Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.whl.ca
- Name: Michael Grabner
- Position: RW
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-10-05
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Villach, Austria
- Acquired: 1st round (#14 overall), 2006
- Playing In: Pro
Michael Grabner
Prospect Grade: 8.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Matt MacInnis
History
2005-06: Michael Grabner toiled in Spokane last season with a rebuilding club that struggled through a 25-win season. This past season, his second in Spokane, Grabner scored 36 goals and 14 assists in 67 games. Unfortunately, he has yet to play a WHL playoff game. For the most part last season, Grabner played alongside Adam Hobson. The native of Villach, Austria played in all special teams situations as well.
2006-07: Grabner set career highs in goals (39) and assists (16) while playing in the fewest games yet in his WHL career (55). However, it was not all good for the Austrian who was publicly called out by his coach for refusing to compete in more physical games.
Talent Analysis
He needs to get stronger and add a little bit of bulk to his frame to help deal with the physicality and power of NHL defenders. He will never be a big player, and he doesn’t need to because that isn’t his game, but he’s likely too thin to step into the league at this point. Also, like all young players, he will need to pay a more attention to his defensive game, but he’s never going to be a penalty killer. Chief Amateur Scout Ron Delorme said of Grabner after the team selected him: “This year was sort of his breakout year. I’d say just before Christmas he was just feeling himself in the Western Hockey League. And when he went to the prospect game, he ended up with something like 38 goals by the time the season ended. I think we’re looking at a kid who, even though he’s Austrian, we were all kind of fighting the idea of if we should have went with a North American, but it shouldn’t have mattered, because with the way the new NHL is, speed does fuel this game. With the new NHL, we were pretty happy with the guy that was still available. We felt the cut off line that we thought it was at 7 or 8. Then it just started spreading out, players were starting to get picked all over the place.”
"The biggest thing we see in Michael is the speed dynamic he brings to the ice,” said Chiefs GM Tim Speltz. “His speed creates offensive chances for us and there’s no question in my mind that’s the direction the game is headed.”
Future
While the Canucks are sorely lacking scoring depth at the NHL level, it is unlikely Grabner will see much, if any duty in the big show during the 2007-08 season. He is expected to play for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and prove that he can score at the minor pro level. Grabner has the potential to be a one-dimensional 35-goal scorer.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: April, 15th 2008
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