Austin Watson: 2010 NHL Draft Profile and Scouting Report

Austin Watson, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Position: Right Wing | Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight 187 lbs
FanHouse Ranking: No. 12 | Age: 18 | Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

More: Top 35 Prospects | Full 2010 NHL Draft Coverage

Austin Watson 2009-10 Stats
	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
Regular Season (total)	52	20	34	54
Playoffs	4	2	0	2

Some players can benefit from a change of scenery. One such example is Watson, who was traded by Windsor to Peterborough late in the OHL season.

While he was lost among the big-name stars in Windsor, Watson seemed to thrive in Peterborough. He averaged two points per game -- albeit in just 10 games -- and his effort throughout the season impressed scouts.

Watson is one of those players who will do what is asked. He was asked to play on the fourth line at times in Windsor. He did it. He became the star player for the Petes as they made a run to the OHL playoffs. He handled that superbly.

As Watson grows into his big body, he'll become a tougher player for opponents to deal with. He already has a willingness to do whatever it takes, as evidenced by his work on the penalty kill in the CHL Prospects Game back in January. He turned heads there, and he'll turn more heads in pro hockey.

Expect Watson to be a big-time leader on the Petes in 2010-2011, and he should be a valuable two-way forward for some NHL team by 2013.