Avalanche Draft Profile: Jaret Anderson-Dolan

Get to Know Jaret Anderson-Dolan

Date of Birth: 9/12/1999
Place of Birth: Calgary, AB, CAN
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 185 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Center
Team (League): Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Future Considerations:

A hard-working versatile forward who can play a gritty or finesse game…skates extremely well and loves to get low and drive off his low center of gravity to burn around players…very balanced on his feet, enabling him to change direction with quick pivots…leans on his stick and is very good at protecting the puck from being stripped…plays a lot bigger than the listed size and is an absolute menace with the puck on his stick…does not hesitate to shoot the puck and has a good release with velocity that is likely to continue developing…great vision and is confident putting pucks through tight space to make a skilled pass…makes smart reads on puck movement…a constant factor when on the ice…defensive awareness is strong…constantly on his toes to play the routes of high probability with a waiting stick…is that heart and soul, all hustle player who attacks from the defensive side of the puck and can be relied upon in all zones…has the potential to become a strong pro middle six two-way player.

Last Word on Sports:

Anderson-Dolan is a very good skater. He has an outstanding first step, and great acceleration, as well as top end speed. Anderson can beat defencemen one-on-one. Once he gets a step on a defender, he can cut to the inside, drop his shoulder and drive the net. He has the strength and balance in his lower body to fight through checks and drive the net. He is hard to knock off the puck. Anderson-Dolan also has very good edge work and agility. He can make quick cuts and changes of direction.

Anderson-Dolan also uses his excellent skating to get in quickly on the forecheck, pressuring defenders into mistakes and creating turnovers. Once he does get a turnover, he uses his strength on the puck to protect the puck down low, and extend possession.  More a goal scorer than a playmaker, Anderson-Dolan still shows some decent vision and passing skill.

Anderson-Dolan has a well developed defensive game. His speed and quickness help him to get to loose pucks and he does this in all three zones. It also helps him to pressure puck carriers and cut down options for attackers. He is very good in transitioning a turnover into offence. Anderson-Dolan is a good penalty killer, and can be matched against an opponent’s top line. He could still stand to work on his positioning though, and on staying disciplined with his man, instead of chasing the puck.

What BSN Avalanche sees

Anderson-Dolan is a little on the smaller side but he’s a high-effort player who possesses a very high hockey IQ and utilizes it in all situations for the Chiefs. He works alongside fellow prospect Kailer Yamamoto at even strength and the power play and also kills penalties, providing the kind of versatility you love to see from prospects whose overall skill level is not overwhelming.

He’s a great skater with a very balanced stride but his skating really shows a suddenness to it when he’s attacking puck carriers on the forecheck as he consistently catches breakouts by surprise and he disrupts play with ease. His offensive profile is impressive in its own right as his shot is deadly and the most intriguing part of the toolbox moving forward.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Anderson-Dolan may not have the upside to be a legitimate top-line center in the NHL but he could be a solid 2C or, given the situation, an excellent 3C. His ability to check opposing top lines and offensively carry a line will give his drafting team excellent versatility as he develops.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

In a draft full of centers, the Avalanche of course are already loaded at the position now and in the future so Anderson-Dolan’s fit isn’t readily apparent. There’s always the option to move him to wing in pro hockey and given his limited size that may be the best option if he lands in the Avalanche organization.

Regardless of position, Anderson-Dolan would be an excellent fit as a high-character player with a varied skill set that would not be rushed through his development and would likely be a top-nine player for the Avalanche in several years.