Neutral Zone was in attendance for the CCHL Labor Day Showcase. Given the hectic schedule we decided to watch games start to finish instead of bouncing around catching glimpses of games. We listed the date and game we saw and then evaluated the players who stood out. Some of these players we have had in our system, others were recently added.
September 3rd Kanata Lasers vs. Hawkesbury Hawks
#9 Paul Vella (LW, 5’10/177, Kanata, 96’) – Had a strong two-way game today, skated well, competed hard the first two periods, but didn’t stand out a whole lot in the third. Scored a nice goal by going to the slot and showing off his quick release and accurate shot, created some offensive chances off the rush by using his speed and hockey smarts and finding the open man. He needs to work on his defensive zone play to avoid running around and losing battles along the boards.
Grade: C
#7 Ryan Horvath (LC, 5’9/163, Kanata, ’99) – played a reliable defensive game today, didn’t generate a lot of offensive opportunities but did scored a nice hard working goal, he was really good in the defensive zone, picking up the back check, staying with his man and not losing him in the defensive zone, was good at the cycle today, read and reacted well to situations on the ice that came up during the game, would like to see him be harder on his stick, missed too many passes coming out of his own zone.
Grade: C-
#19 Luca Nocita (LW, 6’0/189, Kanata, ’99) – Played a consistent game today, he was good in both ends of the ice, reliable and didn’t force things. If he didn’t have any options he would just go glass and out. He showed some good acceleration coming out of the zone with the puck, made a really nice pass for the first goal scored by Kanata. Nocita is a smart hockey player and competed hard every shift and when he was on the ice he created something. His defensive zone needs work and needs to get stronger along the boards as he was getting pushed around and knocked off the puck too easily.
Grade: C+
#6 Tanner Schroder (LC, 5’9/182, Kanata, ’97)– Scored a goal and an assist in the game, had a strong game on the forecheck, he was usually first on the puck, finished his checks, and made people pay in the corners. As a result of his physicality he was able to come away with the puck out of the corner a few times today. He skated well, and was responsible in his own zone. He didn’t show much skill or offensive ability: just works hard, plays off the cycle, and protects the puck well down low.
Grade: C
#4 Liam Markhauser (LD, 6’0/160, Kanata, ’99) – Played a very steady game for his first Jr. A game, didn’t show any panic, had a good first pass out of the zone, head was up and didn’t force the puck in bad areas. When he didn’t have anything he would be glass and out and hold onto the puck get to the red line and dump it. He has good size, made a couple rush’s up the ice showing off some skill and confidence carrying the puck. His defensive zone was ok; he was getting pushed around down low. With his size and speed, we’d like to see him have better angling and better body positioning on defenders coming down on him. Markhauser possesses a good shot from the point, got shots through for second chances.
Grade: C-
#11 Eric Theander (RW, 5’8/165, Hawkesbury, ’97) – Played a good offensive game, ended the game with two goals, one coming on the power play showing off his hard shot and picking the corner on the goalie. He has an accurate shot, likes to shoot it when given the opportunity and plays a smart game. He made some nice touch passes along the boards coming out of the zone to his teammates for easy breakouts. He has great acceleration with or without the puck as a smaller type forward who isn’t afraid to go into dirty areas and cause a disturbance. Theander’s skill really shows on the power play as he sets up on the half wall, and can find passing lanes or get shots to the net.
Grade: B-
#13 Adriano Leone (RW, 5’11/175, Hawkesbury, ’96) – Was Hakwesbury’s best player today. He skated hard, competed every shift, was hard on the forecheck, leading to his goal in the third period. A polished skating forward with a hard, accurate shot who played a solid two-way game. He was reliable in his own zone, covered the points well and blocked a few shots. Leone is sort of a lunch pale type of player but gets the job done. We’d like to see him be a little bit more creative when he has the puck.
Grade: B
#17 Brett Everson (LW, 6’0/177, Hawkesbury, ’96) – The line of Everson, McHenry, Leone was Hawkesbury’s best line today. Everson was the guy that got the line going by skating and creating chances offensively. He opens up space for himself by using his size and strength and taking the puck hard to the net, which opened up second chance rebounds for his linemates. A good skating forward, with a long reach, enabling him to protect the puck well going wide on the defense or working the puck down low. He’s strong on his skates and hard to knock off the puck, but needs to be harder on his stick as he missed easy passes and some bounced off his stick turning into a chance for the opposing team.
Grade:B-
#21 Ryan Bunka (LD, 5’10/177, Hawkesbury, ’97) – had a really good game on the back end today. He moves the puck really well up the ice, was confident with the puck on his stick and see’s the ice. He made good decisions with the puck, would like to see him make quicker decisions when he has the puck as he tended to hold onto the puck too long and having nowhere to go. He turned the puck over 2-3 times by trying to do too much. He showed some skill on the power player, moving the puck nicely to teammates or taking a one-timer from the point which turned into a scoring chance. He’s very calm with the puck, we didn’t see any panic when he had the puck whether he was getting forecheked against or in open ice.
Grade: C+
September 3rd Ottawa Jr. Sens vs. Carleton Place Canadians
#4 Alex Way (LW, 5’9/170, Ottawa, ’98) – Skated hard tonight, would like to see him be more consistent with his shifts, would play two or three good shifts and then didn’t notice him for a period of time. He scored a really nice goal by using his speed going wide on defenders and taking a quick wrist shot to beat the goalie high. Way has a really quick release and a hard shot, but missed the net 3-4 times tonight as he is always trying to score top corner. He was leaving the zone too early at times, trying to go on the offensive instead on focusing on his end first. He’ll need to play a more physical and disciplined game but his shot and skating ability stood out.
Grade: C
#6 Merrick Rippon (LD, 6’1/190, Ottawa, ’00) – Strong game tonight by the 17-year-old coming into his first full year of junior hockey. He was really good at moving the puck, head was always up looking for the right man to give the puck to and if he didn’t have anything he would keep it simple. He made smart reads with or without the puck, but did hold onto the puck too long on a couple rushes which led to turnovers. He has good size and played a shutdown game in his own zone. He was physical, had good body positioning and was good at angling forwards into the boards and coming away with the puck. He is versatile and contributes to both special teams units. He blocked shots and got his stick in passing lanes on the PK and broke up several scoring chances and on the power play is direct and gets puck through to the net for second chance scoring opportunities.
Grade: A-
#9 Hubert Delisle (LW, 5’9/160, Ottawa, ’96) – He is a really smooth skater with excellent first 2-3 steps. He made a couple nice rushes up the ice, showed some skill on the PP when he got the chance and was responsible in his own zone. We would like to see him be more involved in the slot or the dirty areas to create more scoring chances for himself.
Grade: C
#12 Bryce Biller (RD, 5’9/173/, Ottawa, ’97) – Biller is an offensive defenseman who likes to join the rush and move the puck on breakouts. He tried to do too much at times on the offense and got caught up ice too often. Offensively he has smooth hands and does a nice job getting shots through to the net with accuracy and power. His defensive zone wasn’t game was not his best tonight, he was losing 1 on 1 battles and getting beat wide with speed too many times. He needs to be stronger on his stick and move people around in the defensive zone, and keep his head on swivel as he got caught watching the puck instead of the man.
Grade: C-
#25 Jared Burke (LW, 6’3/215, Ottawa, ’96) – Played a strong two-way game tonight for Ottawa. He skated well tonight, was hard on forecheck, and created offensive chances for himself. He had a great second period where he was all over the ice and arguably the best player on his team. Burke proved himself a quality penalty killer as he pressured the puck carrier really well which led to turnovers. He also showed a really good stick on the PK and blocked some shots. The big winger is a leader on the ice for his team and is really effective in the offensive zone. He cycled the puck down low and used his size to protect the puck and open more ice for his teammates. He scored a nice goal on the power play with a nice shot picking the top corner on the goalie where he had no chance to stop it.
Grade: B
#2 Owen Grant (RD, 6’0/180, Carleton Place, ’98) – Played an ok game tonight, struggled a bit defensively in his own zone as he got caught watching the puck and not the man which led to Ottawa scoring a goal. He wasn’t physical enough in his own end, lost 2-3 puck battles which led to Ottawa scoring chances as well. With that being said, he brings an element offensively to his team by moving the puck well, delivering a crisp first pass, or skating it out of his end. He can join the attack and create scoring chances off the rush. We’d like to see him step up more defensively at the blue lines and force turnovers as he can tend to retreat too easily.
Grade: C
#4 Ryan Bangs (LD, 5’10/165, Carleton Place, ’00) – Played a good game for his first junior A game. He was smart with the puck, didn’t panic under duress, and didn’t force the situations when he had the puck. He showed poise and confidence for a 16-year-old. Had a good first pass coming out of the zone and kept his head up to read plays accurately. Bangs didn’t put himself in bad situations in his defensive zone either. He had a really nice goal on the power play, a one-timer from the point blocker side high on the goalie.
Grade: B-
#17 Connor Merkley (LW, 6’1/194, Carleton Place, ’96) – had an up and down game for Carleton Place, played well and hard in the first period, but didn’t notice him in the second, and he was just ok in the third. He was effective when he was using his size and speed on defenders to create offense, leading to a few quality scoring chances. He was on the perimeter a lot tonight and didn’t create a lot of offensive from there, can be very effective player when he goes hard to the slot, not a lot of people can control him as he has the size/speed combo that is tough to defend.
Grade: C+
#28 Andrew Dodson (RC, 5’9/180, Carleton Place, ’96) – Is the captain of the team, had a good two-way game tonight, he skated well, good acceleration and quick burst coming off the wall. He shows his skill on the powerplay where he made a really nice touch pass to Bangs for the one-timer which led to Carleton Place only goal. Dodson was hard on the forecheck, but tried to stickhandle too much in the offensive zone which led to a couple turnovers and counters back the other way. He was very vocal on the ice tonight, telling guys where to set up and where to go on powerplay or penalty kill as he gets ice time in both situations.
Grade: C+
September 4th Cumberland Grads vs. Brockville Braves
#3 Matthieu Franche (RD, 6’3/180, Cumberland Grads, ’99) – Played an ok game today, he is a polished skating defensemen and showed it off on a few rushes with the puck coming up the ice. He had a good first pass out of the zone, but was up in the offensive zone too much today and was caught a few times down low. He is a big body defender but wasn’t physical enough today for his size. When he tried to be physical he was caught out of position looking for the big hit. Franche had a good shot today from the point, got the puck through traffic which created a second chance play. He’s a younger player in a veteran league, he has great size and athleticism and high upside but this wasn’t his best game. We like the individual skills but he has a way to go.
Grade: B-
#20 Connor Matton (RD, 5’11/180, Cumberland Grads, ’98) – Played a good game today, was in and around the puck, made a couple nice rushes up the ice and created some chances for his teammates. He’s a pure skating defensemen, moved the puck well, made good first passes out of the zone, but we’d like to see him make quicker decisions with the puck as he took too long and then forced the puck into bad spots. He quarterbacked the power play and flashed some skill when given time and space. He was pushed around a lot in the defensive zone so he’ll need to work on his body positioning so he can win those 1 on 1 battles.
Grade: C+
#7 Grant Hebert (LC, 6’3/190, Cumberland Grads, ’97) – He was arguably Cumberland’s best player today, he was all over the ice, being physical in the defensive zone and neutral zone, creating scoring chances with his speed and size. He scored a nice goal in the slot by hard work and taking a quick wrist shot. He showed off good accuracy and velocity on his shot, he was hard on the forecheck and made defensemen pay the price going into the corner with him. He needs to stop focusing on the big hit all the time at center ice, he gets caught looking for those and gets stuck in the trailing position and allowing the other team a scoring chance.
Grade: B-
#9 Xavier Couture (RW, 6’1/205, Cumberland Grads, ’96) – Played an up and down game, but needs to be more consistent with his shifts. He has an excellent set of hands and can stickhandle his way out of jams. He made the defensemen look bad after pulling off a series of nifty moves and had a couple nice chances in tight on the goalie by using his size and touch. His defensive zone coverage was ok tonight, left the zone early too many times and was losing the puck in his feet along the boards a lot.
Grade: C+
#10 Cameron Hebert (LW, 6’0/170, Cumberland Grads, ’99) – He played a very steady and consistent game today, he was physical on the forecheck, he was finishing all his checks, he competed hard every shift, and had a few 2 on 1 chances but wasn’t able to finish the play. He is a lunch pale type of player that shows up every game and plays the game the right way. He was good getting the puck out along the boards, and kept everything simple.
Grade: C+
#55 Cameron Crotty (RD, 6’2/188, Brockville Braves, ’99) – He played a good steady game today, he was really smart with the puck, good first pass out of the zone, if he didn’t have anyone open he would go glass and out. He has no panic in his game, he is a good skating defensemen that has a strong first step to get out of tight areas. He reads plays really well, doesn’t over commit to players and has a good stick in the defensive zone, as well as a good stick at the blue line not giving the forward a lot of room. He closes forwards off on the walls, plays every situation during the game and displayed confidence with or without the puck. Crotty has good size but would like him to be more physical or mean in the defensive zone.
Grade: B
#7 Devin Moore (RC, 5’6/145, Brockville Braves, ’97) – Smaller forward, but competed hard tonight every shift. Very smart player with or without the puck, doesn’t put himself in bad situations because of his size and showed the ability to find open spaces on the ice. A shifty type forward who can stickhandle in a phone booth and has good hockey sense. He scored a nice goal on the power play with a quick release. He just needs to get stronger on his skates and his stick.
Grade: C
#10 Colin Tonge (LW, 5’9/180, Brockville Braves, ’98) – He had an up and down game, was inconsistent today, on a few shifts showed some high skill and hockey smarts and then other shifts look disinterested. He has a good shot with a quick release, showing it off a few times in the slot for chances. He did a nice job of baiting defenders and using them as a screen and would get away a quick shot. He needs to bring a more consistent level of assertiveness, but when he’s involved, he’s noticeable.
Grade: C
#12 Michael Murray (RW, 6’0/180, Brockville Braves, ’96) – Played a good high intensity game, was hard on the forecheck, finished all his checks and played a hard nose game. Every shift he was on the ice he was involved in the play in some way. He got one assist in the game and he got it by being hard on the forecheck forcing the D to turn the puck over and made the pass to the slot. Murray has limited offensive ability but he competes every shift he is on the ice.
Grade: C+
September 4th Carleton Place Canadians vs. Nepean Raiders
#2 Owen Grant (RD, 6’0/180, Carleton Place, ’98) – Very steady game today, made a lot of smart reads and decision with puck. He has an accurate, firm first pass and showed confidence carrying the puck. He is really good at using the net breaking out of the zone, allowing himself to break away from the forechecker. His head is always up with the puck on his stick and he had a really nice one timer goal from the point on the power play. Grant demonstrated a well-rounded game running their power play and also proving reliable in the defensive end with good body positioning. He made a couple nice pinches in the neutral zone to cause a turnover and a scoring chance going forward. He is quick to move the puck up the ice both in the breakouts and through the neutral zone.
Grade: B-
#6 Aiden Girduckis (RD, 6’4/190, Carleton Place, ’98) – Played a smart and steady game tonight, moved the puck well, but did force the puck a few times in to tight spots. With that being said, his desire to create plays was evident in his 3 assists. We’d like to see him be more physical with his size, but his defensive zone game was good tonight. He had a good stick and was able to get it in the way of cross ice passes or break ups, and had a good poke check as well on the penalty kill. Girduckis doesn’t have a hard shot but is able to get the puck through from the point for second chances.
Grade: C+
#3 Connor Hill (LW, 6’0/190, Carleton Place, ’98) – Skated hard tonight and played an overall good two-way game. He ended the night with one goal and two assists as well. For his goal he showed off his hard shot and quick release, not giving the goalie much time to react to the shot. He does need to work on his accuracy however, as he missed too many shots wide. He was really effective on the power play coming off the half wall and shooting the puck and finding the open areas in the offensive zone for scoring chances. He needs to be stronger on his stick as he missed too many breakout passes tonight bouncing off his blade.
Grade: B-
#17 Connor Merkley (LW, 6’1/194, Carleton Place, ’96) – Strong game tonight, competed hard every shift, was all over the ice offensively, creating chances by using his size and speed. He finds ways to create space for himself and his teammates and ended the night with two assists. He was strong with the puck on his stick and was hard to knock off it. Merkley is particularly dangerous with the puck down low in the zone playing off the cycle. We’d like to see him be more physical defensively to fully utilize the power in his game.
Grade: B-
#27 Shawn Kennedy (LC, 6’0/200, Carleton Place, ’99) – Kennedy had a lot of eyes on him this game as one of the better young prospects in the league. He scored a nice goal in the slot, quick release and accurate shot beating the goalie high glove side and chipped in three assists. He’s got somewhat of a wide stride with his skating but generates good speed with lower body strength. He was hard to knock the puck off his stick and competed hard in all three zones. He needs to have better body positioning his defensive zone as a couple of times the forward rolled away from him easily. He does a nice job getting himself in areas to create and/or finish plays.
Grade: B-
#13 Felix Brassard (RW, 5’10/190, Nepean Raiders, ’96) – He was Nepean’s top forward in this game. When he’s skating hard he’s a difference maker, but he did take some shifts off and struggled with consistency. He was hard on the forecheck finishing all his checks and getting in players faces after whistles. He had a couple nice scoring chances by using the cycle and coming out of the corner with a quick shot on net. He had some shifts where he showed some skill and really good hockey smarts, particularly in the offensive zone.
Grade: C+
#11 Paul Larabie (RW, 6’1/186, Nepean Raiders, ‘00) – He played a strong and physical game tonight; finished all his checks, was always the first guy in the corner making the hit or digging the puck out. He did show some over aggression by running at guys and took a few penalty’s as a result. He had a couple nice rush’s up the ice using his speed and taking the puck hard to the net. Larabie needs to be more consistent with his shifts, his defensive zone play wasn’t stellar and got caught running around too much. If he can play his game, stay focused and think defense first he could be a quality prospect at the next level. Young player with his best hockey ahead of him.
Grade: C+
#8 Cory Tam (LD, 5’9/170, Nepean Raiders, ’97) – Struggled tonight with Carleton Place’s speed and size down low in his own end. He had good body positioning on some shifts and was able to come away with the puck, but then there were shifts where he was caught watching. He makes a crisp first pass out of the zone and doesn’t panic with the puck. He kept everything really simple and made a couple good pinches in the neutral zone causing turnovers. He had a really good stick on the penalty kill as well getting in lanes to break up the passes. He’s undersized but can do a little bit of everything whether its man up or man down situations.
Grade: C
September 5th Kemptville 73’s vs. Kanata Lasers
#19 Matt Tugnutt (LW, 5’10/188, Kemptville, ’96) – Played a good two-way game today. He was quite in the first period, but came on the rest of the game and was a very effective player ending the game with one goal and two assists. He showed some nice hand on one of the goals by going inside out of the defensemen and making a pass cross crease for the easy tap in. He scored his goal from the point on the power play with a hard wrist shot that picked the corner on the goalie, to be more effective he needs to keep moving his feet at all times and be harder on the forecheck to get separation from defenders. He also needs to be more discipline in his defensive zone as he was running around a lot today.
Grade: B-
#23 Victor Tracy (LW, 6’3/210, Kemptville, ’96) – Had a good game today, he was a little too inconsistent with his shifts; he would give you good shifts and then disappear. When he was on his game he was very effective, he has a quick release and a hard, accurate shot that finds the back of the net. He showed on a few shifts when he went hard to the net or set up in the slot that he is a hard player to move with his size. Tracy’s play in his own end was up and down but mostly down, he was leaving the zone too early on a number occasions and Kemptville wasn’t able to get the puck out.
Grade: C+
#20 Alex Row (RW, 5’10/190, Kemptville, ’96) – Played a smart, effective, two-way game tonight. He was skating well and was hard on the forecheck, and created a few offensive chances off those forechecks. He reads plays well and understands where to go with the puck, avoiding turnovers and forcing the puck into bad areas. His skill and hockey sense show on the power play where he’s able to move the puck to the right player leading to two assists for him at the end of the game. Row is the captain of the team and did show character and leadership when on the ice.
Grade: C+
#9 Adam Alavi (LC, 5’10/180, Kemptville, ’96)- He had a quiet game today but ended the game with 2 assists. He didn’t do anything flashy, he was just smart with the puck, didn’t make any bad decisions, didn’t force anything and moved the puck well to his teammates. He’s most easily seen for his power play ability but his defensive zone coverage wasn’t bad. We would like to see him be a little more physical in the defensive zone and harder with his man but he is a good skater and able to stay with his man taking away their time and space.
Grade: C
#7 Ryan Horvath (LC, 5’9/170, Kanata, ’99) – Played a good two-way game tonight, skated hard and showed off his great acceleration with the puck on his stick. A dump and chase kind of game for him; he demonstrated a nice shot coming off the rush cutting to the middle and using the defense as a screen. He played well in his defensive zone, was reliable, understood where to go and who to pick up. A smart, young player with upside.
Grade: C+
#16 Taylor Carlson (LD, 6’0/182, Kanata, ’99) – A strong, physical player who had good body positioning and didn’t lose a lot of 1v1 battles down low. He plays the game like he’s disinterested at times. He tried to carry the puck too much and missed open passing lanes that closed by the time he was ready to distribute the puck. He pinched a couple times at the blue line with no support and got caught. He needs to focus on keeping everything in front of him and not trying to do too much. He’s young and should develop nicely over the next few years.
Grade: C
#18 Samuel Bitten (LW, 6’0/180, Kanata, ’00) – Played a physical game tonight, didn’t generate much offense, but was hard on the forecheck, finished his checks, and got caught trying for the big hit too many times. He’s a north-south type of player, works hard and does everything that the coaches ask him to do. The fifth round OHL pick to Ottowa 67’s is coming off a strong season in minor midget with Mississauga and will only improve as the season goes on.
Grade: C+
#25 Ethan Manderville (RC, 6’3/185, Kanata, ’00) – Big body forward, didn’t really do anything to stand out. He had a good couple shifts which showed off his skill, size and strength. He is still filling out his body so his acceleration isn’t quite there right now but did show some breakaway speed from defenders with the puck. He was solid in his defensive zone, was supporting his defense really well for the outlet passes and, for a young player, demonstrated good hockey sense and ability to read the ice.
Grade: C
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images