PPG player since being called up to the USHL. Any scouting report on him?
C Blake Zielinski - Des Moines Bucaneers, USHL (2026 Draft)
- Thread starter Ovechkin962
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PPG player since being called up to the USHL. Any scouting report on him?
Pavel Buchnevich
Pavel Buchnevich "The Fake"
I don't get what the strategy of the USHL with some of these players is.
So he's able to score 1PPG from the jump, but he wasn't good enough to make the roster from the first game of the season?
That would suggest a failure in talent ID.
So he's able to score 1PPG from the jump, but he wasn't good enough to make the roster from the first game of the season?
That would suggest a failure in talent ID.
Dux917
Registered User
- Feb 22, 2018
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"Blake Zielinski is a highly skilled forward with quick, soft hands. He has the ability to make something out of nothing on almost every shift. He is noticeable even when he doesn’t appear on the score sheet and is constantly involved in the play. He has a strong ability to catch passes and transitions the puck from his skate to his stick with ease. Blake is a smart hockey player who can dominate the play and find creative ways to generate offense"
William H Bonney
Registered User
The USHL has over indexed on being a preparatory path for overage college freshman rather than being a talent developmental league. If they don't adjust soon, they'll be hard pressed to stave off league contraction.
NTDP
Registered User
Saw this last week and since I'm at my laptop thought I'd share what I wrote about him in the fall playing midget. Just copied straight from my notes.
USHL Fall Classic
97 Blake Zielinski (08) (2026) – Vs Cleveland Barons – Plays with speed and purpose. Took great feed from LoSauro in the slot to score on a good wrister. Can make quick decisions and passes when he gets the puck.
Eastern Alliance Kickoff
97 Blake Zielinski (08) (2026) – Vs Neponset Valley River Rats – This kid was dynamite. Able to make plays all over the ice and a threat to score or pass. Took a hard feed on the backhand coming over the line and popped it far side top shelf off the bar and in. Has a rocket of a shot. Got on the forecheck, knocked guy down to win puck and sent centering feed to Ferentino to bury one timer.
He’s doing great in the ushl so far this year . USHL needs to play younger stars like him or they will head to the CHL . I don’t think he was he wasn’t even invited to Ntdp camp which is a head scratcher and question evaluation - bias to mid west kids .
The kid is a stud. He decided to stay local rather than play for some of the powerhouse youth programs and hockey academies. There’s a reason why the NTDP is weak at 07/08. They pass up many kids like this.
Pavel Buchnevich
Pavel Buchnevich "The Fake"
Spot on. His skating is not a thing of beauty but it is effective and is an area in need of improvement. I too think he coasts out there at times and have watched with folks who have questioned his compete level. He’s still adjusting to a huge jump in level. He was called up mid season from his youth team. He’s an alpha and when he wants to can completely takeover a game. I expect to see more of that next year when he’s acclimated.
Dux917
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- Feb 22, 2018
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