When selecting a player in the seventh round, one can hardly expect a team to select a game breaking offensive talent. In selecting Jeremiah Addison from the Ottawa 67s, the Canadiens didn’t get that, but they did manage to grab themselves a defensive specialist.
Jeremiah is noted to possess some explosive speed, most evident in his back checking, where he is not the type to coast whatsoever. His play without the puck appears to be quite good; a player who finishes his checks and displays a fierce dedication to playing well in his own zone. Great penalty killer, and able to take on tough defensive minutes while still providing a measure offensive flair.
Starting his OHL career with the Saginaw Spirit, he was moved to the Ottawa 67s after two seasons, where his offensive totals took an exponential leap. He failed to reach 20 points in both of his Saginaw seasons, then put up 47 in his very first season with Ottawa. While he is primarily viewed as a defensive specialist, it appears that he is beginning to find an offensive touch to go with that.
Scouting reports
Hockey Prospect
Even dating back to his Minor Midget days, Addison never really showed us much offensively. He was primarily a two-way forward who was hard to play against. While he projects to be that type of player at the next level, he showed some impressive offensive ability never seen before by him. He improved his shot from last season. He also displayed good hands and made some decent passes to create chances as well. Jeremiah finishes his checks effectively and is a tough player who quickly picks up his man on the backcheck. He played in all game situations for the 67’s and is a very capable penalty killer. Addison won’t be a high pick but could be a pick later on as a forward who would make a solid penalty killer, but who also may be a late bloomer in regards to talent and puck skills.Future Considerations
Addison is a hard-working character guy who creates pressure on the forecheck and finishes his checks. He possesses explosive speed, is balanced on his feet and plays the power game despite his modest size. Sees the ice well and distributes the puck to open teammates off the rush before going to the net. Possesses a one-timer that is so lethal it surprises goalies with how quickly it is on them every time he releases it. Has had some accuracy problems with his shooting this season. Makes good decisions with the puck at top speed and can be dangerous offensively. Addison has shown versatility this season in all three zones. The determination and work ethic in this kid is very noticeable and something that could really make him a strong prospect down the line.He is a good net front presence and uses his wiry frame to disrupt around the net. Plays his man hard as he lays the body and engages on the wall. Isn’t afraid of the gritty areas or to wreak havoc in front of the net by tipping pucks, banging at loose pucks, pushing and shoving with defenders and trying to bury some garbage goals. Has a bad tendency to look down at the puck when carrying it up ice and into the zone. He is a player who can provide depth at the next level and can develop into a strong power forward if he works hard towards that goal.Thoughts
Seventh round picks are quite hard to project, but the book on Addison reads as that of a player who has an outside shot to one day step into a Tomas Plekanec/Lars Eller type of defensive role. These are big shoes to fill, but given what scouts have been saying about his defensive game, that appears to me as a fair ceiling for him.
As for the offensive side of things, it is extremely encouraging to see a spike in point totals like his going from Saginaw to Ottawa. If he is indeed a late bloomer in terms of scoring touch and puck skills, he could be in for another spike in the season to come. If that happens, he’s sure to start turning heads as a very late round pick.
It’s a seventh round pick, so it’s hard to expect the moon and the stars, but this is definitely a player to watch next year. If he keeps going in the direction that he is offensively, as the solid defensive presence that he already is, this could very well turn into quite the steal for the Canadiens.
