The Hockey Spy’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preview – Brandon Gormley
Christopher Ralph is a sportswriter with a focus on hockey prospects, the entry draft, as well as occasional Flames coverage here at THW.
“Full Potential” Prospect Profile:
Please “Click Here” for “Notes Up Front” and the “Legend” for various topics covered below as covered for the NHL 2009 Draft rankings. Stay tuned for a live updated article dedicated to the NHL 2010 Entry Draft.
Brandon Gormley (Click on name for up- to- date stats)
Position: DEFENCE
Number: 3
Height: 6.02
Weight: 190 lbs
Shoots: LEFT
Born: 1992-02-18 (AGE 18)
Birthplace: Murray River, P.E.I.
Current team: Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
NHL Status: Draft Eligible 2010
One-Timer:
Gormley is the consensus top rated prospect out of the “Q” (QMJHL) this season and will challenge for the top blueliner taken in June.
Not super flashy, but very smooth skating and has a good head for the game. He has a quiet confidence about him and excels in all facets of the game – PP, PK and 5-on-5 as well as on both the offensive and defensive ends of the ice.
Gormley may not develop into the prototypical franchise defenseman, but should evolve into an important cog of whatever NHL franchise chooses him and has the ability to log efficient top pairing minutes.
Scout’s Honor:
* “One scout surveyed has the Moncton Wildcats blueliner as the No. 1 defenceman, ahead of both Cam Fowler and Erik Gudbranson.” – Bob McKenzie (TSN)
* “He’s got good size, good positioning, competes and battles well. Can play a two-way game, but can also play shutdown. Smart, accurate passes, moves the puck well.” (THN Future Watch issue 2010)
* “He has size (6-foot-2, 187 pounds), he skates very well, he’s smart and poised with the puck,” Chris Bordeleau, Central Scouting’s top QMJHL scout, told NHL.com. “He can feather some great passes on the tape through the middle to set up guys in the clear. He’s reliable in all areas, and has confidence.”
Current Season:
Gormley has notched 13 assists in 11 playoff games thus far, leading his team in that category, and has a plus 8 rating with the Moncton Wildcats in their quest for the Memorial Cup. The Wildcats are currently up 2 games to none in their QMJHL semi-ifnal match-up.
Brandon registered 0.74 PtsPG with 43 points (9G, 34A) in 58 regular season games, with a plus 31 rating and 54 PIM.
Other accomplishments:
- 2009-2010 QMJHL – Michael-Bossy Trophy – Best Professional Prospect
- 2009-2010 QMJHL – 2nd Team All-Stars
Bio/Interview(s)/Link(s):
* HockeyProspect.com
– Highlight:
HP: Are there any players you look up to?
BG: I look up to Nick Lidstrom. I try to model my game after him. He has been one of the best players in the league for many years. Just have to be smart and use my skills.
International Tournaments:
- Invited to the 2009 World Junior team Canada camp.
- Member of team of team Canada roster at the 2009 Subway Super Series
- Won Gold for Canada at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial – Gormley was a dominant defenceman
- Assistant Captain of Gold medal winning Team Canada at the 2009 World Under 18 Hockey Challenge
ETA = 3 yrs
Risk-Reward Analysis: Risk = 1.5/5 Reward = 4/5
NHL Potential: Skilled Two-way Blueliner (Top pairing defenseman)
Strengths:
*See “One Timer” section above.
*Confidence & poise with the puck
*Ability to read the play
*Smooth skater
*Hockey intelligence & maturity
*Ability to play in all situations.
*Strong shot from the point.
Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:
*Not overly physical but uses his high hockey IQ to effectively defend
*Not unlike a lot of players of his age, Gormley will have to continue to work on strength and conditioning to succeed at the next level.
Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 8/10 Defensive = 8/10
NHL Player(s) Comparison:
– At his best: Duncan Keith (best case scenario)
– Middle ground: Rostislav Klesla , Bryan McCabe
– At his worst: Anders Ericsson
Video(s):
* NHL.com Profile Video: http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=65243
Interesting Notes:
* The Moncton Wildcats made Gormley the first pick of the 2008 QMJHL Entry Draft.
*A prodigy from P.E.I., Gormley grew up in same hometown as Dallas Star’s elite forward Brad Richards (and his family actually was Brandon’s baby-sitters) and followed his path to the Notre Dame Hounds program in Saskatchewan.
* “He’s got a laid-back personality,” Moncton coach Danny Flynn told NHL.com. “He’s got the maturity of a 30 year old. Take away hockey — he’s just a rock-solid young man.
Other Rankings:
ISS: 5 (Mar ‘10)
CSB: 6-NA (Apr ‘10)
TSN: 6 (Apr ’10) {Bob MacKenzie}
NACS: 9 (Mar ’10) {Mark Seidel – THN}
RLR: 8 (Apr ’10) {Kyle Woodlief – USA Today}
McKeens: 4 (Jan ’10)
THN: 4 (Future Watch issue)
THW: 5 (Apr ’10) {Christopher Ralph }
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