Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Holly Gunning/HF
- Name: Cody Eakin
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Birthdate: 1991-05-25
- Eligible for Draft: 2009
- Drafted: 2009
- Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Acquired: 3rd round (85th overall), 2009
- Playing In: Pro
Cody Eakin
Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2005-06: Eakin played for the Winnepeg Monarchs as a 14-year-old and was selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the first round (sixth overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft.
2006-07: Eakin played for the Winnepeg Wild in Manitoba Midget Hockey and made his WHL debut - appearing in three games with Swift Current. He was scoreless and -1 for the Broncos.
2007-08: Eakin scored 11 goals with 6 assists and was +5 with 52 PIM in 55 games as a rookie with Swift Current. Eakin missed some time due to a concussion but scored 3 goals with 4 assists and was +6 with 6 PIM in 12 playoff games as the Broncos defeated Regina before falling to Calgary in the WHL playoffs.
2008-09: Eakin was named one of Swift Current's assistant captains and improved his offensive numbers while playing a gritty two-way game. He scored 24 goals with 24 assists and was +18 with 42 PIM in 54 games. Eakin scored 3 goals and was -2 in Swift Current's seven-game, first-round playoff loss to Medicine Hat. Eakin starred in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game, scoring two goals and being named Player of the Game for Team Orr. Eakin won a gold medal while playing for Team Canada in the WJC U-18 tournament in Slovakia; scoring 2 goals with 2 PIM in six games.
2009-10: Eakin attended camp with the Capitals and signed a three-year, entry-level contract before being returned to Swift Current for his third season of juniors. Eakin made his pro hockey debut following the WHL playoffs with Washington's AHL affiliate Hershey. In the first period of his first game on March 31, Eakin scored a goal in a 5-2 win at Syracuse. He finished the regular season with 2 goals and was +1 with 2 PIM in four games with the Bears. In the AHL playoffs, he skated in five games for Hershey (four in the Calder Cup finals against Texas) and was scoreless with 2 PIM. Despite the disappointment of being cut from Canada's WJC U-20 team, Eakin was dominant in his last season of junior hockey for Swift Current. He scored 47 goals with 44 assists with 17 of his 47 goals coming on the power play. Playing on a Broncos' team that finished third in the East division, he was a disappointing -8 and had 71 PIM. Eakin was a threat short-handed, scoring four goals on the penalty kill. In four playoff games with Swift Current, he had 1 goal with 1 assist and was -6 with 2 PIM as the Broncos were swept by Brandon in the first round.
2010-11: Eakin was one of the leading scorers for WHL champion Kootenay after being acquired in a mid-season trade from Swift Current and skated for silver medal-winning Canada at the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship. Eakin scored 18 goals with 26 assists in 26 games with Kootenay following the trade. Between Swift Current and Kootenay he scored 36 goals with 47 assists and was +13 with 43 PMs in 56 WHL games. Eakin was one of four players with 27 points during the playoffs for the Ice; scoring 11 goals with 16 assists in 19 games. In five Memorial Cup games he scored 3 goals with 3 assists and was -3 with 4 PMs. Eakin skated in seven games for Team Canada and was +3 with 1 goal and 2 assists.
Click here to view this NHLPA video featuring Cory Eakin
Talent Analysis
Eakin isn’t a big guy and relies on his terrific speed and agility as his two greatest assets for success. He’s a solid two-way player that is very useful as a penalty killer, but is sometimes inconsistent in his defensive play. He’s an aggressive forechecker and will play the body although he’s not known as a punishing hitter. He’s creative and will attack defenders one-on-one but can also distribute the puck and uses his teammates well. Eakin doesn’t panic with the puck and rarely forces passes when under pressure. He is an above shooter and passer and is thus a constant offensive threat. Eakin is a natural centerman but is able to play winger, too. His competitiveness makes him popular with coaches, fans and teammates.
Future
Eakin will likely spend most of his first full pro season with Hershey in the AHL - which will give him the opportunity to play full time minutes in a top-six role. The strength of his game at junior was his speed and scoring skills and he will take time to adapt those skills to the pro game against bigger and faster players. Eakin is still developing and will need to add more strength while not sacrificing speed if he is to become the impact second or third line scoring forward at the NHL level that his talent suggests he can be.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: November, 30th 2011
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