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 2018 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 Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here.
Breaking into the SHL, the highest level of men’s hockey in Sweden, is not easy. That is exactly what Adam Ginning did shortly after his 17th birthday in January 2017. He would go on to play 12 games for Linkoping HC putting up two assists. This year, he was even better. He got in 28 games, putting up a goal and an assist. He added an assist in seven playoff games. Ginning is not known for his offence though. It is the defensive game that has gotten the big defender noticed. He also played in the J20 league this season, with five points in 17 games.
Ginning has long been a fixture for Sweden’s international teams. He was part of the team that won the gold medal at the 2016-17 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He also played on the 2017 Under-18 squad at the IIHF World Championships. This season, Ginning won bronze medals at the Ivan Hlinka, and at the 2018 Under-18s. He was even named one of the top three players on his team in the latter tournament. He scored a goal and three assists in seven tournament games.
Adam Ginning Scouting Report
Defence — shoots Left
Born Jan 13 2000 — Linköping, Sweden
Height 6’3″ — Weight 196 lbs [191 cm/89 kg]
Skating
Ginning’s skating needs a bit of work. He has decent speed in both directions but needs a bit of work on his first few steps. His overall stride is long and powerful, but he is a bit awkward in getting started. The agility and edgework could also use some improvement. This may come, he looks a bit like an awkward teenager who is still getting used to his body after a growth spurt. Ginning has good balance, thanks to a powerful lower body. This helps him to be strong on the puck, and to win battles on the boards. It also helps him get leverage to keep the front of the net clear.
Offensive Game
In the offensive end, what you see is what you get. Ginning has a powerful slap shot, but his long wind-up that lessens its effectiveness. He also could stand to work on his one-timer. Ginning is not a fluid shooter, and thus often stops the pass before shooting. He has a decent wrist shot that he uses more than his slap shot. This is another area where he would do better with a quicker release. When he does get a shot off, he often keeps it low. This helps to get it on net through traffic, and allows teammates to get rebounds and tip-ins.
Ginning is not one to join the rush often, but he can start the transition game with a good first pass. He makes smart, simple passes both in transition and at the point in the offensive zone. He does not like to have the puck on his stick for long, and so keeps things moving, finding the open man.
Defensive Game
Ginning is more known for his defensive game than his offensive one. He has excellent size, and uses it to his advantage. If a forward comes down his side of the ice with his head down, he can through a big body check. He reads the play well and uses a long, active stick to cut down on passing lanes. Ginning is not afraid to get his body in front of a shot either. He is especially effective on the penalty kill, with strong positioning.
Projection and Comparison
Ginning has the potential to be a defensive defenceman in the top four, however he must continue to improve his skating. He will likely never be a big offensive contributor, but can still keep the puck moving. He will need some time to add muscle to his growing frame as well. Expect Ginning to spend at least another season or two in Sweden before coming to North America. His style is comparable to Johnny Oduya, but this is not a talent comparison.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the many highlight packages of Ginning that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 15: Adam Ginning #10 of the Sweden Nationals skates up ice with the puck against the Finland Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 15, 2018, in Plymouth, Michigan. Finland defeated Sweden 5-3. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
