via mynhldraft.com
Alex Galchenyuk
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/185 lbs
Position: C
Team: Sarnia (OHL)
Alex Galchenyuk’s Player Profile
Since being selected first overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, Alex Galchenyuk has had a lot of pressure on him to perform at an elite level. So far, he’s doing just fine. In his rookie year in the OHL, Galchenyuk tallied 83 points in 68 games for the Sarnia Sting, scoring 31 goals. The 6’2 teenage star is certain to go very high in the 2012 NHL Draft, and grab another load of very high expectations in the process.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Galchenyuk was drafted into the OHL from the Chicago Young Americans after absolutely dominating the league, scoring 87 points in just 38 games. Galchenyuk has lived in four countries so far, including Germany, Italy, and Russia. His father was a veteran of the Russian Super League, and Alex moved around a lot. The family moved to Chicago to allow Galchenyuk to be eligible to play in the OHL, and so far it appears to be paying off. He will be playing alongside fellow top prospect Nail Yakupov again in Sarnia during the 2011-2012 OHL season, and many people are excited to see the two top last seasons outstanding performance. Former NHL star Igor Larionov has compared Alex Galchenyuk to Marian Hossa, and believes, along with the majority of hockey scouts, that Galchenyuk has a bright hockey future ahead of him. Galchenyuk has top-notch skill, including outstanding goal scoring ability, and the NHL team that selects him in the 2012 NHL Draft will be selecting what could potentially be a future All-Star for many years to come.
Submitted by: David O’Connor
via thescoutingreport.org
For a player who was primed to make a run at the top spot, Galchenyuk’s season has been derailed by a pre-season knee injury that will keep him out for at least another month. Galchenyuk is not overly dynamic, but his elusive style of play is very comparable to Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin. Galchenyuk has good size and does a great job of stickhandling and weaving in and out of traffic. He has a great shot and a deceptive release and a goal scorer’s instinct that simply cannot be taught. He’s certainly a wildcard right now, but his upside is just as high as anyone in this draft.