Podcast (Audio) Draft Evaluation: Hampton Slukynsky w/ Yannetti, Wheeler, Hardwick

[All The Kings Men]

The LA Kings selected goaltender Hampton Slukynsky in the 4th round (118th overall) of the 2023 Entry Draft. Slukynsky spent the 2022-23 season, his senior year, with Warroad High in Minnesota. Jay Hardwick, head coach of Warroad High, joined host Jesse Cohen to discuss his work with Slukynsky over his high school career. LA Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti discusses the Kings thought process behind the pick and finally Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) gives Jesse and Zach Dooley his personal scouting report on the young netminder.

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[King'sPawn]

The LA Kings selected goaltender Hampton Slukynsky in the 4th round (118th overall) of the 2023 Entry Draft. Slukynsky spent the 2022-23 season, his senior year, with Warroad High in Minnesota. Jay Hardwick, head coach of Warroad High, joined host Jesse Cohen to discuss his work with Slukynsky over his high school career. LA Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti discusses the Kings thought process behind the pick and finally Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) gives Jesse and Zach Dooley his personal scouting report on the young netminder.

Good listen so far, I'm sure it will be as great as the rest. Thank you for doing these. It's sometimes tough to hear coaches, because they have a tendency to pump their own players, but he seems very genuine in his praise in Slukynsky's focus, humility, and maturity.

 

[All The Kings Men]

It's sometimes tough to hear coaches, because they have a tendency to pump their own players

That's why I wanted to have three voices per prospect.

One guy that's just going to be totally biased (from the players last team)
One guy that's biased but will explain the bias (Yannetti)
One guy with no obvious bias (everybody has SOME bias) in Wheeler

Hopefully the truth can be triangulated from the three perspectives.

The gap in consensus is more obvious in the Dvorak episode but we saved that one for last.

 

[King'sPawn]

That's why I wanted to have three voices per prospect.

One guy that's just going to be totally biased (from the players last team)
One guy that's biased but will explain the bias (Yannetti)
One guy with no obvious bias (everybody has SOME bias) in Wheeler

Hopefully the truth can be triangulated from the three perspectives.

The gap in consensus is more obvious in the Dvorak episode but we saved that one for last.

Completely understandable and appreciated. I had only heard Jay Hardwick at the time of the posting so was focusing more on that, but you do a very good job bridging the three perspectives.

 

[johnjm22]

NAME	GP	GAA	W	L	T	SO	SV%
Slukynsky	10​	1.53​	9​	0​	0​	3​	0.927​
Castro	10​	2.24​	7​	2​	1​	1​	0.892​

He's dominating.

And it's not just because he plays on the best team. Fargo's other goalie Castro is in his 3rd USHL season and is 20 years old. Slukynsky is an 18 year old rookie.

 

[All The Kings Men]

That's why I wanted to have three voices per prospect.

One guy that's just going to be totally biased (from the players last team)
One guy that's biased but will explain the bias (Yannetti)
One guy with no obvious bias (everybody has SOME bias) in Wheeler

Hopefully the truth can be triangulated from the three perspectives.

The gap in consensus is more obvious in the Dvorak episode but we saved that one for last.

Why is this comment suddenly getting likes? Or am I just now getting the notifications?

What is happening?

 

[King'sPawn]

Why is this comment suddenly getting likes? Or am I just now getting the notifications?

What is happening?

We just started liking you.

 

[Maynard]

We just started liking you.

I’m still on the fence.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Slukynsky is leading the USHL in SV%, outpacing Adam Gajan (birthyear older, Chicago 2023 2nd) by a wide margin. You always wonder with these MN HS guys if they will be able to be productive junior players, let alone NCAA players, but a great start for Slukynsky

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Slukynsky has decommitted from Northern Michigan as that program is in turmoil. Expect to see him at one of the Minnesota schools or North Dakota.

 

[tigermask48]

Slukynsky has decommitted from Northern Michigan as that program is in turmoil. Expect to see him at one of the Minnesota schools or North Dakota.

I hope so. Either of those schools are likely a better fit for him as UNM had/has a glut of decent young goalies. NCAA route would be perfect for him to get playing time and marinate for a couple of years.

Really hoping the Kings don't try to fast track him and put him the ECHL next year.

 

[All The Kings Men]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1800687375573729526

 

[Herby]

Slukynsky has decommitted from Northern Michigan as that program is in turmoil. Expect to see him at one of the Minnesota schools or North Dakota.

I was thinking this was going to be a possibility even before Potulny left. With the season he just had, he could go to any school he wants, and then when the coaching staff left...

I would maybe pump the breaks just a bit, at least for a couple of months, because the USHL/NCAA filter can be drastic for some guys, but the Kings have to be ecstatic with the year he had in the USHL.

Hopefully Blake isn't going to try and sign him.

 

[johnjm22]

His brother Grant is also transferring.

It seemed like the reason he committed to NMU in the first place was to follow his bro.

 

[Surf Nutz]

His brother Grant is also transferring.

It seemed like the reason he committed to NMU in the first place was to follow his bro.

"Don't tase me bro!"

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1803533498625446363

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Good interview on KOTP. Interested to follow his progress at Western Michigan, as an outside observer

 

[kinghock]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1803533498625446363

He sounds very smart and very mature.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Believe starter Cameron Rowe is returning to Western Michigan for his fifth college season.

And in his interview yesterday the Kings' director of amateur scouting said it is likely Carter George arrives at the pro level before Hampton does.

Should allow him to reach his full potential.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

5 GP: .949 SV% in the NCAA. Elite so far

 

[David Lunch]

5 GP: .949 SV% in the NCAA. Elite so far

George is awesome and I think he’s deserving of his recent time in the prospect spotlight, but I really think this Slukynsky kid is really special, potentially Quick-like mental resiliency and focus.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

George is awesome and I think he’s deserving of his recent time in the prospect spotlight, but I really think this Slukynsky kid is really special, potentially Quick-like mental resiliency and focus.

Not saying that Slukynsky and George will be the new Quick & Jones or Quick & Bernier, but there's potential for a nice tandem in 4-5 years. Both have higher ceilings than Portillo IMHO.

 

[Lt Dan]

Not saying that Slukynsky and George will be the new Quick & Jones or Quick & Bernier, but there's potential for a nice tandem in 4-5 years. Both have higher ceilings than Portillo IMHO.

It's a good problem to have

 

[Schrute farms]

I'll settle for George and Slukynsky being the next Quick & Patrick Roy