WHL: Wild About Hogg

The Blazers were eliminated in the first round of the WHL playoffs for the fifth year in a row. We have notes from the series with regards to some of their top prospects available in the 2004 and 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Roman Tesliuk (2004), D

Given time he should develop in to a more offensive defenseman as he has all the tools .. one of the top pure skaters available for the 2004 draft .. powerful stride .. once again partnered with Gordichuk .. a regular on the PK .. finishes his checks .. on the ice during a five on three against .. out muscled a puck carrier while killing a penalty and was then able to clear the puck down the ice .. opponents must keep a keen eye if they are skating with their head down as Tesliuk will take the opportunity to jump up and deliver a teeth rattling hit .. strong on his skates and keeps his feet moving .. rarely makes a poor decision defensively and will make the safe play.

Max Gordichuk (2004), D

Once he grows in to his massive frame his skating is less likely to be an impediment, although it isn’t as poor as some would have you believe .. as much criticism as his mobility gets he is generally dependable one on one .. partnered with Roman Tesliuk .. on the penalty-kill even when two man down .. not surprisingly is hard to knock off the puck as he uses his body to protect the puck .. forced in to taking an obstruction holding penalty along the wall when he was caught flatfooted .. blasted a slap shot from the point that the goalie just got a shoulder on.

Kris Hogg (2004), LW

Has some zip to his wrist shot .. doesn’t miss a beat when he takes the puck at full speed .. on a line with Moises Gutierrez and Reid Jorgensen .. was robbed on a breakaway .. shifty skater that can do most things at top speed .. received a slashing PIM .. kills penalties .. plays with a lot of energy .. got to the slot and narrowly missed putting one home .. tenacious in the offensive zone trying to create a turnover .. stays with a check.

Moises Gutierrez (2004), RW

Played on a line with Reid Jorgensen and Kris Hogg .. powerful stride and excellent mobility for a player of his size .. cuts down time and space on the forecheck .. was able to bully his way past a defender along the wall using his superior strength, but doesn’t have the vision or touch to do much with the puck when he gets the opportunity .. very comfortable going in to high traffic areas .. uses an active stick on the forecheck .. was assessed a goaltender interference PIM for running over the goalie .. gets a regular shift, but rarely sees any special teams time .. missed the net by a wide margin on a close in chance.

Devan Dubnyk (2004), G

Came across a little lethargically on a shot that missed on the short side and bounced off the boards and in front of the net .. got beat on a shot from the top of the circle on two consecutive shots .. held his position well on a breakaway and easily stopped a close in backhand shot .. made a couple of terrific back to back saves .. allowed a rebound while his team was down two men and it was poked home .. had a few miscues with his defense .. can have difficulties with shots directed at the five-hole .. few goalies communicate more with their teammates .. was beaten on a two on one when he failed to get across all the way and left a space between the tip of his pad and the post .. stands up well when tested in close, but the book on him is to get him to move side to side to open up the five-hole .. has a tendency to buckle under pressure .. wasn’t able to hold a 4-1 lead in the series clinching game half way through the third period and end up losing in OT off a backhand shot between his legs .. it will be interesting to see how he recovers from the bitter disappointment of giving up a poor goal and being generally outplayed throughout the series by the other goalie as Dubnyk had to consoled by his teammates as he appeared to be utterly devastated over the loss.

Reid Jorgensen (2004), C

Speedy center with blistering acceleration and mobility .. closes the gaps quickly on the forecheck .. centered what amounts to Kamloops third line of Kris Hogg and Moises Gutierrez .. very conscientious defensively .. an energy forward that gives an honest, if unspectacular effort on every shift ..

Ray Macias (2005), D

Slick skating defenseman was partnered with Josh Garbutt .. played the left point .. looked a bit awkward trying to block a shot .. versatile enough to play on either side .. will jump up and join in the rush .. consistently makes a crisp breakout pass .. moved in from the point and was able to get himself open and rifle a wrist shot over the goalie .. lacks a physical presence, but doesn’t shy away from making plays in traffic .. alertly broke up a pass off the boards that would have lead to a breakaway .. on the ice helping to kill off a short two man disadvantage .. uses his speed and mobility to close gaps and cut down space when checking the puck carrier .. pretty solid playing the man on a one on one.