LW Adam Helewka (2015, 106th, SJS; traded to ARZ)

[R S]

I think the third time should be the charm for Helewka as he is entering his 3rd and final time being eligible for the NHL Draft as a 1995-born player. He deserves to have his name called and would be a good add for an NHL team looking for a versatile and skilled big body.

http://whl-from-above.blogspot.ca/2015/02/whl-offers-abundance-of-size-and-skill.html

Adam Helewka – LW – Spokane Chiefs – 6’1 – 202

Games: 55
Goals: 31
Assists: 34
Points: 65
Pts/Game: 1.18
PIM: 55

Helewka is one of two 1995-born players to crack this list and the only one to be going through the NHL Draft for a third time. But, the Chiefs veteran and alternate captain’s progression as a player is just too strong for me to ignore regarding my draft rankings. Like some of the others on this list Helewka isn’t a guy that runs around, smashes into bodies and drops the mitts. He’s just a big and strong kid who does a lot of little things well, showing steady growth in almost every way over the last calendar year or more. His speed isn’t outstanding but he possesses good power in his edges. He has good puck protection skill, 200 foot hockey sense, the ability to dish the puck and an absolute rocket of a shot. That hockey sense and shot have allowed him to score more than 30 goals already this year in 55 games, nearly matching the total of his first two WHL seasons combined (he had 33 goals in 122 regular season WHL games coming into this year). While his ceiling may not be as high as some other players in this draft, I see him as being a player worth drafting. He’s a kid that doesn’t cut any corners out on the ice and really drives play up the ice with his mature and ever-improving skillset. It’s hard to say if he will be drafted this year but I definitely wouldn’t be afraid to call his name in the 6th or 7th round if I were an NHL GM or head scout.

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[R S]

Ends the season as my 26th best WHL player for the 2015 NHL Draft.

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

#26 Adam Helewka**

Team: Spokane Chiefs
Position: LW
Shoots: L
Height: 6’1
Weight: 202
GP: 69
Goals: 44
Assists: 43
Points: 87
Pts/Gm: 1.26
PIM: 59

Player Analysis: Adam Helewka is a strong two-way forward and alternate captain for the Spokane Chiefs…is currently in his third year of NHL draft eligibility after being passed over in 2013 and 2014…his skating is strong and powerful, giving him the ability to fight through checks….doesn’t possess blazing speed but has some agility, making him a tough player to slow down off the rush…he is comfortable carrying the puck and making plays while skating near top speed…is strong on his feet and on his stick, protecting the puck well…owns an absolute cannon of a wrist shot along with a good release…understands shooting angles and lanes and is good at getting in a spot to fire the puck…has a hard one-timer and has the ability to get set up for it quickly…his wide variety of shooting traits allow him to be a threat from nearly anywhere in the offensive zone, evidenced by his 44 tallies on the year…passes the puck quickly, displaying sharp decision making processes…passes the puck very hard…can move the puck through the air or on the backhand, depending on how much time and space he is given offensively…plays in all situations including eating big minutes on the penalty kill…was a regular on the half-wall on the PP, making him a threat to both shoot and pass from that spot…displayed extremely good chemistry with 2017 NHL Draft prospect Kailer Yamamoto throughout the season the two were regulars together at even strength…would definitely describe him as a “pro style” forward due to his size, power, sense and skill…I see him as being extremely well-rounded with very few weaknesses to his game…doesn’t seem to cut any corners out on the ice…competes away from the puck…goes to tough areas on both sides of the biscuit…definitely feel as if he has the versatility to play a bottom 6 role at the next level and be a guy who will still chip in offence…is a bit of a late bloomer…was recognized as the Chiefs MVP for the 2014-15 season…was never drafted into the WHL…has gone from 27 to 50 to 87 points in each of his first three WHL seasons…has gone from 10 to 23 to 44 goals in each of his first three WHL seasons…attended prospect camp with the St. Louis Blues earlier in his junior career…overall I see Helewka as one of the best “overage” prospects from the WHL for the 2015 NHL Draft…he offers a pro-style of game and has shown continuous progression over time…I wouldn’t hesitate to pick him at any time beginning in about the 5th round but will remain intrigued to see if he goes in the draft given his 1995-born status…if he goes undrafted again he would be a good candidate to sign as a free agent after a development camp invite or following a big 20 year old season in the WHL…

 

[Sticktape]

Showing some steady progression in the AHL. I wonder if he earns himself a call up with the start he's having and some of the scoring woes the Coyotes are experiencing.