Tyler Pitlick: 2010 NHL Draft Profile and Scouting Report

Tyler Pitlick, Minnesota State, Mankato (WCHA)

Position: Center | Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight 194 lbs
FanHouse Ranking: No. 24 | Age: 18 | Hometown: Centerville, Minnesota

More: Top 35 Prospects | Full 2010 NHL Draft Coverage

Tyler Pitlick 2009-10 Stats
	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
Regular Season	38	11	8	19

The numbers don't jump out at you, but Pitlick had a good freshman season. While routinely competing against players five and six years older than him, Pitlick developed an edge to his game, and he got better as an offensive threat.

Before the year was out, he was seeing time on the power play, and his overall ice time seemed to grow.

Despite that development, there are rumors Pitlick won't play college hockey anymore. Sources have Pitlick at least considering a jump to major juniors, where he would play for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, who own his rights.

A move would allow Pitlick to play more games, but he wouldn't get the kind of physical tests he gets in college hockey. The move might be good for his confidence and skill development, and it might put him on a faster track to turn pro and make an impact there.

Pitlick has plenty of size. He's a strong kid who showed a willingness to bang bodies regularly in college. His uncle was NHL defenseman Lance Pitlick, but Tyler Pitlick is certainly going to have more offensive flair. He could end up being a very solid NHL winger, even if he never develops into a front-line player.