Berkly Catton stands out as one of the most talented players in this draft class. Every time I’ve watched him play, I’ve been convinced of his rightful place at the top of the draft board. This conviction has been growing steadily over time. His stellar performance at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament last summer and impressive showing at the World U18 tournament in his draft -1 season underscore his exceptional abilities. Moreover, his inaugural WHL season saw him amass an impressive 55 points, indicating consistent offensive production.
Catton’s offensive prowess is undeniable, but what sets him apart is his dedication to improving his two-way game and goal-scoring ability,rising above his role as just a puck distributor.
Standing at 5’11” and weighing 163 pounds, Catton may not boast the size of some of his peers, yet his on-ice presence defies his smaller stature. While not necessarily a physical player, he demonstrates a fierce competitiveness and isn’t afraid to battle in traffic to create scoring opportunities. Undoubtedly, he will benefit from adding muscle mass to better withstand the rigors of the NHL, but the foundation for success is already evident.
Catton is the type of prospect who could have thrived in the NCAA environment, where he could focus on both honing his hockey skills and building strength through dedicated gym time with access to top-notch facilities and personnel.
Facts
| Age: 18 | Height: 5’11” |
| Date of Birth: January 14 2006 | Weight: 163 lbs |
| Origin: Canada | Position: C/LW |
| Projection: Top 5 | Shoots: Left |
Skill Grades
Statistics
Skating
Catton’s skating is characterized by a remarkably fluid and mechanically sound stride. Watching him glide across the ice is almost poetic—it appears effortless and elegant. Some players possess the ability to effortlessly traverse the ice with just a few smooth strides, and Catton is undoubtedly one of them. At times, it seems as though he traverses from the defensive zone to the offensive zone in barely three strides. While he may not be blazingly fast, he never appears to be operating at full speed either. That said, he is certainly above average in terms of speed. What truly sets him apart is his adept combination of speed and agility. Catton maneuvers with incredible agility, often using subtle shifts in his stride to deceive opponents.
While he may not employ the same stutter-step technique as players like Lane Hutson or Andrew Cristall, Catton excels at creating misdirection through slight variations in his stride—slowing down for a step or two, introducing hesitations, and sending mixed signals to defenders. This makes it incredibly challenging for defenders to match his pace and forces them to anticipate his movements. In transition, he’s virtually unstoppable at the junior level. When the puck is on his stick, his team is practically guaranteed to gain entry into the offensive zone.
When you add an explosive burst of acceleration to catch opponents off guard in just two or three strides, along with the endurance of an Ironman runner, you have a combination of attributes that will undoubtedly serve him well at the NHL level. Observing him defend during penalty kills is like watching a relentless pursuit unfold—he throws himself into the task with unwavering determination and intensity. Yet, despite the energy expended in chasing down opponents and defending his zone throughout the power play, Catton somehow manages to maintain his stamina and even launch on breakaways by the end of it all. In short, Catton does what Catton does best—excelling on both ends of the ice with remarkable skill and endurance.
Hockey Sense
When it comes to hockey sense, Catton possesses an understanding of the game that rivals the best. He isn’t purely instinctual in his approach; rather, his style of play reflects careful planning and intentionality. Consider players like Pasternak and Kucherov for comparison: Pasternak appears to react to the game as it unfolds, relying on incredible awareness and reflexes to dominate, while Kucherov’s every move seems meticulously thought out, executed with precision and purpose.
Catton’s offensive creativity aligns more closely with Kucherov’s methodical approach. His actions on the ice are deliberate and pre-planned, evident in the way he anticipates passes and positions himself to make quick, decisive plays. Take, for instance, his ability to receive passes with his body already positioned to redirect the puck to an open teammate with just a touch or two. This strategic approach minimizes unnecessary puck handling and ensures he remains in control of the play, even when under pressure.
In every aspect of his game, Catton demonstrates an exceptional hockey IQ. Whether he’s finding open space, reading plays, or making decisions with the puck, his understanding of the game is on par with NHL caliber players. There are few, if any, weaknesses in his game intelligence. He approaches the game with a level of sophistication that goes beyond the junior hockey level, reflecting the strategic insight of experienced NHL players.
StickHandling
When it comes to puck handling, it’s interesting that despite giving him a high-end grade, I have very few clips for this article. Catton isn’t the flashy stick handler you might expect to see in highlight reels. Unlike players like Will Smith or Demidov, who seem to dazzle with every move, Catton’s style is more understated.
However, what sets Catton apart is his ability to control the puck with precision and finesse. When the puck is on his stick, it’s like it’s glued there—he doesn’t overhandle it or try to show off. Instead, he uses just the right amount of touches to keep the puck away from defenders while maintaining his speed. His primary focus is always on creating scoring opportunities.
What’s particularly impressive about Catton’s handling is his consistency and effectiveness across different situations. Whether he’s fully in control of his stick or reaching out with his arm to handle the puck on the toe of his blade, he maintains the same level of smoothness and precision. Overall, he’s a fantastic handler, even if he doesn’t rely on flashy moves to get the job done.
Compete
Catton is an intensely competitive player, although not in the physical sense due to his frame. However, this doesn’t hinder his determination in other areas of the game.
On the offensive end, Catton displays a fearless attitude reminiscent of players like Jarvis or Nick Roberston. He consistently positions himself between the dots, unafraid to drive the middle and make plays in high-traffic areas. His agility on skates and exceptional puck handling skills make him difficult to box out, allowing him to create opportunities in both the high and low slot. Moreover, he diligently follows through on his routes to the net and hustles for puck retrievals along the boards and in the corners. Yet, there’s a caveat—while he competes fiercely for pucks, he often relies solely on his stick and hands, neglecting to gain advantageous body positioning or block opponents’ lanes, which could enhance his effectiveness. Nonetheless, he works tirelessly to sustain offensive pressure in the zone.
Defensively, Catton demonstrates effort in tracking back on turnovers and contributing to backchecks. However, his performance in his own zone can be inconsistent. While some nights he exhibits exemplary defensive awareness, actively engaging with opponents and disrupting passing lanes, other nights he appears lackadaisical, gliding and observing rather than actively participating. If he can consistently replicate the intensity of his best defensive efforts, he could become a formidable force on both ends of the ice. Notably, his prowess on the penalty kill is remarkable—he exhibits an unprecedented level of aggression, effectively disrupting opposing power plays and creating turnovers. He relentlessly pursues the puck, applying pressure from the moment it leaves the opposing team’s possession until he successfully retrieves it and converts scoring opportunities. His tenacity and effectiveness on the penalty kill make him a significant threat to opposing teams, often overshadowing the potential threat posed by their power play. In summary, Catton’s performance on the ice is captivating and multifaceted, showcasing his exceptional competitiveness and skill set.
Passing
Passing is Catton’s forte. Setting aside Celebrini for a moment, I believe Catton ranks among the best passers in this draft alongside Connelly and Demidov. What sets Catton apart is the completeness of his passing game—his puck skills are simply unmatched. He can deliver pinpoint passes from anywhere on the ice to any target, with the puck gliding flat and landing perfectly on tape. His passes are a thing of beauty, seemingly effortless to receive—all you need to do is place your stick down, and the puck will find its mark.
What’s truly remarkable is Catton’s consistency in delivering precise passes under varying conditions. While many junior players can execute accurate passes given enough time and space, Catton’s passes consistently avoid common pitfalls—they don’t fall flat too quickly, come in too hard, or get intercepted by sticks or legs. His puck skills are flawless, and he’s equally adept at threading the needle on the rush or orchestrating plays in the offensive zone while controlling the pace of the game.
Beyond his exceptional puck skills, Catton possesses an extraordinary offensive acumen. Watching him play, you can often anticipate the space he’s about to create before he even sends the puck. He has a knack for disrupting defensive coverage, manipulating opponents with his movement, and exploiting gaps in their defensive structure. Even when faced with tight coverage, he uses his skating and deceptive hand movements to create passing lanes and keep defenders off balance, giving his teammates precious extra seconds to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Furthermore, Catton’s exceptional vision sets him apart as a playmaker. While I haven’t watched as many games of other high-end playmakers outside of Celebrini, Catton’s vision stands out as the best in the draft for me. He sees and exploits plays and passing lanes that few others would even consider, consistently generating high-danger scoring chances for his team. Regardless of his positioning on the ice, he has an uncanny ability to deliver the puck cleanly to an open teammate in prime scoring areas, whether it’s in the low or high slot, even when he’s under pressure or seemingly in a disadvantageous position.
Overall, Catton possesses the complete package—he has the vision, the puck skills, the ability to create space and deceive opponents, and an unparalleled knack for setting up high-danger scoring chances. It’s puzzling to see him slipping in various rankings, as in my opinion, he’s an elite playmaker through and through.
Shooting
When evaluating Catton’s shot, I acknowledge its effectiveness, but I’m not entirely convinced of its quality. While he undeniably finds the back of the net frequently, I attribute this more to his shot placement rather than the raw power or precision of his shooting technique. He often positions himself in prime scoring areas before releasing his shot, favoring shots from the middle of the ice rather than relying on perimeter wristers, which isn’t typical of his playing style.
While Catton does demonstrate proficiency in shooting from the perimeter on one-timers, his shot doesn’t exhibit the explosive or heavy characteristics typically associated with elite shooters. Despite this, his shots find their mark with consistency, leaving me uncertain about their long-term efficacy in the NHL. It’s reminiscent of Leonard’s situation last season, where it took extensive analysis and observation to appreciate the nuances of his shot.
Catton’s penchant for scoring can also be attributed to his frequent deployment of the toe drag release, which, while lacking in raw power, deceives goaltenders with its quickness and unpredictability. His shot doesn’t require a wide-open opportunity to be released; it’s fast, accurate, and often catches opponents off guard due to his ability to conceal his shooting intentions and alter his release angle. Additionally, considering Catton’s current weight of under 170 pounds, adding strength to his frame could potentially enhance the power of his already proficient shot.
In summary, while Catton’s shot may not possess the sheer force associated with elite shooters, its combination of speed, precision, and deceptive release make it a formidable weapon on the ice. With continued development and physical growth, his scoring prowess is likely to translate well to the next level of play.
Conclusion
In summary, Berkly Catton emerges as an elite playmaker with a fiercely competitive edge. He consistently positions himself in high-danger areas, whether to take the shot himself or set up scoring opportunities for his teammates. Catton possesses the versatility to adapt his playing style to the tempo of the game, capable of dictating pace or slowing it down as needed. His strong skating ability is complemented by solid defensive acumen, particularly evident in his aggressive penalty killing efforts. Moreover, Catton’s exceptional hockey IQ and puck-handling skills enable him to execute plays effectively from the offensive blue line in.
While we haven’t delved into his transition game in detail, it’s worth noting that Catton’s dominance extends to the neutral zone, where he proves nearly unstoppable. Drawing a comparison, Catton’s style of play evokes shades of Mitch Marner, though it’s essential to clarify that this is a stylistic comparison rather than a direct expectation of reaching Marner’s peak performance level. While it’s unlikely that Catton will replicate Marner’s extraordinary offensive output, he possesses the potential to embody a similar style of play.
In my assessment, Catton ranks unequivocally as a top-five prospect in this draft class and may very well ascend to a top-three position by season’s end. His talent is undeniable, and it’s perplexing to witness any skepticism regarding his abilities. Of course, player evaluation remains subjective, but expect to hear Catton’s name discussed as frequently this season as you did Cristall’s last season—albeit perhaps not to the same extent, as Cristall remains one of my all-time favorite players to scout. Nonetheless, Catton has left a significant impression on me, and I hold him in high regard.
