Sean Monahan – The Next Ones: 2013 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Sean Monahan THW Close-Up:

Team: Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Birthdate: October 12, 1994

Hometown: Brampton, Ontario

Height: 6’2″  Weight: 195 lbs

Position: Centre

Shoots: Left

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2013

Twitter: @monahan20

THW Ranking (January 2013): 7th

Other Rankings

ISS: 9th

CSS (North American skaters): 5th

TSN (Craig Button): 7th

The Hockey News: 6th

Future Considerations: 8th

Consensus Aggregate of Several Services (NHL Numbers): 7th

Sean Monahan is a player that may not have one specific area that jumps out and wows you, but he doesn’t have an area of concern either. A player that plays a full 200 feet and all three zones well, not to mention emerging and impressive leadership skills, he’s the type of player coaches love.

Playing for a last place 67’s team, Monahan still had a terrific season and put up 31 goals and 78 points, far and away the team leader in both regards.

Perhaps just as impressive is the way he handled himself and took over leadership of the team as a 17 year old captain. The role obviously has meant a lot to him and he has shown the type of intangibles that many scouts look for:

“Yeah, I like [the pressure of being captain] a lot. It’s pretty special for me to wear that letter and I think that I do everything I can to wear it with pride. I try and be a leader on and off the ice every day, regardless of the game or practice, or even just a dinner with the boys, I try to take charge, make sure that everything goes well, and that everyone gets along.”

The past season was one where those characteristics were put to the test, while Monahan enjoyed individual success, there were also obstacles to overcome. Playing on a last place team is hard enough, but he was also assessed a 10 game suspension early in the year and was cut by Steve Spott for Canada’s WJC in December, a decision that still hurts;

“It didn’t really take out the sting, that’s for sure. I was pretty upset,” he said. “But it happened and you learn from it and build from it.”

He has certainly used it as motivation and put together a very strong second half to the season.

A player that is deemed to be as NHL ready as any forward prospect, he has on-ice vision and awareness above most of his peers. Though he may not be as dynamic as some, he could end up being more valuable in the long run to a NHL club.

Scouts Honour:

The two-way, well-rounded Monahan is extremely smart and solid on his feet. The versatile centre does not get knocked over very easily and he’s able to stand his ground just about every time he gets involved in a corner battle. He doesn’t have elite explosive speed, but he plays more of an east-west game rather than a north-south game so it doesn’t get in the way of his effectiveness. He’s also very strong on the puck, rarely losing possession or being pushed off. Monahan makes consistently strong, accurate and timely passes to his linemates. He can score using a strong and accurate wrister from the slot, taking the puck from the corner and driving the net or by deflecting a slapper from the point. Uses his size well in all facets of his game but does not leave his positioning to do so. His overall sense of awareness is top notch; NHL level. Monahan is a determined two-way player with strong leadership qualities.

– Aaron Vickers, Future Considerations

Monahan isn’t the elite offensive talent that others in this list may be, but he most certainly has one of the most refined two-way games. Monahan combines that two-way talent with strong leadership qualities. In many ways, he’s akin to Gabriel Landeskog. He will not dominate a game in any flashy way, but will control it behind the scenes and very quickly assume a leadership role on any of the teams that draft him.

Monahan has good size (6’2) and plays a key position (centre), so he’ll be in demand. As a late 94, he’s had an extra year of development and may be more NHL-ready quicker than some of his compatriots.

– Jason Menard, Hockeys Future

“Smart, skilled center plays a 200-foot game and can be the foundation of the Flames’ rebuilding effort.”

– Adam Kimmelman, NHL.com, who picked him 6th in his mock draft

“He has size, skill, vision, but I think the better part is his character — how hard he works and how much he wants to win and how he prepares himself for games. I think he presents a pretty good package, he has a history of winning, he has a history of playing well in big games and I think those are the things that people like the most about Sean.”

– Ottawa coach Chris Bryne

Where He’ll End Up in June:

A surefire top ten pick, he also has a shot of going in the top five. Likely to be selected in the 5-8 range.

Statistics:

Bio/Interview Links:

• PuckCentralHQ interview (April 2012)
• Hockey Prospect (January 2013)

International Tournaments:

2011 U17 WHC – Canada (Ontario) – 5 points in 5 games

NHL ETA:

1-2 years

Risk/Reward Analysis:

Risk: 1/5  Reward: 4.5/5

NHL potential:

Top six two way centre

Strengths:

• Vision
• Awareness
• Hockey IQ
• Shot
• Passing ability
• Strength on the puck
• Work Ethic
• Leadership

Flaws/Aspects He Needs to Work On:

• Acceleration
• Continue to add strength and muscle for pro game

Fantasy Potential:

Offensive: 8.5/10  Defensive 8.5/10

NHL Comparable:

• Patrice Bergeron
• Paul Stastny

Video:

THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph

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