RYAN UFKO

2025-05-24

Scout: Chris Collier

Skating:

Good

Positives

+ Smooth, efficient skater with strong four-way mobility.

+ Excellent edgework and lateral agility.

+ Quick acceleration aids in transition and gap control.

Negatives

- Slow to transition from backward to forward skating when beaten 1-on-1.

- Lacks elite top-end speed

Passing/Handling:

Great

Positives

+ High-end vision; executes stretch passes and breaks pressure effectively.

+ Soft hands and poise under duress; excels as a power-play distributor.

+ Great puck-moving ability with crisp, accurate passes.

+ Excellent puck-handling at full speed; likes to curl around the net for wraparound attempts or slot passes.

Negatives

- Forces high-risk passes in traffic too often.

Shooting:

Average

Positives

+ Quick, accurate wrist shot with a good release.

+ Effective at getting pucks through traffic from the point; specializes in top-corner shots.

Negatives

- Not an elite shooter; lacks a true bomb of a slap shot.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Great

Positives

+ Reads plays at an advanced level.

+ Anticipates developing threats well in all three zones.

+ Rarely panics; maintains composure under pressure.

+ Excels in controlled breakouts and can stickhandle into controlled zone entries when given the opportunity.

Negatives

- Occasionally overhandles the puck, leading to turnovers.

Forechecking:

Defense:

Below Average

Positives

+ Active stick disrupts passing lanes.

+ Strong stick positioning and gap control.

+ Reads plays well, breaking up cycles with anticipation.

Negatives

- Gets beaten too often in 1-on-1 situations.

- Can be outmuscled by bigger forwards in board battles.

- Net-front coverage needs improvement; too many goals conceded due to lack of engagement.

Best Asset:

Vision/ Puck-moving

Ufko’s vision, poise, and distribution make him a dynamic transition defenseman.

Biggest Concern:

Defense/ Size

Struggles against heavier forwards and may need to add strength to handle NHL competition. While his defense isn’t horrific, his mistakes and deficiencies will be exploited by strong NHL teams.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Tier 2 | Top 4 Offensive Defenseman | PP1 QB | 10g-40a | Low Bash

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

His excellent vision, passing, and transitional play give him top 4 upside. If he adds strength and refines his defensive game, he could thrive as a second-pairing staple with power-play duties.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Tier 3 | Bottom 4 Offensive Defensemen | PP Specialist | 5g-30a |Low BASH

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

If defensive limitations persist, he could still carve out a role as a sheltered puck-mover and power-play contributor but may struggle for consistent even-strength ice time.

Stylistic Comparable:

Samuel Girard

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Ufko projects as a high-IQ, transitional defenseman who will thrive on an NHL powerplay. His lack of BASH upside may cap his ceiling, but his offensive instincts and playmaking ability give him a strong chance to be an NHL regular.

Games Scouted:

2025 AHL Season

2024-06-19

Scout: Patrick Ploch

Skating:

Ufko's skating should be considered average to above average. It doesn't stand out as spectacular, but it isn't a hindrance. When defending, he skates backwards well but occasionally a forward will blow by him.

Passing/Handling:

He is an excellent passer and handler. Rarely does he make an unwise pass or one that is off the mark. When manning the point on the PP he quickly and decisively distributes the puck to teammates. From the defensive zone, feeds it to his defensive partner or facilitates the breakout.

Shooting:

Overall, Ufko is more of a distributor than a shooter. However, his point shots on the power play could use some work as they often missed the net.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Ufko has developed his hockey IQ into a strength. He uses his foresight to aid his defense activate on offense when the situation calls for it. He is rarely caught out of position on defense as a result.

Forechecking:

When the opportunity is, Ufko will venture deep into the zone to keep a puck in and keep the attack going.

Defense:

He uses multiple techniques to limit attackers. On the rush, he limits opposing players time and space. He will close the gap and find an opportunity to poke the puck away or take it away and send it on to a teammate. On the boards, he will close the attacker off to the boards with the intent of taking the puck away.

Best Asset:

I would say his best asset is his hockey IQ. It is the key to his defense and offense. You rarely see him make the wrong play.

Biggest Concern:

A lack of high-end skill. While some might consider his size a concern, I never saw it hold him back. However, his pace, shot and skating ability may not be good enough to push him higher in the lineup.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

If he continues to progress as he has been the last couple of years, I think he could be a very good second pairing defensemen.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Ufko continues to beat expectations. While he might not have high end skills, the combination of hockey IQ, passing and defense have led to successful play at the college and AHL levels.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Possibly a bottom pair defenseman or a tweener who is good in the AHL but can't stick in the NHL

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

It's possible his lack of size will become a problem in the NHL where some players are bigger, stronger, and faster or he isn't up to the level of play.

Stylistic Comparable:

Possibly former teammate Zac Jones. Both are undersized puck moving defensemen.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

After playing the college season, Ufko joined the Milwaukee Admirals. He often got 18-20 minutes of ice time during the playoff run, including extensive powerplay time. In the playoff game I watched his play was excellent. He certainly looked like he belonged.

Games Scouted:

2023-10-13 Univ. of Mass v Univ. of Mich, 2024-03-01 Univ. of Mass v Univ. of Mass-Lowell, 2024-05-22 Milwaukee Admirals v Grand Rapid Griffins