Ty Rattie – NHL Draft Profile
2011 Scouting Reports | 31 May 201130. RW Ty Rattie – Portland (WHL)
DOB: Feb. 05/93 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 170lbs Midterm Rank: 20 | League Rank: 5th WHL | Country Rank: 15th Canada
Coming into the 2010-11 season with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, Ty Rattie was expected to burden a big part of the offensive load for one of the more talented teams in the CHL, and he would succeed at doing just that. Prior to the start of the season, many felt that Rattie had a chance to be a top-10 selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and though his stock may have dropped slightly since the start of the year, Rattie is still a budding young star, who will likely make any NHL team very happy to select him come draft day.
Originally the second overall pick in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Rattie was a very high scoring player in minor hockey, posting 75 goals and 131 points in only 33 games as a 14 year old leading into the draft. After being selected by the Hawks, Rattie spent one season in the AMHL, where he scored 29 goals and 54 points in 34 games. After an above average season for a 16 year old, Rattie really broke out this year after being paired with highly skilled linemate Sven Bartschi. The two developed excellent chemistry right from the start of training camp and never looked back, only getting better once the team acquired overager Craig Cunningham to center the young tandem. The line would be an integral part of the success of the Hawks, as the team would go all the way to the WHL finals before being dispatched by the Kootenay Ice in 5 games.
While playing with such two highly skilled players undoubtedly helped Rattie become a higher scoring player, the 17 year old Airdrie, Alberta native was certainly a key part of the Portland attack. Rattie is an excellent passer, with good vision and patience with the puck. He effectively used these tools to set up his teammates with tape-to-tape passes that often generated scoring chances, many for easy tap in goals. Rattie is also an excellent shooter, able to get his shot away quickly and accurately, and though his goal totals aren’t overwhelming, this allows him to open up space for his teammates, and keeps defenders honest when they’re playing against him.
The biggest concern in Rattie’s game right now is simply that he needs to get stronger. Rattie tends to play primarily along the perimeter, and though he has been effective for the most part, one has to wonder how good he could be if he were able to play in the rough areas of the ice. Rattie is a good skater, but he is by no means going to put you in awe with his speed – another aspect of his game that could use improvement. His defensive play improved a little over the season, but still needs work. There are stretches of time where you don’t even notice him on the ice, which may be a byproduct of him playing away from the danger zones.
At this point, Rattie has to be considered a project player by whichever NHL team selects him. Without a doubt, he has some serious offensive skill, but he will need to add some mass and learn to play the game with the same attention and effort in all three zones before he’s ready to make the jump. Said NHL team will likely send Rattie back to the Hawks next season in the hopes that he can be one of the top scorers in the WHL, and possibly earn himself a spot on Canada’s WJC team. One thing that is for sure, is that he’ll be expected to take another step with one of the most talented teams in the CHL in recent memory.
Pros: Skilled playmaker, above average shot, creativity, offensive ability
Cons: Strength, disappears at times, defensive struggles
Skillset Comparison: Justin Williams
Tags: 2011 nhl draft prospects, Scouting Report, Ty Rattie
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