Drafted 42nd overall by the Calgary Flames.
Patrick Sieloff is yet another American defenceman in this year’s draft class. The native of Ann Arbor, Michigan was able to stay close to home for his junior hockey as a member of the United States National Team Development Program. Sieloff played big minutes for a team that also featured Jacob Trouba, and Brady Skjei. He was a member of the United States’ gold medal winning squad at the 2012 IIHF Under 18 World Hockey Championships. Sieloff will be moving on to play hockey in the NCAA next year, where he has committed to play for the Redhawks of Miami University.
Defense
Born May 15 1994 — Ann Arbor, MI
Height 6.00 — Weight 173 — Shoots Left
| 2010-11 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 36 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 66 |
| 2011-12 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 24 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 55 |
Sieloff might be the best bodychecker in this draft, especially in open ice. He may not be the biggest player on the ice, but he is an extremely physically punishing player and he just loves going for the big hit. Opposition forwards definitely have to be careful not to cut down Sieloff’s side of the ice with their heads down, because he will punish them.
Sieloff is a very good skater. He has solid speed both forwards and backwords, good edgework and agility, and is strong on his skates. Sieloffs pivots are quick and crisp. Sieloff has a great first step and quick acceleration, and this helps him absolutely explode into hits when he gets the opportunity.
Sieloff has decent defensive instincts, and battles hard on the boards and keeps the front of his net clear. He is a willing shot blocker, and understands how to cut down passing and shooting lanes. He is a solid stay at home type defenceman and is an important defenseman for the US squad being used for big minutes in matchup situations and to kill penalties.
There isn’t much offensive potential in Sieloff. He can make a decent first pass in the defensive zone, but he isn’t someone who is adept at handling the puck. He is a pure stay at home defenceman, and in the games we’ve seen him, he hasn’t been known to join the rush at all. His point shot is decent, it has good velocity and he keeps it low and accurate, but thats really the only good aspect of his game offensively. Sieloff’s future is as a purely defensive defenceman.
Sieloff may never put up points at the NHL level, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a valuable player. His physically punishing, defensive shutdown game is something that is always valued by NHL teams, especially come playoff time. Sieloff has the potential to become a defenseman similar to Anton Volchenkov of the New Jersey Devils.
… and thats the Last Word.
