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Connor Light has tremendous skill and agility for a player his size. The six-foot-five-inch Sudbury, Mass. resident just wrapped up a four-year career at Phillips Andover where he guarded the blue line for Dean Boylan's squad.
"He has quick feet and good skill for a guy that big," says his prep coach, a former player at Yale University. The size is what caught most scouts' attention immediately, but upon further review there is more to Light's game than just his size.
The oversized blue liner had 36 penalty minutes this season, but isn't overly aggressive. He'll play the body, but he's a smart player who knows the intricacies of the game. "He has tremendous gap control," said Boylan.
Light had six goals and five assists in 25 games for Phillips this past season as Boylan's squad improved gradually throughout the season. "He steps up into the play well. He has a heavy shot. He had a hat trick in one game for us," said Boylan.
Light will take his game to Omaha in the United States Hockey League next season. The Lancers drafted him in the recent USHL draft. Boylan says Light is still considering college options, but several Ivy League and ECAC teams have shown significant interest in his star defenseman.
Light is the 185 North American skater in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings. The NHL Draft will take place June 30th at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Jeff Cox covers college hockey, the AHL and the NHL Draft for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.