Eric Knodel

Hometown:

West Chester Pennsylvania

Team:

Toronto Maple Leafs

Currently Playing In:

NCAA

Birthday:

1990-06-08
Position:

D
Eligible for draft:

2009
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2009
Height:

6-6
Acquired:

5th round (128th overall), 2009
Weight:

225 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
6.0

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2009-10: Eric Knodel played a season with Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. He scored three goals and 17 assists in 50 games with the team, before committing to New Hampshire for the next season.

2010-11: Knodel practiced with the University of New Hampshire as a freshman but did not see any action as the Wildcats' core six defensemen played all 39 games. New Hampshire was second in Hockey East during the regular season and reached the NCAA Northeast Regional Final.

2011-12: Knodel skated in all 37 games for the University of New Hampshire as a sophomore. He scored 3 goals with 9 assists and was plus-three with 24 penalty minutes. The Wildcats finished sixth in Hockey East and lost to Boston University in the league quarterfinals in a three-game series that featured two double overtime games.

 

 

Talent Analysis

Knodel possesses great size and strong skating ability. Although large, he’s not a huge physical presence, and relies more on proper stick positioning then punishing body checks. He jumps into the rush, and can provide good offense from the point. Agility and coordination will be areas of focus moving forward, as will adjusting to the higher level of competition in the NCAA.

 

Future

Knodel is in his junior season with New Hampshire, and is likely to wrap up his college career in 2013-14.

Projection: Massive depth defender with offensive potential.

 

 

Toronto Maple Leafs have decent depth at European and NCAA levels

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Photo: Defenseman Andrew MacWilliam recently signed an entry-level deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. MacWilliam spent the season playing for North Dakota. (courtesy of Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images)

The Maple Leafs have several prospects playing at the NCAA and European level. Tony Cameranesi boasts the most impressive season out of any NCAA prospect, while a strong performance from Swedish defenseman Tom Nilsson has earned him an entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs. All three of the Maple Leafs European prospects are Swedish.

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NCAA college prospects notebook for November, 2012

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on

Eric Knodel - Univeristy of New Hampshire

Photo: University of New Hampshire defenseman and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Eric Knodel has been a contributor to the Wildcats' hot play of late (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

This edition of the Notebook takes a look some of the notable (and not so notable) prospect performances around college hockey in the month of November. Unless otherwise noted, all statsitics are current as of Nov. 30.

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Defensive prospects an area of strength for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ system

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on

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Photo: Carter Ashton is just one of a handful of young forwards the Maple Leafs have acquired over the past two years. (Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

The additions of defensemen Morgan Rielly and Matt Finn at the 2012 NHL Draft have bolstered what was once a weak point in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ system. They are added to a list of names such as Korbinian Holzer, Jesse Blacker, Stuart Percy, and Petter Granberg that are in the fold currently. Each player offers a different dynamic that should complement the team’s defensive core if they continue to progress in their development.

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