LD Keoni Texeira - Portland Winterhawks, WHL (2015 undrafted)

[S E P H]

Keoni Texeira, now he is a touchy subject concerning fans from the WHL. A little backstory, but he was a player that had a lot of hype coming out of California's Los Angeles Select Bantam program. Had good enough seasons to get drafted in the 2nd round in the WHL Bantam Draft, though statically speaking he has sort of failed to reach this hype, but is that really true?

Portland has always been a team that relies on their veterans over the rookies, only a handful of players like Seth Jones and a couple forwards, Bjorkstrand and Petan have been able to play top minutes as rookie or young skaters.

Texeira is still waiting to get his dues, he is the second youngest defenseman on this team and have been paired with Heinrich for majority of the season on the 2nd pair (also speaking, he gets less ice time than his defensive partner). But besides that, he rarely gets extra curricular activities like power play or penatly kill minutes. Winterhawks are relying on Cederholm and especially Viveiros (main PPQB) for powerplay, but they normally play four forwards; Petan, Bjorkstrand, De Leo, and Bittner/Schoenborn for majority of the two minutes. Texeira is the type of player that would need to get those minutes to get into the game.

When watching him play, you'll be surprised that he only has 18 points in 46 games, he has a very solid skill set to me. He is a very smooth skater, he is a good physical frame which helps during rushes', he has a good shot, plays a solid game at both ends of the ice, and reads the game at a fairly decent level. He rushes like Drew Doughty, but I would say he reminds me of Slava Voynov. I don't really see any weaknesses to his game to be fairly honest, except he might not be the smartest player like Ryan Murray or Morgan Rielly. But he most definitely far from the dumbest players I have ever seen in the WHL or even a drafted prospect as well. Hard to say how NHL teams view him as a viable prospect for the seven rounds of the draft, but if there was a bigger darkhorse prospect I have ever seen in the Dub, Texeira would be around tops in my list. I think a big reason why he has such low point total and isn't being talked about is because not being relied on enough in games. True it is hard to say he deserves power play time over the quality of the five players I mentioned earlier, but definitely deserves more than what he has been getting currently.

Do you guys' share this same opinion? Do you think I am right, wrong, or in between? What else would you like to add?

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[Skinnyjimmy08]

Honestly I expected him to be better in the games I have seen. I really didn't notice him much. I agree Portland rely's on their older guys a lot this year but I was hoping he would still have a better year. I think he will be a late bloomer and may have a better year next year

 

[R S]

He is definitely an interesting bit of a puzzle and unfortunately I've only seen him live once this year...but he had a strong game and his production has been decent this year as a 2nd pairing guy.

He skates well, likes to join the rush, moves the puck well, has a good shot. I think he has some pretty decent holes defensively in regards to some of his decision making and positioning, but I still don't mind his potential. I called him roughly a 5th rounder back in October but would probably soften on that a bit at this point. I still think he's probably worth drafting if a team is looking to have another puck mover with a decent frame in their system.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

He is definitely an interesting bit of a puzzle and unfortunately I've only seen him live once this year...but he had a strong game and his production has been decent this year as a 2nd pairing guy.

He skates well, likes to join the rush, moves the puck well, has a good shot. I think he has some pretty decent holes defensively in regards to some of his decision making and positioning, but I still don't mind his potential. I called him roughly a 5th rounder back in October but would probably soften on that a bit at this point. I still think he's probably worth drafting if a team is looking to have another puck mover with a decent frame in their system.

I agree... I would take him in the late rounds forsure. I think by the time he is 19, he will be putting up a lot of points.

 

[S E P H]

I agree Jimmy and RS that he probably deserves a later round selection, he could be the WHL's version of Nick Ebert IMO next year.

 

[DrJenniferHanson]

I agree Jimmy and RS that he probably deserves a later round selection, he could be the WHL's version of Nick Ebert IMO next year.

Exactly what I had in mind.

 

[arsmaster*]

I like Kevin Davis of Everett more. Looks to have a better skillset. If I was banking one of those guys to breakout next season, I'd be looking at Davis.

He was all over the ice through 2 periods last night, and while he's slight and not the best defender, he has a puck rushing skill set that seems very desired in today's NHL.

 

[R S]

I like Kevin Davis of Everett more. Looks to have a better skillset. If I was banking one of those guys to breakout next season, I'd be looking at Davis.

He was all over the ice through 2 periods last night, and while he's slight and not the best defender, he has a puck rushing skill set that seems very desired in today's NHL.

I really like the way Davis passes the puck. Smart, quick, efficient.

 

[R S]

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2015/05/final-whl-rankings-2015-nhl-draft.html

#41 Keoni Texeira

Team: Portland Winterhawks
Position: D
Shoots: L
Height: 5’11.75
Weight: 208
GP: 71
Goals: 8
Assists: 18
Points: 26
Pts/Gm: 0.36
PIM: 62

Player Analysis: Keoni Texeira is an up-tempo style defender for the Portland Winterhawks…is a strong skater with some nice jump in his step…has a nice and smooth stride and looks light on his feet…backpedals very well and uses sharp c-cuts to really drive his body around the ice on defence…his light-on-his-feet look allows him to change direction quickly and gives him an edge in transition play…handles the puck well and has confidence in his ability to both start and join the rush…his passes carry a lot of power and zip, stretching the ice when necessary…owns a solid shot both in the slap and wrist variety…has good mechanics and footwork when it comes to patrolling the line and preparing to shoot…will be a goal-scoring threat from the point at the next level…likes to get up the ice and help push the pace…that aggressive mindset does tend to hurt him on the defensive side of the puck at times if pucks get turned over during the Winterhawks’ transition…he’s also not always 100% aware or 100% committed to defending when in his own zone…both his gaps and stick work could be tighter…is a big thick body that can hit when he wants, but isn’t a guy that will go out of his way to lay someone out…at one point this year he spent nearly 50 consecutive games on a pairing with Blake Heinrich on the Winterhawks second defensive line…spent most of the season on the right side of his defensive pairing, even though he’s a lefty…was a regular powerplay contributor while also seeing spot duty on the penalty kill in my viewings…his 8 goals were good for 7th best among all first-year draft-eligible WHL defenders while he sat T-8th in total points relative to that same group of skaters…registered an even-strength PPG rate of 0.30, good enough for T-7th among all first-year draft-eligible WHL defencemen…was drafted in the 2nd round, 26th overall, in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft by the Portland Winterhawks…overall I see him having some solid two-way potential at the next level if he can continue to improve his strengths while upping his defensive intensity…I have him ranked as only a borderline draftable prospect for the 2015 NHL Draft but fully recognize that his skillset and ability to move the puck will intrigue plenty of teams in the final couple rounds of the draft…if he does go undrafted, I still think he has the ability and time to carve out a potential pro role for himself, if he chooses to work at it…