EJ Emery
Ht/Wt: 6′ 3″/181 lbs
Position: RHD
Team: US NTDP
Draft Rankings:
Ranked #29 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #31 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #27 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #16 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #49 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #45 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #20 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #23 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #24 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #18 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #39 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #22 by HPR/MALLOY
Ranked #56 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #35 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #29 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #49 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #44 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Draft Profile:
Adam Kimelman – NHL.com – June 11th: “Emery (6-3, 183) impressed with his high-end athleticism during the NHL Scouting Combine, after already standing out with his smarts, skating and defensive ability. The 18-year-old right-handed shot likely won’t be a big offensive contributor but should develop into a very good complement to a high-end offensive-minded defenseman.”
Chris Peters – Flo Hockey – June 3rd: “Emery still has a lot of filling out to do, but he’s a 6-foot-3, right-shot defenseman with high-end defensive sense, high-end skating ability and a foundation of skills to build off. He’s headed to the University of North Dakota, which has been a good finishing school for future NHL defensemen in recent years.”
Scott Wheeler – The Athletic – June 3: “Emery is capable of owning his ice defensively (though there are times when scouts would like to see him be a little meaner/harder), continues to show growth handling and transporting pucks (especially in transition) and has major steps that he can continue to take in his development because of a very wiry frame that has clear room for significant gains (it’s my understanding that he has worked very hard at it, eating a ton and training a ton, but his metabolism just burns right through it).”
Corey Pronman – The Athletic – May 28th: “Emery’s offense is a question, as his pure production won’t excite you with zero goals on the season. I think the first pass offense in his game is good enough to play a regular shift in the league, but it will be the main part of his game he will need to prove versus better players.”
Steven Ellis – Daily Faceoff – May 28th: “He skates well for a 6-foot-3 defender and does a tremendous job of cutting off angles, even on the bigger ice in international tournaments. The North Dakota commit isn’t too active on the scoresheet, but you can pair him with someone who is and he’ll be the rock that keeps things calm.”
Hadi Kalakeche – Dobber Prospects – Apr. 20th: ” His ability to close gaps with the right timing, to stifle opposing rushes with strong stick-and-body layering, and to toe the line between aggression and composure when deciding on a pinch are astoundingly polished.. Even if Emery never figures out his play with the puck, specialists like him usually make the NHL in some capacity.”
EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide – Emery absorbs and erases opposing rushes with smooth backward strides and a stable, perfect posture. Stick in front of him, extended but not overreaching, he pushes opponents wide and pivots onto them, knocking the puck away with a precise pokecheck.
