CK Prospect Report: Dresden Kings

The Chatham-Kent Prospect Report will look at players from local hockey programs, after viewings this season. Players to be reviewed must be 1997 birth year of younger.

This report is from an initial viewing of the Dresden Kings vs. Alvinston Flyers, September 12, 2014.

Ross Krieger – 1998 – Pain Court – Overlooked in the OHL Draft after leading the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team in scoring last season, Krieger grabbed the Dresden Kings underage card, and showed why scoring 4 goals in as many preseason games. Against Alvinston, Krieger was poised and composed with the puck. He showed good stick skills under pressure, and was creative on the powerplay, finding seams for scoring opportunities. Krieger was given instant responsibility, taking two defensive zone faceoffs in the final minute of a one-goal game, winning both. Krieger played bigger than his five-foot-nine frame, by adding muscle in the offseason, making himself present in the offensive zone, in particular around the net. Smooth on his feet, Krieger will develop into one of the best players in the league by seasons end, and could play Junior B now.

Justin Delgado – 1997 – West Lorne – His slight frame (five-foot-nine, 140lbs) wasn’t a detriment in his first Junior game. Delgado was smooth on his feet, and has a quick first step, allowing him to accelerate away from defenders. A product of the Southwest Bullets Midget team, it’s obvious Delgado has been counted on as a producer for some time. His agility allowed him to avoid checks, and he closed on defenders rapidly on the forecheck forcing turnovers and creating offense. He was creative with the puck, and one of the best skaters on the ice. Not afraid of the dirty areas, scoring from the goal mouth in the opening period. With his skill set, if Delgado adds size to his frame, he’d be a coup for a Junior B team next season.

Kain Hopkins – 1997 – Moraviantown – A Ridgetown Minor Hockey product, Hopkins showed patience with the puck. It’s obvious he could have played at a ‘AAA’ level in Minor Hockey. Hopkins showed patience with the puck, keeping his head up in transition. Quarterbacking the powerplay, Hopkins found open ice with crisp passes, but could shoot more often. He sometimes held the puck too long while in possession. Took a big hit mid-game, and popped up to create a play, showing toughness and resiliency. At six-foot-one, Hopkins is not undersized, and if he continues to receive time on the powerplay, will add offense from the blueline for Dresden. If he focuses on developing his poise in his own zone, Hopkins could crack a Junior B team next season.

Lucas Little – 1997 – Chatham – A product of the Kent ‘AA’ program, Little stands six-foot, and plays the role of a bigger skater. He protects the puck well, finishes his checks, and is willing to battle in the corners. If he added an edge to his physical play, Little could be the type of player to create space for those around him. A North-South type player, Little, while not flashy, was effective for the Kings, and will provide depth. He may not have high end skill or finesse in his game at this point, but he was noticed every time he was on the ice, and made his presence known to his opponents.

Steven Funk – 1997 – Chatham – A former ‘AAA’ regular, played a handful of games for the Blenheim Blades last season, before coming to Dresden. Funk was given immediate responsibility, playing on the powerplay and penalty kill. A good skater, Funk is udnersized for a defenseman at five-foot-nine, but did not shy away from taking his man. He made good first passes, and used his skating skills to angle off opponents. If he continues to earn the significant playing time he did during his opening game, Funk will become one of the area top Junior defenders, and will be sought after by B teams next season.