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#8. Nino Niederreiter | RW | Portland (WHL)

Date of Birth: September 8th, 1992
Height: 6.02
Weight: 201lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 65GP 36G 24A 60P 68PIM
Playoffs | 13GP 8G 8A 16P 16PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 10 | Position Rank: 5th Forwards
League Rank: 2nd WHL | Country Rank: 1st Switzerland

After being the 2nd overall pick of the 2009 CHL Import Draft, high expectations were placed on this product of Switzerland. Over the course of the year, he has not only exceeded those expectations, but created even loftier ones based on his international play.

Niederreiter had a strong start to the season with Portland and was then selected to play for Switzerland at the World Juniors. Despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament, he carried the Swiss team to an upset win over the heavily-favoured Russian squad and into a surprising 4th place showing at the tournament. After returning back to Portland, Niederreiter’s play tailed off as he possibly got fatigued by the long WHL season. After helping Portland advance to the 2nd round of the WHL playoffs, he was again summoned for international duty, this time to the Swiss National team to play at the World Championships.

A high game total seemed to play a part in Niederreiter hitting a wall after the World Juniors. Going into the WJC, Nino had 23 goals and 41 points through the season’s first 37 games. Post WJC, Niederreiter managed just 13 goals and 19 points in the following 28 games. He seemed to get going again for Portland in time for their playoff run where he put up 8 goals and 16 points in 13 playoff games.

Niederreiter has shown great hands and a very quick release. He loves to finish his checks and be involved in the game physically. He is a thick body who is strong on his skates. His skating is decent from a technical perspective, but he must improve in both his ability to accelerate and his top-end speed.

Niederreiter is more NHL-ready than many players in the draft despite being one of the youngest players eligible. Expect him however to return to the WHL and have another strong year as he continues to adapt to the longer NHL-style seasons. Nino will likely be the second player chosen from the WHL in this year’s upcoming NHL draft and should come off the board in the 7 to 12 range. His play this season should make him the highest drafted Swiss player of all-time.

Pros: Great combination of skill and size, Great Shot, Clutch, Physicality and Intensity, Excellent International Resume, nearly an entire year younger than some other players in the draft

Cons: Speed and acceleration, temper sometimes gets the best of him

Skillset Comparison: Erik Cole

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Tags: 2010 nhl draft prospects, Nino Niederreiter, Scouting Report

About the Author: Scott McDougall

Scott has covered the WHL for TSR since the site opened back in 2009. Scott lives in Calgary, where he is able to attend the majority of his WHL games and Hockey Canada development camps. He regularly travels around Alberta to attend particular games of interest. He will venture to other locations around Western Canada when possible. Originally hailing from Manitoba, Scott makes sure to attend key tournaments out there ranging from the past World Juniors events in 1999 and 2005, to the Memorial Cup in 2010, and the U17 World Championships. Scott is also involved in the game as a minor hockey referee.