Olober Syko Prospect Report

[Spartan 4,530]

Name: Olober Syko

Position: Goalie

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 190 lb

Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey

 

Hailing from Princeton, New Jersey, goaltender Olober Syko was a late entrant to both the S90 VHLM Draft Class and the S91 VHL Draft Class. A thinly framed type with little game tape, Syko will be an intriguing prospect for teams looking for help between the net in the VHL. From what our scouts could identify, Syko played mainly for local beer league teams as well as spending time coaching the local NJ Stars goalie programs. Tape is extremely limited to a few beer league games for the 36 year old.

 

Pros: Rebound control, Positioning

 

From the tape, Syko displays strong awareness of rebound control, ensuring pucks that aren't covered up or frozen end up in a corner or played away from opposing forwards. Age seems to have benefited the goaltender here, as his years of experience playing and coaching have given the adult a strong sense of awareness and expertise in controlling rebounds. 

 

Syko also leverages that experience and knowledge into maintaining excellent positioning, making up for some physical shortcomings with a strong knowledge of the game and the position. Oftentimes Syko will play more aggressively in the net to make up for the size disadvantage and take away angles when possible. Positioning on odd man rushes is also strong, with a quick trigger to slide over to cover the cross ice one-timer.

 

Cons: Age, Build, Reflexes

 

At the end of the day, Syko is not young like most of the prospects that come through the VHL system. As a 36 year old with size but a scrawny frame, there are durability concerns as well as size concerns within the net to stop the maximum amount of pucks. Syko will need to bulk up and go through rigorous conditioning programs to be able to last a full season as a starting goaltender.

 

Most concerning, Syko's reflexes aren't as strong as you'd hope from a typical prospect or youngster. Age claims all as victims, and Syko is no exception. His camp claims that he rigorously trains reflexes to stay sharp and perform at a high level, but the pure hand speed and mental sharpness, especially as someone who didn't often follow a strict diet or nutritional regiment for most of his life, leaves room for concern.

 

Overall, Olober Syko may see himself drafted to the VHL, but likely to a team with some room for forgiveness and perhaps one with a strong defense core to prevent breakouts and odd man rushes to reduce the strain on Syko. He was a 2nd round pick in the S90 VHLM Draft, and so far has won both of his two VHLM games with a combined 1.5 GAA, the lowest in the league so far.

 

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