Less than a month before he will hear his name called at the NHL Entry Draft and learns where he may play his pro hockey, Tyler Weiss has announced where he will play his college hockey. The U.S. National Development Team product will play for the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2018-19 and likely beyond.
Weiss is one of the more polarizing prospects in the upcoming draft. The Raleigh, North Carolina native is well-liked by all, but scouts differ on how they see his pro potential. For example, Corey Pronman of The Athletic saw Weiss play several times this season and has him ranked 66th in his final draft board, indicating that he could even be a second-round pick. On the other end of the spectrum, The Athletic colleague Scott Wheeler ranked Weiss 100th and The Draft Analyst’s Steve Kournianos ranked him 159th, suggesting that they instead see Weiss as a fourth- or fifth-round player. However, Kournianos had Weiss at 85th prior to this season and his production has been solid – 35 points in 58 games with the USNTDP – so it is the lanky forward’s lack of physical development likely driving down his value. Weiss stands 5’11”, but weighs less than 160 pounds. While he’s a strong skater and plays with good skill, with some scouts saying he has top-six NHL upside, his slight frame is apparent in his lack of any physical game or two-way ability and that is understandably a concern.
Yet, the college game is often the perfect track for smaller players who can both thrive in the fast, skilled level of play and concentrate on bulking up. At Omaha, Weiss will likely be looked upon immediately as one of the top players on the roster which should force him to focus on an all-around game and improving his on-ice presence. Whichever team selects Weiss this year should do so knowing that he is a long-term project, but also understanding the upside of his skill should his physical development catch up to his skating, hand, and brain.
Weiss is one of the great stories of the draft, fighting through his family’s financial struggles as a young kid and an untraditional hockey market to become a legitimate NHL prospect. The Athletic’s Sunaya Sapurji details Weiss’ background and more closely examines his draft status in this piece for further reading.