Welcome back to Top Shelf NHL 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.
Joey Anderson spent this past season on the top line for the under 18 team with the United States National Team Development Program. Playing with highly ranked prospects Clayton Keller and Kieffer Bellows, Anderson did not look out of place. He put up 27 goals and 57 points in 64 games. Anderson would add seven goals and nine points in just seven games for the U.S. at the IIHF Under 18 World Championships, helping the team to a bronze medal. Anderson also played for Team USA at the 2015 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge, where he put up five points in six games and ended up bringing home a silver. Anderson has long been committed to play for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at the collegiate hockey level. Should he change his mind, his WHL draft rights are owned by the Brandon Wheat Kings. Anderson’s younger brother, Mikey Anderson, is a defenceman playing for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL, and is also committed to Minnesota-Duluth. Joey Anderson should join the team next year, with Mikey expected to come on board in 2018.
Joey Anderson Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #67
Right Wing– shoots Right
Born Jun 19 1998 — Roseville, MN
Height 5’11” — Weight 192 lbs [180 cm/87 kg]
Anderson is a hard-working forward who does the dirty work on the top line for the US NTDP. He digs hard in the corners and digs out loose pucks for his more talented linemates. Anderson is also willing to get to the front of the net, both with and without the puck. When he is there he has the soft hands to finish things in tight to the goal. Anderson also has a strong wrist shot and excellent release that he uses from further out. His passing skills are decent, but Anderson is more willing to make the simple pass to keep the cycle game going and maintain possession, than to try a fancy pass. He uses his stick handling ability to protect the puck, but isn’t the type of player to make a lot of one-on-one moves to get past a defenceman.
Anderson has good speed and acceleration, which he uses to get in extremely quickly on the fore check. Despite being slightly undersized, height wise, Anderson has an stocky frame which he uses to play a very physical game. He also has the ability to beat defenders wide and drive the net. Anderson could use work on his agility and edge work, which would help him to make plays one-on-one against defenders. He does have good lower body strength and balance, helping him to win battles along the boards and establish his position in the crease.
Joey Anderson also has a strong defensive game. He shows the gritty type of hard working plays he makes in the offensive zone in the defensive zone as well. Anderson supports the defence down low and works to win battles along the boards. He has good positioning and creates turnovers that quickly lead to transition offense. Anderson is willing to do whatever it takes to win games, and is not afraid to block shots.
Anderson shows that he can play the role of a gritty, complimentary forward for talented linemates. He also brings offensive instincts to the table as well. While the question mark is if Anderson will have enough skill at the next level to continue to be a top six forward, however even if he is not able to put up offensive numbers, his gritty game still gives him a chance to play a third or fourth line role. Anderson’s game is reminiscent of Scott Hartnell of the Columbus Blue Jackets but this is a stylistic comparison only and not a projection of talent level.
The following is a compilation of Joey Anderson highlights, assembled from youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the #68 prospect on our NHL Draft Board.
Main Photo:
