WHL: Seitsonen For Sore Eyes

We have progress reports on several Prince Albert Raiders including the solid all-around Kyle Chipchura, the rapidly progressing Aki Seitsonen and the disappointing A. J. Thelen. The Raiders (8-15-0-6) have struggled this season with second-least goals for in the WHL with 65.

Kyle Chipchura (Mtl), C

A deceptively good skater with some quickness .. team captain centers the top line with Aki Seitsonen and Dane Byers on the wings .. hard worker in all three zones .. showed nice hands on the PP, when he got a rebound off the boards, deked and shot the puck far side .. crafty and intelligent, liking to set up behind the net with the puck, monitoring options .. doesn't have elite vision and can be somewhat predictable with his actions with the puck .. showed very good hand-eye coordination by poking a loose puck in a scramble situation cross-crease to Seitsonen for a goal .. pretty good dangle and skilled stickhandling .. hustles hard defensively .. solid but not exciting NHL potential.

A.J. Thelen (Min), D

Very strong skater, moves well in all directions with good speed .. excellent cross-overs .. does not hesitate to join in on the rush .. played the right point on the pp where he got to show off his shootings skills, setting up for the one-timer .. has to keep his shot lower to the ice, as he elevated many of his slappers up over the net .. tends to run around a bit in the defensive zone; must work on positional skills .. would like to see him get his body involved a bit more as he passed up too many chances to finish checks .. outlet passes weren't always crisp nor accurate .. hasty, impulsive decision making quite often .. should be dominating but he isn't.

Aki Seitsonen (Cgy), C/W

While listed as a centre he has played wing beside Chipchura .. reliable all-purpose energizer .. blazing speed; strong skater creates chances with his quick feet .. scored on a seeing-eye slapshot in the first period from the left slot that went top left corner over a diving defenseman .. showed a quick first step jumping on a loose puck in the slot and firing a wrister top right corner .. his points come via anticipation, quickness and positional savvy whereby he finds open areas and pucks in the vicinity .. played the left point on the PP, perhaps a vote of confidence for his improving shooting game .. assistant captain.

Justin Palazzo (2007), D

Mostly seen on the third pairing .. defensively strong, diligent rearguard .. sacrifices body to block shots .. hustled and negated a one-on-one by tying up his man well .. hands are average; missed a crucial pass at centre which led to a break the other way .. has to strengthen his upper body .. good speed and an effective stride.

Scott Doucet (2006), RW

Second line winger alongside Brent Ottmann and Ryan DePape .. aggressive forechecker, finishes every check with some extra jam .. constantly hustles in the offensive zone with terrific hustle .. helps out on defense but shows a lack of positional awareness .. one time he let his man go which directly led to a goal.

Brent Ottmann (2006), RW/C

Played mostly centre in this game .. very strong at taking faceoffs, tying up his man very well and then kicking the puck back .. quick skater who moves his feet very well to get back on defense .. strong on the breakout, strives to get open and give the puck carrier an option .. love the energy so far.