BCHL: Chilliwack Chiefs 2021 NHL Draft Prospects vs Coquitlam Express (10/20/2020)

Ayrton Martino

Chilliwack Chiefs

BCHL

5’10”

170

Clarkson | 2021

Toronto, ON

2002

2020-2021: B

Ayrton was the most impactful of the draft eligible players in this game. As a puck carrier he played with pace and deception. He showed the consistent ability to make tape to tape passes through defender’s legs or through their triangle. While attacking the offensive blue line Ayrton was excellent at changing speeds or angles to manipulate the gap into his favor. His eyes were always up allowing him to find the late attacker or middle drive therefore creating odd man situations on just about every rush. He was elusive with the puck while cycling below the goal line, but we were very impressed with his ability to find the high seem and generate defensive confusion on a high cycle. He played the point on the power play and was confident walking the blue line under pressure. He (again) showed the ability to pass through tight lanes and fire tape to tape passes through the seems.

Garrett Valk

Chilliwack Chiefs

BCHL

6’3″

205

Uncom.

North Vancouver, BC

2002

2020-2021: Free Agent

Garrett likes to keep it simple choosing to play a hard nosed game and that’s exactly what he did in this one. He showed excellent strength while eliminating the cycle and game awareness by consistently staying on the defensive side of the puck during wall battles. In transition Garrett took the first option and moved the puck quickly into his forwards hands. His passes were crisp and he showed the ability to hit the stretch man in stride. He has a long powerful stride and good lateral mobility that he used to close on opponents quickly and confidently while defending line rushes. He had a few point shots blocked, but we feel this is an area that he can correct through practice repetitions. There is a lot to like about the 6’3″ 205 pound late 2002 game.

Abram Wiebe

Chilliwack Chiefs

BCHL

6’1″

185

Uncom.

Mission, BC

2003

2020-2021: C

We liked Abram’s game. He was very confident along the offensive blue line and showed a willingness to activate at any time. Another defender who had multiple shots blocked, but he handled passes cleanly keeping his eyes up while looking for clear lanes. Again, we think he has the puck skills to get his shots through and this is something we will continue to watch as the season progresses. Defensively he is willing to block shots and clear shooting lanes. He tied up opponent’s sticks quickly and limited secondary scoring opportunities. His stride is long and he is very willing to jump into the rush in transition. As a younger player we’ve seen Abram be a hardnosed forward so his move to defense is something we will continue to monitor.

Raymond (Ray) Fust

Chilliwack Chiefs

BCHL

6’3″

190

Uncom.

Reverolle, SUI

2002

2020-2021: C

Raymond can protect the puck for days. He is excellent at shielding the puck while keeping his eyes up and finding a line mate in the high slot or the weakside defender going back door. On line rushes he changed pace and his ability to escape on the mid-wall while under duress was excellent. Below the goal line Raymond was excellent at using his edges to spin off of defenders and attack the net. He handled poor passes without breaking stride and showed the ability to pick pucks up off the wall cleanly and generate offense while a defender was on his back. He is an offensive catalyst with National League size and there is no doubt that NHL scouting directors will be paying attention as the season progresses.

Wyatt Schlaht

Chilliwack Chiefs

BCHL

6’2″

192

Brown | 2021

Denver, CO

2000

2020-2021: C

In 2018-19 Wyatt started playing junior hockey as a 6’0″ 167 pound winger who had always been looked to as offensive weapon while he was growing up. After going through some growing pains, literally growing pains, Wyatt is now a 6’2″ 192 pound center who has the skating ability, frame and mindset to make life difficult for the opposing team’s top line. Defensively he is direct and plays in straight lines. His stick is active, his head is on a swivel and he has the instincts to shut down the cycle quickly or pick off passes. The puck protection skills he learned as a smaller rookie were on full display here as he regularly extended cycling and found the weakside option. In neutral zone transition Wyatt handled poor passes cleanly and receiving a pass on his backhand was smooth. In the long run Wyatt has a real chance to be a college free agent signing because of his strength in the face-off circle and his ability to kill penalties.

Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images