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 2019 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.
Laurel Hollow, New York native Marshall Warren had a very good campaign as part of a strong U.S. National Team Development Squad this season. He put up eight goals and 26 assists for 34 points in 58 games for the Under-18 squad. He also added three assists in seven games at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships, helping the American Squad to a bronze medal. Warren has not gotten the hype of some of his more high-profile teammates, but he has made big contributions to the team and played key minutes as part of the top-four on the American blueline. Warren also played in the USA Hockey Top Prospects Game in September.
Last season, Warren put up eight goals and 30 points in 60 games for the Under-17 team. He also had one assist in six tournament games, winning a gold medal at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge. Warren is committed to playing hockey for the Boston College Eagles next season. Should he change his mind and opt to go the CHL route, his rights are owned by the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads.
Marshall Warren Scouting Report
Defence — shoots Left
Born April 20th, 2001 — Laurel Hollow, New York
Height 5’11” — Weight 168 lbs [180 cm/76 kg]
Skating
Warren is an outstanding skater. He might be undersized for a defender, but his skating ability more than makes up for it. He has tremendous speed in both directions and reaches it quickly with his great acceleration. His ability to change speeds is particularly effective when he carries the puck through the neutral zone and helps him to generate zone entries. Warren also has very good edgework, pivots, and agility. This allows him to stay with his man on the rush, as well as to avoid defenders with the puck, and to walk the line in the offensive zone. He transitions from defence to offence quickly and vice-versa. While Warren is a little undersized, he has decent core body strength. This helps his balance. It should get even better as he gains strength though, helping him in battles on the boards and in front of the net.
Offensive Game
Warren handles the puck very well. This allows him to skate the puck out of dangerous areas in his own end, as well as to lead the rush through the neutral zone. He is poised and patient at the opponent’s blueline and can quarterback a power play unit. Warren has good vision and passing skills, allowing him to start the breakout with a good first pass, as well as to create in the offensive zone. His lateral movement allows him to walk the line and open up both passing and shooting lanes.
Warren could use some work on his slap shot though. While he does a good job of finding a shooting lane and getting his shot on the net, his slap shot lacks power. This could improve with increased upper body strength. His wrist shot is a bit better tool for Warren and he has a quick release. Warren also has a very good snapshot. He likes to sneak down from the point before getting off the wrist shot. He can also use it on the rush. On the power play, Warren has been known to sneak down to the net for a back door one-timer on a pass from a teammate.
Defensive Game
Warren uses his skating ability to play a stout defensive game. It is hard for attackers to beat him one-on-one. He has a quick stick and can poke check the puck away from a forward or intercept a pass. He does a good job of forcing forwards wide and away from the front of the net. Despite his lack of size, Warren is willing to throw hits, as well as battle in front of the net and in the corners. This is another area he can improve by bulking up. Warren’s ability to move the puck and get it out of his zone with quick transition helps to keep possession and avoid long periods of zone time.
Projection and Comparison
Marshall Warren could develop into a top-four defenceman if he reaches his ceiling. Going the NCAA route is a good choice for him, as the less condensed schedule will give him time to hit the weight room and address the biggest deficiencies in his game. He could be an effective player for a team who is willing to be patient over the next two-to-three seasons. Warren’s game is reminiscent of Duncan Keith. However, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill or ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Marshall Warren that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect in our NHL Draft series.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
