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WILLIE COETZEE
Willie Coetzee
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Vitals: 5'10'' / 186 lbs.
Birthdate: November 7, 1990
Hometown: Maple Ridge, British Columbia
Acquired: Signed as a free agent by Detroit in September 2009
CSS Ranking: 132nd North American skater (2009)
Contract: 2013
RWC Says: Skilled Forward

STORIES

AWARDS
  • 2009-10 Team WHL (CHL Subway Super Series)

HISTORY
2007-08:
  • Started season with Red Deer (WHL) but sent home after 23 games because of lack of strength.
  • Spent rest of year in British Columbia junior A ranks (33-5-11-16).
2008-09:
  • Packed on 20 pounds in the off-season and returned to Red Deer (WHL) ready for duty.
  • Finished second in scoring on a weak Red Deer team (72-18-24-42).
  • Past over in draft despite being ranked as 132nd North American skater by Central Scouting.
2009-10:
  • Earned invitation to Red Wings' prospects tournament and training camp as a free agent.
  • Signed a three-year contract with Red Wings after being assigned to Red Deer (WHL).
  • Started WHL season on fire and was leading league in scoring two months in (20-11-22-33).
  • Scored a goal for Team WHL against Russia in the CHL Subway Super Series.
  • Finished tied for 16th in WHL scoring at season's end (72-29-52-81).
  • Struggled late in final two months (18-4-5-9) and in short post-season (4-1-0-1).
  • Signed tryout contract with Grand Rapids and made pro debut at season's end (2-0-0-0).

SCOUT COMMENTS
"Detroit loves skilled players who can think the game and he's one of those guys. He's very quick, he's got great hands, he's got a very good release, a great shot and he's just a highly-skilled player that Detroit's always looking for." — Red Deer Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin (October 2009).

STRENGTHS
Point-producing forward who will be a top-six forward or bust ... Soft hands for passing and a great finishing touch to boot ... Good speed and quickness ... Hard shot with a quick release ... Hard worker who plays with passion ... Focused and driven to succeed.

WEAKNESSES
Lack of size could result in him getting knocked off the puck easily as a pro ... Needs to step up his defensive game to fit the Red Wings' system ... Consistency can be an issue.

PROJECTION
Coetzee was relatively unknown when the Red Wings signed him prior to the 2009-10 season. He's since become one of the top scorers in the Western Hockey League and is eligible to play in the American Hockey League in 2010-11. Expect him to return to the WHL as an over-ager, however, and expect him to dominate offensively. Coetzee has upside as a top-six forward.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2007-08 Cowichan Valley BCHL 33 5 11 16 19
  Red Deer WHL 23 2 0 2 14
2008-09 Red Deer WHL 72 18 24 42 42
2009-10 Red Deer WHL 72 29 52 81 32 4 1 0 1 0
  Grand Rapids AHL 2 0 0 0 0

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (2009-10 preliminary)
01 F Tomas Tatar » Grand Rapids (AHL)
02 D Jakub Kindl » Grand Rapids (AHL)
03 D Brendan Smith » Wisconsin (NCAA)
04 F Gustav Nyquist » Maine (NCAA)
05 F Jan Mursak » Grand Rapids (AHL)
06 G Thomas McCollum » Grand Rapids (AHL)
07 F Joakim Andersson » Frolunda (SEL)
08 F Mattias Ritola » Grand Rapids (AHL)
09 F Landon Ferraro » Red Deer (WHL)
10 D Brian Lashoff » Grand Rapids (AHL)
» COMPLETE RANKING »