WHL: Durand Dazzles

Although Chris Durand isn't eligible for the National Hockey League Entry Draft until 2005, that doesn't mean that NHL teams aren't already drooling over the chance to grab him when the time comes. We have game notes on him and a few other 2004 draft eligible prospects.

Clayton Barthel, D, (2004)

Played on the penalty-kill .. will initiate contact by jumping up in the play to make a hit on a rushing player .. picks up his man in front of the net and likes to lay a bit of lumber on him .. has a quick stick to create turnovers .. composed in all zones .. opponents must be aware of his presence at all times, especially in the neutral zone, as he will nail them with a devastating bodycheck .. positionally sound and doesn't allow the player get between him and the goal .. went for the hit, but was totally beaten by a nice side-step, leaving the puck carrier with a clear path to the goal .. not hesitant to mix it up after the whistle .. very solid in his own zone as long as he's careful about when he goes looking for the big hit .. maintains consistent gap control on the opposition .. gets his whole body behind a hit .. mobile skater and has good enough acceleration to not get beaten to the front of the net from out of the corner or behind the goal if fighting for the puck with another player .. takes a hit to move the puck and rarely makes the high risk play .. partnered with Kyle Fecho .. coaches relied on him in almost every situation other than the power play.

Denis Tolpeko, LW, (2004)

Good overall speed .. tried to cycle the puck without making sure he had a teammate .. on the powerplay .. defensively sound .. shifted it in to high gear and beat a defender wide along the wall.

Aaron Gagnon, C, (2004)

Played on the penalty-kill .. drove to the net .. missed the net on shot from the faceoff dot .. on the powerplay .. was soft on his forecheck as he allowed the player a lot of space and time to bring the puck out .. needs to add some muscle to be more effective in the physical department .. forced a checker in to taking a penalty by driving hard to the net .. extremely mobile and has the speed to close quickly on the puck carrier .. tends to play on the periphery .. elusive skater .. can stickhandle and make plays at high speeds .. sees the ice well.

Chris Durand, C, (2005)

Slick stickhandling center .. amazing vision and composure, especially given his youth .. dished a crisp pass to an open teammate .. tremendous passer as he rarely missed putting the puck right on the player's stick .. very poised in the offensive zone .. credited with an assist on the opening goal of the game .. on the penalty-kill .. comes back deep to support the defense .. ragged the puck behind the opponent's net like it was on a string .. played the point on the power play .. although not overly big, he is solid on his skates and can take a hit .. works hard along the wall and gets his nose dirty in high traffic areas .. anticipates the openings both for himself and his teammates .. has an active stick on the PK and uses it to cut down passing lanes .. excellent vision allows him to move the puck well .. when playing the point he has a quick release and has the ability to get the puck through traffic and on goal .. displays every sign of becoming a top pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft .. creates rebounds as his compact back swing on his slapshot and lightning quick release can handcuff the goalie into giving out a juicy rebound .. a regular on the first unit of both special teams .. very smart .. centered a line with Tyler Metcalfe and Dustin Johner .. not as flashy or as gritty as fellow 2005 draft eligible prospect, Gilbert Brule, but nonetheless is still an amazing player in his own right.