Ethan Werek
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Birthday:
1991-06-07 |
Position:
C |
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Eligible for draft:
2009 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2009 |
Height:
6-0 |
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Acquired:
Trade with New York Rangers, 2011 |
Weight:
191 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- D
History
2008-09: Ethan Werek had a breakout season as a 17-year-old in his first OHL season with Kingston and skated for Canada in the 2009 U18 World Junior Championship. While the Frontenacs struggled, winning just 18 games (fewest in the league), Werek was Kingston's second-leading scorer behind Nathan Moon (a 2008 Penguins draft pick). Werek scored 32 goals (tied with Moon for the team lead) and was minus-five with 32 assists and 83 penalty minutes. In six games for fourth-place Canada at the U18 WJC, he scored 4 goals with 2 assists and was plus-four with 6 penalty minutes. Ranked 32nd amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings, Werek was selected by the Rangers in the second round (47th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft.
2009-10: Werek was once again the second-leading scorer for Kingston behind Moon in his second season with the Frontenacs despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury and also missing time due to a hip problem early in the year. He scored a team-leading 30 goals with 33 assists in 57 games and was plus-fourteen with 68 penalty minutes. Kingston was much-improved; reaching the OHL playoffs after finishing second in the East Division. Werek scored 3 goals with 2 assists and was plus-three in six playoff games against Brampton; missing the decisive seventh game after suffering a knee injury.
2010-11: Werek earned praise for his play at the rookie camp in Traverse City but suffered a knee injury in the Rangers main camp that forced him to miss most of camp and the first two games for Kingston. Werek also missed time mid-season, suffering a wrist injury that kept him out from December 10th to January 26th. In 47 games for the Frontenacs he scored 24 goals with 28 assists and was minus-three with 51 penalty minutes. Kingston reached the OHL playoffs after finishing third in the East Division despite a sub-.500 record. Werek skated in 3 of 5 playoff games during the series with Oshawa and had 3 assists and 12 penalty minutes. Phoenix obtained Werek in a trade with the Rangers in May 2011 and signed him to a three-year entry-level contract.
2011-12: Werek skated for Phoenix AHL affiliate Portland in his first pro season. Steadily seeing increased ice time as the season went on, he scored 10 goals with 9 assists in 67 games and was minus-three with 53 penalty minutes. Portland finished third in the Atlantic Division; missing the playoffs by two points.
Talent Analysis
Werek is a hard-working player with size and good two-way skills. Possesses a high hockey IQ and is a non-stop worker. Lacks foot-speed and quickness.
Future
Although an adept offensive player, Werek seems headed to become more of a two-way center. Despite some shortcomings in his skating, his smarts allow him to be effective in all three zones.
