WHL: Cougars Big Cat

Ty Wishart (2006), D

Young blueliner partnered with Curtis Cooper for a few shifts when Byfuglien needed a rest, otherwise he didn’t see the ice much .. made a simple, but safe play by using the boards to clear the zone .. good first step quickness and mobility .. was caught watching the play and allowed a forward to sneak in behind him.

Nick Drazenovic (2005), C

Slick pivot still a work in progress away from the puck .. played the point on the powerplay .. looked pretty decent defensively taking the man on a one-on-one .. takes the body .. drove to the net well excellent speed and superb mobility .. crisp passer with elite vision .. needs to get stronger on the puck as he gets bodied off of the puck too easily, especially in traffic .. bailed out on going in to the corner while forechecking when it appeared he would have to take a hit .. does support the defense .. was robbed when he got open in the slot .. make a nice play taking out a hard rushing puck carrier hip check.

Eric Hunter (chi), LW

Played on a line with Brett Parker and also versatile defenseman Adam Lukacovic .. given all of his tools more should be expected, however he does take shifts and even games off .. a ton of time on both special teams .. displayed nice speed getting past a defender along the wall, although he did run out of room to get a scoring chance .. extremely mobile .. maintains solid position .. drew a penalty by keeping his feet moving in traffic .. accepts the pass at top speed with no difficulty .. fearlessly goes in to traffic .. worked hard on the backcheck to rush the puckcarrier in to making a play .. takes a hit to make a play and usually shakes it off quickly .. dolled out a stiff check in the neutral zone .. not opposed to the odd cheap shot .. counted on in all situations.

Greg Gardner (2005), C

Steady, but unspectacular center played on a line with Dan Gendur .. picks up his man .. lacks the strength to dominate physically or even be much more than a perimeter player .. played on the PK .. doesn’t stand out positively or negatively, although he does seem to put in a solid effort.

Dustin Byfuglien (chi), D

An enigma wrapped in a riddle is what any coach of Byfuglien must be thinking about the rotund defenseman .. partnered with Curtis Cooper .. a mainstay on both special teams .. wears an A .. made a nice play to clear the zone while under pressure .. has learned to make the safe play more often .. not afraid to pinch in to the slot looking for a pass so that he can let loose his cannon of a slap shot .. had a rush up the ice and although it wasn’t pretty he proved that he can’t be effectively neutralized by a single defender .. wasn’t using his size as a deterrent to clear the crease .. had trouble getting back in the play once he was beaten .. still lacks the vision to be a playmaker .. tends to react instead of initiating the play .. his slap shot is lethal, however he needs to use it more judiciously and not try to use it every time .. his fitness level is still poor, but it has improved from last season .. faked out a few checkers and moved right in to the faceoff circle and stroked one home .. although he doesn’t have elite acceleration or mobility, his top end speed is actually very good .. combine his aforementioned top end speed and massive size and many defenders will be thinking twice about trying to take him out .. plays either point .. didn’t return after being the recipient of a clean hit along the wall.

Real Cyr (2005), G

Has gotten a chance to carry the load early in the season due to the Justin Pogge’s injury .. handles and moves the puck well .. has some zip behind his breakout pass .. was a bit stationary on the opening goal of the game .. recovers quickly to stop the second shot .. one of those types of goalies that can look great one moment and terrible the next .. quick glove .. was surprisingly selected the third star.