ANDREW CRISTALL

2025-06-29

Scout: Patrick Ploch

Skating:

Slightly below average. While he is somewhat lacking in pace, he has good edgework which he puts to good use in his lateral skating.

Passing/Handling:

Cristall has excellent passing and handling. He is adept at delaying his passes to the right moment and very skilled at handling the puck.

Shooting:

He has a plus shot. He has a good one timer. He has a quick release on his wrist shot and able to place it well.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Cristall has a very high hockey IQ. He often appears to be thinking a least one step ahead. He shows no sign of panic and has the vision to carry out what he anticipates.

Forechecking:

His high IQ allows him to be in the right place and use his stickwork to steal pucks in the zone.

Defense:

Cristall needs to work on his defensive involvement. It's still a shortcoming based on his inconsistency.

Best Asset:

He has several good assets but the best is his hockey IQ.

Biggest Concern:

We could consider his skating or his defense but at this point I think the defense is the biggest one.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Line 1 and PP1

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

While there are some questions about his ability to translate it, Cristall's high end offensive toolkit gives him a high likelihood of playing 1st or 2nd line and PP1.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Line 3 if he makes the NHL or a high end AHLer.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

If the skating and incomplete 200 ft game hold him back he could still adapt enough to be a good third liner or do really well in the AHL.

Stylistic Comparable:

Nikolaj Ehlers with lesser skating.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Games Scouted:

All 2024-2025 goals, two scouting reports and a few highlights

2024-08-09

Scout: Jeremy Vercillo

Skating:

Cristall isn't a burner, but he's good on his feet and above-average as a skater.

Passing/Handling:

While Cristall is more known for his shot, this is my favorite aspect of his game. He has great finesse with the puck and good one-touch passing. I think he'll succeed as either a finisher or a playmaker.

Shooting:

Cristall's shot is his biggest asset. He's got a lethal snap/wrist shot that's a danger from anywhere in the offensive zone.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Cristall's offensive poise and vision are great. He also anticipates plays well in the defensive zone, although sometimes that leads to him being out of position.

Forechecking:

Cristall could do to improve on his forechecking. He applies light pressure and often slows up and reaches with his stick instead of pushing plays to the boards. Hopefully he ends up on a line with better forecheckers.

Defense:

Cristall's defense is fine, although he definitely cheats towards the offensive zone at times.

Best Asset:

Most people would say his shot, but I actually like his handles/passing better. I think he'll end up more as the setup guy than the finisher on powerplays for example.

Biggest Concern:

He doesn't quite have a "complete" game yet. If he doesn't round that out he won't get 20+ minutes a night.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

75-80 point play-driving winger

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

If his offense cristall-izes (heh) he can be one of the more dynamic players from his draft class.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Third line+PP1 scoring depth guy

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

I do worry his game may not 100% translate to the NHL. If that happens he may just be a middle six guy.

Stylistic Comparable:

Jeff Skinner

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Being in a weak Washington system should help him develop quicker.

Games Scouted:

WHL playoffs