Faceoff Factor

Casey Pierro-Zabotel - A Closer Look...

Jesse Marshall | NHL Entry Draft

Jun 23, 01:47 PM | Hype this story!

Casey Pierro-Zabotel made his way through the ranks with the Merritt Centennials step by step. Now, three years into his BCHL career, Zabotel is an absolute offensive powerhouse.

His rookie year with Merritt started rough, just 12 points in 58 games, but as he grew as a player and in physique, his game ascended to new levels. The following year, with increased ice time, Zabotel found himself averaging almost a point per game. 55 in 60, to be exact.

This year saw a marked improvement. Pierro-Zabotel went from almost a point per game to almost a goal per game, increasing his production threefold.

Now, with the 80th pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins have the powerhouse finisher in the system.

Coming off of a 116 point season (51+65), Casey Pierro-Zabotel is poised to make a run to Michigan Tech to play for the Huskies in the fall. He has also expressed interest in completing his collegiate education.

Zabotel has been described by some as a “parasite player”; one who will bury every chance within 10 feet of himself but won’t create that many alone. Comparisons have been drawn to Tomas Holmstom, but Zabotel racked up 65 assists last year in addition to the massive amount of goals he was able to register.

Zabotel’s game is offensively astounding. His vision in the attacking zone is superb. When he goes to the net, he takes a beating night in and night out to get his job done. He isn’t afraid of anyone and will charge to the net or the boards undaunted by hooks or slashes. He sees the ice well and can pick apart goaltenders every which way with a quick wrister and a pin-point accurate shot.

The flaw with Casey is his backcheck and his funny skating stride. He’s almost choppy in the way he takes off and he has a rough time getting things going.

His size is great, 6’1 – 208lbs is a fantastic build for someone who can play any forward position.

Overall, it’s worth following Casey’s career at MT. This is the biggest natural, one way offensive powerhouse to come through a late round in awhile.

He could be fulfilling a need at wing sometime soon should his development stay on the right track.