Prospect Profile: Jacob Trouba

Name: Jacob Trouba

Birth Date: February 26, 1994

Birth Place: Rochester, Michigan (some reports say Minnesota, but that's inaccurate)

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 191 pounds

Position: Defense

Hand: Right

2012 Draft Eligible

Already drawing comparisons to the likes of Jack Johnson and Cam Fowler, Trouba is regarded as one of the best defensemen in the upcoming draft. Scouts describe Trouba as a big, agile, physical defenseman with a booming shot and good overall puck movement.

Although he likes to be physical, he's also smart with his positioning, picking his spots on when take the body, and when to go for a poke check. Not only is he more than adept in his own end, but he's very good at joining the rush and working in the corner down low, and then getting back to his spot at the point before the opposing team has a chance to catch him pinching. When patrolling the blue line in the offensive zone, he's known to command respect due to his agility, patience, and heavy shot. This is all especially impressive, given the fact that he very recently turned 18.

I couldn't find much video footage of him aside from interviews, but these videos show his poise with the puck and heavy shot. On the first video, hearing the puck deflect off the forward's stick somewhat indicates the heaviness of his shot. According to the USNTDP site, through 38 games this season, Jacob has 7 goals (5 on the powerplay), 15 assists and 22 points, with 50 PIMs. I'd say with a few more years of experience, he's going to have his game rounded out pretty well.

Trouba verbally committed to attend the University of Michigan not too long ago after much deliberation on whether he would go there, Notre Dame, or to Kitchener of the OHL (they drafted him and own his CHL rights). His reasoning for taking such a long time to make a decision? He wants to be known as a man of his word. Via University of Michigan's hockey site:

"Jacob Trouba wants to be known as a man of his word.

So when the highly touted defensive prospect is ready to make his decision whether to play in the OHL for the Kitchener Rangers — who hold his CHL rights – or the NCAA, there won’t be any late de-commitments or promises broken.

“That’s sort of why I haven’t (committed), because I don’t want to make a commitment and then back down from it,” said the 17-year-old on Wednesday, while in Toronto to take part in the NHL’s Research and Development Camp.

[...]

“It’s important because people have to trust you and what you say,” he said of keeping his word. “If you keep backing out of decisions — and all that, going back on your word — then you’re just going to get that reputation.”

The kid turned 18 just a few days ago, but he already sounds as mature as a 30 year old. You can't beat that. This kid's got a good head on his shoulders. Whoever ends up drafting him this June is going to have a real great defenseman for quite a while.