Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow Ben Kerr, and Frederik Frandson 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”! Today we bring you our Berkly Catton Scouting Report.
The hockey season is mostly nearing its end all over the world. In Europe, the 2024 Men’s IIHF World Championships concluded the season with Czechia winning at home, while only the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers remain in the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. With that, many eyes are focused on the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. One of the top ten hopefuls in the draft is Canadian forward, Berkly Catton.
The 18-year-old has had an amazing season in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. During the season he finished with 116 points in 68 games and 54 goals—the highest among any draft-eligible skater in the WHL. A season that has seen Catton skyrocket into the top ten on many of the final rankings, despite a frame he has yet to fill.
Berkly Catton 2024 NHL Draft Scouting Report
Forward — shoots Left
Born January 14th, 2006 — Saskatoon, SK, CAN
Height 5’11″ — Weight 163 lbs [180 cm / 74 kg]
Skating
Speed is the name of Berkly Catton’s game, as most things he does on the ice happen at a lightning-quick pace. His skating is no exception, as one of his main strengths is his burst of speed and acceleration, which can overpower any defender in the WHL. His edges are solid and he can twist and turn with the puck at high speeds. However, it can also be a bit wide and long turns when he doesn’t have the puck. A bit of a theme is that he can look lazy without the puck. The skating becomes gliding and nonchalant, but somehow he does seem to find the right place offensively to get the puck in high-scoring areas. And when the puck is near Catton, the blinding speed and acceleration win him a ton of battles for the puck.
Transitionally it’s more of the same. If he gets the puck his vision and speed make him a great outlet for creating chances off the rush, but without it, he doesn’t look super involved or energized.
Offensive Game
While the skating does have a few question marks, the offence of Catton does not. He is an offensive powerhouse, able to be the X-factor needed to create chances. His vision is exceptional and he sees the game at an elite level. His intelligence offensively with respect to when to shoot and pass makes him able to make the right play nearly every time, and he has the toolkit to pull off most passes and shots. On the puck, he is creative and always feels like he is two steps ahead of the rest. It looks easy for him to make a no-look pass to a wide-open teammate, or find the top corner with a pinpoint accurate shot.
One of the things that makes his shot so deadly is the power he gets behind it. It’s super heavy and fast and instantly comes off the blade. It’s a true goal-scorer shot, that can beat goalies from anywhere. While he did get 54 goals, it is an area that could be utilized more. Catton will often look for the pass and create offence that way. This isn’t a thing that hinders his game much, but it would be nice to see him be a little more selfish at times. However, with his high offensive awareness, shot, creativity and passing, any team looking for a player to take over offensively would be happy to get a player like Berkly Catton.
Defensive Game
As mentioned, the engagement and casual way of playing is Catton’s major red flag. A weakness that is especially noticeable in the defensive end. At times he can be caught out of position and watching the puck. He also tends to be the first guy cheating out the zone to start the rush. Something that leaves his team vulnerable to sudden turnovers. However, he is also quite good at finding his position to cover on the ice due to his high hockey IQ. Since he isn’t a big guy on the ice, he has to rely a lot on his smarts defensively to make plays and does so most of the time. However, if he isn’t in position he can look disengaged in getting over to block a shot or deflect a pass.
Projection and Comparison
Based on our Berkly Catton scouting report, he has rightfully become a name to watch in this upcoming draft. His offence is one of the best in terms of raw talent. He sees the game at an extremely high level and has the talent to deliver. The shot, creative passing and skating with the puck make him able to create a goal every time he hits the ice. In contrast, when he isn’t on the puck or has to defend things get more murky. His lack of energy and engagement without the puck needs work. Talent can carry him far, but without a better work rate, the NHL head coaches will eat him alive.
However, with a more energized style to his game, he could be a top forward in the NHL. The tools are there and he has similarities to Nikolaj Ehlers in terms of his style of play. Whether he sees a similar path to the Danish forward is a question only time will tell.
Main photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
