Justin Azevedo

History

2007-08: Led the entire OHL in scoring with 124 points in 67 games.  Was named the CHL Player of the Year in more than doubling his production from the prior season.  Also led the team in scoring during the playoffs while lifting the Kitchener Rangers to the OHL championship.

2008-09:  Known for his elusiveness in the offensive zone, Azevedo provided instant scoring after returning from a training camp injury. Despite his diminutive size, Azevedo fought his way to 36 points in 49 games for the Monarchs and showed potential for even more offense going into next season.

2009-10: In his second professional season, Azevedo posted 14 goals and 13 assists in regular season 46 games with the Manchester Monarchs. He also managed 3 goals and 6 assists in 16 playoff games.

2010-11: Justin Azevedo skated in 79 of 80 games for the Manchester Monarchs (AHL) after missing 34 games the previous season and was the team's second-leading scorer. He scored 18 goals with 35 assists and was +6 with 71 PMs as the Monarchs finished second in the Atlantic Division. Acevedo scored 3 goals with 7 assists and was -2 with 10 PMs in Manchester's seven-game first-round playoff series against eventual Calder Cup champion Binghamton.

2011-12: Azevedo was the leading scorer for Kings AHL affiliate Manchester in his fourth pro season despite skating in just 63 games. He scored 28 goals with 22 assists and was minus-12 with 37 penalty minutes. Manchester  finished second in the Atlantic Division and lost to Norfolk three games to one in a first round playoff series. In the four-game series Azevedo scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was minus-one with 4 penalty minutes. Azevedo was recalled by the Kings for their Stanley Cup playoff run but did not appear in any games. He was tendered a qualifying offer by the Kings in June 2012 and signed a free agent contract to play for Lukko Rauma in Finland in 2012-13.

 

Talent Analysis

Azevedo is a diminutive forward, standing at only 5'7.  He is elusive and can find seams in the defense to open scoring opportunities for his linemates.  He is a heart and soul player that has had to develop competitiveness in order to continue his hockey career despite his physical limitations.  As can be expected, he can be easy to knock of the puck if caught flat-footed by the opposition.

 

Future

Azevedo is a low risk, high reward player if he can use his leadership and competitive qualities to translate his offensive skills to the next level in his development.  However, he is very much a hit or miss prospect that may just as easily struggle to find any open ice against quicker or more physical competition.