Jordan Kyrou
Jordan Kyrou is a really interesting name and not just in terms of spelling. The kid has pure offensive talent at the junior level, but it is always hard to tell whether that will translate to the NHL or even the AHL.
The league is littered with names of guys that were hot shots in junior. The list is trimmed quite a bit when you try to figure who actually panned out.
That does not mean the Blues and their fans should not be excited for Kyrou’s eventual arrival. He’s a hard worker who has improved his game every year.
From year one to year two with the Sarnia Sting, Kyrou’s point production went up by 11 points. In year three, he almost doubled his point totals.
Now, you might say that’s all well and good, but what were his points. Well, he scored 40, 51 and then 94 this past year.
He had 30 goals in 66 games with the Sting in their regular season. He developed a bit more edge to his game too while keeping his penalty minutes relatively low at 36.
EliteProspects.com says he’s solid at blocking passing lanes and is not afraid to battle for puck position. That’s important since he is a little small by today’s NHL standards.
However, let us not forget that he is only 18. For a teenager, 176 lbs is not all that small and he can still fill out as well.
Unless he wows everyone in camp out of nowhere like Robby Fabbri did, it seems unlikely that Kyrou would make the immediate jump to the NHL. However, it would be shocking if he does not find a spot in the AHL next season.
Once you score over 90 points in the OHL, there is little left to prove at that level. St. Louis already has him inked to an entry-level deal, so they might as well start seeing how he can transition to the pro style where there is less room to operate.
Still, even if Kyrou only gives the Blues a fraction of his junior production, he’ll be a heck of a player.