Cody Corbett THW Close-up:
Team: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Birthdate: December 14, 1993
Hometown: Lakeland, MN
Height: 6’1″ Weight: 196 lbs
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2013 (2nd year eligible)
Twitter: @nippintwine
THW The Next Ones Ranking: NR
CSS Final Rankings: NR
ISS: NR
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Cody Corbett joined the Edmonton Oil Kings in October of 2011, deciding to forgo his NCAA eligibility at a shot of launching a pro career by playing for the Oil Kings in the City of Champions. The Minnesota native looks like he made a smart choice and has been a part of one of the deepest and most successful junior bluelines in the CHL over the past two seasons. Perhaps not the most well known on a group that has included NHL prospects like Mark Pysyk, Griffin Reinhart, David Musil, Martin Gernat and Keegan Lowe over the last two years, he has been no less important to Edmonton’s success.
He was the top scoring defenceman on Edmonton’s blueline this season with 42 points in 71 games played. He also lead the team with a plus/minus rating of +38 this season and is a +74 in his two seasons with the Oil Kings.
For all of the success he has had in the WHL, he has not been given much respect by the NHL community. Eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, he was predicted to be a mid round pick, however found himself still available when the draft ended. Entering the 2013 he is expected to go even later, if at all. He currently sits outside many draft rankings, including the CSS final rankings where he is outside the top 210 North American skaters.
Paired with Griffin Reinhart on the top pairing for most of this season, Corbett has answered a lot of the criticisms he faced last year when he was a healthy scratch for a number of playoff games. A key contributor rather than watching from the press box this year, his game has just gotten better.
A two way defenceman with solid offensive skills, he won’t overwhelm you with any one area but plays a good all around game. He will no doubt draw some interest on draft day and even if he remains undrafted it would be a shock if he didn’t get a least a training camp invite with someone.
Scouts Honour:
Corbett is a two-way defenseman that skates well and solid physical play. He is just solid in all aspects of his game, he doesn’t wow you. He has good size to do his job, plays well in all zones of the ice, although he isn’t much of a dynamic blueline either. – Hockey Wilderness (SB Nation)
….has shown a lot of puck poise and offensive upside….He needs to start putting his wide-bodied frame to better use around his own crease, and looks as though he could stand to lose a few pounds, but there’s definitely something there. – Red Line Report, USA Today (2012)
….there is a risk factor with Corbett, but he also does have potential to be a very solid two-way defender who has above-average offensive skills and sound positional skills. – The Scouting Report
Where He’ll End Up in June:
Passed over in the 2012 draft, Corbett is expected to be a late round pick in 2013 with a chance of being on the outside looking in yet again.
Statistics:
NHL ETA:
3-4 years
Risk/Reward Analysis:
Risk: 4/5 Reward: 3/5
NHL potential:
Depth defenceman
Strengths:
- Moves the puck well
- Good vision
- Accurate point shot
- Work ethic
- Positioning
Flaws/Aspects He Needs to Work On:
- Strength and Conditioning
- One on one play
- Use size more effectively
Fantasy Potential:
Offensive: 6/10 Defensive 5/10
NHL Comparable:
Has been compared to another Minnesota native and current Wild player Tom Gilbert
Video:
THW’s The Next Ones prospect profile template design architect: Chris Ralph
Follow Carl on twitter @maloney3383 for more articles