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A key offensive weapon from the backend for the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-18 team this year, David Farrance was a big part of the power play. He scored seven goals and 37 points for the Americans during their regular schedule. Farrance added another three points in the IIHF Under 18 World Championships, helping the American squad to the gold medal. He has also represented the United States at the Five Nations, and at the 2015-16 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge.
Farrance is committed to attend Boston University and play for the Terriers next season. Should he change his mind, and go the CHL route; his rights are owned by the OHL’s Guelph Storm.
David Farrance Scouting Report: 2017 NHL Draft #61
Defense — shoots Left
Born June 23rd, 1999 — Victor, New York
Height 5’11” — Weight 189 lbs [180 cm / 86 kg]
Skating
Farrance is a very good skater. He has excellent agility along with very good edge work and pivots. He transitions quickly from offence to defence and vice-versa. This mobility also allows him to cover a lot of ice. Farrance is fast and has good acceleration in both directions. He is able to join the rush, as well as pinch in from the blue line, and still get back defensively. He could stand to work on his lower-body strength and balance though. Farrance can be overpowered in the corners or in front of the net.
Offensive Game
David Farrance is a solid play maker. He can skate the puck out of danger in his own end, and has the stickhandling ability to carry the puck and lead the rush. He can also start the transition game with an excellent first pass. Farrance can even throw the long home-run pass, hitting a streaking forward for an odd man rush. He shows poise with the puck, keeping his head up and scanning the ice to make a play both in transition and when quarterbacking things from the blue line. His vision and ability to make passes through tight spaces is a real asset here.
He is more of a quarterback than a trigger-man though. While Farrance has a decent slap shot from the point, it is not the type of howitzer seen from other draft-eligible prospects. He can sneak in from the blue line and let go a wrist shot though. He gets it through traffic and is accurate. It also features a quick release. He could stand to make better decisions with the puck. He is prone to giveaways, as well as to firing a slap shot when there is no shooting lane. This is an area he will need to work on.
Defensive Game
Farrance uses his strong skating ability, to be tough to beat one-on-one. He is very good at defending against the rush, and makes quick poke checks to steal the puck from defenders. He also maintains good gap control and forces his man to the outside. However, his size deficiency can cause some issues defensively. These manifest when defending down low in his own zone. Farrance is not very physical. He has trouble clearing the front of the net and winning battles in the corners. When he does get the puck, he is able to transition quickly from defense to offence.
Projection and Comparison
David Farrance brings good mobility and offensive skill. His game is very raw but there are the tools there to develop. He will get plenty of opportunity to bulk up next year, while playing the NCAA schedule. He should also work on playing a bit more physical once he adds that muscle. Farrance could develop into a top four defenceman, who can also play on the power play, but it will take time. He is a bit of a project at this stage. Farrance’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.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of videos, assembled from Youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect available on our draft board.
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