
Rhett Holland
Birthday: 1993-09-25 | Position: D |
Eligible for draft: 2012 | Shoots: Right |
Drafted: 2012 | Height: 6-2 |
Acquired: 4th round (102nd overall), 2012 | Weight: 220 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- D
History
2009-10: Rhett Holland skated in 57 games for the Okotoks Oilers in the Alberta Junior Hockey League as a 16-year-old. He scored 3 goals with 8 assists and had 91 penalty minutes. Okotoks finished second in the South Division and lost to Fort McMurray in the division finals . Holland played in 7 of 11 playoff games and had 1 assist with 6 penalty minutes.
2010-11: Injuries limited Holland to 31 games in his second season with Okotoks but he did get to represent Canada West in the 2010 World Junior A Challenge. He scored 2 goals with 9 assists and had 117 penalty minutes for the Oilers. Okotoks finished first in the South Division before falling to Camrose in the division finals. In five games at the WJAC, Holland was scoreless with 8 penalty minutes as Canada West reached the bronze medal game; falling to Switzerland.
2011-12: Holland led the Okotoks Oilers with 223 penalty minutes in 47 games in his third AJHL season and won a gold medal skating for Canada West in the 2011 World Junior A Challenge. He scored 3 goals, two of which were game-winners, and had 7 assists as the Oilers finished second in the South Division. The Olds Grizzlys upset Okotoks in the division semifinals and in eight playoff games Holland had 1 assist with 18 penalty minutes. In five games at the WJAC Holland was scoreless with 2 penalty minutes. Canada West won three straight games after losing both games in pool play to capture the title. Holland committed to playing college hockey at Michigan State in 2012-13. Ranked 167th amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings prior to the 2012 NHL Draft, he was selected by Phoenix in the fourth round (102nd overall).
2012-13: Holland skated in three games for Michigan State as a freshman – suffering a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery in an October game against Lake Superior State. He had no points and was an even plus/minus with 15 penalty minutes in those three games.
Talent Analysis
Holland is a big-bodied defender with very limited offensive upside. He has been a reliable presence for Michigan State throughout his career there, but has registered just eight points in 69 games.
Future
Holland returns for his junior season at Michigan State in 2015-16 and should be a valuable part of a talented blueline that also includes Minnesota Wild prospect John Draeger and talented senior captain Travis Walsh. Holland has shown a limited offensive side to his game thus far for the Spartans but his size and willingness to compete suggest he can be a solid stay-at-home defender at the pro level.