– Liam Arnsby –
Don Mills Flyers (GTHL) | Centre/Right Wing | 2019 OHL Draft Eligible
Ajax, Ontario | 5-foot-10, 170-pounds | November 20th, 2003
After dealing with an early-season injury, Liam Arnsby is back and looks to be in top form. The versatile winger often suits up on the Flyers’ second line, with Francesco Arcuri down the middle. Arnsby is a very strong, hard-working prospect who displays an admirable compete level every shift. One of the many leaders for Don Mills, he possesses upper-tier offensive abilities and seems to be improving week-by-week.
Related: Check out Prospect Pipeline’s 2019 OHL Draft Rankings.
Despite a modest 5-foot-10 frame, Arnsby plays a very physical game, finishing his checks and often separating opponent from the puck. At the recent International Silver Stick, Arnsby was one of the stars for Don Mills, adding four goals and seven assists to finish fourth in tournament scoring.
Strengths:
- Strength & Physicality
- Shot
- Instincts & Sense
Arnsby is quietly one of the more intelligent prospects in this year’s draft class. He displays excellent instincts in the offensive zone, controlling the puck well along the wall and utilizing his defencemen at the blue line, as well as his centre below the dots. He is able to slip into the soft spots in order to make himself a dangerous passing option. Arnsby also has a heavy wrist shot that can be lethal when accurate.
Away from the puck, Arnsby continues to have a positive impact on the play, as he often lays booming body checks that disrupt the opponents forecheck and create turnovers. He reads developing plays instantaneously which allows him to regularly pick off passes and turn the play up ice. This strength also comes in handy when protecting the puck, as he uses his entire lower-body to fend off defenders.
Area of Improvement:
- Top-End Speed
Although Arnsby’s skating isn’t a weakness to his game, it remains an area in which he has room to develop into a truly dynamic prospect. Using his lower-body strength, Arnsby’s first three steps are powerful and allow him to be an agile skater. However, he doesn’t showcase separation speed that would allow him to blow by defenders on the outside.
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If Arnsby is able to add an extra gear to his game by the end of the year, he could legitimately challenge for a top-10 spot at the draft. He already possesses the intelligence, strength, and offensive capabilities. Greater top-end speed would instantly make Arnsby an offensive catalyst with a multitude of weapons to create scoring chances for his team.
Future Potential:
With an impressive compete level and surprising strength, Liam Arnsby is a unique prospect with all kinds of upside to offer. A versatile winger, Arnsby displays promising offensive potential, and seems to only be scratching the surface of his ultimate potential.
Heading towards the 2019 OHL Draft, Arnsby currently projects as a first-round pick with the potential to rise up even higher as a result of the number of NCAA committed prospects this year.
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