Photo: Eldon Holmes, Kearney
Basic Player Overview
2019/20 Team(s): Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Position: C/LW
Body Size: 5’9”, 170lbs
Handedness: Right
Ambrosio is one of the seven first draft year of eligibility players to reach a point per game or more in the USHL this season and he’s from far the youngest of them all (he will be 18.11 years old on September 15th). The second youngest player of that group would be Daniil Gushchin at 18.61 years old.
DY Environement
The Ontario native was the most used forward on the Tri-City team sharing ice-time with Matthew Knies (exciting 2021 NHL Draft prospect) and Nick Portz, as well as Sam Rhodes and Victor Czerneckianair. He was also the most used forward on the Power Play, but was barely used on the Penalty Kill all season.
Shot Quality and Utilization
Ambrosio has a very quick shot. He loves to shoot one-timers from the circles. He was a great weapon on the PP for Try-City this year, netting 13 PP goals. He finished second in scoring among DY eligible in the USHL with 26 goals in 48 games. Out of 25 goals (which excludes the one empty net), 11 were high danger scoring chances, 11 medium and 3 low. Most of his medium and low danger chances were on the power play and/or on the outside circle.
Here Ambrosio rises up the ice from the breakout pass, sees the first defenseman blocking the outside lane, quickly shifts to the inside, is able to stickhandle the puck through two different sticks, his speed gives him enough time to get a great look at the goal, he sees the open five-hole and capitalizes.
In this clip, Ambrosio shows great footspeed and uses his teammate standing in the crease to get around his opponent which opens the lane for the shot. He follows it with a quick release, using the three players in front of the net as a screen. His shot gets in the back of the net, tying the game up.
Here Ambrosio sneaks himself on the outside off the rush, making the lane open in between the two defending players. When receiving the pass, he knows exactly where the puck is, gives the net a slight look and the puck instantly leaves his stick for a great shot in the top left corner.
Intensity
When defending a counter attack, Ambrosio will sometimes want to conserve energy and float around a little bit. He’s always in movement but doesn’t show enough threat. In the offensive zone, he will often lay his stick around but doesn’t really put the pressure he’s supposed to. He really needs to work on mastering all aspects of the forecheck. On the other hand, he will use his judgement and make the extra effort of skating down the ice to help on the backcheck when needed. His compete level is definitely there.
Here he acknowledges the 2 on 1 scenario taking shape and rapidly catches up to act as a second defender. This prevents the cross pass, and the opposing forward ultimately decides to take a low danger shot at the net.
Hockey IQ
His hockey IQ is average at best. He can be pretty inconsistent with his plays in the offensive zone and will sometimes give the puck away after bad decisions with the puck. He often forces a deke on the rush when he should simply get the puck deep or wait for support. One thing he does well is to rapidly increase the pace of the game in the offensive zone to sneak through his opposition. That speed also gives him time to get a good look at the net or the players around him. He’s good at making use of that extra time. He is also able to read the play and decide what to do with the puck with just a sneak peek.
Here in the final seconds of overtime, Ambrosio skates back and acts like a second defender. He skates behind the battle to act as a safety, but makes too big of a turn, which lets enough space for the attacker to get a good shot on net. He does not complete the full effort due to lack of awareness.
Skills and Passing
Ambrosio possesses decent hands, although he isn’t very creative. He tends to repeat that same move where he pushes the puck behind the D with one hand and tries to get around him. His best hockey is when he plays it simple and doesn’t try to deke around too much. His passes are fine but not the strongest part of his game at all. He is much more of a shooter than a playmaker. This is partly why I think his style fits the mold of a winger more than a center.
Physical Abilities
Even with his small frame, Ambrosio will go in the corners but is often pushed off with ease. His skating is very good and he can reach top speed very fast. His strides rely more on quickness than power. He can get quick bursts of speed going, and loves to get around the defenders and being the first one to reach loose pucks.
Statistics
Draft Rankings
N/R by Recruit Scouting
133- Gavin Chiasson
#119- EliteProspects
#125- Future Considerations
#76- McKeen’s
Expected round of selection
4th to 6th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft
Projection
AHL Top 6 to NHL Bottom-6 scoring winger that can help a team on the Power Play.
His hockey IQ not being the best really hurts his chances to make a top 6-on a NHL team. He also needs to work on the small details of his game, especially on the forecheck. His great speed and his shot makes him a good gamble in the middle of the draft.
Where is he headed to next year?
He committed to Boston College in the NCAA for the 2020/21 season back in November 2019, but due to uncertainties caused by coronavirus, he may end up playing elsewhere (most likely returning to Tri-City for one more year). His CHL rights belong to the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL.
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