WHL: The Medicine Man

Tyler Ennis was the man for the Medicine Hat Tigers this season leading the team in almost every offensive category, while displaying a strong work ethic and two-way game. Currently ranked No. 35 on McKeen's Midterm Rankings, McKeen's correspondent Randy Gorman enter notes on Ennis along with several of his teammates that are eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Tyler Ennis (2008), LW, Medicine Hat Tigers

A hardnosed, two-way winger that you hate to play against. .. he skates very well and forechecks the heck out of the opposition, often creating turnovers .. this part of the game helped the diminutive forward to a rewarding season of 43 goals and 91 points to lead the Tigers in scoring at the age of 17 .. he possesses great hockey sense and truly knows the game at both ends, as in 70 games, he was a plus- 11 .. he also stays very poised and rarely makes mistakes .. demonstrates good playmaking skills and finds his linemates with crisp passes, as he is very patient with the puck .. he also tallied 15 powerplay goals this season .. one weakness may be his size (5-9, 160), as he tends to be knocked around often, however that does not deter him from going into the heavy traffic areas .. likely to be a mid-second round selection at the draft.

Wacey Hamilton (2008), C, Medicine Hat Tigers

Put up respectable numbers as a 17-year-old this season scoring 13 goals and 32 points in 63 games .. also had 95 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating .. the strong part of his game is his ability to be gritty and play hard every night, which is instilled in players that are coached by the reputable Willie Desjardins .. is not as flashy as Tyler Ennis but has good skating ability, which will not hinder him from reaching the next level and he has a positive attitude, which he exudes and it rubs off on his teammates .. has to add some muscle to his 5-foot-11, 163-pound frame .. his shot is hard but he needs to get more control over it to go with the velocity .. he is not afraid to go to the front of the net and battle opponents for position looking for tip-ins from point shots or rebounds .. will likely be drafted in the mid-to-later rounds, but he still needs further development in the WHL before reaching the next level

Jordan Hickmott (2008), C, Medicine Hat Tigers

Played the shutdown role this season and had relatively good success, as many opposing players relate to him as a pest and that is a good thing because that meant he was getting the job done on most nights .. his role is reminiscent of former Tiger Derek Dorsett when he was public enemy number one .. he keeps his game simple, has a good long skating stride and he never gives up on a play .. defensively, he goes about tying up opposing players and does it in a fashion where he does not take bad penalties .. on the offensive side, he did contribute seven goals and 11 points in 55 games ..he also had a plus-1 rating over that period .. has good size (6-1, 183) and strength, and was one of the Tigers' best penalty killers this season .. he will need time to develop the finer points of his game but he has some upside as a good two-way, shutdown specialist at the next level .. will likely be a late-round pick in this year's draft.

John Stampohar (2008), RW, Medicine Hat Tigers

The big winger was limited to only 42 games this season while producing three goals, four points, 52 penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating .. he needs some work on his skating, as it could be better for this level, but it is something that can be worked on .. must be a little more physical, as he has the size at (6-4, 207) .. has good passing skills and stickhandling ability, as he creates open space for his linemates .. he has a booming shot that he keeps low to the ice and goalies on their toes .. has good hands to go with his shot and cycles the puck well along the wall .. defensively, he could use improvement but that likely will come under the coaching of Willie Desjardins .. may garner some interest in the latter rounds of the draft, however he would be a project if there were any takers.

Thomas Frazee (2008), C, Medicine Hat Tigers

Has seen limited action this season playing in 43 games .. he produced three goals, seven points and had a plus-1 rating .. an excellent skater with good breakaway speed .. 6-foot-3, 191-pound pivot works hard, which is a trait of a Willie Desjardins coached team and is a good leader .. his weakness is hockey sense and defensive play, which he has to improve upon if he is going to make it to the next level .. he has a solid work ethic but he must be more consistent in his own end .. he plays physical and is not afraid to drop the gloves to stick up for his teammates or to help stimulate the bench .. likely will not be drafted this season, but he has some potential to develop late in his junior career if teams are willing to be patient.