In our first look at a new Friday feature called “WEHP’s ELITE of the ELITE”, we take a look at Rocky Mountain Raiders scoring star Zach Huber. Zach currently leads the AMBHL in scoring with 20-16-36 in 12 games, putting him on pace for about a 100 point season. Here is an interview we did a while back with Zach just before the season started as well as a resent scouting report from our southern Alberta scout from this past week.
The Interview
Zach Huber
Rocky Mountain Raiders (AMBHL)
5’8 140lbs Forward
13-14 stats: 31GP 9-6-15 32PIM
To start off with, where have you played all your minor hockey and what have been some of your favorite personal and team memories up to this point in your hockey career? Up until the age of 11 I played my minor hockey in south western Saskatchewan in a town called Kincaid. Then for my second year of peewee our family moved too Millarville Alberta and I played for the foothills Bisons peewee AA hockey team. My favourite personal memory would be playing for foothills and winning MVP and top scorer of the peewee AA SCAHL league, and my most memorable team memory would be winning the first banner and league championship in Kincaid minor hockey history when I was first year atom.
Who have been some of your biggest influences to date in hockey and how have they guided you along? My biggest influence would definitely be my dad, he has taught me all the little things and details of how to be an elite hockey player and another one would be my current coach Mickey Kluner. This past season with the raiders I learned and matured a lot from my coach.
Talk about your rookie bantam season with the Rocky Mountain Raiders last season? Our Rocky Mountain Raiders team was one that I will never forget, the chemistry and brotherhood we had was unforgettable and making it to the south final was amazing! I was expected to be physical and very good defensively and also score of course.
Obviously you are an offensive player but what specific strengths in your game do you feel help set you apart from some of the other players in your age group? Conversely, what weaknesses in your game do you feel still need the most work moving forward? I feel that I am a big strong powerful skater, I am fast and have a hard accurate shot and take pride in being a good leader on and off the ice as well as being defensive blocking shots, winning face offs etc. I also take pride in not getting scored on often when on the ice. I think I need to improve on using my strengths more during games and my hands and finishing I get lots of chances but I need to finish more.
Which player(s) in your age group do you respect the most on a skill and/or leadership level of play and why? I respect Kale Clouston the most he is my best friend, a great class mate and a great hockey player! He always has a smile and loves playing the game of hockey.
Lastly, if you could compare or model your game after an NHL hockey player, who would it be and why?
I try to model my game after Jonathan Toews. He is such a great leader and well-rounded player who scores and doesn’t get scored on.
The Scouting Report
Name Zack Huber League AMBHL ROCKY MNT RAIDERS Viewings 7 CAL FLAMES
DOB 2000
Height 70″ 155 Shot R
Position LW
Skating 3.98 Hockey Sense 3.87 0 = Poor
Speed 3.9 Anticipation 4 1 = Below Average
Agility 3.8 Vision 4 2 = Average
Footspeed 3.7 Poise/Patience 3.6 3 = Good
Balance 4.5 Puck Support 3.8 4 = Very Good
Puck Skills 4.03 Offensive Awareness 3.8 5 = Excellent
Stickhandling 3.7 Defensive Awareness 4
Puck Protection 4.2 Character 3.87
Board Play 4.2 Game Work Ethic 4.6
Passing Skills 4.00 Practice Work Ethic
Passing 4 Emotional Control 3.2
Pass Reception 4 Communication
Scoring Skills 3.90 Team Orientation 3.8
Shot Power 3.6 Consistency
Release 4
In Tight Finish OVERALL 3.95
One Timing 3.7
Deflections
Net Front 4.3
Checking Skills 4
Bodychecking 4.3
Stick Checking 3.8
Angling 3.6
Aggressiveness 4.5
Net Front
1v1 Defending 4
Gap Control 3.8
Comments
Hard working forward, forces play in neutral and offensive zones, needs agility work and to learn to play away from the puck. Tends to let emotions over ride control when battling for the puck, initiates contact in all 3 zones, good fore-checking reads.