GRACYN SAWCHYN

2024-07-12

Scout: Patrick Ploch

Skating:

Average to Above average. While he isn't the fastest, he has a smooth skating stride. Pretty good in his turns and pivots as well as lateral movement.

Passing/Handling:

Overall, these are Sawchyn's best skills. He is adept at making touch passes and pinpoint passes to open teammates. His stickhandling is a plus skill but there are times when it is a little loose and the puck gets away from him.

Shooting:

Sawchyn is more of a playmaker than a shooter but when he gets the chance he is able to place his shots well and beat goaltenders. Sometimes it is a high shot but other times it is five hole or via a wrap around.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Sawchyn's vision and anticipation are decent. There are times when he will read the play but others when he tries to skate his way through the other team without a plan. He does well keeping calm when under pressure can still make plays.

Forechecking:

There are times when he gets active on the forecheck but more often than not his wingers are in on the forecheck and he will wait until a puck comes loose.

Defense:

As a center, he lives up to his defensive responsibilities. He is aware when he needs to get back on defense and is the first forward back. He will go down behind the net to support the defensemen and strip the puck from the other team.

Best Asset:

His biggest asset are his hands and playmaking skills.

Biggest Concern:

I have a couple of concerns but my biggest is that I worry if his hockey IQ is good enough. On the rush, I saw multiple times where he skated right into the other team without seeming to have a plan. In the O zone, his positioning was good but often he didn't seem to have a plan.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

I think his top line potential is a second line center or winger.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

He has enough skill between his skating, stickhandling, passing and hands that if he can continue to improve those skills and improve his vision that he can facilitate scoring and help on defense.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

I think it more likely that he will top out at a third line center or winger.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

If he makes the NHL it will be because of his playmaking but I think the lack higher end IQ along with other skills not being higher end that he will be limited to third line.

Stylistic Comparable:

Tomas Plekanec

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Overall, he looked to me like a good but not really good or great player. In his D+1 year he only slightly increased his point pace.

Games Scouted:

10/20/2023 Seattle Thunderbirds v Calgary Hitmen, 01/05/2024 Edmonton Oil Kings v Kelowna Rockets, 03/17/2024 Edmonton Oil Kings v Swift Current Broncos, All goals