Sunday, May 2, 2010

USHL Draft Coverage- Zach Wilkinson

I have been contacted by sbnation.com to write up some profiles on players that may be drafted into the USHL this year in the USHL Entry Draft. I will be writing a profile almost every day leading up to the draft beginning with forwards, then on to defensemen, and finishing with goaltenders. These are in no particular order, as the Entry Draft is hard to predict. I haven't seen these players play either, so if you have seen them play and have something to add, please do. Enjoy!
Zach Wilkinson (Chaska/Chanhassen Storm Hawks) is the first player I've covered who is coming out of high school. The Minnesota High School Hockey Playoffs is one of the highest attended events in junior hockey. In these playoffs, Wilkinson's Storm Hawks didn't make it out of the first round, but Wilkinson certainly made his presence known in the loss versus the Holy Angels Stars. He had two goals in that game and was a +1 despite the 6 goals Holy Angels scored on them. Wilkinson is also the first average sized player I've written about. The players I've written about were either huge or very small. Wilkinson stands at 5'10"/165 and has better than average scoring ability. Wilkinson, paired on a line with Jack Storo has compiled some pretty good stats this year. In 26 games this year, Wilkinson had 25 points. Of those 25 points, 13 were goals and 12 were assists. To compare Wilkinson to a USHL player is not an easy task, but I'd say Fargo's Corey Leivermann is a good fit based on size and scoring stats. Just like every player I've written about, Wilkinson should be in the USHL next year, but his teammate, who was mentioned above, Jack Storo should be making his debut in the USHL next year. So keep your eyes open for these two talented forwards out of Chaska.

2 comments:

  1. Zach's a very skilled, fast forward who sees the ice well. He was selected for the '92-'93 USHL Combine All-Star team where he had an assist in the final game. Zach tallied 10 points during the total 5 games of the Combine. Four weeks prior to the Combine, he put up 9 points in the Minnesota Great 8 weekend tourney. Zach has also done well with the Minnesota Advanced 15s, 16s and 17s. His stock continues to rise.

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