Shayne Gostisbehere article on NHL.com

[EDI-Flyer]

Nice write up on Shayne Ghostisbehere on NHL.com by Adam Kimelman. Looks like his offensive game has picked up even more than last year. 

 

Would love to see him put on a few pounds and get to around 185-190lb. IMO that's the weight range he will need to reach in order to have a shot at playing in the NHL on a full time basis. Having said that he still has time, with at least another year and a half of college.

 

Also good to see him learning the defensive side of things, he needs to learn how to play in his own end a little smarter.

 

But overall it's a real positive when you get a kid drafted in the 3rd round with a real chance of being on the Flyers team 2-3 years down the line. 

 

If (and it's a big if) he, Morin and Hagg develop as hoped then the future of the D corps looks in good shape, certainly these are some of the best D prospects we have seen for a while.

 

Gostisbehere's brilliant season suggests bright future

 

Last season went about as well as possible for Union College defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

It started not long after he was picked by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft (No. 78). He won a gold medal with the United States at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, and had eight goals and 18 assists in 36 games as Union won a second consecutive ECAC title and advanced to the NCAA East Regional final. Gostisbehere was named to the NCAA East Second All-American Team.

While the history major appreciates where he's been, the junior is focused solely on the present. And that present has looked about as successful as his past.

Through 11 games Gostisbehere has four goals and eight assists. He has an even plus/minus rating but has been a plus or even player in seven of 11 games.

Last season went as well as possible for Union College defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, a Flyers draft pick who has already won gold at the World Junior Championship. (Photo: Daniel Jankowski/Union College)

If Gostisbehere makes it to the next level it will be mostly based on his high-end offensive play; his 12 points are tied for the NCAA lead among defensemen. However, his focus this season is becoming more dependable in the defensive end.

"I felt like a little bit this year I got away from that, trying to do too much offensively," he told NHL.com. "Coach [Rick Bennett] reminded me I am a defenseman and to worry about having a defense-first mentality. You have to pick your spots, and I have to learn when I can and can't jump [into the play]."

Bennett told NHL.com that part of Gostisbehere's game continues to grow, and said the development already has been exponential.

"I think he made a tremendous jump with his learning curve after the first half of his freshman year to his second half of his first year," Bennett said. "It was night and day. He really picked it up and he's carried the second half of his first year on through and every year he's gotten better and better. He's very willing to learn and he just competes so hard in practice and in games. That's why he's developed so much."

Part of that development has come from playing in all situations now, including killing penalties.

"My freshman year I didn't see one lick of PK time, but this year I'm playing a lot of PK, getting a lot of defensive-zone faceoffs," Gostisbehere said. "I like it more. I like playing defense. I like being relied on offensively, defensively, in all parts of the game. It's cool to see the transition from freshman to junior year and see how my defensive game has developed."

Off the ice, Gostisbehere's development has been sped up with his role this season as an alternate captain.

"We felt as a staff that he earned that," Bennett said. "We couldn't be happier for him. I think he leads by example out there. Anyone can say that in games, but he really leads by example in practice. He goes hard and I think all our players feed off that. He's a passionate guy and I think that rubs off on our players as well. Between being wiling and really passionate out there, I think it's a real good combination to be a leader."

Gostisbehere takes the letter on his jersey, and the meaning that goes with it, very seriously.

"It means a lot for my coaches to give me an 'A,'" he said. "Being a younger guy, they trust me to be a leader and I want to show them I'm a leader and I can handle the 'A.'

The other facet of Gostisbehere's game that has developed is his physical strength. He's listed at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds; while he certainly would like to get stronger, he told NHL.com the goal is to put on a few pounds without having it affect his skating or elusiveness.

"I've packed on a few pounds and didn't lose any more of my speed," Gostisbehere said. "When I have the chance to take the body I can take it, but I'm not going to knock a guy into the second row. Putting weight on is what I needed to do. I feel I've been doing that and I need to keep on doing that."

Bennett said he isn't worried about Gostisbehere handling himself against bigger players.

"We just played a pretty big opponent and that really wasn't an issue," he said. "We've played a few big teams this past season, and the games against the bigger teams he's shown that he's got a very quick stick that really helps him find ways to make it easier on himself in the defensive zone and on the rush. As far as physicality, he's gotten bigger and bigger every year. The next progression is when he maintains weight over the course of a full season; that's a good test for the next level."

When he makes that jump to the next level remains to be seen. Gostisbehere worked extensively with Ian Laperriere, who served as the Flyers' director of player development prior to him becoming an assistant coach and also has spent time with Kjell Samuelsson, who replaced Laperriere.

"[samuelsson said] just keep it up," Gostisbehere said. "He's already seen a couple games. He likes what I do offensively. Just the defensive side, learning when to pick my spots … on the penalty kill where I position my stick, little things like that. But he's real hopeful."

 

 

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=692048&cmpid=nhl-twt

 

 

[doom88]

Wow, that is pretty exciting. I wonder what jammer thinks though...

[roenicksdad97]

I have season tickets to Union College hockey and he had 2 great games against RPI. He had 3 g/1a over the weekend. The only problem that I saw on Friday ( Union 4 - RPI 3) is that he was on the ice for all of RPI`S goals.........He has a nice, hard shot from the blueline,  sneaky quick and he said that he has put on 7 lbs from last year. We are friends on facebook...lol

[OccamsRazor]

Wow, that is pretty exciting. I wonder what jammer thinks though...

 

 

Better than Johnny Gaudreau....

 

But just how good is he? RPI coach Seth Appert knows all too well how talented Gostisbehere is. "Shayne Gostisbehere is the best player in the country. We've played a pretty good schedule. We've played [boston College forward and Calgary Flames prospect] Johnny Gaudreau. It's no slight to him. Johnny Gaudreau is a heck of a hockey player, but Gostisbehere is the best player we've seen."

 

 

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/ecac/2013/11/18/5113690/shayne-gostisbehere-union-college-defenseman-ecac-philadelphia-flyers-nhl-draft-usa-wjc

 

Gostisbehere was a huge piece of those two Dutchmen victories, taking eight (!) of his teams 32 shots on goal and registering two assists in Friday's 4-3 decision. He added six shots on Saturday night and two of them went in the net, the third and fourth goals in that 4-1 victory.

 

http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2013/11/18/5118294/is-shayne-gostisbehere-the-best-prospect-in-college-hockey

 

Edit: Best in the country good to read that about a future Flyer.

Edited November 19, 2013 by OccamsRazor

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

Would love to see him put on a few pounds and get to around 185-190lb.

 

@EDI-Flyer,

 

He's only 160 lbs now.  That's a lot of weight to put on and will take him several years to do it.  If he was a forward, 190 might be enough.  I don't think its enough to play defense without getting pushed around.  I think he needs to be around 210 to remain serviceable.

[Claude Monet]

I have season tickets to Union College hockey and he had 2 great games against RPI. He had 3 g/1a over the weekend. The only problem that I saw on Friday ( Union 4 - RPI 3) is that he was on the ice for all of RPI`S goals.........He has a nice, hard shot from the blueline, sneaky quick and he said that he has put on 7 lbs from last year. We are friends on facebook...lol

[EDI-Flyer]

@EDI-Flyer,

 

He's only 160 lbs now.  That's a lot of weight to put on and will take him several years to do it.  If he was a forward, 190 might be enough.  I don't think its enough to play defense without getting pushed around.  I think he needs to be around 210 to remain serviceable.

 

@AFF, 

 

The 160lb's referenced was his draft weight, since then he has gained around 7lbs, taking him to 167lb's. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect him to put on 15-20lbs over the next couple of years with good off season training. 

 

By way of reference Kimo Timonen is listed at 5"11 and 195lb's and he has managed to make a pretty good career of it. Would I like Ghost to be 3" taller and 40lb's heavier? Sure, but would that quite possilbly affect his speed negatively and detract from his overall game.

[flyercanuck]

Glad to hear he's coming along. Size is obviously going to be an issue for him playing D. But offence from that position is what we sorely lack, so he has that going for him. Unless he puts on at least 20 more pounds I can't see him being more than a pp specialist though.

 

I'd compare his game to a poor mans version of jammers ol' buddy Ryan Ellis. He's just getting into his first full season in the NHL after being selected 11th overall in the 09 draft. At 20 Ellis was putting up over 100 points in the O. It still took him a few years to get a shot. And Ghost won't have the luxury of a Weber or a Jones covering for him.

 

 And let's hope Ghosts' coach has a more positive effect declaring him "best in country" than Girouxs' coach did declaring him "best in the world". Sometimes coaches should just keep their mouths shut.

 

 I feel a lot more comfortable with the defensive prospects we have now though. It's a nice mix between Gostisbeheres' smurf offence, Haggs typical Dman size and 2way game, and Morins freak of nature shutdown game.

[Mario99]

Erik Karlsson of Sens doesnt look that big now I wonder what he was when drafted

[ZeZel25]

Homer needs to introduce this kid to another American for a "friendship"... Barry Bonds. Juice him up baby, that'll add pounds

[OccamsRazor]

Glad to hear he's coming along. Size is obviously going to be an issue for him playing D. But offence from that position is what we sorely lack, so he has that going for him. Unless he puts on at least 20 more pounds I can't see him being more than a pp specialist though.

 

I'd compare his game to a poor mans version of jammers ol' buddy Ryan Ellis. He's just getting into his first full season in the NHL after being selected 11th overall in the 09 draft. At 20 Ellis was putting up over 100 points in the O. It still took him a few years to get a shot. And Ghost won't have the luxury of a Weber or a Jones covering for him.

 

 And let's hope Ghosts' coach has a more positive effect declaring him "best in country" than Girouxs' coach did declaring him "best in the world". Sometimes coaches should just keep their mouths shut.

 

 I feel a lot more comfortable with the defensive prospects we have now though. It's a nice mix between Gostisbeheres' smurf offence, Haggs typical Dman size and 2way game, and Morins freak of nature shutdown game.

FC his coach didn't declare him the best in the country...the opposing coach for RPI did.

After they got beat by Ghost ( Union which is his school) in back to back games the first game he had 8 of the 32 shots on net and the next game he scored two goals the last two.

[jammer2]

Wow, that is pretty exciting. I wonder what jammer thinks though...

 

 ha ha...don't know what to make of that, but if it's a Flyer prospect doing well, I don't care if they are from Korea or Siberia!!

[doom88]

ha ha...don't know what to make of that, but if it's a Flyer prospect doing well, I don't care if they are from Korea or Siberia!!

Your love of NCAA hockey is well known

[Claude Monet]

ha ha...don't know what to make of that, but if it's a Flyer prospect doing well, I don't care if they are from Korea or Siberia!!

Everyone knows great hockey comes out of Schenectady NY !!!!

Edited November 20, 2013 by Claude Monet

[flyercanuck]

@OccamsRazor

 

 Thanks...I realized that after I read a second article. That's much better than his own coach inflating his head.

[jammer2]

@doom88  Well rad does give me some good natured ribbing at times, but honestly, I have nothing but respect for the NCAA. I do honestly feel that the CHL is the best route for young developing kids to hone their skills, but the gap is closing, as I've stated many times. The US developmental program is a big reason for that, they are doing a fantastic job of getting the kids ready. 

[OccamsRazor]

@OccamsRazor

 

 Thanks...I realized that after I read a second article. That's much better than his own coach inflating his head.

I hope he has his head screwed on right...and we don't have to worry about that...yet. Also he is up to 175 from the article I read in the hockey news article so I'd imagjne with his frame he'll get up to about 190 in a few years about the time he is out of school he said he wants to go 4years so 2 more years after thj s one unless Flyers pressure him.

[OccamsRazor]

I have nothing but respect for the NCAA. I do honestly feel that the CHL is the best route for young developing kids to hone their skills, but the gap is closing, as I've stated many times.

 

Ghost in just 18 games has 86 shots on net....for comparisons right now Giroux is the Flyers leader with 98 shots in 35 games!

 

Ghost 86 in 18..........no that is no typo...WOW!

[doom88]

On goal? That's impressive, or his defense is terrible.

[OccamsRazor]

On goal?

 

Yes on goal....very impressive....one of those games the head coach from the other team labled him the best player in college hockey....even better than Johnny Gaudreau....Flyers will certainly be happy with his production once he arrives....

 

 

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2013/11/18/5118294/is-shayne-gostisbehere-the-best-prospect-in-college-hockey

 

 

Gostisbehere was a huge piece of those two Dutchmen victories, taking eight (!) of his teams 32 shots on goal and registering two assists in Friday's 4-3 decision. He added six shots on Saturday night and two of them went in the net, the third and fourth goals in that 4-1 victory. Ghost leads the nation in points per game for defenseman with 12 in 11 games so far.

 

 

Gostisbehere is an elite skater, who moves about as well as anyone in the college game forwards and backwards. Though his offense really jumps out, I think his defensive game is underrated. He's not physical, but plays a very heady, active game in his own end and is the furthest thing from a liability.

He's one of those defensemen that can really control the pace of a game and make his team a lot better when he's on the ice. Should he continue this kind of point production for the Dutchmen, I think he'd have to be in the Hobey Baker mix, for which there could be a crowded field.

Wonder if they sign him for next year....Phantoms should be jam up next year with Stolarz, Laughton , Leier and maybe Ghost joining them to go with the talented guys already there.