Popular Post CRAZY_4_NAZZY Posted June 29 Popular Post Share Posted June 29 (edited) 2023-24 team: North Bay Battalion (OHL) Date of Birth: July 12, 2005 Place of Birth: Pickering, Ontario, Canada Ht: 6-foot-1 Wt: 184 pounds Shoots: R Position: C/RW Draft Eligibility: 2024 second-year eligible Rankings NHL Central Scouting: 70th (among NA skaters) After being passed over in his first year of draft eligibility in the 2023 Draft, North Bay Battalion forward Anthony Romani must have used that as motivation to take his game to another level this season. In his first year of draft eligibility, he only totalled 43 points, but this season, he almost tripled that total with 111 points in the regular season. Related: THW’s 2024 Draft Guide What has truly helped Romani make this jump is that his high hockey IQ finally came through in the offensive zone. He uses his IQ to be a strong playmaker with the puck, finding his teammates and making plays that few others can see happening. His passing ability is comparable to that of a football quarterback, as he can use different touches on the puck to make certain passes. Anthony Romani, North Bay Battalion (Terry Wilson / OHL Images) But the third-year Ontario Hockey League (OHL) veteran’s playmaking abilities are not the only factor that helped his game reach the next level; he has a high-level shot with a punch. He also has strong skating abilities and a shiftiness to his game, allowing him to start plays coming through the neutral zone and further into the offensive zone as well. While his offensive game is his strength, he truly needs improvement in the defensive zone. Despite being an OHL vet, he has still struggled to position himself in his own zone at times, and this is the one downfall to his game – although he doesn’t get too involved in the physical aspect of the game, either. What is also working against Romani climbing up the draft boards is that he is second-year eligible and an experienced OHL vet, which could explain his increased offensive numbers. Anthony Romani- NHL Draft Projection As one of the older prospects in the 2024 Draft, Romani’s improvements on the offensive side of the puck could see him shoot up some boards and hear his name called in the third round, depending on whether a team thinks they can help him develop a stronger defensive game and become a more all-around player. AD Quotables “Romani demonstrates elite hockey sense that few can match. His ability to evade coverage and get open for passes to unleash his much-improved shot is exceptional. While his stats portray him primarily as a goal scorer, he also makes plays from the wing, showcasing very good vision and a knack for finding teammates in scoring positions.”- Dominic Tiano, OHLWriters “Romani demonstrates proficiency in carrying the puck through the neutral zone, leveraging his above-average skating skills. His keen hockey IQ translates into quick decision-making, allowing him to make timely passes to teammates upon entering the offensive zone.”- Blake McGuire, FCHockey Strengths Romani possesses a high hockey IQ that helps him make plays with the puck and be a strong playmaking forward. To complement his playmaking, he has a shot that packs a punch and has some zip to it. His skating and speed are good enough to help him in his offensive game, in both the neutral zone rushes and while setting up in the offensive zone. Under Construction – Improvements to Make While it has improved a bit throughout the season, Romani’s defensive game lacks depth and holds him back at times. He is not the biggest skater on the ice, likely leading to his hesitance to get involved more in the physical aspect of the game. NHL Potential With the offensive skillset in Romani’s arsenal, an improved defensive game could end up being the difference in becoming a middle-six goal-scorer or just a bottom-six player. He showed that he is more than capable of scoring on the power play this season and should develop into a second-unit power-play specialist in his career. Risk-Reward Analysis Risk: 4/5 Reward: 5/5 Fantasy Hockey Potential Offense: 7/10 Defense: 5/10 Awards/Achievements After Romani’s strong season, he led the OHL in regular-season goals (58) while putting himself in the running and contention for the league’s most outstanding player. Interviews/Links Romani a Surprise? Nope- CHL.ca Battalion win series opener but lose Anthony Romani in process– North Bay Nugget Edited June 29 by CRAZY_4_NAZZY 2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R3aL Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 highest potential RH Shot Forward available thats the draft mandate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Smashian Kassian Posted June 29 Popular Post Share Posted June 29 Given where we are at in the draft, I don't mind this at all. If they had picked him last year & then he went on to have the season he did, I think everyone would be pleased. 1 1 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Going for the high risk, high reward picks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY_4_NAZZY Posted June 29 Author Share Posted June 29 18 years old but 2nd year eligible. on sportsnet 650 "I like to make plays, create offense...want to get bigger and stronger". Can definitely see the priority this draft is finding offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stierlitz Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locke Lamora Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Always get Hodgson flashbacks when I see those Battalion jerseys. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliPeterson40 Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Any chance of seeing Romani or Patterson on Team Canada for the next world juniors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 I always get a bit nervous with an overage pick with this clubs history with them. But can't fault the numbers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 So we got the guy who led OHL rookies in goals and the guy who led the OHL overall in goals. Very interesting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locke Lamora Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 2 minutes ago, EliPeterson40 said: Any chance of seeing Romani or Patterson on Team Canada for the next world juniors? Very unlikely IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stierlitz Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliPeterson40 Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Just now, Locke Lamora said: Very unlikely IMO. Wishful thinking, I suppose. It’s been so long lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip The Mesh Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locke Lamora Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 1 minute ago, EliPeterson40 said: Wishful thinking, I suppose. It’s been so long lol I hear you. I actually can’t remember the last Canuck prospect on Team Canada. Virtanen’s disastrous tournament is obviously memorable for all the wrong reasons, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip The Mesh Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliPeterson40 Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 4 minutes ago, Locke Lamora said: I hear you. I actually can’t remember the last Canuck prospect on Team Canada. Virtanen’s disastrous tournament is obviously memorable for all the wrong reasons, lol. Gadjovich, Virtanen, and Hodgson are the only ones I can think of. Man looking back on that Virtanen world juniors some serious fore-shadowing there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 A bit of a project to get the all around game to what could be NHL level, but some interesting potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stierlitz Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanuck Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 I've never understood how a kid could be described as having 'elite hockey IQ' yet at the exact same time, little to no defensive awareness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R3aL Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 1 hour ago, Smashian Kassian said: Given where we are at in the draft, I don't mind this at all. If they had picked him last year & then he went on to have the season he did, I think everyone would be pleased. Kinda similar to mynio mynio his draft year was buried on a good team D+1 thrived and looked like he shoulda gone higher in the draft I sometimes think if they moved the draft age +1 the success rate of drafting would be so much higher. I like this draft pick. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PureQuickness Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 10 hours ago, Warhippy said: I always get a bit nervous with an overage pick with this clubs history with them. But can't fault the numbers See, the thing is, these picks are okay. What shouldn't be okay is drafting a player like this with a 2nd rounder (Mallet, Gillis top pick one year after trading away the first round pick). 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 12 hours ago, R3aL said: Kinda similar to mynio mynio his draft year was buried on a good team D+1 thrived and looked like he shoulda gone higher in the draft I sometimes think if they moved the draft age +1 the success rate of drafting would be so much higher. I like this draft pick. It very well could! anyone know the youngest age a player can be drafted for in other leagues Like: NBA, NFL, MLB, CFL. was there not some whispers or a rumour thrown out earlier this year about the age maybe getting raised to 19? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJockitch Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 16 hours ago, R3aL said: Kinda similar to mynio mynio his draft year was buried on a good team D+1 thrived and looked like he shoulda gone higher in the draft I sometimes think if they moved the draft age +1 the success rate of drafting would be so much higher. I like this draft pick. If I remember looking at the determinants of success for draft pics it is the ones that excel at an early age that have the highest likelihood of success. ‘Clearly we are dealing with very complex biological and social systems so this is more trend than a rule. ‘I think the NBA went up one year because they didn’t tend to use development leagues like hockey does and they were having a lot of issues with maturity of players coming in. They also had the problem of the NCAA rules making them ineligible when they go into the draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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