2025 NHL Draft Notebook: Potter impressed as a freshman at Arizona State

Powers, in his 16th season with the program and ninth as head coach, has seen Potter play at top speed firsthand. He’d like to see him shoot the puck a bit more to complement his 60-yard effort.

“He’s a great fit as our only freshman forward because we can surround him with some experience, some veterans, who have played college hockey and played it at a high level,” Powers said. “He is a world-class skater and we knew his speed alone would make him an effective hockey player.

“Is he perfect? ​​No. He makes mistakes, but he’s absolutely committed to playing both ways. I think he’ll take another big step come Thanksgiving, once he gets a few months under his belt.”

REMEMBERING EGGLESTON

Gary Eggleston, who worked as a scout for NHL Central Scouting for 31 years before his retirement in 2012, died on October 22 at the age of 89.

Eggleston began his scouting career working part-time for the Detroit Red Wings when Hall of Famer Sid Abel was general manager and coach in the early 1960s. He gradually moved up the scouting ladder to become one of the most respected evaluators in the industry, especially for those interested in prospects in the Eastern US.

“He was a pioneer for the scouting world in the New England region and there is a reason he is in the Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame,” said NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr. “He was always a true professional and a true gentleman and he conducted himself that way throughout his career, so he was highly respected in the scouting community.”

He was among the first to scout current New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury while playing at Fairfield Prep in Connecticut, Brian Leetch at Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut and John Leclair at Bellows Free Academy in Vermont .

After his time with the Red Wings, Eggleston was contacted by then-Director of Central Scouting and Hall of Famer Jim Gregory.

“There was a period after the Red Wings where I wasn’t planning on scouting because I was starting a job as a district manager in New England for a publishing company,” Eggleston told NHL.com in 2011. “I also evaluated players from the New England region for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, looking at guys like Jim Craig, Dave Silk and Jack O’Callahan.”

Gregory hired Eggleston as a part-time scout in 1981 and hired him full-time in 1989. As a full-time employee, he traveled throughout North America, making at least two trips to the three major junior leagues each season, while also visiting all U.S. high schools , colleges and prospects in the United States Hockey League.