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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: 2012
RWC Says:

STORIES

AWARDS
None Listed

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).

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. Coetzee has upside as a top-six forward.

STATISTICS

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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 G Thomas McCollum » Grand Rapids (AHL)
05 F Gustav Nyquist » Maine (NCAA)
06 F Landon Ferraro » Red Deer (WHL)
07 F Jan Mursak » Grand Rapids (AHL)
08 F Cory Emmerton » Grand Rapids (AHL)
09 F Joakim Andersson » Frolunda (SEL)
10 F Mattias Ritola » Grand Rapids (AHL)
» COMPLETE RANKING »