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Prospect Info: 2023 5th Rd Selection - #153 OA - C, Hudson Malinoski [Brooks Bandits, AJHL; 6'1", 174lb]

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Hudson Malinoski is a forward with a smooth skating stride and a lot of skill with the puck, especially in transition. Malinoski went undrafted last year in his first year of NHL Draft eligibility after spending the year with the Saskatoon Blazers of the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League U18 (SMAAAHL). It’s common for prospects to spend time in league’s like the SMAAAHL, though usually they move onto the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) for their draft year.

Malinoski joined the juggernaut Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) this year as a stepping stone to the NCAA, and that proved to be an excellent decision. His new team, paired with a multi-inch growth spurt, helped Malinoski garner much more draft attention this year than ever before. Malinoski quickly went from undersized to 6-foot-1, a much more projectible frame for NHL teams looking for forwards.

Skating is the name of the game for Malinoski, whose powerful skating stride is complemented by good skating mechanics to make him one of the quickest and most agile players in the AJHL this year. He also has good skill with the puck, making moves around and through defenders on the rush . One area of the game that Malinoski could stand to improve is his defensive game, especially if he wants to stick at center in pro hockey someday. He could be more physical defensively, though I wonder if he’s still getting used to his larger frame and that will come more naturally over time.

After scoring 60 points in 43 games in the 2021-22 season with the Blazers, Malinoski scored an impressive 69 points in 44 games against tougher competition with the Bandits this year. That was good enough for 11th in league-wide scoring and tied him for third in the league in points-per-game. Malinoski was also a massive part of the Bandits’ Centennial Cup victory as the top Junior A team in Canada. He was near the top of the tournament in goals (3rd), assists (2nd) and points (2nd), with two of his goals coming in the championship match.
 
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Big time project pick. Seems like a non traditional development path for him. Scouts must see something in his skill set and possible upside
 

Comeback Kid: Hudson Malinoski's hockey journey paying off after early detour, accident scare​

“It’s been a crazy roller coaster, with a lot of adversity along the way.”

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Just a few years ago Hudson Malinoski's hockey career was in peril after a near-tragic fall off the roof of his house. Now, the Saskatoon Blazers captain has secured a NCAA Division One commitment.

One bad fall from the roof of the family home went from a near-tragedy to a remarkable hockey journey for Hudson Malinoski.

Malinoski, then a thrill-seeking teenager, was shovelling snow off the roof to make a gnarly snowboard jump for himself and his friend, Cole Barry. Malinoski slipped and fell hard from a 10-to-12-foot perch. He was taken to the emergency ward at a Saskatoon hospital. The initial diagnosis was a concussion, but it turned out to be much more.

Malinoski was left with a torn vertebral artery, which is located in the neck and supplies blood to the brain. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever play hockey again. If left untreated, this condition could cause a stroke or aneurysm.

“So that’s kind of where the whole journey started, right there,” recalls Malinoski, a graduating captain of the Saskatoon Blazers AAA under-18 squad who is set to embark on a junior A hockey career with the Centennial Cup national champion Brooks Bandits next season.

Malinoski is also committed to a hockey scholarship at Providence College on Rhode Island, but, back in 2017, his hockey dreams appeared to be in great jeopardy.
 
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A pick at this range is always going to be a project in some form.

He's going to Providence - a D 1 NCAA team next year, so he'll be in a good program
 
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Know nothing of the player other than he played for an absolute powerhouse of a team this year, the Brooks Bandits.

Interesting to see how he does next year at the NCAA level.

Going from Midget to the AJ to the NCAA all in 2 years is certainly quite the leap.
 
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Speed and decent size and in an extended development environment with extended control.
That profile sounds pretty good.
 
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NHL Draft Profile: Hudson Malinoski “Comeback King”​


A couple of years ago he was fighting for his life in the ER after jumping from a roof. Thankfully, he made a full recovery and returned to playing hockey. Let’s take a look at how Center Hudson Malinoski could fit on this Dallas Stars roster down the road.

2023 NHL Draft Profile Hudson Malinoski: Junior Hockey

Malinoski had a remarkable season in the SMAAAHL in 2021-22 with the Saskatoon Blazers where he tallied 31 goals and 29 assists. He also played with the Brooks Bandits during the 2022-23 season. He finished the season with 16 goals and 53 assists. He helped the Bandits this season win back-to-back Centennial Cups. I know he didn’t play in the big junior leagues like the WHL but he did demonstrate that he could possibly play in the NHL.

 
Fogelhund said:
Exactly. Some people need to read why. Had a very late growth spurt, late maturing kid. It’s a 5th round and he’ll be in college for 2-3 years maturing.
Click to expand...


U14 Bantam AA (missed most of season to injury)
U15 Bantam AA
U16 Midget AA (5'5 120)
U17 Midget AAA (but mainly lost to COVID)
U18 Midget AAA (dominant)
U19 AJHL (6'1 174)
U20 NCAA Div 1

Big time physical growth curve, big time development curve. Freshman year could be telling.

Would be awesome if he were a one and done like Montour/Bozak/MccAllister
 
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KeziaTML said:
An over ager in a low tier league. Exciting.
Click to expand...

The BCHL is not a low tier league. It’s probably considered the best league to be in before the NCAA. They are even going independent now so they will rival the USHL and will see an influx of players be able to play there now.

EDIT* sorry he played in the AJHL (still a good breeding ground for NCAA players)
 
Interesting. I will trust the scouting staff. Realistically, the kid's development path means he's 2-4 years away from even seeing the Marlies. You have to trust that people who are paid to scout players see a player who, when put on that development path, will excel over his peers. To complain about a pick like this is a bit ridiculous, to be honest.

Also: This is a player who scores twice in a championship do or die game. I'm no expert but I think we could use players like that.

 
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