| AWARDS |
- 2010-11 World Under-17 Challenge All-Star
- 2010-11 OHL Second All-Rookie Team
- 2011-12 CHL Top Prospects Game selection
|
| HISTORY |
2010-11
- Enjoyed solid OHL rookie season with London (57-11-11-22).
- Named an all-star while winning gold with Ontario at world under-17 challenge (5-2-3-5).
|
2011-12
- Returned to London for second OHL season.
- Finished eighth in team scoring (63-22-15-37, plus-22).
- Healthy scratch in the playoffs and didn’t produce much in London’s run to OHL title (11-1-4-5).
- Scored a goal and an assist in three games and a healthy scratch for another at the Memorial Cup.
- Appeared in CHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, B.C., on Feb. 1.
- Ranked among TSN.ca’s top 17 prospects in pre-season but slipped as year progressed.
- Pre-draft rankings varied (NR TSN, 37 ISS, 32 THN, 40 CSS).
- Slipped to Red Wings in fourth round (110th overall) in 2012 NHL draft.
|
2012-13
- Unhappy with his ice time, requested trade from London in off-season.
- Eventually dealt to Barrie for three high draft picks in August 2012.
- Averaged point per game to finish fourth in scoring for Barrie (66-29-38-67, plus-13).
- Enjoyed tremendous playoff run, tying for fifth in OHL scoring (22-12-13-25, plus-6).
- Especially good in final round (7-6-3-9) but Barrie lost in seven games to London.
|
| SCOUT COMMENTS |
| “He’s skilled and he’s an incredible skater, but for a kid with that many tools, not enough gets done.” — Anonymous NHL scout (The Hockey News, May 2012) … “He’s going to be able to play just because of his skating ability and his speed. Then it’s just a matter of what he’s going to be. Is he going to be a checker or is he going to be a top-two line guy? That’s what’s going to sort itself out the next five, six years. But in my mind, there’s no question he’s going to play because of his skating.” — Red Wings director of scouting Joe McDonnell (June 2012). |
| STRENGTHS |
| Blistering speed — one of the top skaters in the 2012 draft class … Also has enough 1-on-1 skill and puckhandling ability to score highlight-reel goals … Generates chances and can make plays … Has been used as a point man on on the power play at the junior level … Speed could make him a force on the forecheck and penalty kill down the road. |
| WEAKNESSES |
| Might not have the finishing ability to match what his feet can create … Plays too tentatively and needs to be stronger on the puck … Needs to be more willing to play in traffic and drive to the net … Consistency and maturity were issues early in his OHL career. |
| PROJECTION |
| Athanasiou slid from a potential top-15 pick a year before the 2012 draft all the way to the 110th spot, where the Red Wings happily selected him. Red Wings director of scouting Joe McDonnell is certain Athanasiou will be an NHLer, although he’s not entirely certain what type of player he’ll develop into. Athanasiou had a big year in 2012-13 and was particularly impressive in the playoffs. He’ll return to Barrie in 2013-14 and could emerge as a top 10 scorer in the OHL.
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Player statistics powered by www.eliteprospects.com
| Season |
Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
TP |
PIM |
|
Playoffs |
GP |
G |
A |
TP |
PIM |
| 2009-2010 |
Toronto Titans Midget AAA |
GTHL |
56 |
24 |
34 |
58 |
32 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2010-2011 |
London Knights |
OHL |
57 |
11 |
11 |
22 |
21 |
| |
Playoffs |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| |
Canada Ontario U17 |
WHC-17 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2011-2012 |
London Knights |
OHL |
63 |
22 |
15 |
37 |
22 |
| |
Playoffs |
11 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
| |
London Knights |
M-Cup |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2012-2013 |
Barrie Colts |
OHL |
66 |
29 |
38 |
67 |
30 |
| |
Playoffs |
22 |
12 |
13 |
25 |
11 |
| |
Grand Rapids Griffins |
AHL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| |
Playoffs |
|
|
|
|
|
Player statistics © www.eliteprospects.com
