C Berkly Catton - Spokane Chiefs, WHL (2024, 8th, SEA)

[MS]

Benson and Catton are not similar players. Jarvis is a bit like Benson, but really not many players are, he's a more unique player. Catton is a good one but his profile fits more neatly in the perimeter playmaker mold.

Catton literally led all WHL Cs in SOG this season.

I think he's a bit overrated on this board but the one x-factor thing he really has is that he's a high-volume shooter with a bit of a Bedard-esque release.

Kind of hard to get a good comp for him. The most recent comparables for undersized forwards are players like Caufield, Bedard, Perfetti, Nazar, and Benson. They all vary in skill-level, but they were all seen as high profile players. Bedard's a bit of an exception because he is so phenomenal. I'd say he kind of reminds me of Caufield mixed with Perfetti. Catton is a guy that will boost your top 6 with skill, but I'm not certain he's a game changer. More of an offense enhancer that likely ends up on the wing.

There are some others that got pushed back because of their size and were seen as perimeter players. We will likely see the same with Teddy Stiga this year as we did with Riley Heidt last year

This is probably pretty accurate. His size/skating/puck skills combination is pretty Perfetti-esque but with a superior shot and shooting mentality.

Some echoes of Nick Suzuki at that age as well but Suzuki is now listed at 212 lbs. and I don't think Catton will ever carry nearly that much weight on his frame.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Kind of hard to get a good comp for him. The most recent comparables for undersized forwards are players like Caufield, Bedard, Perfetti, Nazar, and Benson. They all vary in skill-level, but they were all seen as high profile players. Bedard's a bit of an exception because he is so phenomenal. I'd say he kind of reminds me of Caufield mixed with Perfetti. Catton is a guy that will boost your top 6 with skill, but I'm not certain he's a game changer. More of an offense enhancer that likely ends up on the wing.

There are some others that got pushed back because of their size and were seen as perimeter players. We will likely see the same with Teddy Stiga this year as we did with Riley Heidt last year

Cooley too is another.

Catton literally led all WHL Cs in SOG this season.

I think he's a bit overrated on this board but the one x-factor thing he really has is that he's a high-volume shooter with a bit of a Bedard-esque release.




This is probably pretty accurate. His size/skating/puck skills combination is pretty Perfetti-esque but with a superior shot and shooting mentality.

Some echoes of Nick Suzuki at that age as well but Suzuki is now listed at 212 lbs. and I don't think Catton will ever carry nearly that much weight on his frame.

Perfetti is a mediocre skater. Even if you don’t think Catton is a great skater, surely you have to admit there’s a gap in their skating.

 

[MS]

Perfetti is a mediocre skater. Even if you don’t think Catton is a great skater, surely you have to admit there’s a gap in their skating.

It's a bit better but it's always fascinating to see skating compared to junior players vs. compared to NHL players. Catton is probably a pretty average NHL skater if/when he makes it.

 

[NA Hockey]

Cooley too is another.


Perfetti is a mediocre skater. Even if you don’t think Catton is a great skater, surely you have to admit there’s a gap in their skating.

At the same age Catton is a faster skater for sure but his edges etc aren’t as good. I think they profile similarly but Perfetti has a higher hockey IQ and better playmaker while Catton is more of a shooter.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I love how he gets talked about like he's 5'9".

 

[57special]

Cooley too is another.


Perfetti is a mediocre skater. Even if you don’t think Catton is a great skater, surely you have to admit there’s a gap in their skating.

Absolutely, and Catton is already bigger. Catton and Perfetti might have some similarities in IQ and skills, but otherwise i just don't see them being similar. I've been saying this for months, but I think that Catton could be the next RNH. Really good skater, slight frame, average'ish size and strength at best, smart, skilled, but not amazingly so.

Whether Catton develops into more of an offense only, or two way player, will likely depend on which team drafts and develops him.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Absolutely, and Catton is already bigger. Catton and Perfetti might have some similarities in IQ and skills, but otherwise i just don't see them being similar. I've been saying this for months, but I think that Catton could be the next RNH. Really good skater, slight frame, average'ish size and strength at best, smart, skilled, but not amazingly so.

Whether Catton develops into more of an offense only, or two way player, will likely depend on which team drafts and develops him.

I see some of that. RNH is a little taller, but a slightly smaller RNH/Stuetzle hybrid makes some sense as a comparison. There’s no great current comparison though. Sometimes that’s going to be the case.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Catton is a very elegant skater with proper technique and agility, he won't have any problem adjusting to the NHL. Might even get better when he start putting on more muscle.

 

[McMozesmadness]

No Catton or Lindstrom at the u18

 

[Bubbles]

Damn, if Catton had hip issues it's a wonder what kind of season he would have had if he was 100% healthy.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Damn, if Catton had hip issues it's a wonder what kind of season he would have had if he was 100% healthy.

It makes a lot more sense why some later viewings had people saying he wasn't competitive or trying to get inside. His game always had those elements for me, but playing 30 minutes a night with a bad hip? Man.. that's an impressive year with those things.

 

[19Simon19]

Here's my Scouting Report on Berkly Catton.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

edit

 

[Rockomax]

I haven't seen the kid play at all; I'm trying to read from people who have though. I read an article about potential targets with the Habs pick yesterday and the piece about him made me think of Mitch Marner. Any similarities in their respective game? This question probably betrays my lack of knowledge of Berkly Catton, but I thought someone could give me their impression on what kind of player he resembles playwise.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

I haven't seen the kid play at all; I'm trying to read from people who have though. I read an article about potential targets with the Habs pick yesterday and the piece about him made me think of Mitch Marner. Any similarities in their respective game? This question probably betrays my lack of knowledge of Berkly Catton, but I thought someone could give me their impression on what kind of player he resembles playwise.

Catton is a lot more willing to shoot first and attacks the middle quite a bit more. Marner is better defensively and a better skater.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It's a bit better but it's always fascinating to see skating compared to junior players vs. compared to NHL players. Catton is probably a pretty average NHL skater if/when he makes it.

Agreed. Many fans get attached to how they look in the CHL but the whole thing changes after they turn pro. Even some of the good skaters struggle with the time/space. All it takes sometimes is to get your bell rung once and then you are playing with more to think about.

AHL/NHL is tough.

Every once in a while someone comes along and turns pro and doesn't skip a beat. They shine right away. But those are few and far in-between. So yeah, is Catton one of them?

 

[Gil Gunderson]

This year's Benson?

 

[Chainshot]

This year's Benson?

It would be amusing if he falls to 11 and Buffalo takes him too.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He’s a much better skater than people credit him for being sometimes.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Catton is a lot more willing to shoot first and attacks the middle quite a bit more. Marner is better defensively and a better skater.

I would also say Marner displayed higher skill at the same age.

 

[57special]

Marner was a bit better at the same age, but it's a pretty good comp.

 

[wetcoast]

This year's Benson?

Probably Benson plus as he can stay at center and will almost certainly become more prolific offensively but if you mean by dropping them some team is hitting a home run.

 

[majormajor]

Probably Benson plus as he can stay at center and will almost certainly become more prolific offensively but if you mean by dropping them some team is hitting a home run.

The skillset is so different from Benson - Catton is a much better skater and handler but not half the player Benson is without the puck. That and Catton is unlikely to stay at center.

 

[Riggins]

If you're wondering why Catton will slide to around #10-15 this is how slight his frame is (image pulled from a Spokane Chiefs youtube video earlier in the year):

At least he's displaying how he's trying to pack on some pounds.

There are scrawny skilled guys who make it and he's just a kid, but a team that already has size in the top 6 would be a good landing spot for Catton.

 

[Mathieukferland]

If you're wondering why Catton will slide to around #10-15 this is how slight his frame is (image pulled from a Spokane Chiefs youtube video earlier in the year):

View attachment 867332

At least he's displaying how he's trying to pack on some pounds.

There are scrawny skilled guys who make it and he's just a kid, but a team that already has size in the top 6 would be a good landing spot for Catton.

Minus points for the dirty bulk; plus points for the patriotism