Hard Markinson Scouting Report

[STZ 5,360]

HARD MARKINSON SCOUTING REPORT

 

 

We are mere days away from the S78 VHL Draft. The scouting report on Hard Markinson might be just submitted now, but this player has been on the radar for scouts all season long. Markinson broke onto the scene in S76 with the Mexico City Kings. He won a Founder's Cup with the Kings as a Trade Deadline signing. The next season he would break out as a true number one pairing defenseman and physical presence. The newest arrival from the STZ Player Agency has had scouts talking, and they have projected this player to be a top three pick in the draft. The last (and only) defenseman that came out of the STZ Player Agency was Jake Wylde, and many comparisons have been made. Markinson has the hitting power as well as that big shot from the point.

 

Markinson spent a few years in the USA National Development Team, but never was a stand out defenseman. He's always had good skating and a big body, but his mean streak really came into the spotlight as he entered the VHLM. He claimed to have joined the Mexico City Kings to add an element of physicality that the team had lacked. When he came in and did exactly that, scouts had their eyes opened. Mississauga selected the big defenseman 4th overall in the VHLM Draft, and slotted him in the top pairing spot. This proved to be a fantastic idea as Markinson and Joe Madison had silky smooth chemistry and helped the Hounds have a record of 62-10. Markinson and the Hounds were unable to get the job done in playoffs, as they lost in the Finals; however most don't believe that hurt Markinson's draft stock. 

 

Draft Outlook: So the big question is where will Hard Markinson go and what is his potential in the VHL? Most scouts say that Markinson is the top prospect in the defensman pool. What does that mean for where he will be selected? Well, the thought is that he will be a top three pick, which right now is either Calgary or Moscow (who owns pick two and three). If Markinson falls past that pick, we could see either Davos licking their chops at the opportunity to pick him, or make a trade for assets, as Markinson at 4th overall would be huge value. The NHL comparable would be Aaron Ekblad but with a mean streak. He's projected to be a Top Pairing defenseman, as well as a force on both Power Play and Penalty Kill. He is ready to step into the league right away. This could be a homerun pick for the team that takes this young player.

 

Skills/Assets:

+ Physicality

+ Shot Power

+ Defensive Awareness

+ Skating

 

Areas of Improvement:

- Discipline

- Playmaking in offensive zone

- Has been caught out of play making a big hit