I noticed it emerging 2 seasons ago. He was getting 5 pts a game against lower tier teams and invisible to the point of a detriment against better teams. He had a very good first year Prep season but he didn't have to carry that team last year.
I know that he always claimed that he was always going the NCAA route but 10th round OHL should have made some people wonder.
You are going to enjoy meeting him. He is a very polite, soft spoken young man. He is a legitimate prospect but I just believe that he is ranked too high.
Dynamo may take issue with this but NE Prep is on par with the Top Empire teams and would be lower level EJ. Yes, there are some very talented players at these schools but, by and large, the hockey can be pretty sloppy.
Really depends.
From what I can tell, CT Prep Schools are full of skill. They play the game with speed and skill, and I am really impressed with those teams such as Avon, Gunnery and Kent. Nieves was on Kent.
Then you got MA Prep Schools, who seem to play the game a tad slower than CT schools. They aren't as talented as CT schools. These schools include Milton Academy, Noble and Greenough and St. Sebastians School.
Then you got the other MA schools that aren't really ... not sure how to explain it ... they are just in a different league. These schools include BC High School, St. John's Prep and Malden Catholic. They have some skill but again, play alot slower.
Then you got MA Prep Schools, who seem to play the game a tad slower than CT schools. They aren't as talented as CT schools. These schools include Milton Academy, Noble and Greenough and St. Sebastians School.
Then you got the other MA schools that aren't really ... not sure how to explain it ... they are just in a different league. These schools include BC High School, St. John's Prep and Malden Catholic. They have some skill but again, play alot slower.
MA Prep Schools (Milton, Nobles, St.Sebastian, Lawrence etc.)
Other MA Prep Schools (BCHS, St.John's, Malden Catholic etc.)
So I disagree all levels of NE hockey is sloppy. Really depends to what area you are referring to. CT is quite good.
Phew, you didn't talk smack about my high school or I woulda had to cause a scene up in here! Kidding.
MA "Prep" school is apples and oranges in your scenario. Schools like BC High, CM, St Johns(both of em) don't play a "prep" schedule. They play MIAA with some Preps sprinkled in. NEPSAC is a totally different ballgame. I will concede, the MIAA teams(including mine *tear*) are not "up to speed" with NEPSAC, but NEPSAC is where all the top kids come from. Nieves, Brian Boyle, Cory Schneider, etc. NEPSAC is legit hockey I would put on par with the EJHL any day of the week. A lot of the "quality" can be attributed to the post-grad year players, which is not allowed by MIAA rules.
From what I can tell, CT Prep Schools are full of skill. They play the game with speed and skill, and I am really impressed with those teams such as Avon, Gunnery and Kent. Nieves was on Kent.
Hilarious the flood of memories of the debate between MA and CT Preps that you just brought back.
I think there will continue to be a debate regarding Nieves because too often people try to fit him within their paradigm of what his physical abilities indicate. Here is some data to consider, which contradicts some comments expressed earlier;
He played very well against youngstown on Saturday - had a beautiful assist on the lone goal of the game. He was NOT on the ice for any of the goals scored vs. the ICE...including overtime. Not sure where this information came from.
In the 2nd game vs. NTDP he had a goal in regulation and an overtime shoot-out goal - 2 pts...against his peer group.
In 11 or 12 games in the USHL he has 10 points ~ 1 point per game. I think this disputes his capabilities against stronger competition. I believe his peer group in the USHL averages around .6 or .7 points per game...and he only recently has been put at center where he will be much more effective.
He clearly has the tool-kit to be a strong contributor in the next couple levels...the upside is he will put on another 15 - 20 lbs, get grade A coaching at Michigan and be around players that he will make better with his playmaking. I see much more reward than risk in this kid. His "inconsistent" production is much better than many others consistent production...
I think there will continue to be a debate regarding Nieves because too often people try to fit him within their paradigm of what his physical abilities indicate. Here is some data to consider, which contradicts some comments expressed earlier;
I'm not going to debate but I know what I saw with my own eyes last weekend - game sheet notwithstanding.
Yes, he is an enigma. Yes, he has upside. No, he's not a Top 50 player in this draft class.
Canterbury - one year an eon ago. I don't know what was more depressing at the time, the hockey or the town. Great ice though. A guy named Mike Ornato (sp), who died tragically, still remember him and his wife; they were great people and he maintained that rink like it was his baby...
Craig Button just said on NHL LIVE that if Toronto wins the lottery, that they would possibly take Forsberg #1 overall over Yakupov because they have a decent number of smaller wingers!!!
what the hell is this guy smoking???
then he said Murray could go #2 to Columbus with Yakupov going #3....
I know he is talking about possible scenarios, but this dude is crazy if he thinks Forsberg would go ahead of Nail..
I don't wanna say any names, but last decade there was a situation where head GM literally threw dice day before draft because he didn't know what to pick from top-3, so nothing is impossible.
Phew, you didn't talk smack about my high school or I woulda had to cause a scene up in here! Kidding.
MA "Prep" school is apples and oranges in your scenario. Schools like BC High, CM, St Johns(both of em) don't play a "prep" schedule. They play MIAA with some Preps sprinkled in. NEPSAC is a totally different ballgame. I will concede, the MIAA teams(including mine *tear*) are not "up to speed" with NEPSAC, but NEPSAC is where all the top kids come from. Nieves, Brian Boyle, Cory Schneider, etc. NEPSAC is legit hockey I would put on par with the EJHL any day of the week. A lot of the "quality" can be attributed to the post-grad year players, which is not allowed by MIAA rules.
PREP School conjures up varying opinions mainly due to the varying quality of the 'Leagues' within the entire Prep School System. You can go from the top League in The Founders League with Salisbury, Lawrence and Phillips Academy Exeter down to the NE Prep - ISL League which swings wildly in quality with a bunch of lower end teams. But there are some very good kids that come through CT and even MA Prep judging by the number of D1 commits and the success many of them have at those levels.
I don't wanna say any names, but last decade there was a situation where head GM literally threw dice day before draft because he didn't know what to pick from top-3, so nothing is impossible.
I don't wanna say any names, but last decade there was a situation where head GM literally threw dice day before draft because he didn't know what to pick from top-3, so nothing is impossible.
I always thought Doug Maclean was more of a coin flip guy.
I've said it from day one, even before the prospects game that the kid isn't even as skilled as Kassian is, and Kassian is no sure bet to even be a top 6 guy...
Wilson is nothing but a bottom 6 plugger...
I think Wilson read your post, he has 4 goals and 4 assists in 10 playoff games for Plymouth thus far.
