Blake Speers
Image: CHL Images

Blake Speers

Hometown:

Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

Team:

New Jersey Devils

Currently Playing In:

CHL

Birthday:

1997-01-02
Position:

C

Eligible for draft:

2015
Shoots:

Right
Drafted:

2015
Height:

5-11
Acquired:

3rd Round (67th Overall), 2015
Weight:

181 lbs.
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History

2012-13: Blake Speers opened eyes in the Marlies Tournament in January and was the top scorer for the Soo Thunder minor midget AAA team. He scored 43 goals with 70 assists and 56 penalty minutes in 61 games with the Thunder. He scored 2 goals with 4 assists in four games for the NOHA All-Stars at the OHL Cup and represented northern Ontario in the Ontario U16 games. Speers was selected by Sault Ste. Marie in the first round (11th overall) in the 2013 OHL Draft.

2013-14: Speers skated in the OHL as a 16-year-old and played for Canada Ontario in the 2014 World Hockey Challenge. Skating in 62 regular season games for Sault Ste. Marie, he scored 19 goals with 21 assists and was +1 with 12 penalty minutes. The Greyhounds finished first in the West Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Speers had 3 assists and was -3 with no penalties in nine playoff games. He scored 1 goal with 3 assists and 6 penalty minutes in five games for Canada Ontario at the WHC.

2014-15: Speers was the fourth-leading scorer for Sault Ste. Marie in his second OHL season, one of four Greyhounds to top 67 points on a team that lost just 12 regular season games. He scored 24 goals with 43 assists and was +25 with 12 penalty minutes in 57 regular season games. After finishing first in the West Division, the Greyhounds reached the Westerin Conference finals, falling to Erie. Speers scored 3 goals with 6 assists and was -2 with 4 penalty minutes in 14 playoff games. He was invited to the NHL Prospect Combine in June and was ranked 49th amongst North American skaters in the Central Scouting final rankings. Speers was selected by New Jersey in the third round (67th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Talent Analysis

Speers is a smooth skater who can transition through all three zones with speed. The forward has put in a lot of effort to become a two-way player which makes him able to play in most situations. Offensively is where his strength lies thanks to his slick hands and good puckhandling skills. He can make accurate passes and take good shots on net. Most of all, Speers is a very smart player. Because of his size, he has to use his hockey sense to outwit opponents, see the play develop before it happens and act on it. Overall, Speers is a coachable player who wants to compete every night no matter his role.

Future

Speers is a team captain for Sault Ste. Marie in 2015-16 in his third season with the Greyhounds. He also played for the OHL All-Stars in the Subway Super Series against Russia. Long-term his offense will give him the best chance to reach the pros, but he is willing to play in a different role should his offense not carry him to the next level.

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