WHL: Chipchura off the old block

Notes from a recent game with the Prince Albert Raiders featuring Kyle Chipchura who most expect to be one of the top picks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft to come out of the WHL.

Rejean Beauchemin, G, (PHI)

Comes across the crease well .. had a few minor miscues handling the puck .. made good decisions on when to leave the net .. swallows up most shots, leaving few second chances .. needs to communicate more with his defensemen.

Evan Schafer, D, (2004)

Solid on his skates .. good skater .. doesn't lose his focus .. uses the boards to clear the zone .. got rocked in a scrap, but was willing .. defensively sound .. kept the puck carrier in front of him and was hard to beat one-on-one .. played on the PK.

Luke Fritshaw, D, (ANA)

Stapled a guy along the wall .. not overly quick or mobile .. bread and butter is being a physical stay at home blueliner with an edge .. killed penalties.

Mike Hellyer, RW, (2004)

Smallish forward .. cuts off passing lanes on penalty kill .. comes back and supports his D .. quick skater and very mobile.

Michal Polak, LW, (2004)

Parks himself in front of the net .. solid on his skates .. tied up the other center on a face off .. good skater and pretty mobile .. played on both special teams.

Kyle Chipchura, C, (2004)

Passes crisply and on the tape .. lost a face off .. usually finishes his checks .. very mobile and extremely fast .. drives to the net .. stickhandles well at high speeds .. picks up his man in the defensive zone .. turned over the puck a few times on the power play when pressured .. strong on his skates .. effective forechecker .. excellent vision (finds the open man at the right time) .. regular on both special teams.

Aki Seitsonen, C, (2004)

Scored an easy goal on the power play by simply chipping it over a prone goalie .. didn’t get much on a shot.

Brett Novak, RW, (2004)

Starter .. finished a check, looked like a bit of a charge .. didn’t show much imagination and rarely had any offensive touches.

Jeremy Colliton, C, (NYI)

Starter .. wears the C .. played on the PK and PP .. slap shot appears to explode off his stick .. strong on his skates .. tremendous acceleration and mobility .. drives to the net and look for openings in coverage .. plays an intelligent, composed game .. delivered a beautiful pass to a wide open man .. takes the opposing center on a faceoff .. was left alone in front of the net and undressed the goalie to score a goal .. has elite vision.

Mike Gauthier, D, (2005)

Prized defenseman taken right after Gilbert Brule and Daniel Bertram in the 2002 WHL Bantam Draft .. starter .. played physical .. finishes his checks solidly.

Dane Byers, LW, (2004)

Scratched due to broken finger.