Ciampini not letting draft rankings get him down

Luca Ciampini is trying not to pay attention to any draft rankings.

The 2012 NHL Entry Draft-eligible forward is slotted in the second round on most draft lists, after touching the top-30 before the season and last year on early 2012 lists. He is usually featured in an “honourable mention” category.

“This year is exciting,” Ciampini said. “I feel I have lots to prove this year. I want to help the team as much as I can and be a go-to guy.”

So far, Ciampini is letting his play do the talking, and it’s backing him up. Ciampini currently sits with 14 points in 14 games, an average of a point a game and good enough for fourth in team scoring.

Mooseheads head coach Dominique Ducharme said that Ciampini is a natural offensive player.

“He’s a guy with real offensive flair,” he said. “He’s really good around the net. The puck seems to find him.

“He’s got what you can’t teach, as far as [his] offensive skills are.”

Ciampini added that he has always had a natural talent around the net.

“I feel I read plays very well,” he said. “I’m always adjusting and looking for the open spot. Having a quick eye and being in the right spot is something I’ve always seemed to have.”

Ciampini is still in catch-up mode. He had an injury-plagued year last year, shortened to just 37 games. This year, he’s finally healthy and able to contribute fully to the Mooseheads offence.

“It was tough,” he admitted. “I was still with the team last year and still had the camaraderie. They were very supportive of me and helped me through it.

“It makes me feel like I have more to prove now. I want to help the team the way they helped me last year.”

Ciampini is one of several great prospects the Mooseheads feature in their lineup. Czech forward Martin Frk is usually listed in the top half of the first round this year. Nathan MacKinnon is a 16-year-old rookie leading the Mooseheads in scoring and is widely predicted to go in the top few picks in 2013. Add in scorers Darcy Ashley and Matthew Boudreau, both 18, and this team is primed for a playoff run in the coming years.

Ciampini acknowledges there are things to work on in regards to his game.

“Hockey is all in the details,” he said. “It starts in the defensive zone and moves outward. I want to work on my all-zone play and help the team everywhere.

“I want to work on my offensive skills as well. Not just putting the puck in the net but passing and shooting and stick-handling.

“I believe that I’m coachable and an easy listener, and that will help me in the next levels.”

Ducharme believes he has a great player in Ciampini.

“He can always improve; everyone can,” he said. “But he has scorer’s instincts and talent you can’t teach.

“He can always polish his game, but that comes with time. He’s not raw by any means. Getting to the speed of the game and the adjustments at the next level will come a bit easier for him, I think.”