Prospect Update: My Number Five
My number five prospect is youngster Devante Smith-Pelly. Been with the big club for the entire course of this season until recently, when he was loaned to Team Canada for the World Junior Championships. Well, I have made my opinion clear about how I feel about him, but I can’t deny that he has potential, but I still don’t feel he’s entirely ready. But anyway, let’s take a look at DSP.
This 19-year-old was born on June 14, 1992, wow, I’m older than him. Sorry, I’m still trying to get used to seeing young guys reach the NHL when I am older than him………Phew. Okay. Anyway, he is from the hotbed of hockey which is Ontario, more specifically Scarborough, Ontario. He is listed at 6’0″ and 211 lbs. He shoots righthanded and naturally plays the right wing. He was selected by the Ducks in the 2nd round, 42nd overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
DSP has a power forward type build and that’s exactly what he can become, a very good one. With his size and strength combined with his will to work hard, he can become a good power play guy and a pest along the boards and in front of the net. He does possess a good shot that can beat many goalies. He has good speed, vision and good hockey sense. He uses his strength on the defensive zone as well, finishing every check he can. To sum it all up, he is a two way player that can do basically anything that his team needs him to do. He should blossom into a good offensive threat and a very good second liner.
Now we all heard or saw what happened to him at the World Junior Championships. He broke his foot and is out for 4-6 weeks according to the Ducks. I turned on the Canada-Finland game way after his injury and was surprised why I hadn’t seen him and confused at the same time. Not to be racist, but my first thought was, where’s the black guy? Then I heard what happened and honestly, I was pretty upset. I thought his time with Team Canada would give him some confidence in his offensive abilities and come back as a better player. But for now, he will be away from action until February at the latest.
Career Stats – Regular Season:
2008-2009: Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – OHL: 57 GP, 13 G, 12 A, 25 P, -4, 24 PIM
2009-2010: Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – OHL: 60 GP, 29 G, 33 A, 62 P, +27, 35 PIM
2010-2011: Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – OHL: 67 GP, 36 G, 30 A, 66 P, +49, 50 PIM
2011-2012: Anaheim Ducks – NHL: 26 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 5 P, -10, 10 PIM
Career Stats – Playoffs:
2008-2009: Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – OHL: 11 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, +1, 4 PIM
2009-2010: Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – OHL: 16 GP, 8 G, 6 A, 14 P, -1, 20 PIM
2010-2011: Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – OHL: 20 GP, 15 G , 6 A, 21 P, +11, 16 PIM
2010-2011: Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors – Memorial Cup: 5 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 P, +2, 4 PIM
My #4 prospect update will most likely be posted on friday, so keep an eye out!
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