2014 NHL Draft: Jackets Select Ryan Collins 47th Overall
With their first pick on day two of the NHL draft, the Jackets drafted a huge defenseman from the USNTDP.
After taking winger Sonny Milano last night, the Jackets used their second rounder on hulking defenseman Ryan Collins. The pair were teammates last year with the USNTDP.
Collins is also college-bound, heading to the University of Minnesota in the fall, joining Jackets prospect Mike Reilly on the Gopher blueline. His junior rights are owned by the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. If he decides to jump to the WHL, he'll be heading to a terrific program.
Collins is huge - 6'5, 202lbs. His numbers indicate that he's a shutdown blueliner.
Scouting report:
At 6’5, 200-pound Collins has the size that others players dream of and scouts covet. Collins uses his size well as his long reach makes him very difficult to beat one-on-one, using long sweeping motions that cover a lot of ice. Collins does an adequate job taking care of business in front of the net and shows good grit while battling in the corners. Can deliver a body-check without taking himself out of position and can absorbs hit from the opposition.
The former Benilde St. Margaret’s Defenseman is of the stay-at-home variety of defensemen, rarely rushing the puck up ice or forcing the play. Instead he is very calm and collective, keeping the play simple and steady. Collins skating is still developing but is very good for a player of his size/age. His progression should be in good hands as The University of Minnesota has a good track record of developing defenseman for the next level.
Franchises looking for a consistent defensive defenseman may have a diamond in the rough with Collins, but expectations should be kept in check for offensive output. - mnhockeyprospects.com
His stats: