*Post updated 11/15/11
Which other prospects could one day join Derek Stepan, Ryan
McDonagh and the rest of the young Rangers on Broadway?
Blueshirt Bulletin will be tracking the progress of the next
wave of youngsters as they compete and develop this season in the Canadian junior
leagues, college and abroad.
Below is a compilation of scouting reports, buzz and
analysis by scouts and hockey experts on Shane McColgan.
We’ll update this as the season unfolds with the latest news
at the very bottom of this post.
Shane McColgan
Drafted: 2011 – 5th round (134th overall)
HT: 5-9
WT: 165
Pos: RW
Shoots: R
Birthday: 1/1/93
Team: Kelowna, WHL
2009-2010 stats: 25g, 44a, 71gp, 45PIM, -15
2010-2011 stats: 21g, 45a, 67gp, 62PIM, +2
2010-2011 playoffs: 8g, 11a, 10gp, 8PIM
2011-2012 stats: 7g, 13a, 19gp, 23PIM, -9
Rangers.com
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Scouting report entering the season from Blueshirt Bulletin
staff writer and author of The
Prospect Park, Jess Rubenstein:
“McColgan just might be the one Ranger prospect who will
have the most pressure on him as one of the veterans on the Rockets. The
Rockets lost most of their leading scorers from last season's team and McColgan
will be looked up to make up the missing offense. We think if McColgan plays
consistent hockey then he along with Christian Thomas and Michael St. Croix
will put on one of heck of a race for the Prospect Scoring crown.” (8/29/11)
What They’re Saying:
The Hockey News Draft Preview – (Ranked 97th in
2011 draft class) "Diminutive agitator hit a scoring drought, but reversed
in playoffs." (Spring 2011)
Bruins
2011 Draft Watch – “Undersized winger (5-8, 168- don't believe his
listed 5-11 height on Hockey DB) from SoCal was seen as a potential top-10
coming into the season, but got off to a terrible start and never recovered in
the court of public opinion. Will NHL scouts view him differently. One such
talent evaluator expressed concern at McColgan's small frame and the fact that
the kid likely has little to no room to grow. Tremendous skating and hands;
erupts into overdrive in just a few strides and carves the ice with his edges like
a maestro. Plays bigger than his size and has an edge to him even if often
physically overmatched. The bad news for McColgan is that his production didn't
take off after posting 25 goals and 69 points last year as a rookie. Illness
started him slowly and though he recovered and heated up down the stretch with
fellow mighty mite Zach Franko, it may not be enough for him to recoup a
top-60 selection." (5/20/2011)
The
Scouting Report – (Ranked 65th in 2011 draft class) “The
diminutive McColgan has been very effective in two Western Hockey League
seasons, scoring at nearly a point per game pace. McColgan sees the ice well,
has great hands, and definitely isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas. The big
question on everyone’s mind is whether or not he will be able to play his style
at the pro level. The 5-9 McColgan hasn’t let his size hold him back yet, as he
has proven a willingness to battle with any player in the WHL while generally
staying healthy. If he can get his game to the next level, he could be a big
draft day steal.” (5/30/2011)
ESPN NHL
Draft Blog – “Small, slippery forward. Needs to improve strength.”
(6/25/2011)
Corey
Pronman – “McColgan's skill level had him touted as a high first
rounder before the draft season started. Quite a fall.” (6/25/2011)
Gordie Clark (to the NY
Daily News) – “You have to have speed, you have to have some skill, and you
have to have an attitude, he’s got all three.” (6/25/2011)
BCLocalNews.com - McColgan, 18, makes up for his relative lack of size by playing with speed,
skill and a feisty edge to his game.” (6/28/2011)
THN.com – “Seth Ambroz's fall to the fifth round is certainly worth mentioning, but it
really overshadowed another gifted American's slide. McColgan has deceptively
good offensive skills and that is saying a lot for those who have watched him
dazzle with the puck. McColgan's stock seemed to drop when he wasn't able
to put up jaw-dropping numbers in the Western League. Still, he can produce and
proved it during the playoffs with 19 points in 10 games. Adding a player of
this skill level does not happen often in the fifth round and the New York
Rangers will certainly enjoy the offensive depth it will create for them.”
(6/29/2011)
Hockey’s
Future – “McColgan can hit, fight, shoot, take faceoffs, and pass extremely
well. The kid is really short, but is exciting and fearless, and makes you
notice him. To tell the truth, what I noticed more than anything was how hard
he was trying while also being cagey. I had not seen him play in person before
this, but I was impressed and I look forward to seeing him in TC.” (7/2/2011)
Hockey’s
Future – “McColgan may be the Rangers wild card in this draft. Once thought
of as a potential first round selection (he was drafted in 2008 in the first
round of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft and was the runner-up to Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins (EDM) for the 2010 WHL Rookie of the Year Award
after finishing tied for second in league in rookie scoring), McColgan scored
fewer points this past season (21 goals and 45 assists) than in his rookie
campaign. Undersized, speedy, with an edge to his game, McColgan fell at least
in part because of inconsistent play with and without the puck. But if he can
play a smart, but tough, game, he could be a wonderful asset to the Rangers.”
(7/14/2011)
Corey Pronman – “McColgan was an early cut [from the U20 camp], but from what I saw of him in
limited time, he showed spurts of top-end ability in his skating and puck
skills. He's the kind of prospect who could go any which way in his
development, but there's certainly the upside with McColgan to go way up.”
(9/2/2011)
Kelowna Rockets PA Announcer Regan Bartel (via The Prospect
Park) – “"He's been good. Again, he needs to distribute the puck more
to be real affective imo. Great skater and good pp guy. 17 and leading the team in scoring. No
question he is fun to watch. Media friendly, so he wins bonus points with me."
(9/2/2011)
Julie
Robenhymer (HockeyBuzz) - My affinity for Shane McColgan grows every shift.
Didn't think twice about standing up for a teammate & won the fight to
boot. He's 5'9” (9/11/11)
Leslie
Treff (Hockey’s Future) – “Shane McColgan could wind up being a steal in
the fifth round. He looks to be a potential third line, speedy, agitating, good
face off man.” (9/14/11)
WHL
From Above – “The dynamic winger never quite reached his goal of being a
high draft pick in the 2011 NHL draft, sliding into the 5th round. That fall,
despite the fact that he lit up the WHL playoffs last year with 19 points in 10
games. The Rangers happily grabbed him and he looks to be using that slide as
motivation. A strong showing so far this fall in both Rockets and Rangers
training camp has me looking for more from McColgan and I think he has more to
offer. He’s clearly more mature, bigger and more dynamic this time around and
an improvement on his 65 points from last year’s regular season is clearly on
the horizon.” (9/15/11)
The
Prospect Park – “Shane McColgan we knew had talent but what has hurt his
cause was inconsistency. Points in 3 out of 4 games is fine with us but now he
has to go back to Kelowna and perform just like this. Shane McColgan said after being cut by Team
USA that he wants to prove he deserves a 2nd chance. Best way to do that is to
play like he did at Traverse City with Kelowna as now McColgan has to be a team
leader for the Rockets to be as good as their preseason ranking of 7th in the
first CHL poll of the season.” (9/17/11)
Hockey’s
Future – “Shane McColgan is a lot of fun to watch. Full of vinegar, he will
go into traffic, fight for the puck, never give up and then come up with a
scoring chance. He seems to defy his 5’9″ frame. For an 18 year old rookie, he
looked very impressive this afternoon.” (9/18/11)
Corey Pronman – “One scout described McColgan's camp as a really standout performance, where
the talented right winger's skating ability and compete level made him quite
noticeable. Considered a sure-fire first round talent this time last year,
McColgan fell to the fifth round in June. From what I've seen and heard about
him, that was way too low for the kind of upside he brings to the table.”
(9/20/11)
Hockey’s
Future – [Ranked 18th among NYR prospects] “Shane McColgan was very
impressive in development camp, Traverse City and in the Rangers' main camp
this fall. An undersized winger, with offensive ability, tremendous grit, and
the ability to get under opposing players' skin, McColgan led his team, the WHL Kelowna
Rockets in total points last season. McColgan's biggest weakness, however, is
that his play can be undisciplined at times and untimely, selfish penalties can
be taken. McColgan will spend at least two more seasons in junior hockey before
turning pro. His future as a professional hockey player will depend on matching
his determination with discipline and restraint, as well as improving his body
strength.” (9/27/11)
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