Griffin Reinhart to Islanders: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Position: Defenseman

Height/Weight: 6'4", 202 lbs

Shoots: Left

DOB: 1/24/1994

Team: Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Griffin Reinhart improved greatly as a sophomore in the WHL this season for the Edmonton Oil Kings. He scored 12 goals with 24 assists this year in 58 games, while also having a plus/minus rating of 23.

Reinhart is a good offensive player, but that is not the strength of his game. His tremendous size and height allows him to win one-on-one battles along the boards and check hard all over the ice. He poke checks well and is almost always in the right position to make a play defensively to stop an opponent's rush up the ice.

Hockey intelligence is something that all great defensemen have, and after watching Reinhart play for the Oil Kings this season, it's clear that he understands the game better than most of his peers. Reinhart doesn't do more than he's capable of and will make the smart play rather than go up ice and risk leaving his team in a dangerous position. This reliability makes him a trustworthy player and someone that a coach can play late in important games and not worry about his composure.

Reinhart has all the tools needed to become a great NHL player, and the Islanders will be glad they chose the WHL star over some of the other top defensemen in this year's draft class.

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Nicholas Goss is an NHL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was also the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final in Boston.