William Coetzee

History

2008-09: Willie Coetzee skated in 72 games for Red Deer as an 18-year-old in his first full season in the WHL. Coetzee scored 18 goals with 24 assists and had 42 PMs; he had a -9 plus/minus as the Rebels finished last in their division.

2009-10: Coetzee signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Detroit after playing well in the 2009 Traverse City Tournament and went back to Red Deer for his second year in the WHL. Without fellow Red Wings' prospect Landon Ferraro as his center, Coetzee was the Rebels' leading scorer with 29 goals and 52 assists and was +10 with 32 PMs. Coetzee scored one goal and was -3 in the Rebels' four-game playoff series with Saskatoon.

2010-11: Coetzee started the year with Grand Rapids, but worked himself out of the line-up (5 assists) after 25 games due to lack of production. He spent the rest of the season as a member of the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, scoring 9 goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 36 games.

2011-12: Coetzee spent the entire season with Grand Rapids in his second pro season. After scoring goals in the first two games for the Griffins, he saw mostly lower line duty – scoring 11 goals with 11 assists in 61 games – and was minus-six with 25 penalty minutes. The Griffins missed the AHL playoffs; finishing fourth in the North Division.

 

Talent Analysis

A pure offensive player. Coetzee is highly skilled and has soft hands. He is an adept playmaker, and also possesses a good, hard shot. Has very respectable foot speed that translates into more offensive opportunities. His main issue is a lack of size, as Coetzee may not have the physical prowess to compete at the pro level.

Future

Coetzee will return to the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2012-13 in an attempt to prove that he can duplicate the early season success he had in 2011-12, when he was on pace to score 20 goals before a late season slump.