NHL Draft Preview: Cooper Marody

Name: Cooper Marody

Position: Winger

Team: Muskegon / Sioux Falls (USHL)

2014-15 Stats: 22-36--58, 32 PIMS, 52 Games Played.

Measurables: 6'0, 185 lbs

CSS Rankings: 53 Final, 63 Midterm

The Rundown

Marody is the kind of player scouts and fans love to watch play. He excels as a creative offensive talent with the ability to make that "wow play," as well as possessing above average speed and a penchant for being in the right place.

Sioux Falls coach Cary Eades described his game in a similar way to Mick Garry of the Argus Leader:

"He's very calm, and that's part of his deception," Eades said. "A lot of guys panic with the puck and make quick plays but he can hold it for that instant longer and wait for things to open up. He doesn't need much of a window."

He has also earned a reputation as a high energy, never quit on the play guy.

After a solid rookie season with Muskegon where he scored nine goals and tallied 21 assists, Marody started his second season slow finding the net only twice in fourteen games.

That's when Marody took a giant leap forward. After being sent to Sioux Falls he rocketed up the leader board finishing with 20 goals, 29 assists and tied for 10th in league scoring.

NHL Draft Projection

Marody has been a guy scouts have had a high opinion of for almost a year now. Listed as a "B" rated prospect in Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings, Marody used an outstanding second half to push his stock solidly into the third round. If a team is willing to reach, he could end up at the tail end of the second.