2014 NHL Draft Prospect: UNH recruit Warren Foegele

Warren Foegele has made quite a jump, both literally and figuratively, since his midget year, but his skill set on the ice is what continues to draw the attention of scouts.

The New Hampshire recruit has grown five inches in just over two years, but as his size increases, so does his ceiling and offensive creativity. He initially planned on heading to the BCHL next season, but he will now be in Durham for the 2014-15 season.

Foegele isn't just all about hands and flash. The Markham, Ontario native has a high compete level who doesn't take shifts off. As serious as his offensive talents are, he's equally determined in all three zones. He is fast with a good skating stride who can put the puck in the net as well as dish it out. Foegele is a player who protects the puck well in traffic and can stickhandle in a phone booth.

According  to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Foegele has drawn comparisons to Providence College junior-to-be and former Canadian prep school star Mark Jankowski, whose name was called earlier in the 2012 NHL Draft than expected by the Calgary Flames.

Some scouts have wondered aloud whether Foegele may be this year's version of Mark Jankowski, the Calgary Flames' surprise first-round pick, 21st overall, in 2012 from Stanstead College in Quebec, who's now developing and playing well at Providence College.

That comparison might be partly true, especially the similar career paths of the two, but this observer believes that Foegele is more prone to driving the net and less likely to play the perimeter. Jankowski has improved his willingness to crash the net, but it took time.

UNH head coach Dick Umile has a tendency to not push his freshmen along too fast, but expect Foegele to get an opportunity to contribute right away. UNH has had a lot of success over the years recruiting the Toronto suburbs, including former All-American Darren Haydar from Milton, Ontario.

UNH fans, and the fans of the team that drafts him, need to be patient as Foegele will be a young freshman playing against much older competition in college hockey. It might be year two in Durham before Foegele's true potential is reached.

Quick Facts:

Warren Foegele

Central Scouting Final Ranking: 66

Hometown: Markham, Ontario

2013-14 Team: St. Andrew's College (Canadian Prep School)

2014-15 Team: New Hampshire (NCAA)

Height/Weight: 6-1/178

Strengths: Extremely high compete level who is strong on the puck and moves well with the rubber in traffic and along the boards, has good speed and an initial burst

Weakness: Some scouts remain skeptical due to level of competition

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSports.