WHL: The Brouwery Boys

The Moose Jaw Warriors, led by the likes of Troy Brouwer, Dustin Boyd and Kenndal McArdle have turned around an awful first half of the season and are poised to make the playoffs. We have notes from a recent game featuring the big three as well as a few other prospects.

Kenndal McArdle (2005), LW

Smart, ruggedly built power forward has good pop to his wrist shot .. played right wing on a line with Dustin Boyd and Stuart Kerr .. displayed good puck pursuit .. delivered a nice touch pass in the neutral zone to help gain the offensive zone .. he can, at times, be guilty of not always moving his feet .. appears to read the play well .. doesn't always show an interest in competing physically .. a regular on both special teams .. blessed with exciting acceleration and can get up to top speed in a few strides .. bobbled a few breakout passes sent his way .. drove hard to the net .. his commitment to defense is not what it needs to be on every shift .. found the open man through traffic with a beautiful feathered pass .. judiciously flashes his incredible acceleration and mobility .. stickhandles effortlessly and is very poised with the puck .. drove to the net and just lost the handle before he could make a move .. took a penalty when he dragged his man down in front of the net .. plowed his way to the goal on an odd man rush and got away a hard blast .. takes the pass at full speed .. will stand up for himself .. took a faceoff and easily won it.

Dustin Boyd (Cgy), C

One of the few Moose Jaw Warriors that is never easy to play against .. centered a line of Kenndal McArdle and Stuart Kerr .. strong off the draw .. just missed wide with a heavy snap shot .. skates with purpose .. competes physically and will pay the price in front and along the wall .. amazingly slick skater, with equally impressive puck pursuit .. picks up the opposing center and is defensively conscientious .. clearly won a faceoff in the offensive zone and drove to the net with the puck .. skated hard through center and gained the zone, then created some space by making a few moves on the defender and getting a shot on net .. plays on the PP and PK and in every important situation late in the game.

Riley Holzapfel (2006), C

Tenacious checker, but raw overall skills .. drove to the net .. coughed up the puck after being physically pressured .. uses his stick to close passing lanes .. a good skater, but nothing in regards to his acceleration or mobility particularly stands out .. doesn't yet have the poise to be an effective playmaker .. failed to skate with enough purpose to pick up the trailer who eventually scored .. almost tipped in a puck at the doorstep .. went for a massive hit along the wall and just missed .. closes the gap well on the forecheck .. tends to be reactive to the play instead of proactive .. wasn't taking the faceoffs in the third period.

Troy Brouwer (Chi), RW

Wears an A .. played the point on the power play .. moves the puck crisply and on target .. pinched in from the point and had his shot blocked, creating an odd man rush against .. doesn't over skate the holes .. played on the penalty-kill .. came hard out of the corner and drilled a shot, resulting in a dangerous rebound .. his clearing attempt took a funny bounce just as the period ended or it could have been trouble for his team .. needs to improve his strength as he gets knocked down a bit too easily, however, when he keeps his feet moving he is usually successful fending off checkers .. has very good vision and will use his linemates when he can .. rubbed his check out along the boards .. likes to carry the puck .. must be smarter about forcing passes in traffic as too many lead to turn overs.

Garrett Robinson (2006), LW

Plays with passion .. skates hard and is able to narrow the gap on the forecheck .. cleared the zone after picking up a loose puck .. will initiate contact when the opportunity presents itself .. very raw offensively, but does display some potential for bigger and better things as he physically matures.