WHL [Feb-06]: Scouting Victor Bartley

Bartley Scouting Report (posted 2.27.06)

by Ron Jones

Victor Bartley (2006), D, Kamloops

Must be more alert on retrieving the puck behind the net as he can be forced in to turnovers .. saw some time on the left side with Roman Tesliuk .. generally does a good job dishing crisp, clean passes to clear the zone .. scored his first goal of the season on December 29th, but has really picked it up since then as demonstrated by his post New Year production of 15 points (2-13-15) .. fairly mobile, however needs to display more tenacity in his own zone without the puck .. can be guilty of being overly aggressive and taking himself out of position looking for a big hit .. gets time on the powerplay .. has not delivered on the promise of last season when he looked poised to be selected in the first three rounds.

Baldwin Scouting Report (posted 2.17.06)

by Ron Jones

Gord Baldwin (Cgy), D, Medicine Hat

Large bodied defender played the left side partnered with Cam Barker .. uses his size well to physically dominate in traffic, even so, likely has more room on his frame to add 10-15 pounds of muscle .. wears the A .. doesn't display much finesse with the puck, however he does generate some points (2-16-18) by keeping his game simple in the offensive zone .. won't overpower with his point shot, but is pretty effective at getting it on net .. generally very dependable clearing traffic in front, he still can get caught watching the puck on occasion .. acceleration and mobility aren't great, however he is far from being a pylon in his own zone and is solid playing the one-on-one .. relied upon in all situations including the PK and PP.

Burki & Dansereau Surging (posted 2.14.06)

by Dave Fortier

Codey Burki (2006), C, Brandon

Displays impressive intelligence when in possession of puck in all zones, able to make clever decisions at full speed .. Offensive instincts are very good, sees the ice well from the offensive zone, able to make passes which lead to quality scoring opportunities .. Top speed is above average, not a speedster but capable of pressuring defenders into making premature plays .. Course use work on his agility when around goal, although he does change directions quickly when at full speed .. first step could also use improvement, as it causes him to lose some foot races that he will need to win in order to play in the National Hockey League .. tends to attempt high-risk passes which, though of good intent, sometimes are too advanced for linemates and lead to giveaways .. Effective puckhandler, able to maneuver it well at top speeds .. Shows solid work ethic in all areas .. Strong on the forecheck .. Comes back hard in his own end and effectively limits opponents while playing man-to-man defense.

Keegan Dansereau (2006), RW, Calgary

Though not a speedster, his top speed is above average .. Could use work on his first few steps and acceleration, which would allow him to be an effective penalty killer at higher levels .. Can stop and change direction quickly at full speed .. Possesses good leg strength, but could use work on his balance .. Sees the ice very well .. Top-notch playmaking instincts and is able to hit his passes going full titl .. An effective penalty killer - solid work ethic and a quick stick which can create havoc for an opposing power play .. His shot release is very quick, able to get it off nearly immediately after gaining possession .. Also shows good accuracy and patience around the goal .. doesn't just whack away or take a bad shot, but will instead try to outwait the goalie before releasing his shot .. Handles puck well through traffic and can be very flashy if given open space .. Quietly emerging as one of the better '06 eligible forwards in the WHL this season though has been plagued by concussions.

Chad Erb (2006), D, Brandon

Strictly a defensive blueliner, shows very limited two-way potential .. Boasts a long stride, though is not extremely agile and can be vulnerable in his own zone if not covering angles properly .. his top speed is average, however this isn't really a deterrent to his game as he relies on solid positioning more than skating in his own zone .. Breakout plays are quite basic, a 'bang-it-off-the-boards' kind of defender who doesn't spend much time looking for an outlet pass if not clearly available .. Effective playing one on one defense .. Shows good effort level as he doesn't give up on plays.

WHL Player of the Week (posted 2.13.06)

Calgary - The Greyhound WHL Player of the Week is forward Troy Brouwer of the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Brouwer earned player of the week honours by recording three goals and ten points, including a game-winning goal during the week of February 5th to February 12th. Brouwer also had a plus-minus rating of +5 while helping the Warriors to a perfect 4-0 record for the week and the team's ninth consecutive win.

CHL Player of the Week (posted 2.13.06)

Toronto - The Canadian Hockey League announced today that Moose Jaw Warriors forward Troy Brouwer is the CHL Player of the Week.

Prospect Reports on Mihalik and Frere (posted 2.11.06)

by Ron Jones

Vladimir Mihalik (TB), D, Red Deer

Gigantic Slovak defender is listed at 6'8 and just under 235lbs and even though CHL teams are known for inflating the vitals by an inch that still makes Mihalik one very imposing blueliner .. currently sits with 10 points (3-7-10) after 48 games .. seemed to play well partnered with Eric Frere .. his positioning still needs a lot of work, especially in the dirty areas as he allows the opponent to slip behind him too easily .. not surprising given his size, but his foot speed is lacking and he tends to look a bit awkward with regards to his mobility, all that being said his overall skating is pretty decent and shows some signs of improving given time and effort .. tends to be too reactive instead of proactive in the defensive zone .. must bare down in his own zone and take more advantage of his physical presence .. boasts a solid snap shot .. sees time killing penalties.

Eric Frere (2007), D, Red Deer

Has yet to display any offensive ability as he has yet to score a goal in 75 games combined over this year and last and only has two assists .. although not a speedster, his overall skating is very good .. takes the body well along the wall .. although not freakishly huge like his sometime defensive partner (Vladimir Mihalik) Frere is still solidly built at 6'1 and nearly 190lbs .. gets time on the penalty killing units .. generally makes the higher percentage play to get the puck out of his zone .. effective at delivering the short, crisp passes.

CHL Goaltender of the Week (posted 2.7.06)

Toronto - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Kelowna Rockets goaltender Derek Yeomans is the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday February 5 after picking up three wins last week over some stiff WHL competition.

WHL Player of the Week (posted 2.6.06)

Calgary - The Greyhound WHL Player of the Week is goaltender Derek Yeomans of the Kelowna Rockets.

Yeomans earned player of the week honours by recording a 0.67 goals against average, a 0.962 save percentage and three wins, including a shutout during the week of January 30th to February 5th.

Report on Thomas Hickey (posted 2.5.06)

by Ron Jones

Thomas Hickey (2007), D, Seattle

Slick skating rookie currently sits second in scoring by a T-Birds' defenseman with 18 points (1-17-18) after 48 games .. boasts the overall speed and mobility to beat the first wave of forecheckers .. like many young blueliners can be guilty at times of trying to do too much with the puck .. will have more success with the point shot when he learns to move or adjust his shooting lane as he sometimes tries to force a shot through heavy traffic, which gets easily blocked .. not the biggest guy around, but surprisingly tough and has proven that he can protect himself if pressed .. has a decent slap shot that should develop in to a dangerous one with time .. generally plays with poise that belies his youth and rarely looks out of place making him an early favourite to be selected in the first round in the 2007 draft.

Reports on Keaton Ellerby & Garrett Thiessen (posted 2.3.06)

by Patrick King

Keaton Ellerby (2007), D, Kamloops

Plays on the second pairing with Raymond Macias .. rewarded with play on the PP and PK .. brutal first touch, often losing possession .. can be effective when the puck's on his stick, but needs to control it better when it arrives .. not a lot of offensive vision with the puck but shows a keen instinct when to pinch in .. a very punishing checker, however, not always the cleanest player .. does a lot of extra stickwork and got away with a few cross checks .. has a bit of a mean streak .. cuts down passing lanes in the defensive zone with an active stick .. strong one-on-one; maintained the skilled Colton Yellow Horn instead of looking at the puck .. showed good defensive awareness.

Garrett Thiessen (2008), D, Kamloops

Relied on with important minutes on the PK with Keaton Ellerby .. has strong defensive awareness for his age .. takes his man instead of the puck .. has good speed and skating ability .. not very strong with the puck and his puck control at this point is a concern .. took a penalty for obstructing when he took a player down to create more room for his teammate with the puck .. has good upside considering he's a few years away from his draft year.

Report on Sean Zimmerman (posted 2.3.06)

by Ron Jones

Sean Zimmerman (NJ), D, Spokane

Boasts nice size and usually uses every pound and as such few opponents try to challenge him physically .. will never be a big scorer as reflected by his 37 total points (6-31-37) in 188 games played for the Chiefs .. extremely strong on his skates, however doesn't have great acceleration or an extra gear to allow him to be a threat rushing the puck .. has decent vision and dishes out crisp, accurate passes .. type of player that has a chance to make the next level on determination and smarts alone.

WHL Player of the Month (posted 2.2.06)

Matt Keetley (Cgy), G, Medicine Hat

Calgary - The Western Hockey League today announced that goaltender Matt Keetley of the Medicine Hat Tigers has been named the HUSKY WHL Player of the Month for January.