WHL: Early White Out In Calgary

WHL: Early White Out In Calgary (posted 10.31.06)

by Jeff Neilson

Kenndal McArdle (Fla), LW, Moose Jaw

The best attribute of the Panthers 2005 first round selection, is his explosive skating stride and breakaway speed. McArdle creates most of his offensive chances by beating slower footed defenseman to the outside and taking it hard to the net .. expected more offensive creativity from a PPG player and offensive leader of the Warriors but was disappointed at the lack of fire displayed .. disappeared for several lengthy stretches and was easily distracted and taken off his game .. needs to work on his mental toughness .. smooth stickhandler had excellent control of the puck in traffic .. but did not make good decisions with the puck in prime scoring positions.

Riley Holzapfel (Atl), C, Moose Jaw

Solid all-round pivot has had a nice start to the season for the Warriors .. not overly flashy but possesses good hockey intelligence and an above average skill set .. has a nice quick release and is a formidable threat on the power play, with an accurate one-timer .. competes hard and never gives up on the play .. strong in the face-off circle and defensively sound, could be a nice third line center with enough offensive upside to become a second line center in the pro ranks .. will get serious consideration to be named to Team Canada, for the upcoming under-20 World Junior Championships.

Ryan White (Mtl), C, Calgary

A third round selection of the Habs, White is off to a tremendous start for Calgary .. so far has exceeded offensive expectations by bringing a consistent blend of offense and defense every time he hits the ice. A better playmaker than sniper but does not shy away from driving to the net with reckless abandon .. has a physical edge and has no problem mixing it up when called upon .. plays an intelligent, simple and effective game and has found a nice chemistry with linemate Brodie Dupont. Looks poised to improve dramatically his 20 goal and 53 point totals of last year.

Freddie Pettersson (Edm), LW, Calgary

After suffering an MCL sprain in an NHL exhibition game with the Oilers, Pettersson appears to have fully recovered and looks to become a major offensive catalyst for the Hitmen .. possesses a shifty change of pace and can make quick lateral cuts to find open ice .. if given an extra step, has a top gear to pull away from defenders .. needs to greatly improve his upper body strength .. loses battles far too easily along the boards .. terrific stickhandler accompanied with nice patience makes Freddie a dangerous threat from the blueline in and especially on the power play .. shot could use a lot more zip but that will come with increased strength.

BCHL: The Bell Tolles (posted 10.22.06)

by Ron Jones

Reid Campbell (2007), D, Powell River

Little defender, 5'9-170lbs., currently has two points (17gp, 1-1-2) .. boasts nice mobility and is a good overall skater .. gets knocked off the puck easily .. lacks the strength to tie up his man along the wall .. although he does try to take the body, he doesn't have much success .. uses his stick reasonably effectively to create turnovers on the penalty-kill.

Joe Tolles (2007), D, Powell River

Has good acceleration & mobility, but can look a bit lost at times in his defensive coverage .. stickhandles well at top speed .. can be rushed in to making poor decisions with the puck .. will pinch up on the play, but doesn't always choose the best time to do so .. will play physically and has some success playing rough, yet isn't a physical force .. displays the ability to carry the puck up and even beat a checker, unfortunately the play too often tends to die with him .. still a work in progress in his own zone, especially when it comes to position .. plays on both special teams .. at his best when he keeps his feet moving with his head up when carrying the puck so he can move it. (17gp, 2-10-12)

Kyle Bodie (2007), C, Powell River

Takes the pass smoothly .. can be a bit slow to react to a loose puck in prime scoring areas .. works relatively hard on the backcheck .. let himself get locked up by the opposing center .. supports the puck well .. keeps his head up when stickhandling .. plays on the power play and penalty-kill .. a solid player at this level, but won't be hearing his name called at the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. (14gp, 4-3-7)

Brennan Strang (2007), F, Powell River

Doesn't like getting his nose dirty and appears to shy away from heavy contact .. uses his above average top end speed to get in quickly on the forecheck .. plays on the penalty-kill. (17gp, 0-8-8)

Clay Harvey (2007), LW, Powell River

Doesn't protect the puck well enough to be consistently dangerous in the scoring areas .. lacks anything close to what could be classified as elite skating ability .. comes back all the way, yet is for the most part a perimeter player .. will try and skate with the puck, but just doesn't have the size and stickhandling ability to slip by the checkers. (17gp, 6-5-11)

WHL: Secret Agent Maxwell Smart (posted 10.11.06)

by Jeff Neilson

Ben Maxwell (Mtl) C, Kootenay

Early scoring leader in the WHL, has had a tremendous start to the season .. yesterday was named WHL Player Of The Week .. a third round selection of the Habs, has so far proven to be an astute pick by Montreal. Six goals in seven games is a testament to his finishing abilities .. smooth skater has decent breakaway speed .. a deceptively quick first step allows Maxwell to slip behind defenders and gives him space to utilize his superb playmaking skills .. stealthy stick handler has exceptional puck control .. quarterbacks the powerplay which allows him to use his precision passing to find teammates in close .. wins many battles along the boards...very intelligent hockey IQ, forms a potent tandem with linemate Ryan Russell .. should smash his 28 goal and 60 point totals of last year.

Ryan Russell (NYR) LW, Kootenay

Speedy winger is having a terrific October .. scored a natural hat-trick against the Hitmen en route to a 4 point night .. can light the lamp several different ways .. has a nice quick release on his wrist shot, and can also unload a hard but sometimes wild slapshot .. .has scored several goals off the one-timer making him a dangerous presence on the powerplay. Maintains a nice fluid stride at top speed and can be a breakaway threat if opponents do not pay special attention to him. Excellent finisher shows sniper mentality when given space to operate .. above average passing skills make him a nice complement to linemate Maxwell. Seventh round selection of the Rangers, will need to bulk up considerably (5 foot 10, 170 lbs) to make the jump to the pro ranks, but appears to have the rest of the tools necessary.

Dan Spence (2007) G, Calgary

With four wins and two losses to start the 2006-2007 season, Spence has shown some real positive qualities in the early stages but some negative tendencies have also emerged. Facing nearly 28 shots per game, he has proven he can handle lots of shots and make that key save late in the third period .. in two of his losses, he lost focus and poor rebound control led to easy rebound goals .. overplays his angles at times and gets caught out of position. Save percentage is below .900 and GAA is over 3.00 but still manages to get the job done. Has a nice quick glove hand and moves well laterally .. is not spectacular but will provide enough stability in the pipes for the Hitmen to push for a playoff spot.

Brett Sonne (2007) C, Calgary

After a strong showing for Canada at the u18 tournament this past summer, there were increased expectations for Sonne in the upcoming season. So far it has been a struggle for the six foot pivot with just two goals in seven games .. not considered a high end offensive talent but needs to bring more of an offensive threat to increase his draft position. Strong defensively, he is an aggressive forechecker and penalty killer. Has a mean streak and finishes checks as well as draws penalties with his edgy style .. is best suited to exceed at the pro level as a third or fourth line shut down center with some offensive upside.

WHL: Postma Rings Twice (posted 10.9.06)

by Ron Jones

Dane Crowley (TB), D, Swift Current

Produced 21 points (71gp, 1-20-21) with the Broncos .. moves well and boast pretty good "giddy-up" from his first few steps .. challenges the shooter and more than willing to drop down in front of a shot .. conscientious defensively and positionally sound and rarely ever takes himself out of the play by over committing .. wears an A .. displays poise with the puck, especially in his own zone .. plays on both special teams .. communicates with his defensive partner.

Myles Rumsey (Cgy), D, Swift Current

Chipped in 12 assists (67gp, 0-12-12) last season with the Broncos .. very good feet as witnessed by his ability to move smoothly on the ice .. wears a C and showed his leadership when paired up with Paul Postma .. maintains solid positioning in the defensive zone .. will pinch in from the point, but is smart about when to and not to do it .. displays poise with the puck and rarely will try to unnecessarily force the puck in to danger .. solid playing the man on the one-on-one .. gutsy performer that won't shy away from making the play even when he knows he will take a pounding .. sees time on the PK.

Paul Postma (2007), D, Swift Current

In 58 contests last year with the Broncos he recorded 11 points (2-9-11) .. maturing stride to recover shoot-ins .. can be hanging on to the puck a tad too long which can lead to turnovers .. uses his stick and body well to close the shooting and passing lanes .. hasn't shown much grit to his game, however is effective playing the one-on-one .. very active when killing penalties, although should remember that at times less is more .. a regular on the powerplay .. his defensive awareness is fine, yet still needs work .. displays good communication with Myles Rumsey, a defensive partner that will be able to assist Postma in bringing his overall game along .. still prone to unforced errors and must learn to incorporate some patience to his game, especially in the Broncos' zone .. boasts the ability to carry the puck up the ice, or at least out of his own end, yet is far from being a threat to go end-to-end .. won't hesitate to pinch in deep to get open to take the pass .. as he fills out his stock should rise given his offensive upside and skating ability.

Matt Tassone (2008), C, Swift Current

Produced 33 points (25gp, 14-19-33) with Fort Saskatchewan (AMHL) .. a bit sloppy finishing his checks and doesn't get much on the body .. saw some time on a line with Brady Leavold and Phil Gervais .. will be brought along slowly as he's definitely not ready for prime time.

Levi Nelson (Bos), C, Swift Current

Chipped in 38 points (63gp, 21-17-38) last season with the Swift Current Broncos .. very mobile, with good jump out of the gats .. centered the line of Kyle Bortis and Jeremy Schenderling .. takes the pass well .. not the strongest guy and can get bodied off the puck too easily, however doesn't quit on contact and keeps his feet moving .. a regular on the penalty-kill.

Geordie Wudrick (2008), LW, Swift Current

Played for the Notre Dame Hounds (SMHL) last year where he scored 14 goals, added 16 assists in 42 games .. doesn't display a great jump out of the blocks, although does get in on the forecheck quickly .. must compete harder without the puck and can be guilty of being on the perimeter a bit too much .. saw time on both the powerplay and penalty-kill .. takes the pass cleanly .. lacks much power or physicality to his game, although will go to the net as he proved when he scored his first ever WHL goal .. fairly conscientious defensively given his youth .. a player to keep an eye on for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Phil Gervais (2008), RW, Swift Current

Added 16 points (32gp, 9-7-16) with Fort Saskatchewan (AMHL) last year .. displays nice speed to get in on the forecheck .. doesn't get much on his shot down the wall .. often finishes his checks with authority .. works hard without the puck, but at this time lacks the overall strength to be very successful at this level .. like his teammate Tassone, the Broncos are bringing him slowly.

Derek Claffey (2007), D, Swift Current

Scored twice and added six helpers in 54 games with Canmore (AJHL) in 05-6 .. moves the puck reasonably well from the point .. takes a hit to make a play .. sports a good stick along the boards to create turnovers .. covers up for a roving defensive partner .. doesn't always read the play correctly .. lacks the overall footspeed, especially an elite top gear, to be able to gain ground on speedy puckcarriers that slip by him .. sees time on both special teams.

Daniel Rakos (2007), C, Swift Current

Large Czech pivot chipped in 39 points (70gp, 16-23-39) with the Broncos last season .. centered the line of Zack Smith and Spencer McAvoy .. likes to park himself in front of the net on the power play .. doesn't display much offensive imagination and lacks much better than average skating ability .. won't be hearing his name called once again at the NHL Entry Draft.

Ryan Molle (2007), D, Swift Current

Racked up 19 points (35gp, 3-16-19) with the AMHL's Calgary Flames .. came in a recent trade from the Vancouver Giants .. displays good mobility and has slightly above average point A to B speed .. can be a tad slow to react to the play or sometimes over commits and thus loses a step .. will compete physically in the dirty areas, although isn't a physical force .. doesn't always take difficult passes as cleanly as he should .. played on the PK.

David Stieler (2007), C, Swift Current

Czech import center tallied 36 points (47gp, 16-20-36) with Kladno (Cze Jr) last season .. very nice quickness and mobility which allows him to cut down time and space on the forecheck .. plays on the powerplay .. more of a perimeter player as he rarely initiates any physical contact .. lacks the power to effectively fight through intense traffic.

WHL: Sexsmith Education (posted 10.5.06)

by Ron Jones

Jonathan Blum (2007), D, Vancouver

Rancho Santa Margarita native is looking more and more poised with each passing game .. good overall speed and is quite mobile .. is very good one-on-one and is generally effective keeping the puckcarrier in front of him .. appears comfortable playing either point on the powerplay .. gets regular duty on the PK .. will pinch in for a scoring chance, but usually won't take unnecessary chances .. like many young blueliners is still prone to the odd play where he forces a pass through traffic due to pressure.

Craig Cunningham (2008), LW, Vancouver

Pint-sized winger is extremely speedy has been in and out of the Giants' veteran laden lineup to start the season and has yet to get a point in three games .. protects the puck reasonably well with his body .. blessed with terrific mobility and acceleration and displays good energy without the puck.

Spencer Machacek (2007), RW, Vancouver

Isn't opposed to going in to the dirty areas .. sees time with Mario Bliznak and Kyle Lamb .. has gotten away a bit from finishing his checks early in the season .. even though he is a healthy 6'1-180lbs., he would still benefit from adding some muscle to be able to compete physically at an elite level .. gets time on both special teams .. at his best when he's skating hard and pressuring the puckcarrier.

Mitch Czibere (2007), C, Vancouver

Boasts very good top end speed and can close the gaps quickly .. listed as a leftwing, however looked solid centering a line of J.D. Watt and Jason Reese .. finishes his checks and boasts terrific acceleration and mobility .. supports the puckcarrier well and is a tireless worker and effective checker .. will go to the net without the puck .. lacks offensive vision and touch, although has started the season well with four points (5gp, 2-2-4) .. plays on both special teams.

Michal Repik (2007), RW, Vancouver

Czech native has yet to find the form that he showed this time last season .. plays the right side on the top line with Tim Kraus and bruising Milan Lucic .. boasts the ability, thanks to elite mobility, to make players miss in close .. extremely gifted stickhandler .. the Vancouver coaching staff experiment of having him play the point on some powerplays has been somewhat successful .. uses his speed well when killing penalties .. protects the puck better than last season .. displays little physicality, yet does go to the holes and will drive to the net without the puck .. when he's on his game he boasts the ability to slice through defensive coverage .. sports a splendid release .. shows some defensive awareness, however is far from being a two-way winger.

Tyson Sexsmith (2007), G, Vancouver

One of the big questions around the Memorial Cup bound Giants is whether Sexsmith is ready to carry the mail on a full time basis – which would likely mean the end of Dustin Slade in Vancouver .. looked a bit tentative in his first game, in fact was a bit jittery handling shots and his rebound control was shaky at times .. moves across the net slickly, while maintaining square to the shooter .. uses his blocker effectively to steer rebounds out of harm's way .. must challenge the shooters more as he rarely was out past the top of the crease .. doesn't panic in one-on-one situations .. boasts the size and elite ability to be one of the top goalies available for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

BCHL: Mighty Casey Scores (posted 10.3.06)

by Ron Jones

Johnny Mahovlich (2007), D, Merritt

Large bodied defender, 6'2-200lbs., has equaled his point total of last season with a single assist after six games .. not a bad skater, however he lacks quickness out of the gates .. his defensive positioning is improving and he regularly does a nice job keeping the play in front of him .. sees some time on the penalty-kill .. there is some upside, but whether it is enough to get his name called on draft day is likely a stretch.

Casey Pierro-Zabotel (2007), C, Merritt

Committed to Michigan Tech .. at 6'2 and nearly 210lbs., it isn't surprising that he looks extremely solid looking on his skates and boasts an explosive top gear for his size .. currently leads the entire BCHL with 30 points (10gp, 15-15-30) .. closed the gaps well on the forecheck using his speed and size .. tends to be static on the powerplay as he likes to park himself in front .. has moments in the game where he stops moving his feet and even looks a tad lazy .. supports the puck well and generally displays good positioning in all three zones .. once he gets going his stride looks strong, but on occasion his start out of the gates looks a bit stiff .. seemed to have some chemistry with Wade MacLeod .. very good team player and is likely captain material (already wears an A .. isn't shy about hanging out near center to try and get the breakaway pass, however does come back to help the D .. sometimes looks a bit unsteady when he takes a hit .. not aggressive physically and won't deliver bone-crushing bodychecks, yet won't shy away from traffic or the dirty areas .. has some power on his wrist shot .. plays a ton in all situations, including first unit PP and PK .. at his best when he gets his legs pumping and driving to the net with or without the puck .. all things are pointing to him hearing his name heard early in the NHL Entry Draft.

Wade MacLeod (2007), D, Merritt

Coquitlam native is on pace to last season's 41 points as he already has 25 points (10-15-25) in only 10 games .. is quite mobile and sports good closing speed which puts pressure on the puckcarrier .. goes to the net and has the patience to knock home pucks that pop free .. gets good jump out of the blocks .. plays on both special teams and has formed a nice partnership with stud Casey Pierro-Zabotel .. a nice player at this level, yet being passed over twice does appear to dampen any enthusiasm for a pro career.

Patrick Rogan (2008), C, Merritt

Smallish looking forward that gets a very nice push off the line thanks to splendid acceleration .. does a nice job eluding big hits .. he's a very elusive skate and is extremely mobile and quick .. keeps his head up when he's stickhandling and boasts the vision, patience and touch to mature in to a skilled playmaker .. played on a line with Casey Fratkin and Riley Loyst, but saw some time with Casey Pierro-Zabotel .. gets mostly second unit powerplay time.

ICE CHIPS: Besides being a player to watch for in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Langley Chief forward Taylor Stefishen appears to be a real terrific kid as witnessed by his demeanor and helpfulness with some lucky little guy that got to skate around with the big boys and stand at the blueline for the national anthem. So our props go out to the parents of Taylor Stefishen for raising a person we all can be proud of.