Kurt Etchegary – The Next Ones: 2013 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

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Kurt Etchegary THW Close-Up:

Date of birth: 11/12/1994

Place of birth: St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

Ht:   5’11”      Wt:   185 lbs

Shoots: Left

Position: Center

Twitter Handle: @etchy19

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2013

THW Ranking (January 2013): 72

Other Rankings:

Kurt Etchegary [photo: Steve Deschenes]
Kurt Etchegary [photo: Steve Deschenes]
Being injured for 3 months during your draft year can really hinder a player’s stock on his big day.  Kurt Etchegary had arthroscopic hip surgery a few months ago, but has rejoined the Quebec Remparts in tip-top shape.  He’s continued right where he left off and has reunited with his linemates, Adam Erne and Nick Sorensen.

Etchegary has 25 points in 31 games so far, but has also been able to tack on some penalty minutes with 56.  He’s a prototypical two-way center with keen offensive awareness paired with astute defensive presence.  Standing 5’10”, Etchegary may not be the biggest guy on the ice, but he certainly knows how to throw his weight around.  Strong in all facets of the game, Etchegary prides himself on his work ethic and determination.  He owns a deceptively quick wrist shot and is very strong on faceoffs.

Etchegary isn’t ranked in the top 30 in any list I’ve seen, but he will get drafted regardless.  It may be as high as the 2nd round or as low as the 5th, but some team will be acquiring a workhorse who doesn’t shy away from anyone on the ice.  A warrior in the purest sense of the word, Etchegary will find his way to an team that suits him come June.  Expect him to be used effectively in a 3rd line/checking role when he paves his way into the NHL.

Scout’s Honor:

From HockeyProspect.com:

“Real hard working player. He didn’t really standout offensively but he was in the way, getting involved the whole game. His skating looked average, where he had good speed but not quite enough to create anything offensively.”

Statistics:

Interviews:

ETA: 4 years

Risk/Reward Analysis: Risk= 3/5   Reward = 4/5

NHL Potential: Solid bottom 6 center with the ability to play 2nd line if needed.

Strengths:

  • Physicality
  • Defensive presence
  • Wrist shot
  • Faceoffs
  • Great along the boards
  • Two-way play
  • Work ethic

Flaws/Aspects He Needs to Work On:

  • Skating – both agility and speed
  • Controlling his temper
  • Playing a simple game

Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive: 5/10  Defensive: 6/10

NHL Player(s) Comparison:

  • David Backes lite
  • Ryan Callahan
  • Vladimir Sobotka
Vladimir Sobotka
Kurt Etchegary plays a game similar to Vladimir Sobotka.

Follow Shawn Reznik on Twitter: @ShawnTHW

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