Darren Kramer
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Birthday:
1991-11-19 |
Position:
C |
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Eligible for draft:
2009 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
6-1 |
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Acquired:
6th round (156th overall), 2011 |
Weight:
202 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- D
History
2008-09: After putting up decent offensive numbers for Peace River in Midget AA hockey in 2007-08, Darren Kramer's focus was more on physical play in his first year of junior hockey. In just 38 games with the Alberta Junior Hockey League-champion Grand Prairie Storm, Kramer amassed 220 penalty minutes, including 22 fighting majors, while scoring four goals. The Edmonton Oil Kings selected Kramer in the 10th round (207th overall) in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
2009-10: Though Grand Prairie failed to repeat as AJHL champions, Kramer emerged as a team leader in his second year with the Storm. In 58 games, he displayed the scoring touch that he showed in Peace River scoring 19 goals with 11 assists while leading the AJHL with 311 penalty minutes – including 25 fighting majors.
2010-11: Kramer was named captain of the Storm in his third season but after ten games decided to forego the possibility of playing college hockey and joined the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. An instant favorite of both the Chiefs' fans, his Spokane teammates and Chiefs coach and former NHLer Don Nachbaur, Kramer scored 7 goals with 7 assists and topped the 300-minute mark in penalties (306). Spokane, after being eliminated in the first round in 2009-10, advanced to the WHL semifinals before falling to Portland in six games. In 17 playoff games, Kramer scored 5 goals with 3 assists and was +5 with 21 PMs. Two of his three goals came on the power play. In his 10 games with Grand Prairie, he had 4 goals with 1 assist and 28 PMs. Kramer was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the 6th round (156th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
2011-12: One of the "heavyweights" in the WHL, Kramer hit the 200 penalty minute mark for the fourth straight season but was also the third leading goal scorer (20 goals) for Spokane in his second WHL season. Kramer's 200 penalty minutes in 71 games were a big improvement (he topped 300 minutes in the two previous seasons) as he seemed to pick his spots. He had a career-high 18 assists and finished the season plus-four. The Chiefs finished third in the U.S. Division and reached the second round of the playoffs. Kramer scored 3 goals with 3 assists and was plus-five with 20 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games. He signed a three-year entry-level contact with Ottawa in May 2012.
Talent Analysis
Kramer is one of the toughest fighters in junior hockey with some offensive ability and a keen understanding of situational play. While his skating and technical skills, particularly stickhandling and passing, are areas which need improvement, he has been on winning teams at every level of hockey and brings a team-first approach to the game. His shot and willingness to go to the net are valuable power play assets.
Future
Kramer has signed an entry-level, three-year contract with the Senators and, after playing one game in Binghamton to start the 2012-13 season, he was sent to Elmira where he will most likely spend the bulk of this season.
