WHL: Portland Feels the Funk

Michael Funk and Brandon Dubinsky are two quality prospects eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. We have notes on them as well as Braydon Coburn from a recent game featuring the Portland Winter Hawks.

Michael Funk, D, (2004)

Large bodied defender .. made a nice backhanded pass off the boards to clear the zone .. partnered with Braydon Coburn .. participated on the penalty-kill .. Funk has excellent mobility and first step acceleration .. takes advantage of his speed to ensure good gap control .. has an active stick to cut down passing lanes .. turned the puck over with little pressure and it was later converted in to a goal .. failed to pick up the trailer .. allowed a forward to get open behind him in the Winter Hawks' zone and that also lead to a goal against .. after the second costly mistake Funk was benched for some shifts, but later took his place alongside Coburn .. made a crisp tape to tape pass coming out of his zone .. played the second half of a power play .. not hesitant to pinch if he sees an opportunity presents itself .. plays with a bit of an edge in front of his net, makes sure the opposition doesn't get too comfortable.

Brandon Dubinsky, C, (2004)

Held up the opposing center after a draw .. made a terrific pass to get a teammate in for a scoring chance .. beneficiary of a turnover in the offensive end which he was able to score on by deking the goalie and roofing the puck on a backhand for the first goal of the game .. gets a nice burst of speed out of the blocks .. a regular on the Portland power play .. took an interference PIM in the second .. has the mobility and outright elusiveness to rag the puck for an extended period of time .. received an assist on the PP .. although not big by hockey standards, he is willing to take the punishment that comes with driving to the net or hanging around the crease .. displayed terrific vision delivering the puck on a string to a wide open teammate for a goal.

Braydon Coburn, D, (Atlanta Thrashers)

Gigantic blueliner wears the C .. a fixture on both the penalty-kill and the power-play .. took a penalty for slashing while killing a penalty .. got an off speed shot on goal from the point .. amazing skater with equally impressive top end speed and mobility .. still prone to some poor decision making that confirms that Atlanta made a good choice by allowing him to continue his maturation process in the Western Hockey League.