SAM DICKINSON

2025-05-27

Scout: Patrick Ploch

Skating:

Sam is an above average skater able to accelerate, maneuver and position well.

Passing/Handling:

Dickinson is a skilled passer and handler. He is deft at handling the puck and can make accurate passes.

Shooting:

Dickinson has a heavy shot from the point but is also able sneak in and use his wrist shot to score goals.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Sam has average hockey IQ. Sometimes he has poise, vision and anticipation but other times he will send a pass to a teammate that is well covered or to an area and have the puck come right back in the D zone.

Forechecking:

Dickinson will pinch down low when appropriate to help keep the cycle going or get a good scoring opportunity.

Defense:

Sam is a solid if not great defender. He is able to maintain his gaps somewhat well and do well on netfront D. He doesn't hit a lot but uses his size to keep players to the outside and occasionally throw a hit in. However, he sometimes throws pucks away when pressured or loses board battles to smaller players.

Best Asset:

The passing and handling is his best asset.

Biggest Concern:

The inconsistency of his hockey IQ.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Top pair with PP1 or PP2.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

The impressive offensive toolkit along with good defense with room for improvement on the defense and hockey sense create a clear path to become a top pair D.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

It's highly likely he could become a second pair D.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

The offense along with the current skill on D provide a baseline that is highly likely.

Stylistic Comparable:

Noah Hanifan is a decent comparable with his offensive ability and solid defense.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Dickinson played a lot of minutes with time on the PP and PK. He has some weaknesses but they aren't glaring and he has plenty of time to refine and minimize them as he only turned 19 on June 7th.

Games Scouted:

London Knights v Saginaw Spirit 10/18/2024, v Erie Otters 02/22/2025, v Brantford Bulldogs 03/02/2025

2024-12-02

Scout: Puneet Sharma

Skating:

Dickinson is a freight train on skates. His first strides pack a punch, and once he gets going, there aren’t many in his draft class who can keep up.

Passing/Handling:

He’s solid at moving the puck up ice with a crisp first pass and can occasionally carry it through the neutral zone like he’s on a solo mission.

Shooting:

Dickinson’s shot is a cannon—hard, accurate, and with a knack for creating chaos in front of the net.

Whether he’s aiming for twine or rebounds, his ability to get pucks through traffic is NHL-caliber.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

His defensive reads are stellar, showing an innate ability to sniff out and shut down opposing plays.

Offensively, it’s a mixed bag. He is still raw. He’s not the guy you want quarterbacking your power play yet, as his decision-making under pressure leaves room for improvement.

Forechecking:

While he’s more known for locking things down defensively, his size and physical edge make him a handful on the forecheck when he does engage.

Defense:

This is where Dickinson shines brightest. His blend of speed, reach, and physicality makes him a nightmare for puck carriers trying to gain the zone.

He’s a tower of strength in his own end—physical, tough, and always in the right spot. Opponents in front of the net know they’re in for a battle.

Best Asset:

Physicality—he’s not afraid to make life miserable for the opposition.

A pro-level shot that’s both powerful and accurate.

Biggest Concern:

Offensive instincts need some polish

When it comes to creativity, he’s more function over flash. He sometimes misses open teammates or gets caught in no-man’s-land, skating into trouble.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Top-pairing defender who’ll thrive in matchups against elite opposition.

A little refinement could turn him into a cornerstone for the Sharks' blue line.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Elite skating ability, especially for his size.

Defensive IQ and ability to kill plays in transition.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Still a top 4 role with 2nd pp duties at the very least. The talent is definitely there, he just needs to refinement.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

Decision-making can lag at times, leading to questionable plays in both ends. That needs to be worked on.

Stylistic Comparable:

Jake Sanderson with a heavier defensive tilt. Dickinson is built to be a shutdown defenseman who can chip in offensively when needed.