Jared Knight

History

2007-08: Jared Knight played for the Detroit Compuware AAA Under-16 team.  Drafted in the third round of the OHL Priority Selection by the London Knights.

2008-09: In his OHL rookie season for the London Knights, Knight played in 67 games, scoring 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points.  He had a +13 rating and added 60 penalty minutes.  In 14 playoff games, Knight scored 3 goals.

2009-10: Played for the OHL London Knights.  In 63 games for the Knights, Knight scored 36 goals and added 21 assists for 57 points.  Knight picked it up in the playoffs, scoring 10 goals and adding 7 assists in 12 post-season games.

2010-11: Knight was the leading scorer for London in his third OHL season – finishing with 25 goals and 45 assists and was an even plus/minus with 39 PMs. Knight scored 10 of his 25 goals on the power play for a Knights' squad that reached the playoffs despite finishing last in the five-team Midwest division. In London's six-game playoff series against Owen Sound, he scored 4 goals with 2 assists and was +3 with 2 PMs. Following the OHL playoffs, he made his AHL debut with Providence. In 3 games with the Providence Bruins, he had 2 assists and was +2 with 2 PMs. Knight signed an entry level contract with Boston in July 2011.

2011-12: Knight attended the USA Evaluation camp for the 2012 U20 World Junior tournament over the summer and was in Boston's camp before returning to London for his fourth OHL season. The Knights finished with the OHL's best record and won the league playoff championship to reach the Memorial Cup. Knight scored 26 goals with 26 assists and was plus-23 with 28 penalty minutes in 52 games; missing time at mid-season due to a concussion and lingering neck soreness and then suffering a high ankle sprain at the end of the year that hampered him in the post-season. In 15 OHL playoff games he scored 4 goals with 4 assists and was minus-two with 9 penalty minutes. London fell to Memorial Cup host Shawinigan in overtime in a memorable championship game and in four Memorial Cup games Knight was minus-two with 1 assist. Knight signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Bruins in July 2011.

 

Talent Analysis

Knight is a fan favorite among the Bruins faithful. This hard charging winger is fearless and attacks the goal better than any player in junior hockey. There’s some vintage Eric Cole in there in terms of the way he likes to come down his off-wing, get a step on the defense and then use his speed and power to bull his way to the net taking out anything and everything that gets in his way. To bolster that part of his game, he’s made incredible strides in terms of strength and speed and is one of the hardest working prospects in all of hockey. He has a howitzer of a wrist shot that he gets off quickly and accurately, but he lacks some creativity in his stickhandling and in one-on-one situations, preferring the bull-rush approach. Works best with a talented set-up man, but has made significant gains as a distributor, in part because he had to learn to play and produce without just such a partner. Works the walls and the front of the net well, using his low center of gravity and powerful frame to its fullest. Is a determined and energetic player in all three zones. A coach’s dream because he’s adaptable and willing to do whatever is asked of him, whatever it takes to win. A true leader.

 

Future

At approximately 205 pounds and with his simple, straight-line approach, Knight could potentially play in the NHL right now. But being able to play and being ready to contribute are two very different things and Knight may be better served by continuing to develop his offensive game in junior, and on the world stage for Team USA at the World Junior championships. Regardless of whether he makes the team this year or the year after, Knight has a very low bust factor and a bright future as a Ryan Callahan-type.