Harrison Ruopp
Image: WHL

Harrison Ruopp

Hometown:

Zehner Saskatoon

Team:

Pittsburgh Penguins

Currently Playing In:

CHL

Birthday:

1993-03-17
Position:

D
Eligible for draft:

2011
Shoots:

Right
Drafted:

2011
Height:

6-3
Acquired:

3rd round (84th overall), 2011
Weight:

205 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
6.0

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2008-09: Harrison Ruopp skated in 36 games for the Regina Pat Canadians in Saskatchewan and had 1 assist with 46 PMs. He had 1 assist with 4 PMs in five playoff games.

2009-10: Ruopp played in 33 games for the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders as a 16-year-old and was -15 with 38 PMs. The Raiders failed to reach the playoffs, finishing fifth in the East Division. Ruopp was selected to play for Canada West in the 2010 U17 World Hockey Challenge and was scoreless with 2 PMs in five games.

2010-11: Ruopp appeared in 54 of 72 games for Prince Albert in his second WHL season. He had 9 assists and was +8 with 98 PMs. The Raiders reached the playoffs despite a sub-.500 record and in the six-game series with Saskatoon Ruopp was -7 with no points and 9 PMs. Ranked 102nd amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings, he was selected by Phoenix in the third round (84th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.

2011-12: Ruopp played in a career-high 62 games in his third season with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders. He scored 2 goals with 7 assists. One of four defensemen to top 100 penalty minutes, Ruopp was third on the Raiders with 127. He finished minus-23 for a Raiders team that finished with the league's worst record. Ruopp was obtained by Pittsburgh from Phoenix along with goaltender Marc Cheverie in exchange for forward Zybnek Michalek in June, 2012.

 

Talent Analysis

Ruopp is a physical defenseman who is most noticeable on the ice for his ability to regularly deliver devastating, bone crunching checks. Possessing a defensive-first attitude and a tough-as nails disposition, Ruopp plays a very simply game in his own zone and prides himself on being very difficult to play against. He possesses a good hockey IQ, and is good at reading and quickly reacting to opposing forwards. Though he will never be mistaken for an offensive defenseman, Ruopp is good enough with the puck to send it quickly up ice and out of danger. He will need to continue to refine his game, particularly his zone coverage and gap control, but he has the toolbox to be a shutdown defenseman at the professional level.

 

Future

Ruopp will return to the WHL for the 2012-13 season.

 

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