Christopher Ralph is a hockey writer with a focus on prospects and the entry draft, as well as the Leafs’ correspondent here at THW.
“Full Potential” Prospect Profile:
60. Ben Hanowski
Date of birth: October 18, 1990
Place of birth: Little Falls, MN, USA
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 198
Shoots: L
One-Timer:
As NHL.com reports: “He set the record for most points in a high school hockey career, surpassing an 11-year-old mark of 378 points, set by Johnny Pohl of Red Wing High from 1994-95 through 1997-98. Hanowski finished his career with 405 points (196-209-405) needing 111 games to break the mark Pohl had set in 112 – he tied the record with a shorthanded goal during a five-on-three and surpassed the record with a power-play goal.” In 2008-09 he was named the Associated Press State Player of the Year and a Mr. Hockey Finalist. NHL Central Scouting’s Jack Barzee stated: “Ben needs to improve his overall skating, but his unselfishness, his hands and above all his ability to score goals sets him apart. His knack for scoring goals is similar to Thomas Vanek – his extra dimension is scoring goals.”Next season he’s committed to St. Cloud State University.
NHL Player(s) Comparison: Andrew Brunette, Tomas Vanek
Bio/Interview Links:
- http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/2009/2/24/769404/hanowski-sets-scoring-reco
- http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/41315012.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUeyD8_o8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Scouting Combine Performance:
- Sorokin noted: “from what I saw, this is a top character guy. A future leader, and apparently he absolutely destroyed some high school records, so who knows, with a few years in the juniors or NCAA, a solid NHLer could come out of this kid.”
International Tournaments: n/a
ETA = 3 to 4 years
Risk-Reward Analysis: Risk = 4/5 Reward = 4/5
NHL Potential: Offensive, goal-scoring forward
Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 8/10 Defensive = 5.5/10
ISS: 78
CSB: 35-NA
TSN: Honourable mention
THN: 84
Video Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swZS_UCI0AA
The Pens desperately need any kind of a prospect pool, and desperately still need wingers. Ben will look amazing on Crosby or Malkin’s wing in a couple of years if he doesn’t take a step backwards. Minnesota kids seem to turn into some pretty decent goal scorers.
As a Flyers fan this is a little scary, but the Pens certainly picked up a good kid.
Thanks for the comment, Matt – hilarious…
Not sure Hanowski is the next Mario or anything, but in the near future he might just look might fine flanking SC87 or Geno on the wing!!!
Skip school and get into the “A”… School is for chicks. LET’S GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you pan out Ben! Remember what Mario did, quit school and went for it! You can do the same!!! School is one big lie anyways, there are no good jobs in the USA anymore unless you can program a rocket!
Let’s Go Pens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!