Kolomatis has the rare combination of defensive and offensive skills that you don't find in the USHL too often. Kolomatis missed only five games last season, and he made use of the 55 games he did play. Kolomatis racked up seventeen points last season with eight of them being goals and nine being assists. Kolomatis also racked up quite a bit of time on the powerplay, with eight of his points coming while the Steel were a man up. Kolomatis also mixes in some solid defensive abilities which adds to his overall value. Kolomatis, from what I've seen, likes to go more to block the pass on the ice or intercept the pass than to go for the check. While he's not much of a fighter, Kolomatis has shown that he will drop the gloves and defend his teammates. Fighting doesn't factor into player's futures very much, but it can help if teams know that player's will step up and defend themselves or their teammates. Overall, Kolomatis has a nice blend of offensive and defensive talents which should make him a sought after player for colleges around the nation throughout the season.
Kolomatis should be heading to college hockey after the season, and he deserves the opportunity. Only time will tell if his career takes him above the college ranks.
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I watched Dan as a rookie struggle a bit as most will, but the kid came to play and had decent skills. As the year went on he improved big time. He earned more ice time and by the end of the year IMO was the Steel's best Dman.
ReplyDeleteAt 6ft he has room to fill out. He skates above average IMO and as the year went on with Poapst's coaching the kid became more aggressive and started skating the puck up showing the puck skills to do so. He looked to be a 4th forward when the opportunity was there as Poapst teaches, but seems to understand when to do so and when not to.
Defensively he takes real nice angles. He has a nice feel for pushing a guy to the outside and then has the feet to turn and not allow the skater to beat him wide. If the skater instead moves inside Dan knows to stand him up showing a good IQ.
No he's not the most physical player, but doesn't shy away. He's more of the new wave skilled puck moving Dmen. I will say he has a very accurate shot from the point. He keeps it nice and low, rarely above the goalies knee.
Unless Pete Hand really progresses, and he did last year big time, Kalomitas will be the best Steel Dman hands down.
i was on his high school hockey team, the Ridge Red Devils.
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