Welcome back to Top Shelf Hockey Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2015 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Sports Events Guide is your new headquarters for everything “Draft”! For a Complete Listing of all our 2015 Draft Articles Click here.
Jack Roslovic is another high end offensive producer for the U.S. team that recently won gold at the 2015 IIHF Under 18 World Championships. The front line right wing had 6 goals and 11 points in 7 games in the tournament. This is following up on an excellent season with the US NTDP where he had 27 goals and 79 points in 65 games. Roslovic was also part of the American team that won gold at the January 2014 Under 17 World Hockey Challenge, where he had 6 points in 6 games. He scored 32 points in 54 games with the Under 17 squad in 2013-14, but it is his play this season, along with a move from centre to right wing, that has seen his offensive totals explode and his stock rise on draft boards. Roslovic is comitted to attend the University of Miami (Ohio) next season. If he changes his mind, his CHL rights are held by the Flint Firebirds of the OHL (formerly the Plymouth Whalers)
Jack Roslovic
Center — shoots Right
Born Jan 29 1997 — Columbus, OH
Height 6.01 — Weight 182 [185 cm/83 kg]
Jack Roslovic has a very strange skating stride, that is very hard to describe. It almost looks like he is skating bow-legged. Yet, despite this less than textbook stride, he gets very good speed, and quick acceleration. He is able to beat defenders wide off the rush. The unique stride also gives him a low centre of gravity, which allows Roslovic to fight through checks and protect the puck. His edgework and agility are also very good and he is able to beat defenders with quick cuts, and stickhandle past them. He is able to stop and turn on a dime, and is amongst the best in the draft class at making such cuts, which really help him to protect the puck, and then beat a defender in the cycle game to create an opportunity to set up a play, get off a shot, or take the puck to the net.
Jack Roslovic is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer off the wing. He has very good passing skill, excellent vision, and the hockey IQ to make the smart plays. When he does give up the puck, he often darts into an opening, looking for a give and go from a teammate. Roslovic has extremely good stickhandling ability, and the soft hands to make skilled plays in tight areas. This creates the room for him to open up passing lanes. He has a decent release, but his shot could add power and he could use it more often. His hands are good in close to the net. Roslovic likes to play a dump and chase game and has the speed necessary to get to pucks in the corners, or to pressure defencemen. He is not always physical though, as Roslovic can sometimes not seem fully engaged in a battle for a loose puck or shy away from the front of the net and play a more perimeter game. This is the biggest criticism of his game. There are times when he is willing to play a fearless style, digging for pucks, holding on to the puck an extra second and taking the hit to make a play, or getting to high traffice areas and in those instances Roslovic looks like he could be a top 20 pick. However there are other games when he shies away from the contact, and you just want to see more intensity out of him out on the ice. Some added muscle to his frame may give him the confidence to play a more fearless style of game.
Roslovic’s defensive game shows the same tendecies as his offensive game. When he is really involved in the play, and willing to work in his own end of the rink he can be a very effective player there. However when the intensity wanes, he can start floating and leave the zone early. He needs to work on making sure his intensity level and commitment are high on a night in and night out basis.
Roslovic has the potential to be a top six winger at the NHL level if he can reach his potential. In terms of style, I would compare him to a playmaking winger similar to T.J. Oshie. This is a style comparison only though, and not one based on talent.
Below are some videos of Jack Roslovic in action.
Bookmark the site and be sure to check back tomorrow for the number 35 prospect on our NHL Draft Board.
