Prospect Top 20: Winger Emerson Etem
By Sean
This is final part and part 20 of my Prospect File series where I update you guys’ on Hockey’s Future’s Top 20 Anaheim Ducks prospects. This will be a daily series that will hopefully end before the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. I will also be doing a series on possible players the Ducks will take with their first round pick. Part 19 was on goaltender John Gibson. So, finally in part 20 is #1 on HF’s Top 20, winger Emerson Etem.
May 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Emerson Etem (65) skates down the ice against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Emerson Etem has been second fiddle to Kyle Palmieri for quite a while. However, that changes here with Kyle Palmieri no longer considered to be a “prospect” anymore. The standout from the Medicine Hat Tigers of the OHL made his NHL debut this past season. Immediately the Long Beach native’s speed became evident. We always heard about how his unique skating style can really make him fly around the ice and we saw it for the first time this past year. Before being called up to the NHL, Etem wasn’t looking so well down in the AHL. He had 13 goals in 45 games for the Admirals, but he didn’t seem to have any confidence and didn’t carry over his success from juniors. However, once he joined the Ducks, we saw the top prospect we were looking for. He flew around the ice and exemplified his offensive and defensive acumen. Once the playoffs started, he took his play to another level and was one of the Ducks’ best players. There is no doubt that Etem should be a mainstay in the line up from here on out.
via ducks.nhl.com
Age: 21
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 210 lbs.
Scouting Report:
"“With the graduation of Kyle Palmieri to the NHL, right winger Emerson Etem takes over the top spot in the Ducks system. It might not be for too long though, as Etem has seemingly made a name for himself in a short time with the Anaheim Ducks and will likely graduate in the near future. Etem had a rough start to the year with Norfolk, netting just seven points in his first 26 games. It was not just the statistical aspect either, Etem was inconsistent shift to shift and game to game. However, around December he started to look more comfortable on a nightly basis. While the production was still somewhat limited Etem began to look comfortable and more up to speed with the professional game. In late February, he received a call up to the Ducks and did not look back.“Overall Etem has had a very positive progressing arc in his first year. His time at Norfolk started slow and became much better. His NHL career has looked the same as he started slow and in the first round of the playoffs with the Ducks was a force to be reckoned with. We are starting to see why Etem was a first round pick. No question Etem has the speed and defensive proficiency to play at the NHL level, and the scoring is looking like real untapped potential for the 20-year-old. Etem has the potential to be a great all-around top six forward.”via HockeysFuture.com“Has great speed, which he uses effectively to get to the outside of the defenders. Is a very good goal-scorer, too. Can really dominate from his off-wing. Needs to get stronger physically and add bulk to his frame in order to maximize his scoring potential at the highest level. Also needs more work without the puck.”via TheHockeyNews.com"
I hope you guys enjoyed the series and come out a little more knowledgeable about all of the Ducks’ top prospects. The future looks pretty good for the franchise and I’m certainly looking forward to it!
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