#60 Ben Hanowski – The Hockey Spy’s 2009 NHL Entry Draft Rankings

Christopher Ralph is a hockey writer with a focus on prospects and the entry draft, as well as the Leafs’ correspondent here at THW.

“Full Potential” Prospect Profile:

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60. Ben Hanowski

Date of birth: October 18, 1990
Place of birth: Little Falls, MN, USA
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 198
Shoots: L

One-Timer:

As NHL.com reports: “He set the record for most points in a high school hockey career, surpassing an 11-year-old mark of 378 points, set by Johnny Pohl of Red Wing High from 1994-95 through 1997-98. Hanowski finished his career with 405 points (196-209-405) needing 111 games to break the mark Pohl had set in 112 – he tied the record with a shorthanded goal during a five-on-three and surpassed the record with a power-play goal.” In 2008-09 he was named the Associated Press State Player of the Year and a Mr. Hockey Finalist. NHL Central Scouting’s Jack Barzee stated: “Ben needs to improve his overall skating, but his unselfishness, his hands and above all his ability to score goals sets him apart. His knack for scoring goals is similar to Thomas Vanek – his extra dimension is scoring goals.”Next season he’s committed to St. Cloud State University.

NHL Player(s) Comparison: Andrew Brunette, Tomas Vanek

Bio/Interview Links:

Scouting Combine Performance:

Sorokin noted: “from what I saw, this is a top character guy. A future leader, and apparently he absolutely destroyed some high school records, so who knows, with a few years in the juniors or NCAA, a solid NHLer could come out of this kid.”

International Tournaments: n/a

ETA = 3 to 4 years

Risk-Reward Analysis: Risk = 4/5 Reward = 4/5

NHL Potential: Offensive, goal-scoring forward

Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 8/10 Defensive = 5.5/10

ISS: 78

CSB: 35-NA

TSN: Honourable mention

THN: 84

Video Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swZS_UCI0AA

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