Canucks: Centres that are potential third round draft targets
By Rick Warman
Blake Biondi
2019-2020 club: Hermantown High (USHS); Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Position: Centre/Right wing
Height: 6’0″ 181 lbs.
Another player Vancouver should consider is high school centre, Blake Biondi. The high-energy team captain was the 2020 recipient of the Mr. Hockey Award for the State of Minnesota. Biondi turned down the opportunity to play with the USNTDP to remain with his high school team.
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He finished second in league scoring with a remarkable 37 goals and 39 assists in 25 games, while adding ten goals and 19 points in six playoff games.
Biondi also played ten games in the USHL registering three points. He has also represented the United States on the international stage at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
One aspect of his game that stood out when I watched him play was his quick, explosive first few steps, although, his top-end speed is average. Biondi has a non-stop motor and plays with a bit of an edge.
He is fearless when he drives to the net and shows physicality on the forecheck. A hard, accurate shot is another strong-point of his game, as is his stickhandling ability. His hockey IQ is extremely high, and his vision and overall offensive awareness are top-notch.
A couple of areas that he needs to work on are his passing accuracy, and in the defensive zone, he occasionally gets caught watching the puck and loses his check. Biondi could also stand to lengthen his stride to improve his overall skating speed.
He is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the 2020-2021 season.
Tristen Robins
2019-2020 club: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
Position: Centre/Right wing
Height: 5’10” 174 lbs.
A sensational second half of the season for forward Tristen Robins made for a very crowded hype train. In his last 32 games, Robins amassed 53 points to finish the season with 73 points to lead the Blades in scoring.
That total was third among first-time draft-eligible players in the Western Hockey League, behind only Seth Jarvis and Connor Zary. Both of whom rank as first rounders. Robins was elevated to top-six duty when Kirby Dach made the Blackhawks’ roster, but it was as a winger. When Eric Florchuk was traded to the Vancouver Giants in early January, Robins earned a promotion to the first-line centre position, and that’s when things started to take off.
Robins is a dynamic skater with superior agility and edgework. Those attributes, combined with a high sense of awareness and high-end playmaking skills, make him a fascinating player. Robins is extraordinarily competitive and brings it every shift, and despite his small frame, he is fearless in front of the net. He is exceptionally shifty and capable of making plays at top speed. Robins plays a complete game and is very responsible defensively with great anticipation.
Added strength and improved faceoffs are areas that will need enhancement for Robins to have success at the next level. However, with his determination, I am confident he can develop into a decent player. He is a player with a lot of promise that I would love to see the Canucks draft.