Name: Keaton Louth Position: Defencemen Height: 6'4" Weight: 230 lbs. Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia WHL Junior Team: Victoria Royals
Keaton Louth is first of his family to play hockey at a competitive level, he provides solid Defense with impressive passing ability. His pre-draft resume is quite impressive and his draft rankings are steadily on the rise. The young Canadian recently joined the Las Vegas Aces and will become eligible for the VHL Draft next season. His game features impressive offensive vision and elite passing ability. Louth is a pure offense minded player with a big frame who uses his reach and elite passing ability to exploit the opposition.
Louth models his game around that of Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks or Alex Edler of the Vancouver Canucks as he grew up there. Hopefully he proves himself as a first pairing defencemen on the Las Vegas Aces to warrant a first overall pick next draft.
Louth was born in a huge hockey city(Vancouver) but moved to Vancouver Island(Duncan) as a child so his progression of the game slowed greatly. He played every day at a small arena in Mill bay(Kerry Park Arena) he did however see the game with an advanced vision unlike any other player he played with. His father was a huge inspiration for him to play hockey as his father played as a child but a childhood injury made him never go pro. Of course with his fathers support and training he became one of if not the best player up until junior.
As Louth became a better player some scouts from the WHL Victoria Royals noticed his offensive prowess and needed that strength on the Blue Line. After being passed over on the WHL entry draft the Victoria Royals signed him to an ELC with them. Finding this diamond in the rough proved to be a huge signing and find for the Victoria Royals organization.
After riding pine for the first couple of games as a Royal, Louth got his chance as a 6th string defencemen and quickly got his first assist in his first shift as a Royal.
After seeing the passing ability of the eighteen year old they quickly increased his minutes and his production soared with it. After signing as a free agent with the Las Vegas Aces Louth is looking to continue the play making he brought from the WHL to the VHL.
Strengths
Passing Ability: Louth's Passing ability is already that of an VHL play maker he has excellent vision and can make the quick first pass that gets the opposing team out of the defensive zone. Using his long reach and play making ability he can run the power play or set up the wingers in the offensive zone.
Strength: Although Louth is not that strong right now his build and already impressive size(6'4 230 pounds) will mean he will pack on size and strength quickly, In the months coming his training regiment will be strict he plans on being a hard player to knock off the puck and overpower.
Skating: Louth using his long strides and quick first steps can provide a offensive boost entering the offensive zone as he jumps up on the rush. Louth can also provide that tough to beat defensive ability using his speed to hurry back in case he gets caught in on a pinch.
Weaknesses
Defensive Liability: Although he is not a liability in the offensive end of the game, He can pinch too hard on some occasions which sends the other team back towards his defensive zone on a two on one.
Leadership: His leadership ability's are something to work on as he likes to be a role player and not someone you can rely on solely. Louth needs to become more confident with leadership as his play will warrant some more veteran responsibility's.
Checking : Louth needs to work on his checking his stick checking is decent but he has yet to figure out how his great size can help him. This will come with more defensive responsibility and working on his strength. With time he could become a checking machine if he figures out his frame.
Credit for the Template: @Kendrick
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