The Scouting Report
William Zellers is an 18-year-old left-hand player who can be utilized as a center or a winger. He was born on April 4, 2006, in Maple Grove, MN, and spent the last season playing for Shattuck St. Mary’s. He is projected to be drafted around #69 in this year’s draft.
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Draft Projections
#69 Inside The Rink
#79 FCHockey
#54 NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
Diving Deeper
Zellers took the scoring lead for the U.S. High School Prep circuit this year and ran with it with 111 points over 54 games. He had an impressive 57 goals and 54 assists. He helped lead his team to the 2023-24 Hlinka Gretzky Cup bronze medal. He excels at utilizing his speed to transition the game from his end to the offensive zone.
Hockey Sense
Zellers has been known to be a bit of an upright skater but is always on the move. He attacks angles, moves with ease through pass receptions, and takes the middle whenever possible. He also plays fast, and skates fast which has certainly benefited him thus far. His shot is not top tier but his numbers clearly show that he can score and is able to see the game on a different level.
I think he’s got a chance to be a really good player in the long run and he’s got such good hockey sense, which is one of the hardest things to teach and one of the most valuable things a hockey player can have. He’s got such a good feel for the game, he understands what’s going on and he can read and react. Plus, he’s got such a good work ethic and is a great kid to be around.
Tom Ward, Head Coach of Shattuck St. Mary’s
Two-way Player
Zellers uses relies on space he opens to create advantages, he incorporates stutter steps and handles the puck well in small and large-ice situations. He attacks opposing defenders from their back and is able to target defensive triangles. He can quickly adjust his rush pattern to make it to the inside of the ice in order to continue play.
Zellers is a solid two-way player who uses intelligent stick checks to disrupt attacks and turn defence into offence quickly. He shows a nice passing range and good accuracy through crowded areas.
Puck Preps
Areas for Improvement
Zellers tends to operate just a bit too quickly which can create inefficient playmaking. This could be changed by his offensive abilities on the ice, though. He has committed to University of North Dakota next year and playing at the NCAA level should give him more opportunity to hone his skills and gain more strength at his weak points.
Final Thoughts
Zellers is a relatively small player, although paired with his puck-handling abilities and speed he is likely to find his place in the NHL down the road. If he improves his playmaking abilities over the next few years with the NCAA, he has the potential, with his hockey IQ, to have a shot as a middle six, likely on the third line.
ITR 31: Let Them Fight – Inside The Rink
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