January 31, 2012
Split decision
Defenseman Nick Ebert (Livingston, N.J.) still heads local class of draft hopefuls, but scouts are divided on his potential
by Kirk Luedeke/NYHJ Writer
Nick Ebert
Entering this season, Windsor Spitfires defenseman Nick Ebert was riding a wave of high expectations and promise after an outstanding rookie campaign in the OHL.
Things haven't been quite as smooth or successful for the Livingston, N.J., native in his draft year, but Ebert nonetheless brings an impressive blend of size, mobility and long-term potential. His physical attributes, plus the promise he showed in his first OHL season, should see Ebert selected in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh this June.
"The bounces haven't gone my way as much this year," Ebert told New York Hockey Journal. "I'm playing well defensively, but the offensive aspect of my game hasn't been as good. I think things will turn around for me, though. I just have to keep working and not put too much pressure on myself."
At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, Ebert is a powerful skater who is very good on his edges and has the ability to play a physical game, as well as keeping up with a high pace and tempo if the situation calls for it. Capable of making the crisp breakout pass and possessing a big point shot, his two goals and 15 points in 37 games with the young Spitfires this season are well off the pace of the 11-30-41 totals he tallied in 64 contests as a 16-year-old in 2010-11.
Even with the dip in production, some scouts view the right-shooting Ebert as a solid option in the top-30 picks of what is going to be a defense-rich draft class. Fellow Garden State product John Carlson (Colonia, N.J.) of the Washington Capitals is a comparable player to Ebert in terms of style and substance, even with the latter prospect's uneven season.
"You hear that a lot of guys are down on Ebert this year," said one NHL scout from the Western Conference. "I think a lot of that probably stems from the expected jump in production that hasn't come for him. I see a kid who can skate well and be a physical presence, while also being able to advance the puck and bring it up the ice. "
Not all scouts however, take the optimistic view on the immensely talented youngster who left home at age 15 to skate for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL before heading to the OHL.
"His biggest issue for me is that he hasn't been bringing any offense," another NHL scout said when asked about Ebert's slow season. "That has to be his game, because he is average defensively. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence or he benefited from (former Windsor defender Ryan) Ellis' presence last year."
For his part, Ebert has tried to remain confident in his skills and abilities.
"I feel my offensive game is very good," he said. "And I'm no defensive liability in my own end. I'm someone who can be relied on to play in a lot of different situations; I'm willing to do what I have to do to help my team win and I think I'm a good teammate as well."
One area of improvement scouts and even his own coaches at Windsor have intimated Ebert needs to address is in the effort levels and work habits. This challenge is hardly unique for young players like Ebert who are often the top players on their respective teams growing up. However, to make it to the NHL and maximize any natural talent, players must have the requisite intensity and maturity to go with the prodigious skill.
"He wasn't in top shape when the season began," the Western Conference scout said. "Whether because of injury or because he just didn't do enough in the offseason, I don't really know. Unfortunately, because he struggled out of the gate, it becomes a topic of discussion. If he had found the back of the net early on, I don't think much would have been said.
"To me, he's a first-round talent, but can he keep developing and put it all together? That's the question that he hasn't answered for the guys who were expecting more from him this year. "
Ebert said that his summer workouts were curtailed by wrist and knee injuries that not only prevented him from participating in USA Hckey's National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., last August, but kept him out of the weight room and from doing on- and off-ice cardio training until about a month before he had to report to Windsor.
"I'm fine now, 100 percent," he said. "It was disappointing to have those injuries, but I'm glad I didn't need to have surgery, and have been able to come back and help the team without missing any time."
Assistant coach Bob Jones, who was Windsor's bench boss last season before Bob Boughner returned to the team from a brief coaching stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets, saw a lot of potential in Ebert from the moment he arrived to the team.
"Nick came in last year and the transition was pretty smooth," said Jones. "He was physically developed and ready to play in the OHL. As a result, we were able to play him a lot and he made an immediate contribution to our hockey club."
Ebert idolized New Jersey Devils great Scott Stevens as a youngster developing in the North Jersey Avalanche minor hockey system. Like Stevens, Ebert brings a capacity to boost the offense from the blue line while providing some hard-nosed, physical play, learned in the rugged USHL.
"The USHL prepared me great for what I've gone up against (in Windsor)," Ebert said. "I owe a lot to the coaches there in Waterloo for giving me the opportunity to play at a young age and for getting me ready to handle the OHL."
Ebert isn't the first player with elevated expectations whose stock has taken a hit in his draft season and won't be the last. If he can bounce back in the second half, he could get his development back on track and establish himself as one of the region's best NHL prospects.
Kirk Luedeke can be reached at feedback@nyhockeyjournal.com.
NYHJ TOP FIVE
2012 NHL draft prospects from New York and New Jersey
1. Nick Ebert, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL), 6-foot-1, 202 pounds, Livingston, N.J.
2. Cristoval "Boo" Nieves, C, Kent School, 6-3, 185, Baldwinsville, N.Y.
Outstanding skater with first-round skill is a treat to watch, but not finishing scoring chances early in prep season.
3. Dylan Blujus, D, Brampton Battalion (OHL), 6-3, 195, Buffalo, N.Y.
Hard-rock defender showing some intriguing upside in OHL this season.
4. Jordan Masters, LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), 5-10, 160, Rochester, N.Y.
Small, highly-skilled forward shined at Ivan Hlinka tourney in August, but points have been hard to come by on mediocre USHL team.
5. Anthony Stolarz, G, Corpus Christi IceRays (NAHL), 6-5, 200, Jackson, N.J.
Raw as they come, but his size and athleticism at the goaltender position is what NHL clubs crave.
-- KIRK LUEDEKE
