Road to Glory (NHL 11 Be a Pro)

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CSS Scouting Report

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The Tale of the Tape:
Name: Bradley Dawson
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 210 lbs
Handedness: Right
Position: C
Style: Playmaker
NHL Comparison: Joe Thornton

Bradley Dawson is a centerman for the Kootenay Ice of the WHL. In his Rookie season with Kootenay, Dawson appeared in 44 games, registering 15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points. This season Dawson has dominated the WHL, appearing in 67 games, putting up 42 goals, and with a whopping 76 assists, to combine for a total of 118 points. To go along with it, Dawson was a +41 on the year, and only had 6 PIMS.

But aside from the shear numbers, Dawson's offensive IQ, and hard work ethic is what has NHL GMs licking their lips. His 6'4'' 210 lbs frame is a larger one no doubt, and Dawson knows how to use his size and strength to his advantage. He is very strong on the puck and uses his long reach to control the puck along the boards and in open ice. While he does not deliver mind numbing blows, he is able to seperate just about anyone he wants from the puck. He can go into the corner against any D-man and win the puck 95% of the time, very impressive board play. And on top of his physical stature, is his absolute brilliance with the puck, his coaches say that his puck control and stick handling is the best they have seen in years. Dawson is able to carry the puck with a perfect combination of grace and power that it is unbelievable. His high offensive IQ allows him to visualize plays and set up wonderful goals. His ability to make passes in any circumstance, backhand, saucer, no look, one-timer, slap pass, you name it, he can do it better than just about anyone in junior hockey right now.

To give you an idea, he is showing shades of a Joe Thornton 2.0, but has the potential to perhaps be even better. He plays a very similar game and his build is almost identical. They both share that puck control and vision that allows them to make those beautiful plays that always result in goals for team mates.

Yet it should be said that it is not all butterflies and rainbows for Dawson. He does have some negatives about him. While he seems like a guy who works hard, his competitiveness has been questioned at times, and with good justification, it looks like he sometimes takes shifts off, and that will not do in the big leagues. As well, there is such a thing as being too kind, in that he passes much too often, and never really takes time to shoot, and when he does shoot, he has trouble scoring. His finish and shooting confidence will both need to improve to translate to the NHL.

Draft Projection: 7th-15th Overall
What is the factor?: The upcoming Memorial Cup will decide a lot about Dawson's draft position, he will need to be on his A game to make it inside the top 5.