Player's Profile
- Name: Bruce Graham
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Birthdate: 1985-12-02
- Eligible for Draft: 2004
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Moncton, New Brunswick
- Acquired: 2004 NHL Entry Draft by NY Rangers
- Playing In: Pro
Bruce Graham
Prospect Grade: 5.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Matt MacInnis
History
Graham centered fellow top prospect Martins Karsums on Moncton’s second line for most of the season and recorded 14 points, all assists, in Moncton’s run to the Q league final. He was selected to play for Team Orr in the 2004 CHL Prospects game.
Talent Analysis
Graham has towering size and has improved his skating and defensive play, both of which will undoubtedly be re-addressed when he turns pro. Despite his enormous size, Graham is not an overly physical player. Although he is effective engaging in tie-ups along the boards and winning loose pucks due to his reach, Graham typically doesn’t finish his checks with the huge thunderous blows one might expect for a player of his dimensions.
His offensive game is beginning to sharpen. His puckhandling skills are visibly better, and he seems to be more confident carrying the puck for longer periods of time. His on-ice vision and passing skills continue to evolve as he is finding his linemates more frequently and hitting them with better passes. His shot is perhaps the most improved aspect of his game, especially his wrist shot. His shot has gotten stronger, more accurate, and his release time appears to have gone down. From the hash-marks, Graham has become a feared sniper. Although his goal totals are currently high, for the most part Graham is a playmaker.
His skating is frequently what is usually addressed as his biggest weakness. Graham is a very large player, which makes it very difficult to look smooth while skating. His movement does need work, but although it doesn’t often look pretty, Graham is mobile enough to keep up with the flow of play and seems to have few problems with quick movements.
Future
With his blend of size and skill, Graham compares in many ways to a current day Eric Daze. He has the potential, if he’s able to smooth out his skating stride especially, to become a second line player in the NHL. His style of play most likely is not conducive to the third or fourth line, so if Graham can’t elevate himself to be an effective point-producer at the NHL level, he most likely will end up a career minor leaguer.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: April, 6th 2008
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