WHL: Oh Vey!

Tim Kraus (2005), RW

Has shown some improvement from the start of the season when he appeared timid and was often a healthy scratch .. throws his weight around, but still needs to add muscle .. initiates contact on the forecheck .. broke in on a min-breakaway, however couldn’t create enough distance between him and the checker to allow for a shot on goal .. defensively conscientious .. should be able to move up to a regular shift next season, possibly even a third line energy guy.

Mitch Bartley (2004), LW

Excellent work ethic and strength allows him to have success in traffic .. average top end speed, however his anticipation allows him to get to loose pucks .. ferocious competitor along the wall .. layed out a huge hit on the forecheck on the wall that left the defender wobbly.

Mark Fistric (2004), D

Carried the puck out of his end with authority and dished it off to a forward .. partnered with Joe Logan .. shot a knuckler from the point and almost hand-coughed the goaltender .. used gap control to neutralize on odd man rush .. usually gets a piece of the opposition .. will pinch if the opportunity presents itself .. had trouble holding a bouncing puck in at the point .. a regular on the penalty-kill, but rarely on the powerplay .. active feet on the PK .. solid on his skates .. equates himself well in the physical department when challenged, however needs to initiate contact in front and use the size and strength to intimidate and make forwards pay a steeper price .. his accuracy of his slap shot is very inconsistent and is rarely a threat to score .. tied up a puck carrier and poked the puck free .. lacks offensive vision .. little upside and should turn out to be a solid prospect that should have a stable, but unspectacular pro career.

J.D. Watt (2005), RW

Played on various lines, however had some initial success on a line with Mitch Bartley and Gilbert Brule .. needs to put a better effort have away from the play .. had a breakaway, but didn’t have the gas to stay ahead .. has a tendency to stay on the ice too long to be effective .. was caught from behind on a breakaway after once again staying out on a shift too long .. threw a terrific hit in open ice .. hasn’t been able to sustain the performance from his sparkling WHL debut a few weeks ago .. learning to time his hits along the wall .. must display more discipline as he takes unnecessary even lazy penalties.

Shaun Vey (2005), C

Got very little time on the powerplay .. centered a fourth line that featured Marcin Kolusz and various right wingers .. drove to the net and got a scoring chance .. unlike Watt who appeared to struggle after success in his first game, Vey shows signs of improvement and given his size could be counted on for a regular shift next season.

Gilbert Brule (2005), C

Beat a defender wide and forced him to haul him down to stop a scoring chance .. drilled a slap shot that went top corner behind a startled goalie .. regularly centered a combination of Mitch Bartley and various right wingers .. his slap shot is lethal from almost anywhere as not only is it powerful, but it is extremely accurate .. brought the puck from deep in his own zone to just over the center ice where he threaded a sweet saucer pass to a linemate to gain the offensive zone .. plays much bigger than his size and never backs down from anyone .. as he matures the Giants are hoping that he won’t be taken off his game by seeking retribution.

Jason Reese (2006), C

Used very sparingly on a line with Tim Kraus and centered by Kyle Lamb .. displays maturing vision and anticipation .. blocked a shot by quickly closing the gap on a defender at the point .. still needs to improve his strength, but his speed and skill should allow him to become a regular next season.