Wild Head Scout Comments on Cody

I spoke to Minnesota Wild director of player personnel Tom Thompson this afternoon about Cody Almond's camp.

"He's probably played better every time we've had him out with our people. We consider him a prospect. You have to put it into perspective of what Cody is trying to accomplish. At the camps he's trying to get better, but realistically he is not going to make the team at nineteen. We just hope we have helped his play, so as he goes back to the Rockets he can keep developing as a hockey player.

Would he have a good understanding returning to junior of what you want to see in his game?

"I don't think Cody will be confused. He had a lengthy meeting with Doug Risebrough, our general manager and myself yesterday and then a further meeting with Doug up in his booth at our game last night. One thing about Doug, when he speaks, not to many people are left confused."

So what does he need to improve on?

"Consistency. If you look at Cody and what are his attributes? He's 6 foot 2, 200 pounds. He is a fluid skater...he's light on his feet. He can shoot a puck. He's aggressive enough. He can take a hit he can make a hit. But right now his game is in pieces a little bit. He has to pull all of these component parts together and get a consistent game package game in and game out."

Cody has a quick release. Is that going to be his bread and butter to make it to the next level?

"Doug is convinced now that the way hockey is, the ability to shoot quickly and accurately has never been so important because usually split second chances are few and far between. If you have to get a good shot away, the good people can do it and the ones that aren't so good seem to never get them away."