Pater Sarno
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Another product of the 1997 entry draft, Sarno won rookie of the year in the OHL during his draft
season. He followed up that showing by leading the OHL in scoring last season and then became the first
player since Marcel Dionne to win the OHL scoring title 2 years in succesion.
Why was he not picked until the sixth round? His size was a down fall, but so was his horrendous
defensive play as his -41 rating suggested. However after a trade from the Spitfires to the Sting where Mark
Hunter coaches, Sarno was forced to refine his defensive play. "Last year I was running around all the time.
Mark wants me to match a good defensive game with putting points on the board." Sarno said of his coach.
Sarno called the trade from Windsor "the best thing that's happened in my career. They've taught me
how to play in the defensive zone, how to take a man. Mark told me early if I didn't play defensively, I wasn't
going to play. I also realized I wasn't going to play in pro unless I changed.".
If Hunter helps mold Sarno into a hockey player, the Oilers will owe him a lot. Sarno can Quarter
Back the power play and his offensive awareness is scary at times. Sarno has the distinction of being the
highest scoring Edmonton Oilers prospect. His play helped the Sting climb into the play-offs, however they
were eliminated in a six game series that pitted he against fellow Oiler draft pick Alex Henry.
He potted 8 points in the six games but was effectively shut down by the end of the series. He has
drawn comparisons to Craig Janney (minus the attitude). The Oilers must sign him to a contract or else he
can re-enter the draft this season, which at this point looks more likely then not.
For arguments sake, assuming they do sign him he'll have to spend a couple of years in the minors to
build strength and refine his defensive game even more. He may get a shot in a couple of years, after
expansion.
Talent Analysis
Sarno is a playmaking centre and as such, he tends to have much the same weakness with the puck as
Doug Weight has – when a perfect shooting lane opens in front of him, he looks to see to whom he can give
the puck. His penchant for skating at full speed into the offensive zone, then curling back to the top of the
face-off circles and waiting for someone to dish the puck to can be quite frustrating to watch and no doubt
negates possible scoring chances off the rush, giving defensemen time to get themselves in position. He’s
the type of player who often looks for the perfect play when putting the puck on the net would be just as
effective. Unfortunately, despite his decent speed and passing, Sarno doesn’t really get as many
opportunities to play his game as many would like to see, as Sarno is a small player and plays a very soft
game. While he has been forechecking with a little more enthusiasm of late, he is easily pushed off the
puck and at times, seems more willing to cough up the puck that to suffer a decent body check. He plays a
perimeter-type game, rarely planting himself in front of the net. Needless to say, if Sarno is to take his game
to the next level, he will most certainly need to bulk up and develop a willingness to play in traffic.
Though defence is not Peter Sarno’s strong point, he does not simply abandon his defensemen to their
assignments. He will battle along the boards, but due to his small stature, Sarno alone does not often win
those battles, though he does manage to hold the play until help can arrive.
By stats alone, Sarno appears to be a very solid second-line centre. While he is a popular player on the
Bulldogs, he has been eclipsed by players like Jason Chimera (with whom he shared his rookie season) and
Brian Swanson, who in addition to putting up points on the board have shown leadership abilities that Sarno
has not. When the team needs a lift, these two players, among others, can be counted on to raise the
energy level on a hard-fought shift, while Sarno just does not exhibit that kind of leadership.
Strengths:...dynamic talent...great passer...great vision...underrated scoring touch...good
speed...inventive...makes creative plays...good faceoff man...shifty with the puck...uses his teammates very
well...great on the Power Play...able to quaterback the Power Play...very smart redline in...gains the
offensive zone with ease...never telegraphs a pass...backs in the defence with his speed and creativity...lots
of natural talent.
Weakness:...size and strength...gets pushed off the puck...defensive liability at times, still learning
that part of the game...sometimes forces a pass instead of taking a shot...defencmen can guess pass most
of the time and be right...has to learn the game isn't just played around the perimeter...not physical...rarely
initiates body contact.
Prospect Grade: 5
Future
00-01 Blessed with offensive talent Peter must show that he can play both sides of the rink he wishes
to play in the NHL. Still young at 22 he may get a chance with another organization if can continue to
improve over the next season. Many of the lower echelon teams that are in need of skill may look to aquire
his services from Edmonton during the 2001-2002 season.
Stats
Team League Year GP G A PTS PIM
Windsor OHL 96-97 66 20 63 83 59
Windsor OHL 97-98 64 33 88 121 18
Sarnia OHL 98-99 68 37 93 130 49
Hamilton AHL 99-00 67 10 36 46 31
Hamilton AHL 00-01 79 19 46 65 64
Hamilton AHL 01-02 76 12 40 52 38
