Shubham Anand Scouting Report

[Will3 465]

Player Name: Shubham Anand 

Age: 18

DOB: August 16, 2004

Originally from: Haryana, India

 Teams: New Delhi Nilgai (AIHLI), San Diego Marlins (S88  VHLM waiver), Steel (S88 JSH)

Player Page: Linked here

 

Brief Introduction

Shubham Anand is and Indian born VHL prospect available in each of the S89 drafts.  He was born to a banker and a cricket player. He excelled  both in school and in sports and intended to be a cricket player like his father. However a run in with former VHLer William Groves changed him into a ice hockey player at age 11. Three years after that, he joined Will's new league, the AIHLI, and became its best player. Three years later, He jumped to the VHLM and joined the San Diego Marlins at the start of S88 and played every game to produced 65 points. He played 10 games for the Marlins in the playoffs and got 12 points. Now he is currently playing for the Steel in the Junior Showcase. 

 

What kind of player is he?

Shubham is a effective offensive engine. He is a great goal scorer with good slap shot, wrist shot and offensive vision. That offensive vision also helps his passing game which is how he got most of the 65 points. He is an underrated puck handler with quality skills in deking and puck handling and also has good speed. While not the gritty defensive type, his defensive coverage and poke check leave him more that capable of holding his own without the puck. He is not a big body checker, not much of a fighter, more of a follower on ice, and has no poise.

 

Strength

• Scoring
• Passing
• Puck Handling 
• Efficient Defense 

Weakness

• Gritty Defensive 
• Leadership
• Poise
• Faceoffs

 

Overall I believe Shubham Anand to be massively underrated. He had played for some quality teams and with some great players in his short time in the VHL and while he has never been the main guy, he has been a solid contributer on the teams he has played for and has made those teams better. Teams the should draft Shubham are those looking for a offensive piece that can take their team to the next level. There are some questions about weather or not He will return to the VHLM or qualify for the VHLE before S89 begins. All evidence points to the answers coming after the drafts.  Current projections have this prospect as a top 10 pick in all three drafts.

Edited May 24, 2023 by Will3