6'2" - 195 LBS
Big, agility, 3 zone player, physically dominating, goal scorer, play maker. These are all words used to describe Saad. One would think of a player with his natural ability to be a centerman, but the left shooting Saad plays either wing. He's as productive on his off wing as he is on his strong side.
The 10th overall pick in the OHL Priority Draft for the Spirit was a bit of a gamble considering there were strong indications Saad would opt for the US National Development program or the United States Hockey League. Fans of the Ontario Hockey League eventual won the opportunity to watch Saad for the 2010-11 season.
In 2009-10 Saad put up 12 goals and 26 points for the US Development team. In 2008-09 he had 29 goals and 47 points playing for Mahoning Valley Phantoms, a team that didn't have a single player in the top 20 in scoring but boasted 9 30 point players.
Saad is of Syrian descent and one would figure that that could lead to some nasty trash talk on the ice. Saad told The Hockey News in an interview recently that he hasn't seen that yet. He added “Most people don’t know.”
Saad will be counted upon as one of the offensive leaders for the Spirit. He will have to withstand the physical demands of the OHL season. He's capable in both departments. He's another name to add to the ever growing list of tremendous US hockey players, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be successful, leaving NHL scouts and GM's to take notice of in the top half of the first round of the entry draft.
No comments:
Post a Comment