WHL: General MacArthur

Clarke MacArthur found out yesterday that he'll be representing Canada at the upcoming WJC in North Dakota along with teammate Cam Barker. We have notes those two as well as a number of their Medicine Hat teammates from a recent game.

Kevin Nastiuk (Car), G

The current WHL shutout king made an incredible effort moving side-to-side to rob a shooter .. lightning fast feet as he really can throw out his legs to make high quality pad saves .. allowed a bad angle shot to squeeze through the five hole .. appeared to be fighting the puck a bit as he uncharacteristically dropped or mishandled a handful of shots .. even given the aforementioned problems with his glove he does possess a cat like glove hand that he isn't shy about flashing .. was beaten by a howitzer over the glove from the top of the right face off circle.

Stefan Meyer (Fla), C

Centered the top line of Clarke MacArthur and Paul Gentile .. wears the A .. supports the puck carrier .. speedy forward, communicates well with his linemates come all the way back to support the defense .. takes a hit to make a play .. displays elite vision and puck moving skills .. wins his fair share and more on the draws .. was bodied off the puck rather decisively .. has the hockey sense to be able to dangle with the puck and wait out the opposition .. makes plays in tight spaces .. is especially dangerous on the powerplay.

Clarke MacArthur (Buf), RW

Turbo-charged winger has excellent wheels and uses this ability to get in quick on the forecheck .. plays on a line with Stefan Meyer and Paul Gentile .. played on the powerplay .. amazing mobility and stickhandling ability .. takes the pass at full stride .. used his blazing speed to get a breakaway and confidently slid the puck through the five hole to pull his team to within one .. takes a hit to make a play does show a bit of feistiness in his game as he does initiate contact .. will back off checkers due to his speed and his knack for making people miss .. selected the game's third star.

Kris Russell (2005), D

Light-footed defender uses his ample skating talents to rush the puck out of his own zone .. partnered with Riley Day .. played the two-on-one to perfection by cutting off all passing lanes and intercepted the pass when the puckcarrier finally couldn't wait any longer .. shifty quick, with exceptional mobility .. he lacks a certain physicality to his game .. moves the puck very quickly .. has elite top end speed .. will pinch in any time he gets an opportunity, especially on the powerplay .. with his team down two goals, he started seeing time with Cam Barker .. takes the man in his own end, but has trouble clearing the crease of any bigger opponents.

Roman Psurny (NYR), LW

Speedy, but slight winger could do well to add some muscle to his 6'1 frame .. took slashing penalty just after his team failed to score while on their own powerplay .. exceptional first step acceleration .. shows a willingness to fight for the puck in the dirty areas .. displays good vision .. exceptionally mobile with a nice spring to his step .. goes to the front of the net, but isn't all that effective given his lack of strength .. displays good pursuit of the puck carrier .. keeps his head up when carrying the puck .. played on both special teams.

Cody Blanshan (NYI), D

Solid, if unspectacular defenders is a rock of support on the Tigers' blueline .. wears an A .. although not blessed with blazing speed or mobility he is strong on his skates and holds his own in battles for loose pucks .. more of a stay at home defenseman .. played a ton of minutes in all situations early in the game .. has a decent mix of skill and grit to his game .. at his best playing a defensively conscientious, understated game .. is tenacious going after the puckcarrier.

Cam Barker (Chi), D

Hard, crisp passer, really knows how to deliver a breakout pass .. got rocked off his feet with a devastating open ice hit .. has made a concerted effort to improve his defensive coverage since last season and it shows .. is extremely poised bringing the puck up the ice .. keeps his head up while stickhandling through open ice .. excellent vision .. looks ready to make a good push to getting a long look at the Blackhawks training camp (when that finally occurs ) .. makes a fluid transition from skating forward to backwards .. rarely left the ice with his team down a goal in the third period .. will pinch in, but displays a thorough understanding of when to do so .. is positionally sound and is especially strong playing the man .. not afraid to take something off his point shot so that will get through .. plays on the powerplay.