Claimed: You done Mess up Ay Ay Ron

[boubabi 4,725]

 

Ay Ay Ron #5
Helsinki Titans
Position : D
Age: 21
Height: 6’4
Weight : 216lbs
Birthplace : Windsor, Ontario
Nation : Canada

Waiver claimed by Vegas in his first VHLM Season, Ay Ay Ron silently, but effectively made his name in the VHLM winning the Founder’s cup at his first season in the league. Season after, he was drafted by the Saskatoon Wild and played top line minutes along Emil Martinov, who played inspired hockey during the playoffs. Results were the same this season, as Ay Ay Ron secured his 2nd cup with the Wild. His minor league success brought attention to the big league, where the Helsinki Titans payed a big price to acquire his service at the 2nd oa rank. Now, the young defense men is ready to prove that he is VHL ready. 

 

Strength

 

As the VHL shifts to smaller, quicker players, there’s still plenty of appeal for tall, physical defenders — especially when they skate likeRon. Six-foot-four in stature, with quick four-way mobility and separation speed in open ice, his feet can certainly keep up with the way the NHL moving.

In form, he uses his skating ability to maintain a tight gap. He’s more than willing to throw the body along the boards, and can dish a bone-crushing open-ice check on occasion. He collapses to the net, tracks the puck adequately, and has a knack for making last-second desperation defensive plays. However, I’d hesitate to describe him as a defensive stalwart, which I’ll explain in a bit.

Just like without the puck, offensively Ron has the tools to be better than his current level. He has a powerful slapshot and a quick wrister that snagged him most of his goals in the VHLM. He isn’t creative in the offensive zone, but keeps the puck in the right hands well enough.

At this point, his best asset is likely his ability to transition the puck, and that would have been categorized as a weakness as recently as one year ago. With his head always up and a slick first pass. He skates himself into the odd mistake while under pressure, but otherwise has the poise and skill to evade attackers and make the odd nice play.

 

 

Weakness

The problem with Ay Ay Ron has been, and remains, consistent execution. Despite possessing the tools to maintain a tight gap on defence, he doesn’t do this with enough regularity. He found himself on the negative side of the highlight reel a few too many times with gap control that ranges from too aggressive to too passive.
Offensively, there’s a notable disconnect between the shooting and the scoring. Ron is flatfooted along the boards, and won’t hesitate to fire a shot from there. However, this is a terrible angle to shoot from, limiting his shots on goal. There’s been notable improvement in using his quick lateral movement to locate open lanes, but still work to be done.

His stick was also used in an attempt to slow the opposition down, taking a number of hooking, slashing, and tripping penalties. His season record 40 minors penalties including three boarding minors and a major and misconduct for a hitting-from-behind infraction.