The University of Michigan mens ice hockey team,3-2, victory over Ohio State University team at the Yost Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., on {monthname {day}, 2020.
This season Cam York proved why the Flyers made the right move to select him 14th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. During the Draft last year in Vancouver, Flyers fans were upset as to why the Flyers chose York over highly-favored prospect, Cole Caufield. But there is lots to look forward to in the young defensemen from California. Here is why:
Scouting Report
York is a skilled defenseman who possesses a high hockey IQ on the offensive side as well as the defensive side. Offensively he reads plays well and has strong passing abilities, which makes him a very solid transition player. Defensively he maintains a good gap control and reads the opposition well enough to break up plays and knock players off the puck.
Let’s take a look at his season with Michigan
Although York dealt with some injuries this season and missed quite some time, he still managed to put up solid numbers and led all Freshman with 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 30 games played. He also finished with a plus-minus of plus-9 and with 54 blocked shots. Closing the season with Michigan, he made the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, was listed as a Big Ten Rookie of the Year finalist, and was also listed as a finalist for Male Freshman of the Year for Michigan Athletics. Quite the resume there for his first season.
World Juniors Performance
York appeared in five games for the United States, during the annual World Junior Championships, which took place in Czech Republic this year. Unfortunately, York did not have the best tournament, due to an unknown on-going shoulder injury. While only playing six minutes a game, York was a top player on the United States power-play unit. Despite not seeing much of him, York did show flashes of offensive capabilities.
A Look Ahead
Cam York will return to a very stacked University of Michigan team next season. Incoming freshmen include prospects for the 2021 NHL Draft defenseman Owen Power, forward Matthew Samoskevich and center Kent Johnson. Then some skilled 2020 NHL Draft eligibles which include Brendan Brisson, Thomas Bordeleau, Jacob Truscott, Ethan Szmagaj, Philippe Lapointe, and Josh Groll. York will look to make a big impact on this Michigan team, taking on bigger minutes, as well as making it one step closer to playing pro with the Flyers.
Check Out Some Highlights From His Freshman Season
I believe that in order for a power play to be great, you have to score. The USA NDT was on the power play vs a mediocre Maine Black Bear team, which actually kept the puck on the perimeter for most of two minutes in your video. Also, if you take a good look at Cam York, you’ll see that he is really small for a defenseman. Sure, he’s only 19, but he needs another 25-30 pounds on his upper body to play in the NHL as a defenseman. He’s a good college player at Michigan, but in the Big Ten Network games in which I watched him play, he just isn’t very good in his own end. He’s too small and as we’ve seen with Shayne Gostisbehere, size does matter on defense. Chuck Fletcher passed on some bigger, better players in the 2019 NHL Draft. Taking York was a mistake. He may not have even gone in the first round because he’s too small.
Ghost does not know how to defend, that”s different then size issue! OK, i will confess, that i haven”t seen any College games here in Finland, so i have not seen York progress, but there is similar sized defense-men in NHL, who dominate games like Miro Heiskanen, Roman Josi heck Ryan Suter is also 5 ,11! This comment does not mean that Cam York will be as good as those listed above, but strength can be pretty easily fixed, and would not need but some dedication! Talent is harder to fix and find, so i would keep open mind about Can York”s abilities! Although i prefer my defenders big and physical, York can be paired with one, and succeed in that way! Just trying to stay positive!
York is going to be insane, but you are right bring has a filling out to do. Ghost has a lot of work to do too