The NHL draft is scheduled for July 7th and 8th in Montreal.

With Marco Kasper and Vinzenz Rohrer (at least) two Austrians can look forward to hearing their names.

A temporary treat for the past few years, during which I’ve seen both very often. A look at my reports, starting with Vinzenz Rohrer.

I first saw the native of Rankweiler in December 2016 in an unspeakable U15 game between Lustenau and VEU Feldkirch. The then 13-year-old, who was hanging between ZSC and VEU, scored a hat-trick without making a particularly great effort.

My comments at the time: “Excellent, although he was one of the younger players. Can leave opponents standing at will here and choose corners with his shot. Fast, good movements when things get tight. If he is caught, he saves immediately up again. Very interesting 04 player.”

“A top prospect for Austria”

I didn’t see him in Switzerland, but I did with the national teams in the first age groups. For example with the U14 West selection team in January 2018 at a tournament in Mannheim:

“Haven’t seen him for a long time, not as good as I had hoped. In the top line with Auer and Cernik. Still very small, but his skills with the disc are evident. Very good hands, agile, dangerous in front of goal, but didn’t dominate as expected.”

It was clear that Rohrer should become one of four very good 04 centers (alongside Kasper, Luca Auer and Johannes Tschurnig), but in his last tournament on Austrian soil he separated himself from Auer and Tschurnig.

In April 2021, after numerous Corona cancellations, the ÖEHV stopped an U18 tournament in St. Pölten in order to gain some match practice for the 03 and 04 year olds. Roher then centered the top line and was the offensive leader:

“Still a bit small and delicate, but has a wiry stature and has certainly gotten bigger. Always creates space with body turns, can leave opponents standing at full speed. Best player in both games, created a lot of offense and also develops backwards. From time to time with too long shifts. A top prospect for Austria.”

Small in stature, but big fighting spirit

Months after that tournament, Rohrer moved from Zurich to the Ottawa 67’s, where he played under ex-Caps coach Dave Cameron. Already weeks after the start of the season I received questions about him, he was convincing in the early stages of the season and didn’t break away towards the end of the season either.

I didn’t see him live anymore, only on TV at the Junior World Championships, which were canceled due to Corona, but where the team had no chance.

The reports from overseas are similar – even there there is some question mark over his stature. Central Scouting lists him as 5.10.25 (quarters of an inch are also listed there) and 163 pounds. He received above-average ratings in terms of hockey sense, skating and puck skills, but less so in terms of physical play.

However: He is not lacking in fighting spirit, “Red Line Report” in particular emphasizes his aggressive style and describes him as “Pepperpot”, who despite his small stature fearlessly goes to the goal. Rohrer is also praised for his will to block shots.

Of the two draft gurus at The Athletic, Scott Wheeler is more of a fan of the Vorarlberger than Corey Pronman, raves about his legs and hands and concludes: “A player I’d bet on mid-draft.”

These questions are open

Rohrer certainly improved a lot during his season in the OHL, in Austria, but also in Switzerland he would certainly have made it with less.

The NHL Career Question Mark – Can He Play Against Bigger, More Physical Players?

Of course he will also improve, but this could be a constant race to catch up. Can he use his offensive skills at a higher level or will he become a crack with his speed alone, who increases the dynamics of a team and can also score at the same time?

Does he have the potential to be a bottom 6 player, adding momentum to the team and combining it with certain offensive contributions (like Derek Ryan)?

Rohrer, who, like his childhood friend Marco Rossi, lives for ice hockey, will certainly spend the next two years in the junior division. Whether it will be enough for a contract or a hoped-for NHL career will certainly not be decided on July 8th, the draft only gives a small template.

Text source: © LAOLA1.at

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