2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Sean Behrens is a small, but talented, defensive prospect
Behrens is talented defensively and offensively capable - but will his size hold him back?
We are less than a month away from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft (July 23-24), so it’s time to start researching the prospects likely to be selected in the first round. The Columbus Blue Jackets currently hold three picks in that round: #5, #24, and #30 or #31.
Sean Behrens
Position: Defenseman
Team: United States National U18 team
Date of Birth: March 31, 2003
Birthplace: Barrington, Illinois
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 176
Shoots: Left
Rankings
Ranked #23 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #52 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #57 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #47 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #24 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #41 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #53 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #26 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #50 by SMAHT SCOUTING
2020-21 Stats
Games Played: 46
Goals: 7
Assists: 28
Points: 35
PIM: 18
Sean Behrens is likely to be a second round pick in this draft due to his size, but he is not a prospect to overlook. Behrens can play big minutes, averaging 20:14 per night, and will be taking his talents to the University of Denver to continue his development. Behrens is a solid skater and puck handlers, and is a competent blue liner at breaking out of the defensive zone. His size is his hindrance though - listed at 5’10”, can he hold up to the NHL rigors on a nightly basis, especially playing on the blue line?
Scouting Reports
He surfs backwards with the perfect posture, a nice blend of risk-mitigating footwork and graceful crossunders on the backwards stride, and a good sense of when to close. He scans regularly off of the puck. He cuts opponents off at the hands, always from a low centre of gravity. He ties up loose sticks. He mitigates risk with his positioning. His motor never stops running. -EliteProspects 2021 NHL Draft Guide
Sean Behrens is your modern-day offensive defenseman. Although he’s undersized in some scouts eyes (5’9″), he certainly makes up for it with his amazing on-ice awareness, his hockey IQ, and willingness to play a much larger role physically than his frame shows. On top of that, Behrens is also really good in transition. He uses an impressive combination of speed, skill, and intelligence to elude defenders and set up teammates with scoring chances several times each game. Defensively, Behrens is right on par with his other draft eligible NDTP teammates. He’s more than capable making excellent stretch passes to split the opposing team’s defense, and can separate attackers from the puck along the boards with ease. - Smaht Scouting
“On top of his skating ability, he has nice puck control and hands to make plays in all areas of the ice, especially on the breakout. He has excellent vision and sees the ice well to make very good passes. Behrens can shoot the puck too, as his shot is accurate, but is definitely more of a passer. Even while being undersized, Behrens plays a great defensive game. He used his stick to break up plays and to push the puck up ice and out of the zone. He also has shown he can use his body as well” – Clare McManus, Dobber Prospects