Role: Offensive Defenseman
Contract Status: Signed through 2011-12
Notables: 23 years old, 6-3, 212 lbs., Right handed shot
Season Stats: 61 games played, 4G, 13A, +17, 39 PIM
Playoff Stats: 2 games, 0G, 0A, Even, 0 PIM
Carl Sneep came into this season as a rookie and obviously has room to grow into a more dominant defenseman at the AHL level, but the future is bright for the big defenseman out of Boston College.
Sneep scored his first professional goal in just his sixth game with the WBS Penguins this past season - the game winner against the Adirondack Phantoms back on October 29th. With Steve Wagner and Andrew Hutchinson gone and the status of unrestricted free agent Corey Potter still uncertain, Sneep could play a more pivotal role on the blue line in 2011-12.
Sneep was a goal scorer at BC, scoring 11 goals and adding 18 assists in his final season of college hockey, leading all Boston College defensemen. Six of those goals were on the power play. While Sneep didn't register a power play goal with the Penguins this season, he also didn't receive much ice time when his team had the man advantage.
This kid has a great shot. Attending a decent amount of the team's practice last season, I was surprised Sneep didn't shoot the puck much in game situations. He usually was one of the last guys off the ice and would work on his slap shot, and let me tell you he could unleash a rocket of a shot.
I'm interested to see how Sneep will react to a larger role next season, possibly a top four role depending on who is brought in on the blue line next season. He has the potential to be a pretty decent defenseman, one who is gifted offensively. His play in his own zone got better as the season wore on and he started using his 6 foot 3 frame to be a little more physical towards the end of his rookie campaign. If he can amp up his physical play and be more reliable in his own zone, he could turn out to be a steady two-way defenseman like Robert Bortuzzo.
1 comments:
I like Sneep. He still has room to grow but has the size and his skill showed a little more as the season progressed. I think the additional ice time and responsibility will be a big plus for Sneep, helping him trust his instincts more, perhaps, and learn more on a game to game basis.
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