NHL Scouting Combine: What we learned

Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey LeagueBienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockeyДобро пожаловать на NHL.com, официальный сайт Национальной хоккейной лигиTervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiinVälkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sidaVítejte na NHL.com, oficiálních stránkách National Hockey LeagueVitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey LeagueWillkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey LeagueBUFFALO -- Raphael Lavoie had quite the week at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine.In addition to interviewing with 25 NHL teams and completing all the fitness tests, the center for Halifax in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, No. 20 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, was surprised to learn that his roommate for the week would be Rouyn-Noranda right wing Alex Beaucage (6-foot-1, 193 pounds), No. 64 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters.Rouyn-Noranda not only defeated Halifax in six games in the QMJHL championship round, but also 4-2 in the Memorial Cup final on May 26."It was definitely interesting when I walked into my hotel room," Lavoie (6-4, 196) said. He's a really good guy and we get along really well."After 103 prospects were interviewed, measured and profiled by the media, here are 10 things we learned:  Kaapo Kakko, No. 1 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of International skaters, did not attend the combine this week and instead decided to stay home in Finland to celebrate after helping his country win the gold medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.Kakko was the youngest player on Finland's roster and had seven points (six goals, one assist) and 40 shots on goal in 10 games at the tournament. "You never know in five years who's going to be better, Kakko or Jack Hughes, but I think both are going to be impact players in the NHL."Video: Kaapo Kakko lands at No. 2 on Draft Prospects list Spencer Knight, No. 1 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American goalies, was asked a question during an interview with an NHL team that days later still has him scratching his head."One question that had me wondering, and I'm still thinking about it, 'Do you like to stop pucks or prevent goals?'" said the goalie of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 team. I'm still thinking about that one."Knight (6-3, 192) went 32-4-1 with a 2.36 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 39 games.Video: Top goalie Spencer Knight on his development Jack Hughes, No. 1 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, did not participate in the fitness testing at the 2019 NHL Scouting Combine on Saturday after his mandatory medical exam three days earlier revealed he was less than 100 percent.Hughes played seven games for the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Sweden (April 18-28) and seven games for his country at the 2019 IIHF World Championship (May 10-26). I think if DeBrincat didn't have the success he's had than the comparisons for Caufield would be, 'Well, he could score, but he's another 5-foot-7 guy' and that's just not the case anymore."Video: Cozens discusses height, pull-ups at Scouting Combine Defenseman Cade Webber, No. 87 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, has already learned from some of the best.Webber (6-6, 194), who played at Rivers Academy in Massachusetts, was coached by former NHL players Shawn McEachern in high school the past three seasons, and Mark Recchi with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite bantam minor AAA team in 2013-14."[Recchi] taught us how to be professional and pay attention to the little details out there," Webber said. Defenseman Henry Thrun, No. 39 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft, received an ovation as the last player to complete the seven tests at the combine.