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 2020 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. Today we look at Seth Jarvis.
The 11th overall pick of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, Portland Winterhawks centre Seth Jarvis had a breakout campaign this year. He was especially good in the second half of the year. Jarvis was especially hurt by the cancellation of the WHL season. He scored 42 goals and 56 assists for 98 points in just 58 games this season. Jarvis was barely over a point per game to start the year but was on fire with 63 points in his last 26 games before the pandemic hit.
His big season came after gaining confidence playing for Team Canada in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer. He scored two goals and two assists for four points in five tournament games and won a silver medal. Last season, Jarvis scored 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 61 games. He also added three assists for the Winterhawks in five playoff games. Jarvis was part of Team Canada Red at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring two goals and three assists for five points in six games.
Seth Jarvis Scouting Report
Right Wing/Centre — shoots Right
Born February 1st, 2002 — Winnipeg, Manitoba
Height 5’10” — Weight 172 lbs [178 cm / 78 kg]
Skating
Jarvis is an excellent skater. His first few steps and his acceleration are explosive. His top-end speed is just good, but not great. It must be remembered that hockey is often about short bursts of speed rather than a two-hundred-foot race down the ice. Jarvis is more than capable in those short areas. He also has excellent edgework and agility. Jarvis is able to change directions and change speeds quickly. These weapons make him hard for defenders to cover. Despite his diminutive size, he has very good balance and is surprisingly strong on his skates. It is tough to knock him off the puck. He could get stronger though. This will help him to win a greater share of his battles on the boards.
Offensive Game
Jarvis is a pure sniper. He has an excellent array of shots. He can score with his wrist shot, snapshot, slap shot, one-timer, and even his backhand. All of these shots feature power, accuracy and a quick release. When defenders back off to respect his skating ability, he uses the defender as a screen and fires a shot on net.
He also has a knack for getting open without the puck and putting himself into a position to get a scoring chance. Jarvis is gritty and he is not afraid to get to the front of the net and battle to create opportunities. He can finish in tight with the quick hands to pounce on rebounds, deke a goalie, or tip-in a teammate’s shot. He is a real pest and creates havoc in front of the opponent’s net. Jarvis has the ability to drive opposing goaltenders crazy and takes up a lot of attention.
Jarvis can also play the role of a play maker. He is an effective stick handler who can make moves while skating at top speed. A quick shift of his hands and wrists can open up a passing lane and he can find an open teammate with a pass. He is a smart player and has excellent vision and anticipation. When this is combined with his passing ability, Jarvis can create opportunities for teammates. He gets in quickly on the forecheck and pressures opposing defenders into mistakes. Jarvis could be stronger and better along the boards and in the cycle game to extend puck possession and create scoring chances. As he matures this could come with added muscle to his frame.
Defensive Game
Jarvis is an effective penalty killer. His anticipation and ability to read the play, along with his quickness, is helpful as he breaks up passes and pounces on loose pucks in his own end. Once those turnovers are created, he is able to quickly transition the puck up the ice and create offensive opportunities. Jarvis supports the defence down low as well, but he can be overpowered by bigger and stronger opponents. This is one area where a lack of size can be a bit of a detriment to his overall game.
Projection and Comparison
Jarvis is listed as a centre on a number of sites, but he has been on the wing in the majority of our viewings of him. With his lack of size and strength, playing on the wing is likely his future at the NHL level as well. He is effective offensively and could become a top-six forward in the NHL if he reaches his potential. However, he will need to gain strength and work a little better on the boards going forward. Jarvis could use another year or two in the WHL, continuing to round out his game and add that muscle before he is NHL ready. His game is reminiscent of Brendan Gallagher. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill or ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Seth Jarvis that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Seth Jarvis Main Photo:
KELOWNA, BC – FEBRUARY 8: Seth Jarvis #24 of the Portland Winterhawks warms up on the ice against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on February 8, 2020 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
