LD Gabriel Eliasson - Barrie Colts, OHL (2024, 39th, OTT)

[Hockeyville USA]

Anyone have an update on how he plays with the puck? How are his 1v1 defensive skills looking in the O?

 

[PensFan101]

Anyone have an update on how he plays with the puck? How are his 1v1 defensive skills looking in the O?

Been able to watch him a couple times as Owen Sound and Barrie play often - although he was (I think) healthy scratched the last time the Colts rolled into town two weeks ago - and he is exactly as advertised. He's huge, he's violent (and he was especially violent at the start of the season which earned him a ride on the bench), he's technically pretty limited, and his biggest redeeming quality is he's a decent skater for his size. Kudos to the Barrie coaches for reigning him in a bit this season.

I think what saves him as an NHL prospect right now is that Sweden can't seem to produce bad skaters, and that gives him an advantage over almost any other 6'7 skater I've seen. The problem is that's where the positives end for me, though I'm sure in a few years we'll be talking about this kid blowing guys up in the NHL and not doing much else.

For contrast, the Colts have a far more exciting, entertaining, and tough player in Aitcheson who brings all of the punishing physicality you'd want in a defender but with oodles of skill and the ability to affect the game at all times and at both ends of the ice.