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Greg Printz
Position: Left Wing
2015-16 Team: Selects Hockey Academy at South Kent 18U
League: USPHL 18U
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
Shoots: Left
Height/Weight: 6'1.75"/196
DOB: 5/4/98
College Commitment: Providence College (2017)
Greg Printz might be the most physically mature prospect in this year's NHL Draft class among New England prep players. The Fairfax, Va. native is a strong, rugged left wing who has played the last two seasons for Selects Hockey Academy at South Kent School in Connecticut.
Printz already has good size and strength, but projects to bulk up further and become even more of a force physically, which is his biggest asset. When he's going for the puck, he's virtually unstoppable. He's a one-man wrecking ball.
He does a good job driving the net, with and without the puck. He is very good in puck pursuit. He's a tireless worker who battles for the entire shift. He has above average hockey IQ, anticipates and reads plays, and is often in good position.
2016 NHL Draft Profiles
2016 NHL Draft Profiles
He has a heavy wrist shot and gets it off quickly. Many of his goals are in the dirty areas where he's outworked an opposing player and won a battle for the puck in traffic. He's not going to be the type of player to make some highlight reel dangle.
Printz is strong on his feet and has a low center of gravity. He doesn't have the prettiest or smoothest of strides, but it doesn't hold him back too much.
Printz, who was called up for a few games to play with the U.S. NTDP 18U and Chicago Steel, respectively, will play a full season in the USHL in 2016-17 before matriculating to Providence for the 2017-18 season. Playing in the USHL will help Printz become an even better player as the games are more structured than what he's experienced so far in the USPHL.
Draft Projection: He has pro size and strength, and he has room to put on more muscle mass so his ceiling in that regards is high. He will never be a top six player in the NHL, but he has the chance to be a third line winger that can grind, win battles and score the occasional goal at the pro level. Out of all the forwards in prep hockey this winter, he's the most likely to succeed in pro hockey.