Mete Has Been a Plymouth Rock
August 4, 2017
By Grant McCagg
Ryan Poehling wasn’t the only Habs prospect who has impressed at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI. Victor Mete has been one of the more solid blueliners for Canada at the event and Joni Ikonen has been solid in a second-line center role for Finland in three contests.
One western conference scout has liked what he has seen from Victor Mete, and when comparing him to another undersized blueliner from the 2016 draft, Samuel Girard, who was picked in the second round while Mete was a fourth-round pick, he has liked the London Knights’ blueliner a lot more.
“Mete played well,” said the scout. “I think he makes the team. Girard had a tough time…especially with puck retrieval under pressure and a little shy. That’s not an issue with Mete..he’s a solid two-way defender. Mete is the better player in my opinion.”
The midwest-based scout also has time for Ikonen, who he had not seen before the Showcase.
“He is pretty feisty, noted the scout. “He stuck his nose in there, played in the hard areas. He didn’t back down from people, saw him attack the net and try to go through people. I was impressed for a smaller guy…he wasn’t shy at all. Willing to go through traffic to score.”