First Round Targets: JOEL FARABEE
5 years ago
Joel Farabee is a US forward and is a dominant skater with elite level skill. He has spent the last two seasons in the USHL with Team USA. Farabee represented the USA in two World Junior Championships, taking home a silver and gold medal.
Skating alongside top prospect, Jack Hughes, Farabee is not too far behind his former teammate in the rankings. He served as Captain on the US National U18 team this season and tallied an impressive 76 points in 62 games.
NHL CS RANKING
Farabee is projected to go 12th overall among North American skaters.
THE STATS
From EliteProspects.com
THE EYE TEST
Farabee is an exceptional skater with mature puck-handling skills. He makes smart plays by being patient with the puck but seizing an opportunity when presented. Having only spent a few seasons in the USHL, a premier junior league, Farabee garnered a lot of attention with his on-ice leadership ability.
Joel doesn’t have extreme stature and size on his side, however, being only 6′, there is still plenty of room for development in that regard. His quickness of feet and ability to preempt plays earned Joel several awards during his junior career, including the aforementioned World Junior medals, along with being Most Valuable Player and Forward of the year (2016).
Joel possesses a maturity that would benefit any team to nab him. He is a fast learner and an asset whenever his feet hit the ice.
“Dangerous two-way forward who uses his legs and IQ to make something happen most shifts.” (ISS Hockey 2017).
MOTOR CITY MATCH?
Yes, yes and yes. If the Wings can nab Farabee, there’s a little bright spot for the Detroit organization. Currently loaded with defensive prospects, the Wings are falling behind the pack in terms of forwards. Farabee offers a little of both. He’s got a very fast game but is smart defensively when needed. He’s currently committed to Boston University, so there would be some time till he’s available which is a downside.
There’s a good chance however, he’ll only improve while playing in the NCAA, especially with Boston. Upon being ready to join the organization, he will have packed on a few pounds and gained even more on-ice sense… if that’s possible.
All things considered, Farabee has proven by the numbers throughout the leagues and scouts alike, that he’s got the cajones to be an NHL elite athlete. His style is clean but aggressive on the forecheck, which is something the Wings need in order to break through their current sleepy style of play.
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