Q Which NHL player do you model your game after?
Tom Willander, D, Rogle (Sweden, J20): I really like how Miro Heiskanen plays. I feel like his two-way game is really good. Quite similar to me. He's a strong skater, and his transition game is super good. Not too flashy but very effective in the offensive zone.
Brandon Svoboda, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): Alex Tuch's a big one for me. He uses his size and skating ability to take the puck to the net. He's offensively gifted, he's very responsible in the D-zone, and his game's got an edge to it.
Maxim Strbak, D, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL): Mo Seider. He's more offensive, but there are some similarities between me and him. He's a very physical player, aggressive along the walls, retrieves the puck well, passes it well, and also contributes offensively.
Brady Cleveland, D, USNTDP: I like to watch a lot of Jaycob Megna on Seattle. He's a good comparison for me, just with his size and ability on the ice.
Caden Price, D, Kelowna Rockets (WHL): There's a lot of different guys I take things from. I'd say a guy like Thomas Chabot, a two-way, rangy defenseman who's leaned on by his team. He's a leader. He skates well. He's got good puck instincts.
Q If you could steal one trait from an active NHLer, what would it be?
Paul Fischer, D, USNTDP: (Rasmus) Dahlin's hands. He's got pretty silky mitts. They always help in tight-making plays.
Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL): Watching these playoffs, Radko Gudas. He's just been a prick. That's a big one for me. Just watching him and learning and seeing his mentality has opened my eyes.
Q Who's a teammate of yours in this draft class people should know about?
Gajan: Dalibor Dvorsky. He will be maybe top five, maybe top 10 in the draft. He's a great guy in the locker room, and everybody sees what he's doing on the ice, right? He's a great leader. Of course, he has great skating, great shot, but I think his hockey IQ is special. He thinks really fast and makes great decisions on the ice.
Svoboda: Jacob Fowler. A lot of people know about him. He won goalie of the year in the USHL. But I think he's the best goalie in the draft, and he proved in the playoffs why he should be first. He's a great guy, too - one of my best friends on the team.
Perreault: For our team, one guy I always try to say is Ryan Fine. He's not the biggest guy, but he's so skilled and so smart, and I was really happy for him when he got rewarded with a top-six role at (under-18) worlds.
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