2015 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Austin Prep's Eric MacAdams

Eric MacAdams

Position: Center
Shoots: Right
2014-15 Team: Austin Prep (High School - MA)
College Commitment: Uncommitted
Hometown: Salem, Mass.
Height/Weight: 5'11"/170
Date of Birth: 4/29/97
Final Central Scouting Ranking: --

When it comes to player recognition in New England, there might not be a more undervalued and under-appreciated player than Austin Prep junior Eric MacAdams.

A right-shot center from Salem, Mass., he played for the talented '97 Junior Warriors team coached by his dad Steve, an assistant coach for his high school team. MacAdams also had a very good showing at the 2014 USA Hockey Select 17 Festival where he registered four goals and two assists in five games.

After a Summer of playing against top competition in select festivals, MacAdams came back to the high school level with more experience and knowledge of the game. Back in December, MacAdams emphasized that playing against bigger and faster competition at the festivals and showcases made him an even better player.

MacAdams' coach, Louis Finocchiaro, frequently praised his first line center's ability to complete in all three zones and described him as a 200-foot player. Finocchiaro, a former volunteer assistant at Merrimack, utilized MacAdams in all game situations, but relied on him heavily in crucial times at end of games and on the penalty kill.

MacAdams is a strong skater who is constantly moving his feet and doing all the little things required to win hockey games. He never stops moving and is the type of player that you can learn as much about his game when watching him away from the puck as you can when he has the puck on his stick.

MacAdams has a strong hockey IQ and makes tape-to-tape passes more often than not. He finds his teammates well in transition and from the corners and other offensive zone scenarios. He has a heavy shot with an accurate, quick release.

During his time in an Austin Prep uniform, he has constantly come up with big goals in the clutch. What he lacks in high end skill and highlight reel plays, he makes up for with intangibles.

Several Hockey East and ECAC Hockey schools are interested in MacAdams, including several that scouted him heavily in the MIAA Super 8. MacAdams is a long shot to get drafted, but there is interest out there and it wouldn't be a total surprise to see a NHL organization go off the board and select him in one of the later rounds.

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