WHL: Hitmen White-out Rockets

Montreal draft pick Ryan White scored two goals, added two assists and was a plus-3 as the Calgary Hitmen handed Kelowna a 5-1 defeat on Jan. 28, at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary. Here is a look at a few 2007 and 2008 draft eligible players who participated in the game.

Alex Plante (2007), D, Calgary

Hulking defensemen at 6'5 220 pounds .. shows impressive poise and durability with the puck while under pressure in the defensive zone, rather unexpected for a player of his size .. saw ice time in all situations, logging plenty of ice-time through the first two periods before younger players were given an opportunity in the third as the game was out of hand .. shows surprising vision and unexpected offensive abilities as well as upside .. shot is rarely blocked and has an uncanny ability to get shots on net through traffic .. has significant skating limitations that will need to be improved if he is to succeed at the top level .. acceleration and top gear are very sluggish, and has sub par lateral agility. .. uses massive wingspan and huge body to compensate defensively for skating drawbacks .. maintains strong body positioning and puck protection down low and along the boards .. defensive stalwart clearing the crease with ease.

Brett Sonne (2007), C/LW, Calgary

Smooth, effortless skater when focusing on using a long stride skating technique .. periodically reverts to a shortened stride that isn't near as fluid nor economical appearing very choppy and awkward .. hard working player, especially with the puck on his stick .. constantly keeps his feet moving, driving hard on the fore check and chasing down opposition puck carriers .. saw ice time on both special teams .. loves to handle the puck and show off some quick hands with lots of stick-handling .. but at the end of the play has created little in the way of offensive opportunities as he tends to over handle the puck .. questionable offensive upside, lacking imagination and offensive zone positioning .. engages effectively down-low, especially in the defensive zone where his understanding and ability to successfully support his d-men and allow them to focus on other responsibilities .. doesn't play a real physical game, rarely finishing his checks along the boards.

Karl Alzner (2007), D, Calgary

Top ranked WHL'er for this years draft did not disappoint, displaying his rock solid defensive game and developing offensive prowess as expected .. logs a ton of minutes alongside fellow 2007 eligible teammate Plante .. played in all key situations and is matched up against the oppositions top line .. currently wears the A .. is an excellent skater with deceptive top speed and acceleration .. has a booming shot from the point that he unleashes from either side of the net keeping low and on target .. exceedingly well-rounded accented by a smothering defensive game .. probably most NHL ready draftee this year due to vast defensive maturity and few apparent weaknesses .. positioning, physicality, stick work, poise and feet are all top notch .. funneling techniques and ability to keep play to the outside are most impressive traits .. offense continues to develop as he aggressively joins the attack and pinches from the point .. drives hard to the net off the wing looking much like a forward, using his speed and sneaky hands to beat the opposition wide.

Michael Stone (2008), D, Calgary

Game is coming along memorably paired with team captain Dylan Yeo .. rookie blue liner has racked up 16 points (2-14-16) through 41 games, and shows promise as a future two-way defensemen .. owns a very solid frame at 6'2, 190 pounds .. capable of making quick, accurate decisions when under pressure .. has a big shot from the point, but needs to improve his accuracy as he would frequently shoot wide .. capably moves the puck quickly out of danger or to streaking forwards .. steps hard on opposition at the blue line making smart reads and good timing .. made a very impressive play on Calgary's third goal showing quick hands as he took a bouncing puck on the backhand, transferred it to his forehand while adjusting his body positioning in order to quickly release a low hard shot that was on target producing a rebound which was easily put in by Dansereau .. does have some focus and anticipation issues at times, but this should be overcome as he gains experience .. has some nice upside and should garner more attention next year.

Keegan Dansereau (2007), RW, Calgary

Right winger went undrafted last season, but may see his name called this time around as he has impressed this season, especially on the score sheet where he has recorded 22 goals and 21 assists in 50 games playing alongside team scoring leader Ryan White .. has very impressive on ice vision and ability to distribute puck quickly .. always hovering about seeking scoring opportunities .. plays a very active game, most noticeably in the offensive zone where he is constantly pursuing the puck and showing an excellent work ethic .. capable hands in tight and adept at raising the puck quickly .. swoops in and out of traffic for scoring chances .. needs to focus more on his defensive game, showing more intensity .. improvements could be made in his lower body strength and balance.

Devon Kalinski (2008), C/LW, Calgary

First year forward saw limited playing time in the first two periods, however gradually gained more as the Hitmen pulled away late in the second and third periods .. has only chalked up four points in 31 games (1-3-4) but does own soft hands and a relentless desire for the puck .. appears smallish in stature, but is not averse to physical play most notably showing a willingness to take a hit to make the play .. bears down hard on pucks deep in the offensive zone forcing d-men into making rushed decisions .. closes gaps quickly and uses stick maturely to direct lanes, although can be drawn out of position at times .. skating is very good displaying plenty of jump and quick acceleration which should be an offensive weapon once used correctly .. never stops working and is equally able and willing to play down low or in open ice.

Cody Almond (2007), C, Kelowna

Unranked by Central Scouting he is one of the Rockets offensive leaders through 46 games with six goals and 18 assists .. has excellent size, a rocket slap shot and handcuffing wrist shot that he uses frequently .. saw lots of ice time through the game, at both even strength and on the top power play unit .. hides his intentions well looking pass before surprising with a shot .. uses his size to set picks to open ice for teammates without drawing obstruction penalties .. defensive play and decision making needs improvement .. also needs to show improved patience with the puck allowing the play to develop rather than make premature decisions squandering offensive chances.

Luke Schenn (2008), D, Kelowna

Second year underage defensemen sees a lot of time on a weak defensive unit for the Kelowna Rockets .. incredibly wears the A, at just 17 years old .. big physical defensemen has averaged nearly half a point per game (24 pts in 50 games) .. recorded the primary assist on the Rockets lone goal coming on the power play .. forced to learn on the go as he plays in all situations .. has serious skating deficiencies and is slow to recover positioning, often looks winded if forced to move about excessively .. mature poise under pressure and impressive ability to skate play out of traffic in own end .. lays the body hard, making full body crunches along the boards .. menace in front of the net for opposing forwards .. tends to lose track of defensive responsibilities and needs to focus more on defensive positioning to make up for poor skating ability.