Canucks Select Cole Candella At #140

Cole Candella

Born: 1998-02-13

Birthplace: Erie, ON, CAN

Age: 18

Nationality: Canada

Position: D

Shoots: L

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 185 lbs

Overview

Candella boasts impressive physical attributes (6’1-185), fluid mobility and the ability to effective the game in all three zones. Candella shows an ability to make a crisp outlet pass along with an effectiveness as a puck carrying defender. A player who makes strong decisions in possession, Candella’s hockey sense is very impressive. Candella closes gaps effectively, takes away the middle of the ice and holds the line with effectiveness. A player who can create offensive from the blue line, Candella effectively creates shooting lanes, boasts a deceptively strong point shot and shows impressive vision. While he will engage physically, the two-way defender is more of a stick on puck, positional defender. - Prospects Hockey

While Candella does have to work on some of the smaller points of his game, he’s quietly made a point to become a late third-round pick in the NHL draft. He likely won’t slot in as a defenceman on the top pairing, but could make a solid three or four if he can hone in on his ability to see the ice and control the tempo of play. He could grow into a solid powerplay quarterback with quite a bit of offensive upside. - The Hockey Writers

He’s just a very solid two-way defender. Early on in the season he was thrust into the role of Hamilton’s #1 defender thanks to injuries and he did well to be the leader of a young blueline (in only his second year). But unfortunately, he too succumbed to the injury bug after fracturing his wrist. This caused him to miss the rest of the season. So we’ve got to base our assessment on what we saw in the first half. Candella has good size, moves well, defends well, and makes a good first pass. A defender without a lot of flaws. - OHL Prospects

More Information

> Candella Finds Perfect Fit With Belleville Bulls