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The 2013-14 season was one of the worst in the history of the Kitchener Rangers. Sometimes in hockey though, futility is rewarded, and that has happened for the Rangers with the second overall pick in the 2014 OHL Draft, Adam Mascherin. The 16-year-old helped the Rangers immediately, scoring 29 points and making the OHL All Rookie Second Team. However, it was this year that Mascherin really broke out, putting up 35 goals and 46 assists for 81 points in 65 games. He added six goals and six assists for 12 points in nine playoff games before the Rangers would fall in the second round of the playoffs to the powerhouse that is the London Knights. Internationally, Mascherin played for Team Canada Red at the 2015 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge. It was a shocking omission when Mascherin was not invited to play at the BMO CHL Top Prospects game.
Adam Mascherin Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #43
Left Wing/Centre — shoots Left
Born Jun 6 1998 — Maple, ONT
Height 5’10 — Weight 205 [177 cm / 93 kg]
Adam Mascherin is a pure sniper. His shot is very heavy, but it is his release that really fools goaltenders and leads to the puck finding the back of the net. Its tough to describe, and you really have to watch the highlights, but Mascherin has a very unique release that surprises the opposition. His shot is deadly accurate, and he is able to pick corners or find the tiniest of openings. Mascherin also has the ability to score goals in tight, with the hand-eye co-ordination to get tip-ins, or pounce on rebounds. He is also an excellent play maker, with good vision and the ability to make a pass through the smallest of openings. Mascherin is undersized in terms of height, coming in at just 5’10” tall, but at 205 pounds, he has a thick and powerful body. This helps him to protect the puck in the cycle game and to win battles along the boards or establish position in front of the opponents net. He is not afraid to play a gritty game and get involved in the real tough areas of the ice.
Mascherin is a solid skater. He has good, but not great speed and acceleration, but really excels in other areas. Mascherin has great agility and edgework. He can make quick cuts on a dime, and uses this to his full advantage to get by defenders on the rush, or get past them and find open ice without the puck. He also has a strong lower body, and his excellent balance helps him to fight for loose pucks, or skate through checks and cut to the net.
Mascherin has improved over the course of the season, but could still use some work on his defensive game. While he is willing to work hard and bring his gritty style to his own zone, he must be careful not to get himself out of position by chasing the puck too much. He must also show that he can battle down low with bigger forwards. Mascherin has spent some time at centre, but could stand to improve his face-off skills if he wants to continue in that spot.
Mascherin has the versatility to play both centre and left wing, but has spent much more time on the wing and it is likely that his future is playing the latter position at the next level. He can stand to improve his defensive game, and continue to get stronger to deal with professional players, and if he does that Mascherin could develop into a second line winger at the NHL level. His style is reminiscent of Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes. This is a stylistic comparison only though, and not one based on talent.
The following is a compilation of Adam Mascherin highlights, taken from youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the #44 prospect on our NHL Draft Board.
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