Tyson Jost
2015-16 Team: Penticton Vees (#17)
Date of Birth: March 14, 1998
Place of Birth: St. Albert, AB
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 194 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Center/Left Wing
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2016 first-year eligible
Twitter: @josty_17
THW The Next Ones Ranking: 5th (June)
Other Rankings:
- THW Alternate: 12th (June)
- THW War Room: 5th (June)
- Future Considerations: 10th (June)
- ISS: 9th (June)
- Bob McKenzie: 11th (June)
- Craig Button: 11th (June)
In recent years, high-end Canadian prospects face a choice in their teenage years: they can either jump into major-junior and unabashedly chase the dream of pro hockey or they can stay in junior-A and keep their college options open. Penticton Vees forward Tyson Jost was drafted by the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips, but stuck around in the British Columbia Hockey League to maintain NCAA eligibility. He also put on quite a show offensively. He scored at a point-per-game pace during the 2014-15 season, then exploded for 104 points over 45 games this season. He turned 18 in March.
Jost is a wonderful combination of speed, smarts and size. He sees the ice very well and is just as dangerous setting up a play as he is taking a shot. He’s also shown considerable on-ice leadership for a player of his not-so-advanced age, serving as the Vees captain this past season and also donning the C for Team Canada at recent international events. To make a long story short, he’s been an excellent player in every level he’s stepped onto the ice at and has earned the trust and respect of teammates and coaches along the way.
While Jost’s numbers and play have been impressive, there are the annual questions of “Yeah, but could he have done that in the WHL?” that will inevitably come up. Not to be rude or impolite, but the BCHL is an inferior league when compared to the WHL. Far fewer players go to the pros from the BCHL than the WHL – though that’s sort of the point, as kids stay in the BCHL as a precursor to college most of the time. That said, scouts might discount his statistics as they came against kids that aren’t quite as big or formidable as those in the other Canadian junior leagues. Jost’s also not a massive kid and will probably need to continue to gain some muscle, and some ferocity, to his existing skill set to fully translate it to the next level.
But can he get a little bit bigger and meaner without losing what allowed him to torch the BCHL? Watch out, because the things he does well aren’t things that he does well by being bigger than his opponents. He does them by being a lot better than everybody else on the ice.
NHL Draft Projection:
Based on the current rankings ranges, Jost could go anywhere between 8th to 15th in the first round. His average aggregate ranking seems to be around 10th or 11th overall.
Quotables:
“A smart, strong player with excellent vision and a great shot, Jost was called “the real deal” by one NHL scout I spoke to and he’ll definitely be a first-rounder this summer when the draft hits Buffalo. Committed to North Dakota, Jost will be fun to watch with the Fighting Hawks next season.”
–Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News
“Tyson Jost is a crafty goal-scorer that carries out plays as quickly as he envisions them. As someone who thinks and plays at a fast tempo, it comes as no surprise that he creates a lot of energy as an offensive catalyst. He sees the ice very well and has the willingness and determination to win battles in the tough areas. All-in-all, a dynamic offensive forward with top-6 potential at the next level.”
–Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects
Statistics:
Strengths:
- Hockey sense
- Skating ability
- Accurate passer
- Strong, effective shooter
Under Construction (Improvements to Make):
- Doesn’t play particularly “mean”
- Needs to prove himself against higher-level competition
NHL Potential:
Jost projects to be potentially a player somewhat like Jeff Carter at the NHL level.
Risk-Reward Analysis:
Risk – 1.5/5, Reward – 4.5/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential:
Offensive 8.5/10, Defensive 7/10
Awards/Achievements:
Jost has represented his country four times at recent high-profile events: the Under-17s with Canada White, two Under-19 tournaments with Canada West – winning gold this past year – and the most recent Ivan Hlinka memorial tournament (where he also won gold).
Interview/Profile Links:
Videos:
