BCHL: Sawada Seeing Stars

Raymond SawadaClick The BCHL recently held their 2004 All-Star game and we have notes on four of the top prospects from that game that are also eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Here to view this Link., RW, (2004)

Kyle HoodClick Was one of four players from the Nanaimo Clippers representing the Coastal Conference of the BCHL .. took part in the fastest skater competition and was leading his semi-final heat with the eventual overall winner until he blew a tire going around the last turn .. explosive speed .. even in a no-hitter worked hard on every shift .. closes the gaps on the puck carrier .. keeps his feet moving, unless he's parked in front of the net .. played on the same line as the Coquitlam Express' young phenom Brock Bradford and his Nanaimo teammate Michael Olsen .. had a goal and an assist in the 13 - 8 loss.Here to view this Link., D, (2004)

Kris ChuckoClick One of two players from the Cowichan Valley Capitals representing the Coastal Conference of the BCHL .. partnered with Rob Chappell of the Powell River Kings .. lined up on the right side .. communicates with his teammates .. takes the man .. uses the boards effectively to clear the zone .. very good transitional skater .. mobility makes it difficult for players to try and beat him one-on-one .. finished with one assist in the game.Here to view this Link., RW, (2004)

Travis ZajacClick Named to the second All-Star team and was one of six players representing the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on the winning Interior Conference team .. took part in the fastest skater competition and made it to the semi-final and was giving the eventual runner-up a good fight until he stumbled .. simply amazing vision as he can place the puck where the player will be, even past a bunch of sticks and legs .. consistently displays elite stickhandling and playmaking skills .. got open in the slot and instantly slid a shot along the ice past the goalie .. will make a team pay if they give him any time and space in the danger zones as he will generate imaginative plays for himself and his teammates .. played on a line with fellow Silverback Travis Zajac and the Penticton Panther's Marc Belanger .. made a cross ice tape to tape pass to Zajac for a glorious scoring chance .. finished with a goal and an assist. Here to view this Link., C, (2004)

Named to the first All-Star team and was one of six players representing the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on the winning Interior Conference team .. knocked the puck past the other center on a faceoff and drove to the net for a scoring chance .. terrific hand-eye coordination .. elite vision and is a real student of the game .. worked hard behind the net and eventually stripped the defender and made a crisp pass to a wide open Chucko for a goal .. had a good chance in front of the net, but muffed the shot .. supported the defense .. silky smooth hands, takes and delivers the pass with equal precision .. was able to get open as he drove to the net for a pass, but was robbed by on a sparkling pad stack save by the goalie .. dished out a solid hit along the wall taking out the puck carrier .. finished with a goal and two helpers for three points.

Additional Notes:

2005 NHL Entry Draft eligible Brock Bradford was the winner of the "Stickhandling and Agility Drill" in the skills competition. Kyle Greentree of the Victoria Salsa not only won the "Showdown - Top Scorer" competition in the skills, he also was selected the Player of the Game for the Coastal Division with a hat-trick. While Mark Nelson of the Vernon Vipers was also a double winner as he won the "Fastest Skater" skills competition and was selected the Player of the Game for the Interior Conference. The "Top Goaltender" for the Skills competition was Kevin Lachance of the Cowichan Valley Capitals.