The Calgary Hitmen, before the loss of Egor Zamula to a season-ending injury, had one of the most talented and deep defense cores. Part of this strong blueline is the presence of young Edmonton, Alberta native Luke Prokop. The right-hand shot defender stands at just over six foot four while weighing in at a respectable 220 pounds. Prokop is currently in the midst of his first draft-eligible draft season.
Luke Prokop is a strong player who utilizes his size to his advantage in corner puck battles. The 2017 seventh overall selection in the WHL bantam draft is definitely defensive-minded, however, it exhibits a further offensive upside. Prokop has shown terrific gap control and making outlet passes to be a strength, while in the offensive zone, Prokop is terrific when it comes to sending hard low shots to the net which are often redirected, the young defender showing all this while playing minimal power play.
Luke Prokop has contributed a goal and 15 helpers this season with two assists coming on the man advantage. The Calgary blueliner has also posted 71 shots on goal while playing a clean game considering his defensive recording just 26 minutes in penalties. Prokop was also the first Hitmen player since Jake Bean in 2016 and 27th in club history to participate in the CHL Kubota top prospects game this season. This season and last, Luke has also had the pleasure of playing with his elder brother Josh who has also been an important asset for the Hitmen this year as a two-way forward.
Prokop has maintained a late third-round draft projection from Central Scouting Services sitting at 86th currently. With playoffs on the horizon and the absence of Zamula, Prokop will likely have the opportunity to display his strong defensive play and penalty killing abilities while possibly stepping up offensively. All these could really be highlighted if the Hitmen find themselves matched up against a fellow central division club as the current top three teams in the central are bolstered with several offensive juggernauts.
The Hitlist:
- Calgary currently sits with a four-point lead of the Eastern Conference first Wild Card position. If playoffs began today, the Hitmen would face the East Division-leading Winnipeg Ice.
