WHL: Sutter Family Tree Adds Branch

Not that we really needed more proof to show just how dominant the Sutter family has been in the Western Hockey League along comes another member of the Alberta clan. Brandon Sutter appears to have all the tools to make his dad and coach proud and once he grows in to his 6'2 frame he should merit consideration for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. We have scouting notes of Sutter as well as three of his Red Deer Rebel teammates.

John Flatters (2005), D

One of those defenders that isn't particularly flashy, but generally solid in most areas .. partnered with Jesse Zetariuk as well as a hole host of other defensive partners .. moves the puck quickly and on the tape .. didn't appear to want to carry the puck for very long and rarely chose to carry it out of his zone .. fairly quick in tight places .. did a wonderful job taking his man out along the wall behind the net .. time it perfectly as he dished out a heavy hit to a player just as the puck got there .. not a physical force, although is solid and doesn't shy away from the dirty areas .. lost the handle and wasn't able to clear the zone .. good overall speed and has the quickness and stickhandling ability to elude the forecheck.

Pierre-Paul Lamoureux (2005), D

Like Flatters, Lamoureux saw more than one teammate on his side .. failed to keep the puck in at the point and caused an offside .. moved the puck quickly up to a teammate on the wall to lead to a clean breakout under pressure .. jumped up in to traffic to deliver a stiff check along the wall .. displays nice anticipation on when to move up .. more of a defensive defenseman at this stage of development, with a nice touch of physicality added in .. has the upside to become a top pairing defender at the Junior level.

Brandon Sutter (2007), RW

Adding to an already impressive string of Sutters to play in the WHL, he played alongside Jared Walker and Joel Henituik .. has nice height and once he fills out he should be more effective physically .. made a good decision to dump the puck in at the end of a long shift in order to make a change .. took the faceoff in his own zone and cleanly lost it .. will need to work on his overall quickness and strength, but given his youth that shouldn't be a problem .. was beaten once again on a draw .. got to a loose puck in the defensive zone and was able to clear the zone to relieve the forechecking pressure .. doesn't look out of place playing against older opposition, in fact is fairly poised.

Matthew Cline (2006), C

Centered a line of Jordan Knackstedt and Tanner Gillies .. took the body solidly on the forecheck .. on occasion his first few steps can appear a tad sluggish .. takes the man and seems to working hard in the defensive part of his game .. has a nice wingspan to pick off passes .. had some trouble maintaining puck possession when pressured .. gets some time, usually later, on a powerplay .. supports the puckcarrier .. displays good instincts on getting open for a scoring chance .. sometimes gets caught watching or reacting instead of trying to initiate the play .. was destroyed with a terrific open ice hit, but bounced back up and got right back in to the play none the worse for wear.