C Anthony "AJ" Spellacy - Windsor Spitfires, OHL (2024, 72nd, CHI)

[clevelandcane]

I'm loving the comments. I just don't see kids from my area taking the path Spellacy is taking. I hope he starts to produce sooner than later.

 

[LeProspector]

He cannot think the game. If he could at an average level he’d be like Cayden Lindstrom.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

He has terrible counting stats this season and he plays on a terrible Windsor team. He has flaws to his game no doubt but I think NHL teams have time for one of the fastest kids in the draft class, who happens to have a great compete level and is physical. I think he’ll be selected at some point.

I think there is a chance Spellacy carves a bottom-6 energy role in the NHL. Stats don’t tell the whole story here.

Sounds like a more physical Eric Robinson, right down to the "terrible team" part.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Sounds like a more physical Eric Robinson, right down to the "terrible team" part.

I really like this comparison.

 

[Mikey09]

I don't think he's a draft pick, but maybe someone takes him in the 6th or 7th as a flier because they like the profile to turn into a grinding type of winger.

Well, i think he is not going to be there when 5th round will start, someone will take him in rounds 2-3-4. He is easily projectable with high floor as a fast, hard nosed, physical 4th line winger at least

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Well, i think he is not going to be there when 5th round will start, someone will take him in rounds 2-3-4. He is easily projectable with high floor as a fast, hard nosed, physical 4th line winger at least

Can you really be drafted out of junior as a forward scoring less than .5PPG?

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Can you really be drafted out of junior as a forward scoring less than .5PPG?

Remi Elie and Josh Anderson were both below 0.5 PPG and Andreas Athanasiou was just above, all drafted in 2012. All had speed, just like Spellacy. Anderson is definitely a bit tougher than Spellacy, but Spellacy does bring the football mentality to the ice, so there are some intangibles as well.

EDIT: Elie was drafted in 2013 but was a major reach regardless

 

[Hockeyville USA]

10 points in his last 13 games. He's finally starting to get it going.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Windsor got rocked last night. Spellacy had the only goal, and it was shorthanded. His blazing speed is a fun thing to bet on once you get to the 4th round and later.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Windsor got rocked last night. Spellacy had the only goal, and it was shorthanded. His blazing speed is a fun thing to bet on once you get to the 4th round and later.

Only has 19 goals and 89 shots this season but sits tied in third for short handed goals scored in the OHL with 5. That’s 25% of his goals scored.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

25 points in his last 34 games after just 13 points in his first 33 games.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Once we get to the 4th round, presuming all the good first year draft eligibles are off the board, I start really thinking about taking Spellacy because the frame, toughness, and speed are there.

I'm not saying he's going to pop off next year like Labanc did post draft in the O, but there's a good amount to work with.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1798470540606247377

 

[neelynugs]

i think AJ will go higher than most people expect. he looks like a guy that will be really useful in the playoffs.
big fan of his game.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Absolutely destroyed the combine, no surprise there. Moving his name into 3rd round consideration

 

[Castle8130]

I know his end of the year stats have already been mentioned, but I found it interesting that he had 17 points in his last 19 games on a terrible team. He started the season with 0 points in his first 11 games. It will be interesting to see where he goes. To a lesser extent he has showcased a strong end of the year play like Sennecke

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I know his end of the year stats have already been mentioned, but I found it interesting that he had 17 points in his last 19 games on a terrible team. He started the season with 0 points in his first 11 games. It will be interesting to see where he goes. To a lesser extent he has showcased a strong end of the year play like Sennecke

His strong end to the year, the elite combine performance/athleticism/speed, and fact that he hasn't played and trained for hockey full time for very long could mean he gets picked earlier than many expect.

 

[saintunspecified]

Never a bad risk to pick an elite athlete in the 3rd-5th round. You might end up with Gauthier, or you might end up with Chimera or Grabner. Highlights definitely put Chimera in mind, who was similarly extremely raw as a young player.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I just watched Spellacy's highlights that Mitch Brown tweeted, insane speed. Absolute burner

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Miles Wood.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Would love to see him invited to the World Junior Summer Showcase next month.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

His strong end to the year, the elite combine performance/athleticism/speed, and fact that he hasn't played and trained for hockey full time for very long could mean he gets picked earlier than many expect.

I don’t think he’s there at 50. End of RD1 wouldn’t shock me. We will see though.

 

[Gulf Coast Pucks]

Watch Nashville or Dallas

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Interested to see where he goes and who takes him. Could go anywhere from 45 to 120.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I don’t think he’s there at 50. End of RD1 wouldn’t shock me. We will see though.

Who knows, could even get the Senyshyn/Foudy treatment