, he was named the top defenceman , one of the top three players on his team, and to the tournament all-star team. Fox helped the U.S. to a bronze medal at the event. This came on the heels of helping the U.S. team to win the Five Nations tournament. In 2015 he also took part in the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, helping the team to a silver medal. Fox is committed to attend Harvard University next year. Should he change his mind, his OHL rights are owned by the Kitchener Rangers. He also suited up at the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game last fall.
Adam Fox Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #63
Defense — shoots Right
Born Feb 17 1998 — Jericho, NY
Height 5’10” — Weight 183 lbs [178 cm / 83 kg]
Adam Fox is an undersized defenceman, but an elite offensive producer. He has elite skating ability, moving around the ice with very good speed and acceleration. He can lead or join the rush; or pinch at the blue line and still get back to defend his own zone as well. Fox has very good agility, and edge work. He can weave in and out of traffic while rushing the puck up the ice, and use quick cuts to avoid opponents, be they fore checkers trying to pin him in his own end, or defenders against the rush. Fox could stand to add muscle as he needs to improve his balance and get stronger on the puck.
Fox has extremely good stick handling ability. He shows poise with the puck at the blue line, being patient, and willing to use his agility to walk the line to open up shooting and passing lanes. Fox has outstanding vision and the ability to feather a pass through the tightest of openings. He can use this ability while quarterbacking the powerplay, carrying the puck on the rush, or in making a first pass to start the rush. He is especially adept at making long breakaway passes. His wrist shot is accurate and features a quick release, but could use a bit more power. He has a knack for getting his slapshot through traffic and keeping it low and on net; allowing teammates to get tip-ins and rebounds. Fox could improve both shots with more upper body strength.
Adam Fox uses his quick feet to keep attackers in front of him off the rush. He has good backwards skating and a quick stick and is tough to beat one-on-one. Fox’s size and strength become an issue in the defensive zone though. He can be overpowered in puck battles and has issues clearing the front of the net. This is the biggest flaw in his game, and the main question mark surrounding Fox.
Fox is a boom or bust type of prospect. He has all the puck moving ability to be successful at the next level, but requires a real bulk-up in strength and improvement in his defensive game. Fox’s game is reminiscent of Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill or ability.
The following is a compilation of Adam Fox highlights, assembled from youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the #64 prospect on our NHL Draft Board.
Main Photo by Tom Sorensen, US NTDP Images.
