WHL: Rutkowskis Silver Lining

Troy Rutkowski (2010), D, Portland

Recently won a Silver Medal with Team Pacific at the upcoming 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge (5gp, 5-2-7) .. will jump up if the opportunity presents itself .. overall is strong on his skates, however can appear a tad stiff at times .. makes a good first pass .. can be caught watching the play and allowing his check to gain position .. tough to overpower one-on-one and is fairly sturdily built with a 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame .. not overly smooth handling the puck and is far from being a fancy defender, but is developing in to a steady top four .. must work on his mobility and especially his acceleration .. lacks scoring touch, yet is prepared to pinch in from the point .. partnered with Brett Ponich .. played on both special teams. (32gp, 2-4-6)

Brett Ponich (2009), D, Portland

Gigantic defender still needs to add some meat to his 6-foot-7, 205-pound frame .. fairly heavy slap shot when he gets all of it .. not the next Paul Coffey when it comes to stickhandling , however possesses pretty decent feet for a player his size .. partnered with Troy Rutkowski .. passes are not always on the mark which puts the intended target in a poor position to do much it .. has the ability to carry up the ice and elude a checker or two .. will pinch in from the point .. works hard along the boards for loose pucks .. not surprisingly sports a long wingspan which helps him create turnovers .. a regular on the penalty kill .. chosen by Winter Hawks in the second round (30th overall) of the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. (38gp, 1-8-9)

Brad Ross (2010), LW, Portland

Recently won a Silver Medal with Team Pacific at the upcoming 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge (5gp, 1-2-3) .. Chosen by Winter Hawks in the first round (5th overall) of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft .. very quick skater, although still doesn't read the play as well as he should .. played on a line with Colin Redden and Killian Hutt with Portland .. does a nice job closing the gap on the forecheck .. conscientious defensively .. needs to be more determined to create scoring opportunities .. will finish his checks and has been known to level the odd opponent coming through center ice with their head down .. tends to get caught flat-footed and will lunge at the puck carrier .. should be more involved without the puck .. displays maturing vision with the puck .. boasts above average overall speed, as well as very good acceleration .. plays with a bit of an edge to his game .. sees time on the powerplay .. likes the give and go .. sports nice hand-eye coordination. (33gp, 6-11-17)

Taylor Peters (2010), LW, Portland

A fourth round selection (68th overall) of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft .. boasts terrific size at 6-foot-3, 195-pounds .. fairly imaginative with the puck .. played on a line with Riley Boychuk and Taylor Jordan .. uses his stick to create turnovers .. very good straight ahead speed without the puck .. uses his stick to close down passing and shooting lanes especially on the penalty-kill. (38gp, 4-2-6)