In today’s CHL notebook, the Barrie Colts added a 3.75-star goaltender who was originally committed to Union. Plus, a 4-star ’07 forward for Prince Albert in the WHL, and a 4-star ’06 forward to the Soo Greyhounds in the OHL.
’07 (G) Berney Weston (NR) to the Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Weston played for the Swift Current Legionnaires U18 team last season on top of playing for the Swift Current Broncos U15 team for most of the season. With the Broncos he posted a 2.66 GAA and .922 save percentage in 17 games. Weston will likely suit up for the Legionnaires U18 team this upcoming season.
Weston was selected by the Broncos in the fourth round (No. 74 overall) of the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft. We have West ranked No. 133 in our Top-300 final rankings for the WHL Draft.
’05 (D) Blake Ekren-Bratton (★★★½) to the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Ekren-Bratton has been on the Tigers list since 2020, when he was drafted in the third round (No. 61 overall) if the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Last season the 6-foot defender appeared in 27 games for the Moose Jaw Warriors U18 AAA team where he posted 17 points (3g-14a).
The Sask. native played for the North East Wolfpack U15 team in 2019-20 where he posted 37 points (19g-18a) in 27 games on the back end while also recording 107 PIMs.
NZ Scouts: “Ekren is a long, athletic defenseman with strong, powerful strides and sturdy base. He’s mature in his decision making and approach to the game, he doesn’t over extend or overhandle the puck; he is efficient and savvy. He has a heavy shot from the point and can carry the puck out of his end and carry up ice through the neutral zone to create offense on the rush.”
’07 (F) Ethan Bibeau (★★★¾) to the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Bibeau was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft (No. 120 overall) by the Raiders. We had Bibeau ranked No. 93 in our Top-300 for the WHL Bantam Draft.
In 30 games last season for the Rink Hockey Academy U15 team, Bibeau posted 36 points (12g-14a). He also had three points in three playoff games.
NZ Scouts (Hockey Manitoba U16): “Ethan is a very smart player and he’s improved his skating over the last year. He has a good-sized frame and got involved physically on occasion this weekend. He played a lot of center and won his fair share of draws while making himself noticeable on multiple occasions with some nice passes.”
’07 (F) Dayce Derkatch (★★★★) to the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Derkatch was the No. 64 overall pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft. Last season he was electric for the Regina Aces U15 team (AA), where he scored 31 goals in 31 games and finished with 84 total points (31g-53a). Derkatch then moved up and played six games with the U18 AAA team and had a pair of points, including a goal.
NZ Scouts: “He was involved in the play every shift, with the puck finding his stick more times than not. His positional play was very good and his decent speed and quick feet led to him being open for opportunities. When the puck was on his stick it was a lot of fun to watch; good play after good play. Very mature playmaking abilities.”
’03 (G) Ben West (★★★¾) to the Barrie Colts (OHL)
West was originally committed to Union for 2023. Last season, the 6-foot-4 goaltender appeared in 45 games for the Navan Grads in the CCHL where he posted a 3.33 GAA and an .899 save percentage.
West was originally drafted by the Erie Otters (No. 190 overall) in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. His rights were traded to Colts last month.
NZ Scouts (Navan vs. Smiths Falls): “West came in as relief in the second period and stopped 24 of 25 shots as he shut the door and was difficult to beat. You can tell when West came in the game, his guys seemed to exhale and settle down having confidence with him behind them. He is quick from post to post and limits all rebounds, controlling them to the corners and safe areas. West made a few saves using his flexibility that he should not have made but was able to make big saves on back door passes and redirections. Ben is a confident goaltender that was dominant in his crease for the two periods he played”
’06 (F) Alex Kostov (★★★★) to the Soo Greyhounds
Kostov was selected No. 58 overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. That’s in line with where our scouts had him ranked (No. 62).
Last season Kostov appeared in 23 games for the Markham Majors U16 AAA team where he scored 12 goals and 7 assists. In the OHL Cup, Kostov totaled 7 points (1g-6a) in six games.
NZ Scouts: “A versatile forward who has the grit, passion & determination and no doubt will score more often. Kostov had several chances in the Whitby Silver Stick but was snake bit. If he just lets his very hard, quick-release shot fly on the net.”