Prospect Info: 3rd Round - Pick #68 - Nick Cousins, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

Originally Posted by jd2210

I came here to post that too. Add in his -14 and I don't like him already.

Once again, people need to understand that +/- is such a misleading stat. Cousins was -14 on one of the worst and youngest teams in the OHL. Yet, he still managed a point per game. The kid has got some game. And who cares if he isn't a defenseman? You never draft based on need, you always draft by best player available. And clearly, the Flyers scouting staff thought Cousins was the best player available.

Personally, I like the pick. He'll probably be moved to the wing, but from some of the scouts that I've talked to here in London, they said that this is a real smart hockey player with great offensive instincts and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty. They also said he isn't dirty like Avery or Ott or Rinaldo, but he's definitely chippy and plays with a bit of an edge.

The one thing the guys did say is that he really needs to put on weight. He's only 166 pounds. He needs about 20 to 25 pounds of muscle and that because he still hasn't turned 18 yet, he'll have two full years of junior hockey left to do it. Oh, and in case anyone is really interested, in 135 OHL games, he's put up 100 points. The guy has some really good hands.

[richardn]

Sault Greyhounds season ticket holder here. For those wanting to know about Nick Cousins I can tell you he is a pretty solid pick in the 3rd round but I was surprised he was picked ahead of team mate and former 1st overall pick Daniel Cattenacci. I am guessing it was because he outperformed Catenacci at the under 18 worlds.

Anyways Cousins more of an offensive player with good speed. I think he has natural goal scoring ability and a good all arround skill set. Defensively he is improving but wouldn't say it is anything to talk about. He is fairly gritty and kind of pesty but I wouldn't say that is his style of game. For those making Marchand comparisons you are off a bit. Maybe more along the lines of a Tyler Kennedy type of player but I don't think he is going to be quite as good.

He definately needs to bulk up at 5'9" 170 pounds. Don't believe the sites that have him listed at 5'11" or 5'10". His biggest weekness is strength on the puck, he needs to get stronger on the puck as he is knocked off the puck easily against stronger players. Also I see him more of a scoring winger then a center, his shot is very hard and accurate but I don't think he will be strong enough to play center.

[Rick Deckard]

Belleville Intelligencer article about Cousins:

Meanwhile, a pair of Belleville minor hockey products — Nick Cousins of the Soo Greyhounds and Andrew Shaw of the OHL champion Owen Sound Attack — were also chosen in Saturday's draft.

Cousins, who counted 68 points in 68 games with the Soo last season, then played extremely well for Team Canada in Europe at the IIHF U18 championships, went to the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round — 68th overall.

[...]

Cousins, whose talent for getting under the opposition's skin is almost equal to his elite on-ice skills, was — uncharacteristically — at a loss for words when he heard the Flyers call his name at the draft proceedings in St. Paul, MN.

"I can't even begin to describe it," said Cousins. "It's unbelievable. I was speechless."

Cousins laughed when asked if his sometimes abrasive style of play might've attracted the Flyers, long known for their edgy approach to the game.

"It is kind of a good fit for me," he said. "Plus they just traded away two of their best players (former team captain Mike Richards to Los Angeles; all-star forward Jeff Carter to Columbus) so hopefully that opens up a spot for me in the future. It gives me some confidence going into next season.

"It's an opportunity and it's every hockey player's dream to play in the NHL."

[...]

Cousins said he grew up cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but was proud to don an orange and black Flyer jersey and cap at the draft which he attended with family members.

"I've always been a Leaf fan, even though they were never the best team and didn't make the playoffs for so long," said Cousins. "But now I'm a Flyers fan."

Cousins said getting drafted provides extra motivation for training this summer. At five-foot-10, the nifty forward carries about 166 pounds and admits he needs to beef up a bit.

"I'll try to train five or six times a week, get physically stronger, put on some weight and go to camp in the best shape of my life," said Cousins.

[ApeZilla]

I've heard that Cousins could wind up being a really nice pick, is this true?

[OccupySouthBroadSt]

Originally Posted by ApeZilla

I've heard that Cousins could wind up being a really nice pick, is this true?

I've heard good things..I hope he pans out so we can add insult to the injury to Columbus

[CharlieGirl]

Originally Posted by ApeZilla

I've heard that Cousins could wind up being a really nice pick, is this true?

Think Avery, the way he can play when he focuses on playing.

Yaps
Pisses the opposition off
Turtles
Scores

Rinse and repeat.

He's a rat, but he's an effective rat in the OHL.

[sobrien]

Originally Posted by CharlieGirl

Think Avery, the way he can play when he focuses on playing.

Yaps
Pisses the opposition off
Turtles
Scores

Rinse and repeat.

He's a rat, but he's an effective rat in the OHL.

but does he Vogue?...