Scouting Report: Travis Sanheim, D, Calgary (WHL)

Central Scouting Rank: 53

Bio

Stats

Overview:

Travis Sanheim has slowly blossomed into an effective jack-of-all-trades defenseman, and could be the steal of the draft if he drops to the second round.

At 6-foot-3, 189 pounds, Sanheim, with some added bulk, possesses ideal size for an NHL defenseman, and is a very good skater with deceptive speed for a player his size.

Sanheim's draft stock raised drastically as the WHL season wore on, and his comfort/skill level seemed to improve with each passing game. The 18-year-old ratcheted his performance up even further at the Under-18 World Championships, posting six assists in seven games en route to a bronze-medal victory for Team Canada (he was named one of Canada's top three players in the tournament). 

Pro Comparison

Jay Bouwmeester

Scouts are saying

"When he started getting more ice time in November, he started becoming one of their best defenders. His one-on-one play and containment gets better every game. He uses his reach with an active stick and is not afraid to stand up and challenge forwards. He could be a nice surprise pick; he has the size and hockey sense for next level," According to NHL Central Scouting's B.J. MacDonald

"Has been a revelation of late," Kyle Woodlief of USA TODAY/Red Line Report said of Sanheim. "Huge, rangy blue-liner's confidence has been soaring, and we love his combination of size, skating, puck skills and shot."

Highlights