RD Max Iafrate - Kitchener Rangers, OHL (2012 undrafted)
- Thread starter hawksfan50
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Rabid Ranger
2 is better than one
I think he should get a little more consideration as well. He's one of my darkhorse invites for the U.S. WJC Evaluation Camp in December.
There are a dozen or more much safer picks on the D end in the draft. Being so deep in D, no one wants to take a risk. He may skate well, but not as well as the other dozen. His point total is lower. His D is still suspect. If not for his last name, he would be considered a marginal talent.
But he will get drafted, and after that its entirely up to him to prove himself. He will get his shot.
Tim Wallach
Registered User
Max has been improving steadily this year. In his first 5 or 6 games I started to wonder why he was a 1st round pick of the OHL as he appeared to have little hockey sense, have frequent positioning day dreams and take way too many stupid penalties.
Since then, he has gotten better each game. He is a solid frame who skates very well and is starting to get his shot on net, which will lead to offence. He's keeping it simpler and not making the risky rushes and plays. And despite the odd gaffe, he is much better positionally.
If he continues at this pace, he won't fall too far in the draft. He has no big weakness anymore, but a lot of attractive tools to work with.
Since then, he has gotten better each game. He is a solid frame who skates very well and is starting to get his shot on net, which will lead to offence. He's keeping it simpler and not making the risky rushes and plays. And despite the odd gaffe, he is much better positionally.
If he continues at this pace, he won't fall too far in the draft. He has no big weakness anymore, but a lot of attractive tools to work with.
Disclaimer: I have never been a fan of this kid's game going back to when he played Summer hockey with the Michigan Batallion.
Apparently, Spotter has successfully downsized this player's game to a stay at home keep the net clear, get the puck up the boards TRUE stay at home defenseman. For far too long, coaches tried to make this player out to be his father. He just does not have the hands or shot or offensive sense that his father had.
Spotter also has teamed him with seasoned players who do have offensive skills and thus removes any pressure young Max might have when it comes to that aspect of the game.
You can't make a plow horse a thoroughbred nor a thoroughbred a plow horse.
That all said, when it comes to D and the first round, it's rare that a one-dimensional D is going to be a Top pick. There are exceptions but in this draft with an exceptional number of D with two way game, it's not that hard of an exercise to figure out why he's off Top 30 radar.
Given the nature of this draft, I get the feeling that a lot of one dimensional dmen (or at least not as polished 2 way dmen) will fall far lower than their performances indicate that they should. A few fanbases are going to be extremely happy past the 4th round picking up players with real offensive potential - Iafrate, Fournier, Steele, Hache, Blujus, Culkin, Sidlik, Graham - or safer stay-at-home guys - Gudbranson, Leclerc, McIvor, Pelech, Carrick.
The vast selection pool means that some of them are inevitably going to drop. It doesn't mean they arn't good prospects.
The vast selection pool means that some of them are inevitably going to drop. It doesn't mean they arn't good prospects.
Last edited:
kuick
Tatar Sauce
Seems to happen with every Whaler recently. Noesen, Rakell, Wilson off the top of my head. They start off in such limited roles and literally earn their way up to high status and carry the team.
Max was dealt with the same way. His minutes were VERY limited, for reasons I couldn't understand. He wasn't outstanding but played very well for a 16 year old and it wasn't hard to see he was capable of more. Unfortunate he was traded to Kitchener. Could have been big for Plymouth.
Tim Wallach summed up his play pretty well, and he keeps slowly improving every game. Seems like a late bloomer type. If he finishes strong he could sneak into the first round.
Max was dealt with the same way. His minutes were VERY limited, for reasons I couldn't understand. He wasn't outstanding but played very well for a 16 year old and it wasn't hard to see he was capable of more. Unfortunate he was traded to Kitchener. Could have been big for Plymouth.
Tim Wallach summed up his play pretty well, and he keeps slowly improving every game. Seems like a late bloomer type. If he finishes strong he could sneak into the first round.
Max Iafrate (Kitchener Rangers, OHL)
This article is from about a month ago. Thought some of you may want to read it. Discuss it. Let me know where you see fit for Max.
http://overtimesportsnation.com/max-iafrate/
This article is from about a month ago. Thought some of you may want to read it. Discuss it. Let me know where you see fit for Max.
http://overtimesportsnation.com/max-iafrate/
A lot of hype before the draft and doesn't even get drafted. Was heralded coming into OHL as an offensive player.
Tim Wallach
Registered User
Hosed by the team's horrible developmental track record and his own mental inconsistency.
Terrific talent and physical package. With a DeBoer or Hunter, he would be a top-3 D-man in the league right now - consistently.
Terrific talent and physical package. With a DeBoer or Hunter, he would be a top-3 D-man in the league right now - consistently.
Hows his slapper?
Unreal.
One of if not the hardest in the OHL
He had no accuracy before. Now, its a lot better!
Tim Wallach
Registered User
Hows his slapper?
It's exceptionally hard but he continues to work on accuracy. Misses wide a lot, but keeps it low.
I'd say he is by far the most physical, fastest skating, best shooting defender on Kitchener. Therefore, the coach chooses not to use him on the PP much of the season in favour of Junior C calibre Schmidt and Welsh. (But that's a different story).
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