Nicholas Mariani Scouting Report

[Mistxh J 186]

Name: Nicholas Mariani

Age: 18

Position: LW

Nationality: Canadian 

Birth Place: Montreal, Quebec

Height: 6'3

Weight: 215lbs

VHL Draft Projection: 59th Overall | VHLM Draft Projection: 41st Overall

VHL Draft Picked: 43rd Overall | VHLM Draft Picked: 32nd Overall

 

 

Overview:

After getting into the VHL at the right time, Nicholas was able to declare for the VHLM and the VHL pro draft. During the VHL draft the Prague Phantoms decided to draft Nicholas Mariani at #43 which was their one and only pick for the 77 season. With the VHLM draft just two days after, Nicholas wasted no time in the off-season to get to know some of the players on the Phantom's squad and learn a few tips and tricks. Even after the VHLM draft, selected #32 overall by San Diego Marlins, Nicholas decided to stay in Prague to undertake the first half of his training camp with the Phantoms and the second half with the Marlins. Both teams had taken risks selecting Nicholas as high as they did considering he was more underdeveloped than the other young talents in the draft and for that reason exactly is why he decided to split his training camp between both squads. During his camp time with the Phantoms he was able to develop his main skills as a sniping winger and managed to learn new things along the way such as: building line chemistry, how to adapt to new environments and gaining knowledge about how the league works. Once his time ended in Prague Nicholas ended the off-season camp with the Marlins, a place he would call home for the next year or two. He utilized some of the skills and knowledge he gained from Prague in his Marlin's camp. It was at this point when he become the most complete player he has been in his career. He created deep friendships with his teammates and was able to create good locker room chemistry with his new team... no family. With the first week of the VHLM season in the books, Nicholas' skills can now fully be assessed. In just 15 games played Nicholas has amassed 17 points, 8 goals and 9 assists, a +/- of 0,  shooting at a solid 17.4%, 3 total pp points and averaging almost 1 point per 20 minutes all while getting an average ice time of 23:45. All are very solid stats for a player who came into the draft very well underdeveloped, with his training camp help he has been able to be his teams point leader after one week of play. With one week down we were able to gain a better understanding of Nicholas as player and what his strengths and weaknesses are. So let's take a look:

 

 

Strengths

Goal Scoring:

Nicholas Mariani has developed his game to revolve around his ability to shoot the puck. While playing down in the QMJHL he has was considered as a force to be reckoned as he was capable of putting the puck in the back of the net anywhere on the ice. Although the talent around him in the VHLM is more advanced than Nicholas, he has still proven himself capable of being a dangerous sniper. Putting up 8 goals after just one week all while shooting at a 17.4% rate is very impressive considering all the progress he has yet to make. It is without a doubt that the kid will continue to be threat on the offensive and there is still a lot that has yet to be seen from him. 

 

Leadership Ability:

Nicholas has always shown the ability to be a great leader from the youngest of ages. Every team he has every played for he managed to become their captain. The reasoning behind it is his undeniable motivation, the type of motivation that spreads to everyone around him. He has the ability to command a room and bring players together, along with that he always puts the team above himself. Nicholas is capable of impacting everyone in the locker room all while being the most humbled as well, evidence follows as he is the alternate captain for the Marlins and one who many believe in. 

 

Consistency:

The pride Nicholas has in his game is second to none, his confidence is strong and highly believes in himself to perform day in and day out. So far he has proved that by averaging a little over a point a game, although he has encountered few games without collecting a point his ability to remain focused and calm has always gotten him out of a scoring slump with ease. Given enough time and the right team his skill to remain consistent on the ice will only get better. 

 

Weaknesses

Physicality: 

Being 6'3 and 215 lbs most would think that Nicholas would be a big and physical player. Unfortunately his size has only helped him with minor things on the ice, Nicholas is not one to go for big hits and drop the gloves, it is a side of his game that he must work on. He mostly used this weakness to create a strength as he is capable to holding the puck off from defenders without losing the puck battle. But there is no denying that his lack of physical presence has an effect on his game and could use a lot of work which also includes his skating ability. He has never been the fastest player but has always had good footwork to make up for his lack of speed. With time the young winger has more than enough potential to become the large and fast physical player the hockey world loves. 

 

Defense: 

Nicholas has always prided himself in his offensive game but always struggled to excel defensively. This can be a huge drawback for many teams but rest assured, Nicholas has already shown great improvements in his defensive game through the off-season and we continue to see him working on that side of his game more regularly. He utilizes his practices with well to focus on further developing the skills he is in strong in but is always makes enough time to improve his weaknesses. He even came out with a statement prior to the draft about his defensive game stating, "I am aware that my defense is very weak and i plan on changing that even though I am considered as a sniper, and want that to remain as so, I believe in balance and will be working on becoming the most complete player I can and minimize my weaknesses for my oppositions to exploit." 

 

Nicholas Mariani has the opportunity to become a great player in the league. Overall scouting report on him and his given standards right now would be anywhere from a C+ to a B. Even with a great first week to come and the potential to become one of the greats in the VHL, Nicholas is still a project to be monitored with a good risk/reward value to him. 

 

 

[Dom 1,445]

This is @diamond_ace during S77 draft: