The Hockey Spy’s 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preview – Emerson Etem

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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.

Emerson Etem (Click on name for up- to- date stats)

Emerson Etem In The Mold Of Jarome Iginla {Photoree – S. Yume}
  • Position: C/W
  • Shoots: Right
  • Height: 6-0
  • Weight: 194 lbs
  • Birthdate: 1992-06-16
  • Hometown: Long Beach, California
  • Current team:  Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL
  • NHL Status: Draft Eligible 2010

One-Timer:

Etem plays for one of the best coaches in the CHL in Willie Desjardins who marvels over the explosive forward: “Emerson is a great skater who opens up the ice real well. He is a real professional already. Everyday he prepares like a pro. His biggest strength is he wants to improve as a player. When you tell him something he is prepared to do it.” (NHL.com)

Dynamic skating speedsters with a goal-scorer’s touch are not easy to come by.He is also one of the younger of the top players available in the draft.

While I had him going 10th overall in my Playoff Edition Mock Draft, the California native Emerson may not even have to wait that long to hear his name called in Los Angeles in June.  I actually have him ranked 7th currently in my overall rankings.

Scout’s Honor:

“A 37-goal scorer with a good Medicine Hat team. He handles the puck so well at full speed. His crouch style belies his 6-foot stature. He looks smaller out there on the ice, but he’s not small in productiveness. How about this — he moved from Long Beach to Minnesota’s Shattuck-St. Mary’s to Medicine Hat, Alberta, all in the space of three developmental junior years.”
– E.J. McGuire, Director of Central Scouting

Current Season:

2009-10: In his WHL rookie campaign, Etem scored 37 goals and added 28 assists for 65 points in 72 games for Medicine Hat, finishing with a +8.  In 12 playoff games, Etem added 7 goals and 3 assists for 10 points, while, more often than not, being the Tigers most dangerous offensive player.

Emerson also led all Tigers in power play goals (13) and short-handed goals (5) during his rookie campaign.

Other accomplishments:

  • 2009-2010: Emerson was named the Tigers’ 2009-10 Rookie of the Year.
  • Etem played in the 2010 CHL Top Propsects Game, potting a shorthanded goal for Team Cherry.

Scouting Combine Performance:

* Etem came prepared and came to impress at the combine, which he did in spades.

  • Tied for 3rd in VO2max (ml/kg/min) Test Duration, measuring Aerobic Fitness
  • 10thin 4 Jump (Mat) Mode: Average Jump Height
Emerson Etem {Photo: Chris Ralph}
  • 4th in Vertek Vertical Jump/Pause (in)
  • Tied for 7th in Vertek Vertical Jump/No Pause (in)
  • 8th in Vertek Leg Power Average (Lewis)/Pause (watts)
  • 5th in Vertek Leg Power Peak (Sayers)/Pause (watts)
  • 9th in Vertek Leg Power Peak (Sayers)/No Pause
  • 4th in Curl-Ups (max #)
  • 3rd in Pull Strength (lb)
  • · 4th in Pull Strength (lb/lb body weight)

    • International Tournaments: N/A

    ETA = 2 yrs

    Risk-Reward Analysis: Risk = 2/5   Reward = 4.5/5

    NHL Potential: Top line goal-scoring forward

    Strengths:

    *See “One Timer” section above.

    • Excellent puck skills and ability to protect the puck and shield the puck with body
    • High level hockey intelligence
    • Outstanding speed and skating even though awkward skating style
    • Great work ethic and drive to improve
    • Great teammate

    Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:

    • Like many players at this level, Emerson simply needs to work on his defensive play. He is, however, very coachable and having been under the wing of Desjardins already should bode well for future success.

    Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 9/10   Defensive = 7.5/10

    NHL Player(s) Comparison:

    – Best Case Scenario: Marian Gaborik, Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash-lite

    Video(s):

    – NHL.com Prospect Profile

    Interesting Notes:  (NHL.com)

    • Etem has been working out in the offseason for last 3 years with T.R. Goodman, the renowned California-based trainer who works with the ageless Chris Chelios.
    • Shootout move: “Around the Puck”
    • Goal celebration: “Stick in the air”

    Other Rankings:

    ISS: 18 (Apr ‘10)

    CSB: 8-NA (Apr ‘10)

    TSN: 15 (Apr ’10) {Bob MacKenzie}

    NACS: N/A (Mar ’10) {Mark Seidel – THN}

    RLR: N/A (May ’10) {Kyle Woodlief – USA Today}

    McKeens: N/A (May ’10)

    THN: 17

    THW: 7 (May ’10) {Christopher Ralph }

    *For all the latest prospect and draft news follow me on Twitter: The Hockey Spy

    This document is the intellectual property of Christopher Ralph and cannot be used or duplicated in any way without expressed written consent. Any use of this document without the expressed written consent of Christopher Ralph will result in public exposure and legal prosecution.

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