Max Iafrate
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Birthday:
1994-03-28 |
Position:
D |
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Eligible for draft:
2012 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
|
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
Eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft |
Weight:
205 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
History
2009-10: Max Iafrate played for Belle Tire's U18 team in the Midwest Elite Hockey League. In 38 games he scored 7 goals with 9 assists and had 96 penalty minutes. Iafrate was selected by Plymouth in the first round (15th overall) of the 2010 OHL Priority Draft.
2010-11: Iafrate saw limited ice time with Plymouth in his first OHL season. In 62 games he scored 5 goals with 2 assists and was minus-two with 74 penalty minutes. Plymouth finished third in the West Division and reached the second round of the playoffs. Iafrate appeared in 2 of 11 playoff games and was plus-one with no points or penalties.
2011-12: Iafrate was traded from Plymouth to the Kitchener Rangers in September. Iafrate skated in 62 games for Kitchener. He scored 6 goals with 10 assists and was plus-one with 97 penalty minutes. The Rangers finished second in the Midwest division and reached the conference finals in the playoffs. In 16 playoff games Iafrate scored 2 goals and was minus-seven with 2 penalty minutes. He was invited to the NHL Draft Combine and ranked 70th amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting's final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft.
2012-13: Iafrate attended the Washington Capitals prospect camp before returning to Kitchener for his third OHL season. Part of the veteran defense corps for the Rangers, he played in 61 games, scoring 3 goals with 5 assists, and was minus-17 with 73 penalty minutes. Kitchener finished third in the competitive Midwest Division and reached the second round in the playoffs, falling to Memorial Cup-bound London. Iafrate skated in all ten playoff games and was -1 with 1 goal and 16 penalty minutes.
Talent Analysis
At 6’2, 220 pounds, Iafrate has the prototypical size and strength that a lot of teams look for in a blueliner, but he still failed to hear his name called at the 2012 NHL Draft. At best, Iafrate may be a late-round selection if teams feel his conversion has been successful, though it’s likely a free-agent tryout is in his future.
Iafrate was heralded coming into the OHL as an offensive-minded blueliner, but his OHL career has been one where he’s put defense at a premium. He’s much more of a stay-at-home defenseman now, who can chip in with the odd offensive spark. After not being drafted last year, Iafrate seems to have regressed. All his numbers were down on a solid Rangers’ squad -- except for his plus/minus, which skyrocketed to minus-17.
