KIP BAIER
AGE - 18
HEIGHT - 5'11"
WEIGHT - 173lb
BORN - Burnaby, British Columbia
PRO'S
1. Incredible speed - Baier has incredible speed and quickness, that he uses to create scoring opportunities for himself, and his teammates. His quickness allows him to quickly transition from defence to offence, and offence from defence, which allows him to always be apart of the play. Baier has shown he is able to combine his quickness and shot to score goals out of nothing plays. Baier can be on the defender in an instant, causing a turn over, and shooting the puck into the back of the net before anyone else is in the zone.
2. Great work ethic - Baier outworks opponents which creates countless turnovers every game. When Baier is on the ice his team often to spend most of the shift in the offensive zone, as when the puck is turned over, Baier always seems to find a way to get it back. Baier's work ethic allows him to be a terrific penalty killer, as on the penalty kill, he creates turnovers, and can either get a scoring chance, or waste a good bit of the opposing teams power play by controlling the puck in the corner.
3. Good scoring ability - Baier is exceptionally good at scoring in tight, as he is able to use his speed to drive the net, and he knows where the holes are in the goalie. When coming from an angle Baier can hit the top corner or five hole with precision and consistency. Baier is also able to pick corners from far out, when one on one he often uses the defender as a screen, and fires it through or around the defender. Baier also has a quick one timer, once the puck hits Baier's stick, it is soon in the net, as Baier leaves his stick on the ice, so his teammates have an easier target to hit with a pass, and he struggles with slapshots.
CON'S
1. Lacks size - Baier can be easily muscled off the puck. If Baier gets into a battle in front of the net all he is able to do is wack it towards the net. If an opponent is able to get a solid hit on Baier, he almost always looses the puck. Baier occasionally tries to get physical, but is often knocked over while trying to make a hit.
2. Weak slapshot - Baier has a very inconsistent slapshot, which forces him to get close to the net to take shots. Baier almost never scores from above the circles. When shooting one timers, Baier uses more of a snap shot, which has alot less power than a typical one timer.
3. Can get frustrated with his teammates - Baier has occasionally gotten frustrated, and yelled at teammates, who are making bad plays, for example trying to make a fancy move, when they should shoot or pass. Baier was previously moved off a team for vocally not getting along with a few star teammates who would rarely make the simple play. Baier's previous team was not very strong, and had no star players, so there has not been a recent incident, but it is still a concern with Baier, he could potentially be a negative factor to a team if he and a star player do not get along.