Third Time is the Charm – Justin Azevedo

[Carla Muller]

This year’s draft was especially intriguing to me because with the NHL Network, I finally would see the entire draft, not just the biggest dog and pony show of Round One. Well… it turns out that the draft isn’t so user friendly for the later rounds. There was one draft pick in particular in the sixth round that merited some attention by Bob McKenzie and it turned out to be a Kings’ draft pick, the newest potential winner of Phil Esposito’s Mickey Rooney Award for the best little man, the diminutive 5’8” Justin Azevedo.

Up front, I easily admit that I have never been more motivated in my life then when someone tells me I cannot do something. That always hits a nerve, and if the gauntlet laid in front of me is something I really want, well… stay out of my way as I hate the word “No” or “I can’t”. Well, that may be a trait I share with Mr. Azevedo. Looking at what others say of him, I like his NHL chances. He seems to get that if he focuses on what he can control, his game, and the rest will take care of itself, or not. Here is an excerpt of an interview from Hockeys’ Futures:

“HF: Because of the numbers you've put up so far do you think you'll be drafted this year?
JA: I have no idea. I'm not really thinking about it.

HF: Really?
JA: Yeah, I'm just going to focus on playing. You know I didn't get drafted my draft year but I ended up going to a camp anyway (Atlanta’s prospects conditioning camp). I'm just going to play it out and see how everything unfolds.

Justin Azevedo before the CHL Russia Challenge

Here is what others have to say about Azevedo:

Former coach Peter DeBoer’s takes:

“I think he just needs someone to give him an opportunity," Rangers head coach Peter DeBoer said. "You're going to be reading about him five years from now and guys are going to be kicking themselves for missing out on him.

"He's proven all his critics wrong from the day he arrived in Kitchener and this tops it all off. An amazing season for an amazing kid."

Peter DeBoer on Azevedo

More from Peter DeBoer and Junior Hockey News:

“The nice thing about Justin is he doesn't know he's five foot eight. No one has told him that yet," DeBoer said. "He plays a lot bigger. This is the kind of kid who is going to find a way to put the puck in the net."

Azevedo's consistency and competitiveness helped the Rangers weather extended absences of top forwards Matt Halischuk and Nick Spaling this season due to injury and illness.”

Azevedo Named OHL’s Most Outstanding Player

Yann Schneider from the Bleacher Report:

“This year will be Azevedo's last chance to be drafted, and if he isn't he will have to sign a contract as a free agent to play in the NHL. This dream season has brought him a lot to celebrate about and with the season he just had, you have to believe he will have more to celebrate about at the draft.

Everything points to him being the next small player to make it big in the NHL. Justin's combination of skills, passion and hard work is what successful NHL players are made of. One can only ignore a player that good for so long.

Any team who doesn't put him on there list for this years draft in Ottawa would be making a big mistake by letting this little man go.”

Azevedo’s Last Chance to be drafted

Storm Nation Comments during the Memorial Cup:

“The best player on the ice was Justin Azevedo who finished with 3 goals and 2 assists. He also happened to have been the OHL scoring champ and the league MVP beating out John Tavares. He also happens to be 19 years old and undrafted. Azevedo happens to be only 5'8". If I recall Martin St. Louis was also undrafted coming out of Junior hockey and I think he didn't turn out too bad.”

Azevedo Shines in the Memorial Cup Playoffs

Lombardi on Azevedo:

“Usually the theory there is, when you're in the later rounds, if you can find a guy with a NHL asset, and then you can develop other assets, you might have something. When you look at a player like that, he's going to have holes (in his game) or he's not going to be there in the sixth or seventh round. So do you look at a guy who is 50 percent across the board, in terms of the assets you're looking for in a NHL player, or do you say, `OK, the kid's got one NHL asset right now and maybe other things will come along.'?

``In his case, he's got a Teubert-like mentality in terms of his competitiveness. In terms of his commitment and the way he competes, it's at a NHL level. Now whether or not his skating improves, whether or not his size is a liability...whatever you want to go with that's not there, well, we'll see if that develops. But there's no question that, when you look at him, his commitment and competitiveness are at a high level.''

Lombardi on Azevedo

Watch for Yourselves:

Azevedo Goal

CHL Player of the Year

Bottom Line:

I love people who do not let their shortcomings define them. Rather, they live and flourish despite them. The other intriguing part of Mr. Azevedo is the benefit to the Kings that he is 20 and not 18. I still remember Lombardi talking about Hickey as he went on the draft podium, having this kind of peach fuzz, youthful exuberance, basically a raw exciting talent who was going to have to grow into what the Kings need him to be.

In contrast, Justin has already been to one NHL training camp with the Thrashers. That aww shucks, which way do I go experience is in his past. He has performed in both the regular and post-season and he just wants to lead and win and has some seasoning to go with his talent, all and all a lot of possibilities, and ideally, all of them good.

Carla Muller

Carla.hockeygal@att.nt

[king-a-ling]

I can see why you handled the blog. Thanx for the info

[davidc1968]

As usual Carla you have done your homework and mine. Thank you. I am currently surfing LGK for more info on STOLL and GREEN. Can i expect something on them from you soon?

[Carla Muller]

Originally Posted by davidc1968

As usual Carla you have done your homework and mine. Thank you.

You are most welcome.

Originally Posted by davidc1968

I am currently surfing LGK for more info on STOLL and GREEN. Can i expect something on them from you soon?

I spent my research time today on Azevedo. Go figure that DL makes HUGE and UNEXPECTED trade within a couple of hours of this blog. So, yes, I will do some research and opinion on this deal. Soon, depends on my work load this week. Stay tuned...

[Wolvie]

The thing I find most interesting about this pick is how he can be used. He's 20, so if you're looking to bring a talented player into the minors right away to support your other prospects in their development (the whole playing with skilled players is better for your development argument), here he is. No too-young-for-the-minors issues here, and he's clearly got hockey skills (though he's got a much better shot at being a productive AHL veteran than an NHL player). A nice type of player to have in your organization, particularly if you're expecting to intermittently graduate a few of your top forwards from the minors this season.

[SoCalSharksGirl]

I remember seeing this kid in the Memorial Cup and he was quite impressive. I think he's going to be the King's sleeper pick of this years draft. He's got some good speed and isn't afraid to get into the tight spots to get to the puck. He also has a great nose for the net and scoring in difficult situations from what I remember. I was very excited when I heard the King's picked him up because now I can get the chance to see him play in person, when he makes the team of course.