Progress Continues For Prospect Ryan Dzingel

Move over Max, your hockey bud Ryan is next in line for being recognized as the other half of two players from Ohio State that had them not only both be roommates in Binghamton, but also shared the Rookie of the Year Award voted by the team this past season. McCormick was last featured here as part of the two former college standouts having completed their first full season at the professional level.

The 23-year-old native out of Wheaton, IL was a 7th round draft pick in 2011 (204th overall) and will be entering his second season of a two year entry level contract signed with Ottawa in late spring of 2014. Dzingel was a proven goal scorer for the Buckeyes with 45 tallies in three years as he forgone his senior year to turn pro.

In his first full season in Binghamton, Dzingel lit it up 17 times while adding 17 assists in 66 games and a -6 while playing center on the third line with interchangeable wingers, but with the majority being Alex Guptill and Buddy Robinson all sharing ice time.

He possesses great hands and is a natural around the net as his strength is his speed and quickness with the puck scoring timely goals. A bit streaky at times, but shows promise as he moves his legs with good jump. Strong shooter with a great backhander that catches opposing goaltenders off guard that is one of his strong suits.

Ryan also saw time on the 2nd unit on the power play and as a result had a pair of goals and 3 helpers and was clutch in scoring two overtime winners that help boosted his confidence as the season marched on. He did however sit out a handful of games being a healthy scratch that did raise some eyebrow's from the local fan base including myself, but I do not believe it was performance base related other than just giving him a breather here and there.

Possibly some conditioning issues were lacking that should be addressed during the off season?

At 5' 11" and 185 lbs., he's not the biggest player on the ice (or smallest) but it did show at times with him getting bumped off the puck quite easily while leading the offensive rush. In learning during the transition period from the college ranks to the pros and what's required, Dzingel needs to accept his teammates when completing a play while marching into the offensive zone and not try to be too selfish with the puck, as he tries to do it all one too many attempts which followed with disastrous turnovers on occasion.

He might have gotten away with that in the past during his college days, but not in the pros as Dzingel needs to correct this bad habit.

Ryan is not afraid to throw down the mitts with the following proof from this short clip displaying him laying down a big hit on Sean Backman of the Manchester Monarchs, and then had to answer to Nic Dowd in one of his four fights;

With his growing maturity to be a complete all around player, all in all not a bad 7th rounder that shows a receptive player according to his coaches in the learning process.

During the off season Dzingel needs to bulk up some and balance it in a way while not losing his biggest asset, his speed. Seems he has that same feeling on his agenda according to this recent tweet which is encouraging to say the least;

Excited to get back in the gym with @TPFtraining starting in June! If you're looking to train in the Chicagoland area .. Go check them out

— Ryan Dzingel (@Ryandzingel) April 28, 2015

As Dzingel demonstrates his ability to be an offensive threat while making adjustments to the pros, it should only improve as he will be a 30 goal scorer for Binghamton next season without a doubt.

But if I had to choose as of this moment between himself and McCormick for some ice time in Ottawa coming up, the nod would lean towards Max. Dzingel desires another full season in Binghamton as he rounds out on a few facets of his game and development with the effluence on an offensive structure in place, along with some work on the defensive areas.

*Cover Pic Courtesy of Alicia Strauch. Insert Graphic Art by Matt Trayling.