Claimed: Ozamataz Buckshank - W - Rookie Profile

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Name: Ozamataz Buckshank
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 250 lbs
Birthplace: Sundsvall, Sweden
Player Type: Power Forward
NHL Comparable: Prime Milan Lucic
Junior Team: Färjestad Karlstad  - J18 Elit (SWE)

 

 

Player Bio: Not one to shy away from physical contact, Ozamataz Buckshank comes into the league looking to make his mark. Playing the majority of his career in the elite tier Junior programs of the Swedish hockey league, Buckshank finally decided it was time to make the switch. Standing at 6'8" and weighing a whopping 250 lbs this forward is no slouch in the size department. Posting fairly impressive numbers in Junior he comes into this draft with high expectation for himself. His last season, he spotted this stat line that has scouts turning their heads.

GP: 20 - G: 22 - A: 20 : P: 42 - PIM: 25 - Hits: 83

 

Nothing to look down on for sure.

The comparisons have already begun on the type of player many hope and expect Buckshank to develop into, with many saying he reminds them of a Milan Lucic in his prime being able to control the game and change the complexion of things with one hit. His scoring touch is a nice little bonus to a player who might be seen for his size and physical play first before many consider what a complete offensive player he really is.

Strengths

 

Checking: Not one to shy away from laying the body, Buckshank makes a habit and a living out of using his size to punish his opponents. Averaging over 4 hits a game as a minimum in his latest season, he looks to a useful force on the ice in more ways than most. Maybe not the flashy scoring winger many people like to look for, he willing to separate player from puck in order to generate opportunities on offense and be hard to play against defensively.

 

Scoring: Not just a 1 hit (haha) wonder, Buckshank uses the skill and size equally when he plays the game. After creating doubt in the players around him with his physical play, and forcing many players aside with his size, he they creates scoring opportunities for himself in the dirty areas. But as much as he is named a 'pigeon' for cleaning up the garbage, this player has a one of king slap shot that makes even defenders jealous. 

Defense: The one thing his coaches in Junior preached and made a point to push onto the youngster was being strong as both ends of the rink and Buckshank does just that. He plays just well in the defensive zone as he does on offense. Keeping the play away from his net, playing strong on the boards and keeping the puck moving forward at all times.

 

 

Weaknesses

 

Discipline: The one glaring downside to it all for Buckshank with all his physical minded play is his discipline. He rarely can seem to go more than 2 games without finding himself in the box, and at times can hurt his team more than aid it. This seems to be common ground when you have a large physical player, but it is still a point of concern for some teams.

Fighting: For a player with his size, tenacity and grit you'd expect him to be able to throw with the best of them, this is not the case. Buckshank has been called out several times for his drive to make the play get more dirty and physical, but when the gloves come off and people want to dance he normally shy's away from such things happy to just hit everything that moves.

Strength:  You would figure with a player of his size, he would pack the strength to back it up, in this case you will be left with somethings to desire as this young winger really needs to hit the gym more as his strength is completely lacking right now, and if he wants to really compete with the big boys, needs to learn to pack on the muscle weight, not just the weight...weight.

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