In hockey, as in life, there are archetypes built on hyperbole and buzzwords that are designed to fit every player into a pre-defined box. Scouts and evaluators often fall prey to lazily characterizing young prospects in this way: the power forward, the two-way centre, the speedy winger, the one-dimensional scorer, the stay-at-home defenceman. But sometimes, just sometimes, there’s a player who is so different from everyone else in approach or in ability that he is able to distinguish himself through his uniqueness. These players have turned one skill into the body of their game, and they illustrate the varied ways hockey can be played at the highest levels. “The Gifted” is a 10-part series that examines, through video, the NHL’s most fascinating prospects and the unique skill sets that define them. By popular demand, “The Gifted” is back for a third year at The Athletic. It runs every Wednesday from July 24 to Sept. 25.



The Gifted (2017...