NYI Zone Scouting Central: Drew Doughty

DREW DOUGHTY

Team: Guelph Storm (OHL)
Position: Defenseman
Born: December 8, 1988 in London, Ontario
Age: 19
Height: 6-0
Weight: 213
Shoots: Right
ISS Final Ranking: 4


2007-08 Regular Season Stats
Games Played: 58
Goals: 13
Assists: 37
Points: 50
PIM: 68

2008 Playoffs Stats
Games Played: 10
Goals: 3
Assists: 6
Points: 9
PIM: 14

Doughty's numbers have dropped in 2007-08 (58 games, 13 goals, 37 assists) from the previous season (67 games, 21 goals, 53 assists), but he is still among the top canidates for this year's Entry Draft.

Doughty played in seven games with Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championships, and recorded four assists while helping Canada win the gold medal. He was named to the WJC All-Star team and won the Directorate Award given to the best defenseman in the tournament.

The Guelph Storm, Doughty's team, finished fifth in the Western Conference, but lost in the second round of the playoffs. Doughty's 50 points on the season ranked ninth among OHL defensemen and his nine points in 10 playoff games ranked sixth among defensemen.

Doughty was awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy this year, given annually to the OHL's most outstanding defenseman.

Doughty is known as an offensive defenseman. He has excellent speed and vision and an extremely hard shot. He is excellent at jumping into the play in the offensive zone to create scoring chances.

"He is the complete player for the new NHL: big, excellent skater, great first pass, low panic threshold and great offensive instincts.”
-Tony Saxon / Guelph Mercury


"The enthusiasm that he brings every time he steps on the ice, whether it's a practice or a game, is what makes him a special player, along with his high skill level.”
-Dave Barr / Guelph Storm Head Coach/GM


"The hockey gods gave him a great mind for the game. He relies on that and does a phenomenal job reading and reacting.”
-NHL Scout


"Doughty has very quick feet, coming from his background of playing soccer and it shows when contesting the puck with his skates.”
-Hockeyprospects.com


Drew Doughty Highlights
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/drew-doughty-feature-march-28-2008/1702637009

Sources: islanders.nhl.com, nhl.com, hockeysfuture.com, youtube.com