When a prospect is getting ready for his draft year, scouts are looking for standout attributes. Is he very fast, a strong two-way guy, a defensive specialist, or a natural scorer? When players are 5-foot-11 as this prospect is and maybe can only check off one box, he is a two-way player, but the sum of his parts is very good. Then it becomes a conundrum where that player may fall in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The current Michigan commit originally chose Michigan State, but things changed. Michigan is a better program. There is no debate and teams should be happy about the change.
“The opportunity presented itself and I love the coaching staff there. It’s a special place with a special group of guys,” said Humphreys.
He’s ready whether it’s the All-American Game or any high-profile game for this prospect. He knows what it takes to be successful.
“It’s exciting any time you can showcase yourself. Coming here is just as hard. Seeing the faces and competing against the best players in the country is something special,” said Humphreys.
All players have different takes on where they feel they stand regarding the NHL Draft. Humphreys is no exception.
“You can say you hope certain things can happen. At the end of the day, you’re put in a spot where you are in this year’s draft and try, and do what you can do,” Humphreys stated.
This season has been a big growth period for this center. I’ve personally witnessed it in my view, and Humphreys admits there is work to be done. And that’s fine, he has plenty of time.
“I still have to work on my two-way game. That’s the most important part of hockey,” Humphreys admitted. “At the end of the day, scouting always says if you can put up a lot of points on the board… But you have to round out your game to the best of your ability.”
Speed and playmaking are two big ingredients that you need to have if you want to be an NHL center. He has those in spades. His hockey I.Q. is very high.
“I think it’s my playmaking ability. My shot has come a long way. I use my brain. It’s something I’ve been doing for a while,” Humphreys boasted.
Humphreys seems like a classic second-round pick. I think he can be a third-line center in the NHL someday. A lot has to happen between now and then for that to happen, but his path is a good one so far, and that’s half the battle.
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