Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.whl.ca
- Name: Paul Kurceba
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 175 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-02-19
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
- Acquired: Eligible for the 2005 NHL Entry Draft
- Playing In: CHL
Paul Kurceba
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
Calgary-born Paul Kurceba had a solid season for the Red Deer Rebels but is not an eye-catching prospect. Not spectacular in any way, the 6’2 rearguard is a fairly safe low-risk pick. After scoring just three points, all goals, in 53 games during the 2003-04 campaign the two-way player bumped his numbers to 18 points this past year.
At the conclusion of Red Deer’s playoff loss to Medicine Hat, Kurceba played for Canada at the 2005 U-18 Junior World Championships and picked up a single point in six games winning a silver medal.
Playing mistake-free hockey is the key for Kurceba, a stay-at-home defenseman who isn’t often noticed unless it’s in a negative light. Kurceba, who saw an increased role with the club over the course of the season due mainly to the absence of teammate Dion Phaneuf, also finished the year -8, second worst on the club amongst defensemen.
Talent Analysis
Scout #1: He’s probably a middle rounder. He isn’t blessed with great ability but he’s a decent skater. The advantage there is that he’s going back to play for a great coach who will turn him into a very good player if he has any of the abilities you think he has. He went over and played well at the U-18, he struggled early in the tournament but he got better as it went on. Brent Sutter played him a lot this year so I think he’s only going to get better as time goes on. He’s very stay at home, nothing fancy to his game at all.
ISS (June): He was partnered with Phaneuf, which might have something to do with it but he played with more confidence and poise than before. He showed some speed and can get back to his own end. His skating is his big thing, his shot is a little weak and his physical game in front of the net is lacking because he doesn’t moves guys out from the front of the net well enough.
Future
Future Analysis Coming Soon...
Stats
Click the link to view Paul Kurceba's statistics.
Profile Last Updated: September, 6th 2005
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