Christopher Ralph is a sportswriter with a focus on hockey prospects, the entry draft, as well as occasional Flames coverage here at THW.
{A special thanks to THW’s Buffalo Sabres Correspondent, Angela Stefano, who provided exceptional assistance in preparing this prospect profile.}
“Full Potential” Prospect Profile:
Jarred Tinordi (Click on name for up- to- date stats)
Place of birth: Burnsville, MN, USA
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
Shoots: L
Position: D
2009-10 Team: U.S. National Under-18 (USHL)
NHL Status: Draft Eligible 2010
Date of birth: February 20, 1992
One-Timer:
Rough-and-tumble hockey is in Jarred Tinordi’s blood – his father, defenseman Mark Tinordi, totaled 1,514 penalty minutes in 12 seasons (1987-1999) with the New York Rangers, former Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals.
The younger Tinordi shares his father’s imposing stature along with the physicality and edge with which he played the game. Jarred though is a better skated than his dad.
Jarred played the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons for the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-17 and Under-18 teams, respectively, where he served as captain for the 2009-2010 season and won a gold medal at the 2010 Under-18 World Championships.
He has verbally committed to the University of Notre Dame for next season, but is also reportedly being pursued by the OHL’s London Knights. The latter might be his route of choice should the NHL team that drafts him request it.
Scout’s Honor:
“He skates very well for a big guy. He has an excellent shot from the point. He’s a pretty smart player. The head’s there, the hands are there, the shot’s there, the skating ability is there. He’s got a real, real cannon for a shot.”
Jack Barzee, NHL Central Scouting
“His father, Mark Tinordi, was once a physical, defensive defenseman in the NHL who punished the opposition, and the younger Tinordi plays the exact same way….The most physically ready of the USA NHL draft-eligible prospects, Tinordi completes the package with a mean streak and strong mobility.”
McKeen’s 2010 NHL Draft Guide
“Massive stay-at-home rearguard with excellent character, bloodlines, and leadership. Dependable, shutdown defender, always thinks defense-first, and his crease coverage is among the best of this class – colossal frame and nasty disposition form an impenetrable barrier between opponents and his goalie. Readily protects teammates and will drop the gloves. Reads and reacts to plays well at the defensive end. Effectively closes his man off to the wall and staples him there. Only has one gear, but shows functional mobility for a big man. Uses long stick/reach to break up lots of passes. Settles things down when team gets in trouble in its own end. Difficult to beat in 1-on-1 situations down low in puck battles or off the rush. Has no offensive upside but avoids costly errors and makes safe, simple plays.”
Red Line Report 2010 Draft Guide
“For Jarred to be at his best, he just needs to be steady. He’s very intelligent, keeps himself in good position, and is capable of making the first pass. And that should and probably always will be the foundation of what will bring out the most in his game.”
U.S. Under-18 head coach Kurt Kleinendorst
Current Season:
2009-10: Tinordi captained the U.S. National Team Development Program and played for the US Under-18 USHL team. He scored four goals and had five assists (nine points), a plus-14 rating, and 68 penalty minutes in 26 games. He won a goal medal at the 2010 Under-18 World Championship.
Bio/Interview(s)/Link(s):
Scouting Combine Performance:
Placed first in the Leg Power Peak with No Pause test and second in the Leg Power Peak with Pause test. Placed third in the Leg Power Average with Pause and Leg Power Average with No Pause tests. Placed fifth in the Long Jump test and sixth in the Wing Span and Vertical Jump with Pause tests. Placed eighth in the Vertical Jump with No Pause test and ninth in the Anaerobic Fitness: Peak Power Output and Jump: Average Jump Height tests.
International Tournaments:
2010 U-18 World Championship – 1-1-2 and a plus-eight rating in seven games, while captaining the gold medal winning squad.
ETA = 4 years
Risk-Reward Analysis: Risk = 1/5 Reward = 4/5
NHL Potential: Shutdown Physical Defenseman
Strengths:
*See “One Timer” section above*
- Intimidating size and reach
- Solid defense
- Toughness and grit
- Good skater
- Makes accurate first passes out of his own zone
- Leadership
- Physicality and plays with an edge
- Hockey intelligence
Flaws/Aspects He Needs To Work On:
- Puck-handling skills
- Speed
- Continue to train to add strength and mass to his impressive frame
Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 6/10 Defensive = 9/10
NHL Player(s) Comparison: His father, Mark Tinordi and Robyn Regehr
Interesting Notes:
When his father’s hockey career took the family to Millersville, MD, for a stint with the Washington Capitals, Jarred played for the Washington Junior Nationals “Little Caps.” Jarred now wears number 24, like his father.
Other Rankings:
CSB: 38
ISS: 25
TSN: 21 (Bob McKenzie’s mid-season rankings)
McKeens: 25
THN: 22
THW: 27(June ’10) {Christopher Ralph }
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