WHL: Ross Defends Pats

WHL: Ross Defends Pats (posted 11.24.06)

by Ron Jones

Colten Teubert (2008), D, Regina

Boasts some oomph to his slapshot and can be dangerous when he keeps it low and on target .. can get caught wandering or pinching up a bit too far and is often out of position .. stride is powerful .. his first pass is maturing, but it still needs work on consistency .. doesn't always lineup the intended target correctly, but when he gets a piece of the player he is able to inflict some damage .. sometimes will force a pass in to coverage .. can get caught watching and allow a player to slip by .. doesn't see any time on the special teams .. pretty good puck pursuit, although he can be a tad slow turning.

Nick Ross (2007), D, Regina

Displays some patience with the puck in his zone .. not the biggest player around, yet has the ability to deliver bone crunching bodychecks along the wall .. strong on his skates and can take a hit to make a play .. didn't see any time on the penalty-killing unit, but was a regular on the powerplay .. will pinch in from the slot when given the opportunity .. not an elite skater, but is still quite good overall .. generally makes the smart play with or without the puck.

Linden Rowat (2007), G, Regina

Is quite effective kicking the shot out of harm's way .. gets up and down smoothly .. has to be careful controlling his rebounds .. comes across well to take away the holes, however overcommits on the first shot and therefore can have trouble getting set for the next shot .. usually square to the shooter .. not very adept at coming out of his net to play the puck .. both goals he gave up were point shots that he didn't look particularly good on .. must be careful about not going down too soon.

WHL: Bruins Sweet on Moller (posted 11.21.06)

by Ron Jones

Prab Rai (2008), RW, Prince George

An effortless skater once he gets out of the blocks .. spectacular top end speed, mobility and acceleration .. proves he is willing to go to the net and knock home rebounds .. does a nice job in his own zone protecting the puck .. boasts the speed when he keeps his feet moving to get by checkers along the wall .. plays on the powerplay.

Dana Tyrell (2007), LW, Prince George

Sports some zip to his wrist shot .. very good top end speed that allows him to pressure the defense .. terrific mobility and acceleration .. pretty slick as he was able to elude most checkers .. plays on both special teams .. isn't opposed to digging for the puck in the corner or in high traffic areas .. displays good awareness in the defensive end as well as vision in the offensive zone .. keeps his feet moving .. plays more with his team needing a goal .. will go to the net .. has the speed to take a defender wide along the boards .. takes the pass cleanly.

Liam Darragh (2008), LW, Chilliwack

Is already a large kid, listed at 6'4-190lbs. got called up from Junior B due to a rash of injuries with the Bruins .. still looks like he can add 15-20 pounds without a problem, which shouldn't be much of a problem given his youth .. skating still needs some work as it is a bit choppy and it should improve greatly as he physically matures.

Oscar Moller (2007), C, Chilliwack

A skating style is compact and far from pretty and although his top end speed is not elite it is above average .. sports some zip to his wrist shot and his slapper is extremely heavy .. goes to the net, but needs to get stronger if he is to be able to hang in longer in traffic .. finishes his checks and will take the body .. plays the point on the powerplay and isn't shy about pinching in to take a shot .. at his best when he's finding the holes in the defensive coverage and showcases a rarely equalled determination to get the puck .. moves the puck well .. very aggressive offensively and will push the envelope at any chance, especially on the PP .. will come back on defense .. boasts the ability to elude a checker with a slick move and overall is very nifty with the puck.

WHL: Vancouver's Un-Friendly Giant (posted 11.13.06)

by Jeff Nielsen

Cody Franson (Nsh) D, Vancouver

Currently sits third in WHL scoring leaders with an astounding 30 points (9-21-30) in 22 games, including nine goals .. high offensive IQ, really thinks the game well .. is the straw that stirs the Giants PP drink .. excellent tape to tape passer with tremendous vision .. despite being an offensive force, the Nashville draft pick is a punishing open-ice hitter as well .. has a tough physical edge to go with his imposing six foot five frame .. the Predators have a glut at the blueline of quality young players but Franson will find a way to make his mark on the big club in the not so distant future.

Brendan Mikkelson (Ana) D, Vancouver

Words like potential and promising best describe the Ducks second round pick from 2005 .. flashes of brilliance are few and far between but always enough to keep you wondering when he will put it all together .. possesses a nice low hard shot from the point but failed to get it through traffic on most occasions .. inefficient at times on the powerplay and throws the puck away too often .. nice smooth skating stride help him make quick breakouts from his own end .. must improve on both ends of the ice to make the pro transition.

Kris Russell (CBJ) D, Medicine Hat

In his fourth WHL campaign, Russell continues to be an offensive catalyst for the Tigers from the back end .. scoring at just under a point per game this season, has lit the lamp 10 times in 22 contests .. effortless skater with an explosive first stride .. makes smart quick decisions and delivers a hard snap pass to open teammates .. positionally sound in the defensive end and is rarely caught out of place.

Derek Dorsett (CBJ) RW, Medicine Hat

Super pest drives opponents crazy with physical play .. chippy at times but keeps his cool while getting under the skin of opponents .. always looking to take the body and finishes checks well .. drives to net hard which creates lots of chances and loose rebounds .. quick darting skating style .. shifty stickhandler has a nice touch in tight and has a nose for the net .. currently sits second on the team in scoring .. great teammate to play with, tough player for opposing defense to cover.

Robin Figren (NYI) LW, Calgary

Fifth round pick of the Isles has gotten off to a slower start than expected but appears to be picking up momentum with each passing game .. in need of more ice time but will earn that with improved play .. well balanced player is a complete package at both ends of the ice .. better playmaker than sniper but has decent finishing skills .. look for a much better second half from the slick Swede as he adjusts to the North American style of play.

Prospect Report: (posted 11.09.06)

by Ron Jones

Keith Aulie (2007), D, Brandon

In 38 games with the Wheat Kings last year Aulie recorded a pair of helpers and added 32 penalty minutes .. large bodied defender displays a willingness to pinch, but doesn't always pick the most appropriate times .. can get caught looking a bit flat-footed taking speedy puckcarriers along the wall .. like with many young blueliners he appears a tad lost in his own zone on occasion and lacks defensive awareness .. sometimes gets mesmerized by the puck .. boasts fairly good point A to B speed for his size .. his role on bringing the puck out of his zone is one of being a safety valve for his partner to pass it to if the latter is in trouble .. sees time on the powerplay .. partnered with Colby Robak .. a nice prospect that needs a lot of time.

Matt Hallick (2007), C, Brandon

Played 38 games with Brandon and produced seven points (2-5-7) .. needs to get stronger on his skates, however does a possess a nice, effortless stride .. played on a line with Bryan Kauk and Jay Fehr .. boasts very good first step quickness and terrific top end speed .. sees some time late on the PP, but isn't a regular .. comes back on defense and tries to help out .. will go to the net for tip ins .. must remember to keep his feet moving.

Jay Fehr (2007), C, Brandon

Pint-sized pivot racked up 77 points (36gp, 22-55-77) with Pembina Valley Midget AAA last year .. like his linemate Matt Hallick saw very late time on the powerplay and none in crucial situations .. displays very good puck pursuit .. his skating is a bit choppy out of the blocks .. showcases good compete in the dirty areas and keeps looking to make a play even after contact .. takes the body .. unless his skating improves and he adds a few inches he will remain a fringe prospect.

Daniel Bartek (2007), LW, Brandon

Czech import recorded 22 points (13-9-22) with Olomouc of the Czech Junior league in 05-6 .. is very mobile and boasts good closing speed on the puckcarrier .. likes to try and sneak behind coverage .. saw time on a line with Codey Burki and Juraj Simek .. willing to go down the wall and try and beat a defender, yet doesn't go in to the dirty areas enough and is mostly a perimeter player .. displayed the ability to shake off big hits and keep playing, however has some trouble fighting through contact due to his lack of strength .. goes to the net, but has trouble maintaining position .. plays on the PK.

Prospect Report: (posted 11.04.06)

by Ron Jones

Rastislav Konecny (2007), LW, Saskatoon

Boasts good hand-eye coordination .. overall a good skater with style that makes him look like he's skating in a rocking chair .. would be well advised to show some of the same determination without the puck that his teammate Colton Gillies does .. will go in to traffic and the dirty areas, but lacks the strength and vision to be successful at an elite level .. played on both special teams .. scored 11 points (7-4-11) in his first 13 games played.

Justin McCrae (2007), C, Saskatoon

Extremely mobile and skates swiftly with or without the puck .. quick hands on the faceoff .. comes back hard to help out with defensive coverage .. closes the gaps well using his terrific skating ability .. competes effectively physically, but without locking himself up .. very good puck pursuit .. quite strong on his skates .. wears an A and plays on the penalty-kill and powerplay .. after 14 games he had seven points (3-4-7).

Colton Gillies (2007), C, Saskatoon

Given his lanky 6'4-195lbs frame he displays splendid jump out of the blocks .. wears an A .. sports a strong stride, although isn't effortless .. takes the puck hard to the net .. must be more careful about not losing position in the defensive zone .. an intimidating physical presence when he is going full tilt on the forecheck .. shows splendid puck pursuit .. boasts terrific hand-eye coordination which allows him to stickhandle smoothly through traffic .. given his size it shouldn't shock any on that he has a heavy wrist shot .. possesses maturing hands land should eventually be a decent scoring power forward .. plays on both special teams .. so far lacks imagination with the puck .. very determined with or without the puck .. hits hard and is at his best when he arrives in ill-humour .. sits with eight points (13gp, 1-7-8).

Prospect Report: (posted 11.01.06)

by Ron Jones

Michael Grabner (Van), RW, Spokane

A real sniper, Grabner is one of the bright lights in the Canucks' system thanks to elite anticipation and game breaking top end speed .. currently sits with eight points (13gp, 7-2-9) .. slides in to the holes looking for an opportunity .. always on the lookout for a rebound .. doesn't stick to a lane which tends to make it harder for checkers to mark him .. uses his tremendous jets and mobility to close the gaps quickly on the puckcarrier and is especially dangerous when pressuring the pointman .. uses his stick to close passing lanes .. will get his body in front of a player, but isn't physical in anyway .. always hovering around ready to jump on a turnover .. plays on both special teams and is surprisingly effective on the pk.

Ondrej Roman (2007), C, Spokane

Turns quickly and is extremely mobile and quick in short distances .. shows a willingness to compete physically, but isn't powerful enough to have much success in heavier traffic .. comes back all the way to help out on defense .. does a nice job keeping his balance after contact .. wasn't having much luck in this game and was dropped down a line, although still saw quality powerplay time with Adam Hobson and Michael Grabner .. must showcase more determination in the scoring areas .. good technique on the draw .. had only one point, an assist, in 12 games during the month of October.

Drayson Bowman (2007), LW, Spokane

Takes the pass smoothly and is ready to shoot if the opportunity is there .. is able to make a quick transition from defense to offense .. very quick to get in on the pointman .. very conscientious defensively, especially killing penalties .. takes the body, yet isn't a force .. moves the puck efficiently and without breaking stride .. needs to capitalize on his scoring opportunities to be considered a top prospect for the upcoming draft.