Dylan Holloway
Position: Center
Team: University of Wisconsin, (NCAA)
2020 Draft Prospect Ranking (Central Scouting): 12th Amongst North American Skaters
Anyone who has played or followed hockey at any level is familiar with the term “power forward”. A power forward is someone who can skate, make plays at a high level, and “throw their weight around”. Power forwards also have the propensity to change the dynamic of any game with their physical play, strength, skill, and ability to drive play.
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In the context of this year’s draft, Quinton Byfield of the Sudbury Wolves is one name that comes to mind. Dylan Holloway out of the University of Wisconsin is another. Let’s take a deep dive into the playing career of Holloway and examine what he brings to the table as a pending first-round selection at the upcoming 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Holloway and the NCAA
Unlike so many other Canadian-born skaters, Holloway opted for the collegiate route to ply his trade. While the vast majority of this year’s prospects play in one of the three major Canadian junior leagues (i.e. OHL, WHL, QMJHL), Holloway just finished his first season in the NCAA at the University of Wisconsin. The son of former NHL-er Bruce Holloway, Dylan will certainly be following in his father’s footsteps.
In 35 games this season in Wisconsin as a freshman, Holloway tallied 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points to go along with 49 penalty minutes. Although these numbers don’t exactly leap from the page, Holloway himself knows that there’s plenty of room for improvement. That improvement will be aided by the presence of former NHL player and coach, Tony Granato. With Granato at the helm as head coach at Wisconsin, Holloway will certainly benefit from another season or two under his tutelage.
Power Forward Prowess
As a player, Holloway possesses a vast array of tools to excel at the National Hockey League level. He’s big (6’0, 203 pounds), strong on his feet, and loves to drive the net.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym_wF2Jhkx8&w=560&h=315]
With or without the puck on his stick, Holloway is an absolute handful to contain. Scouts like his size, but what they love even more is how he uses it and how he’s a menace down low and on the forecheck. Holloway is also a good skater with a quick first step. As he grows and matures as a player, his overall game will certainly improve and become much more refined. That’s music to the ears of NHL coaches, player development teams, and management groups alike.
Many pro scouts compare Holloway’s style of play to the likes of Detroit Red Wings standout, Dylan Larkin. They even share the same name. Like Larkin, Holloway is an all-action player who plays with a lot of energy. His defensive game is also something to marvel at. When he’s on the ice, Holloway is responsible and can be relied upon from the coaching staff. At the tender age of 18, this is quite impressive, to say the least. Holloway is fearless on the ice and plays a consistent and predictable game. There’s a lot to like about what Holloway can bring to any NHL franchise.
NHL Outlook
The 2020 NHL Entry Draft is filled with a plethora of top-tier talent. Dylan Holloway, without question, falls into that category. A darkhorse top-12 pick, I personally see Holloway being selected between picks 13-18. He has a good presence in all three zones and thinks the game at an above-average level for a youngster. If teams are looking for that net-front presence with the ability to score, Holloway is the player for them. The hockey world is just going to have to wait and see what Holloway has in store once he reaches the pinnacle of the hockey universe.
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Main Image Credit:
https://uwbadgers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/dylan-holloway/7819
