WHL: Sugar and Spice

Scott Jackson (2005), D

Seattle blueliner possesses a splendid blend of grit with a nice touch of finesse .. partnered with Matthew Hansen .. Fell down, but still had the presence of mind to backhand a pass straight to a teammate .. dished a crisp short pass to his partner when no breakout pass was available .. versatile enough to play effectively on either point .. took the puck from center ice and first beat a defender wide along the boards and then moved the puck to a teammate in the crease for a scoring chance .. delivered a bone-jarring open-ice hit that leveled a puckcarrier .. disciplined, but knows how to clear the crease with gusto .. has the strength and skating ability to fend off checkers behind his own net .. judiciously takes the puck to the net .. must improve his vision and playmaking ability at full speed, as he tends to have to break stride before he moves the puck .. completely tied up his man and was able to force him out of harm’s way .. punished a puck carrier with a devastating rub out along the wall .. plays on the PK and PP.

Chris Durand (2005), C

Elite prospect proved why he might make a push to become the best available player to come out of the WHL this season .. a slick skater with wonderful mobility and first step acceleration .. blessed with impressive vision and playmaking skills .. centered a line with Tyler Metcalfe and Nate Thompson .. played the left point on the powerplay .. displays elite patience with the puck and is poised beyond his years .. took an important faceoff in his own end with his team down a man late in the period .. doesn’t have the same dynamic presence or lift you out of your seat excitement that Brule does, however, he is much more disciplined .. has terrific leadership skills .. perfectly played a two-on-one, making an awesome pass by a defender to his linemate for a splendid goal .. positionally sound on the forecheck .. got loose on a two-on-one while killing a penalty and dished out a jaw-dropping backhand pass for another can’t miss goal .. simply amazing if given any room or time to operate .. although not the most physical specimen, Durand does not shy away from the dirty areas .. uses his stick to close down passing lanes .. alertly covered for the defender who had pinched in .. parked himself in front of the crease and helped distract the defenders to lead to another goal.

Aaron Gagnon (Phx), C

Blazing Coyote’ property displayed why defenders have to be wary when he’s on the ice, as he can beat even the most mobile blueliner one-on-one .. quick hands and has good faceoff technique .. always seems to know where the puck is .. plays on the first powerplay unit .. stickhandles effectively at full speed .. active stick with lightning fast reflexes while on the forecheck .. reads the play well .. caught watching the puck instead of taking the man while killing a penalty .. uses his speed effectively while checking .. although not blessed with tremendous size or strength, he has good balance and is hard to knock off his feet.