E-Mac's 2011 NHL Entry Draft Top 120: Seth Ambroz #54

By Eldon MacDonald

54. Seth Ambroz - “The Man” - RW - USA

Vitals: Size - 6’3”, 210 lb.; Shoots right; Born 1-Apr-93 - New Prague, MN
Team: Omaha, USHL
2010-11 Stats: 56-24-22-46-89-(+2) 69 - USHL playoffs 3-2-0-2-4-(-1)

Rankings:
36 - NHL Central Scouting's Final Rankings (31st North American skater)
46 - The Scouting Report's Top 100
46 - hfboards Readers’ Poll
48 - The Hockey News per TSN
49 - Future Considerations Final Rankings
54 - E-Mac's 2011 NHL Entry Draft Top 120
56 - Cory Pronman's Top 100
57 - ISS per TSN
HM - Bob MacKenzie's June Poll of Scouts (HM’s = 61 to 85)
92 - Christopher Ralph's Top 210
Draft result:
128 - Columbus Blue Jackets

The good: The size at 6’3’’, 210 lb. is that of a man, a true power forward type frame. The shot is awesome, slapper or wrister. Seth is good defensively and is known for finishing his checks.

The bad: The skating is not good; poor acceleration, uneven agility and lack of a true top gear make it seem like a chess game where the other guy is always two plays ahead of you. He also does not appear to have the innate hockey sense to see or read plays easily.

The ugly: Where the criticisms of this guy can get ugly relates to his willingness to do or at least demonstrate trying the things necessary to improve on his deficiencies . To plateau is one thing; to accept it and not do what it takes to try to change the situation is another.

The summary: Criticisms aside, there are a lot of good qualities in Seth Ambroz that are in short supply in this or any other draft. Where else can you find a real power forward size who is defensively responsible and has that cannonading drive to rip through opposition goaltenders. Central Scouting has him early second but most have him mid to late second or third.