SEAN BEHRENS

2025-07-14

Scout: Patrick Ploch

Skating:

Sean Behrens is an above average skater. He uses his edges well and utilizes it along with his speed in multiple parts of his game.

Passing/Handling:

Behrens is able to make very good outlet passes and diagonal passes that find teammates in good positions. With his handling, he is able to transport the puck into the offensive zone and set up teammates or go for a scoring pass.

Shooting:

Sean has a quality wrist shot that serves him well in close and finds angles from the point to get shots on net.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Behrens reads the play well allowing him to be in the right places whether it is in the defensive or offensive zone. He has good sight when deciding when to pass and shoot.

Forechecking:

Behrens actively participates in the forecheck by keeping pucks in the zone or throwing pucks around the boards.

Defense:

Sean uses his skating and stickwork to maintain good position when defending the rush and uses his body for checks along the boards and to box out in front of the net.

Best Asset:

Behrens best asset is his passing and handling. He does a good job of passing to teammates when they are good positions to move with the puck or take shots.

Biggest Concern:

Lack of size causing issues for defense.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

2nd pairing/PP2

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Behrens has a solid overall game that can develop well enough defensively with good offense.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Third pair defensemen with around 30 points

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

The defense may not be good enough at the higher level without the offense translating more.

Stylistic Comparable:

Maybe a slightly lesser Torey Krug.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Games Scouted:

Rookie challenge Avalanche v Sharks 9/16/24, Preseason Colorado Avalanche v Dallas Stars 9/23/24, v Utah HC 9/29/24

2024-07-23

Scout: Joshua Rosa

Skating:

Behrens is a very smooth-skating defender. While he doesn’t have the blazing top speed of some, he has a very fluid stride and has good edgework and agility on the ice. He can skate backwards very well and has good lateral movement to work the offensive zone or stop attacks.

Passing/Handling:

In the offensive zone, Behrens is usually a pass-first player, and that is because he has a great passing skill. His vision and a quick, snappy release makes him a threat to thread the needle and hit teammates from anywhere on the ice. He also has slick hands, especially in tight spaces.

Shooting:

Behrens shot is nothing to write home about, and while he does like taking shots from everywhere on the ice, it doesn’t often pose a threat, hence why he is more likely to pass than shoot. Sometimes he can create chaos with a well placed shot and a juicy rebound, but there is a reason why he hasn’t lit the lamp consistently.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Vision in the offensive zone is Behrens greatest strength. He continually contributes at a point-per-game, mostly using his passing prowess to set up teammates. He likes to read the play and jump up to pinch and keep the play alive.

Forechecking:

As a defender, Behrens likes to pinch up and keep the play alive. And since he has a good skating speed, he can get back to his own zone in case he needs to pretty quickly.

Defense:

Well, Behrens won the 2023-24 NCHC defensive defenseman of the year, while scoring 29 points in 40 games, so if that doesn’t speak to his defensive prowess, I don’t know what does. He has grown since his draft year to become a better defender in his own zone. He was always willing to lay on the body, but has put a lot of time and improvement into reading the play and disrupting opponents.

Best Asset:

Behrens is a true 200-foot defender, mostly due to his brain. He can produce in the offensive zone, and easily hold his own in the defensive zone. His vision and passing are fantastic, and he is physical and smart in his own zone.

Biggest Concern:

Behrens has yet to score goals at a high level in any league or level in his professional career. Despite being a great passer and having great vision, his shot is not great and he will struggle to actually score. He also isn’t the biggest defender at 5’10, so he might get overwhelmed by bigger opponents.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Tier 2 - 30+ point scorer with above average/elite BASH

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

While Behrens doesn’t have the goal-scoring upside to become a top pairing defender, he will still put up a lot of assists and put up good numbers, especially in his own zone, as he isn’t afraid to put his body on the line for hits or blocks. He has the capability of putting up great point totals, while not putting the puck in the net himself.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Tier 3 - 30+ point scorer with below average BASH or sub 30 point scorer with above average/elite BASH

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

If the NHL proves to be too big and physical for Behrens, he could struggle to produce in either zone, and may be relegated to third line minutes with time on the powerplay, where he can make some points, but will not score.

Stylistic Comparable:

As a really smart player that can play well in both his zone and his opponents, he reminds me stylistically of Charlie McAvoy or Jeff Petry.

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Since being drafted in 2021, Behrens has adapted and grown, specifically in his own zone. if his growth continues, he can definitely become a solid NHL defender.

Games Scouted:

vs Abbotsford Canucks and vs Ontario Reign