WHL Report: Prince George Cougars

As injuries pile up for the Prince George Cougars, three unheralded prospects have seen their icetime increase. McKeen's correspondent Matt Bugg looks at 2011 eligible skaters Tayler Thompson and Shane Pilling, as well as 2012-eligible forward Troy Bourke.

Tayler Thompson (2011), C, Prince George

Hard-working center has overcome the long odds of being a ninth round Bantam Draft selection to snag a regular bottom-six role in the WHL .. excellent defensive instincts .. can often be seen helping out his defensemen, chipping loose pucks back behind his net in order to start the break-out .. earns high marks for competitiveness in every zone .. every shift is treated like Game 7 of the Memorial Cup, with Thompson fighting for space and possession .. even if he is unable to contain an opponent or strip them of the puck on the first attempt, will circle back around to try again .. defensive mindset persists into the offensive zone, and Thompson does his best to bat down or otherwise block clearing attempts and break-out passes .. deceptively adept puckhandler, especially when making sudden changes in direction .. although not an offensive wunderkind, he shows a patience and flair for finding the trailer with short, quick passes .. technical skating ability and agility are average amongst his peers, but Thompson will need to add further explosiveness.. in addition, while it is obvious he recognizes offensive opportunities and openings when they present themselves, Thompson is often a second too late executing a play .. however, this is likely an adjustment that will come with further WHL experience.

Shane Pilling (2011), D, Prince George

Diminutive two-way defenceman is quickly adjusting to the major junior pace even as his icetime increases with every game due to injuries .. compact, fluid skater who can turn on a dime .. backwards skating is just as strong, allowing him to keep body position on older, bigger opponents .. paired with veteran defender Sena Acolaste - a similar play both in style and size - Pilling is learning how and when to move the puck .. prefers to rush it himself, and his quick, lithe footwork allows him to maneuver in and out of traffic with ease .. has the requisite skills to be a WHL powerplay quarterback, flashing above-average offensive zone awareness and a laser snapshot .. is also a strong playmaker from his end, and can make dazzling long-range saucer passes to spark the attack .. although his battle level is high, he has shown a tentative attitude towards engaging opponents in tough areas of the ice and is easily shouldered by in one-on-one situations .. natural growth may yet provide him with the mass to be a competent defensive player, but due to his physical immaturity and raw offensive game - he may not break 15 points on the year - Pilling is likely not a candidate for even the sixth or seventh rounds.

Troy Bourke (2012), LW, Prince George

Perhaps the most complete 16-year-old in the WHL, Bourke is used in every situation and on every line due to his tremendous all-around game .. despite his size (5-10, 170), he is an abrasive forward who takes an obvious thrill in finishing his checks as hard as possible .. routinely blocks shots - even in the offensive zone - and possesses incredibly advanced puck protection skills .. an expert at hiding the puck between his skate and the wall in and around traffic, only to kick it up to his stick for a quick deke around a vulnerable defender .. high-end offensive skills, especially a blistering, dead-accurate wristshot that reminds one of some of the best snipers in WHL history .. excellent creativity .. takes advantage of feints and no-telegraph drop passes in order to create time and space .. good but not overwhelming skater .. possesses a slippery, elusive quality, which will aid him in the pro game, but additional speed is never a bad thing .. while he is still a year away from draft eligibility, size is the one area of concern .. Gilbert Brule is a prime cautionary tale about drafting undersized power forwards .. still, with his team-first attitude, skills and burgeoning leadership skills, it would be difficult to see 29 better players emerge by June 2012.