#22. Tyler Pitlick – 2010 Scouting Report
2010 Scouting Reports | 3 Jun 2010—————
#22. Tyler Pitlick | C | Minnesota State-Mankato (NCAA)
Date of Birth: November 1st, 1991 Height: 6.02 Weight: 194lbs. Shoots: R Season Statistics: Regular Season | 38GP 11G 8A 19P 27PIM Playoffs | n/a TSR Midterm Rank: NR | Position Rank: 15th Forwards League Rank: 1st NCAA | Country Rank: 8th USA
Not very many people knew a whole lot about Tyler Pitlick before the 2009/2010 season, and there certainly were not many who could have projected that Pitlick would wind up being a consensus first round pick for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. A successful freshman season at the Minnesota State-Mankato later, and Pitlick’s season has culminated in just that.
After a couple of strong seasons at Centennial High, the Centerville, MN native committed to the Mavericks program, one which hasn’t been a prospect hotbed of late. Despite playing under the radar from the outset, Pitlick quickly made a name for himself last year as one of the biggest surprises in the WCHA. A nephew of former NHLer Lance Pitlick, Tyler was a force last season, notching 11 goals and 19 points in his first season of college hockey, good enough for a tie for third on the team in goals.
What Pitlick has excelled in, however, is playing a complete game and competing hard. He’s got good size for a forward, and plays with a lot of grit in his game that projects well to the next level. In a draft where most of the highly touted forwards lack that type of edge to their game, Pitlick is a pretty physical player that is right at home on the walls and in the corners. He also takes the puck to the net and isn’t afraid to take his lumps from opposing defensemen in the tough areas on the ice.
On that note, it’s rather fitting that Pitlick will be taking his game to the WHL next year as he joins the Medicine Hat Tigers, who held his WHL rights. Pitlick’s style of play translates very well to Major Junior Hockey, especially the traditionally physical style of the WHL. Pitlicks arrival to Medicine Hat marks the second straight season that the Tigers have managed to lure in a high profile American, after signing Emerson Etem a year ago, who has also assured himself a spot in the first round of this summer’s draft.
Pitlick will likely be more accustomed to playing on the wing in the WHL, as that is where his skill-set likely projects better at the professional level. One area he will definitely need to improve on is capitalizing on offensive opportunities. Pitlick creates a lot of chances but has to do a better job of executing on them. At the next level he won’t have the type of time and space he does in the NCAA and WHL, which makes it pertinent for him to bury those chances if he wants to be a reliable point producer in the NHL.
Overall, Pitlick’s decision to move to the WHL next year will probably put a smile on the face of a lot of NHL General Managers. Many have always felt that his game is tailor-made for Major Junior hockey, and now he will have a great opportunity to showcase his skills in that environment. While his high end offensive ability isn’t at the level of some of the other players available in the range he will go in, his ability to play a pro style game makes him a pretty safe pick, and if he can continue to work on his scoring touch, he should develop into a good second or third line winger who can bring a lot of physicality and versatility to a NHL team, which are very valuable elements to any hockey team.
Pros: Two-Way Play, Size/Strength, Gritty/Physical Play
Cons: Inefficient on Offensive Opportunities, On Ice Vision
Skillset comparison: Chris Kunitz
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Tags: 2010 nhl draft prospects, Scouting Report, Tyler Pitlick
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