Montreal Canadiens 2nd-Rounder and current Omaha Lancer Danny Kristo plays a game that highlights his speed and creativity with the puck. Standing 6’0 and weighing 175, the University of North Dakota recruit has had a slow adjustment to the United States Hockey League, putting up only 8 points in 10 games thus far. He has been playing on a line with Louis Leblanc, but is plagued by the inconsistency that has affected the entire Lancers team. He was recently selected to play for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, AB and scored 3-4-7 in 5 games en route to helpin the US win gold.
Coach Bliss Littler was impressed with his showing at the Challenge, and felt that Kristo simplified his game a little and that bore results. Other scouts have noted that Kristo does have a tendency to get away from the core aspects of his game and try to do too much. He has a competitive nature and likes to play a physical style, but his bread and butter is still the way he thinks the game and the offensive talent he can bring to the table.
I haven’t seen Kristo since the Fall Classic in late September, but I recall being impressed with his one on one skills and the way he saw the ice. He showed excellent chemistry with Leblanc, but possesses more speed and is able to use it effectively. Kristo has a good shot and is pretty lethal in close while still being able to utilize his vision to be an effective playmaker. In addition to the straight away speed, Kristo has excellent quickness and can use that to waterbug down low. Very fun player to watch and should be a good addition to both UND and the Montreal Canadiens.
