Frost(y) Future Forecast For Hawks
Mar 6, 2019 16:16:58 GMT -5
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Post by Asbjørn Nygård on Mar 6, 2019 16:16:58 GMT -5
FROST(Y) FUTURE FORECAST FOR HAWKS
by Asbjørn Nygård
The 2018-19 season has been one to forget for the St. Roch Hawks and while the future looks Frosty that could actually be a good thing.
Back in the 2017 Dynasty Hockey League Entry Draft the Hawks were able to procure Morgan Frost with their 4th round pick, 38th overall. Since then the diminutive center has done nothing but dominate in the Ontario Hockey League and has become one of the truly elite prospects in the sport.
Last year Frost was second in the OHL in scoring with 112 points in 67 games. This year he's leading the OHL in scoring with 107 points through 55 games, a pace of 132 points on the season. With consistent production like that it's no wonder that members of the Hawks front office consider Frost to be Viagra for their limp roster going forward.
"We know we will have a need at center in the near future and we expect Frost to not only fill that need but to become a cornerstone of our team," said Hawks Assistant General Manager Doug MacLean. "The guy put up eight points (four goals, four assists) in five games for Team Canada during the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship and has absolutely dominated the OHL each of the last two years. There's no reason to think he won't be successful once he joins the Hawks."
The Hawks are currently led at center by veterans Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Johansen but both of them will be free agents in 2021. Having a long-term answer at center is vital for the organization to reclaim their annual status as playoff contenders and Frost is expected to be a part of that.
"We could go out and spend a ton of money on a stud free agent but I think we're going to get the same production from a guy like Frost," said MacLean. "We've drafted well over the years and are enjoying the fruits of that now. Guys like Pierre-Luc Dubois, Artemi Panarin, Luke Kunin, Kasperi Kapanen (acquired via trade), Charlie McAvoy, Brock Boeser and Alex Tuch are already major players for us. Adding a guy like Frost, possibly as soon as next season, will allow us to build ourselves back into a playoff contender without having to break the bank on free agents."
Hawks head coach Doug Weight is excited about Frost's complete game. "I think the intangibles that he provides are arguably more important than the goals he scored. Yes, he's scoring at a prolific clip but he has gotten stronger, he plays on the first-unit power play and penalty kill, he's blossomed into a leader and is working both ends of the ice. He's a dependable guy, he knows how to play in those situations, he enjoys the pressure of those situations and, quite honestly, he thrives in those critical minutes of the game."
Frosty the Goal Man, as he will soon be known, is expected to push for a spot on the Hawks as soon as October and is a face to watch for in training camp.
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by Asbjørn Nygård
The 2018-19 season has been one to forget for the St. Roch Hawks and while the future looks Frosty that could actually be a good thing.
Back in the 2017 Dynasty Hockey League Entry Draft the Hawks were able to procure Morgan Frost with their 4th round pick, 38th overall. Since then the diminutive center has done nothing but dominate in the Ontario Hockey League and has become one of the truly elite prospects in the sport.
Last year Frost was second in the OHL in scoring with 112 points in 67 games. This year he's leading the OHL in scoring with 107 points through 55 games, a pace of 132 points on the season. With consistent production like that it's no wonder that members of the Hawks front office consider Frost to be Viagra for their limp roster going forward.
"We know we will have a need at center in the near future and we expect Frost to not only fill that need but to become a cornerstone of our team," said Hawks Assistant General Manager Doug MacLean. "The guy put up eight points (four goals, four assists) in five games for Team Canada during the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship and has absolutely dominated the OHL each of the last two years. There's no reason to think he won't be successful once he joins the Hawks."
The Hawks are currently led at center by veterans Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Johansen but both of them will be free agents in 2021. Having a long-term answer at center is vital for the organization to reclaim their annual status as playoff contenders and Frost is expected to be a part of that.
"We could go out and spend a ton of money on a stud free agent but I think we're going to get the same production from a guy like Frost," said MacLean. "We've drafted well over the years and are enjoying the fruits of that now. Guys like Pierre-Luc Dubois, Artemi Panarin, Luke Kunin, Kasperi Kapanen (acquired via trade), Charlie McAvoy, Brock Boeser and Alex Tuch are already major players for us. Adding a guy like Frost, possibly as soon as next season, will allow us to build ourselves back into a playoff contender without having to break the bank on free agents."
Hawks head coach Doug Weight is excited about Frost's complete game. "I think the intangibles that he provides are arguably more important than the goals he scored. Yes, he's scoring at a prolific clip but he has gotten stronger, he plays on the first-unit power play and penalty kill, he's blossomed into a leader and is working both ends of the ice. He's a dependable guy, he knows how to play in those situations, he enjoys the pressure of those situations and, quite honestly, he thrives in those critical minutes of the game."
Frosty the Goal Man, as he will soon be known, is expected to push for a spot on the Hawks as soon as October and is a face to watch for in training camp.
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