General Game Notes: A rare Tuesday game in the BCHL saw the Merritt Centennials visit the West Kelowna Warriors. A back and forth affair saw plenty of action at both ends of the ice. Ultimately it was a Michael Stenberg #14 third period goal that gave his team the lift to up-end the Warriors by a score of 4-3.
| Beau Lane | Merritt Centennials | BCHL | L | G | 6’3″ | 176 | Pembroke, MA | 2004 | 2023-2024: C 2022-2023: C 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Lane is a big goaltender who uses both his size and athleticism. Despite being a bigger goalie, he does not solely rely on ‘blocking’ and uses a combination of that and activity with his hands and body. For example, there were multiple times where he was able to fight through screens and find pucks with just his glove or blocker, instead of shifting to one side, hoping the puck would hit him. Covers the ice well low, and moves well for his size. Whether that be on his feet or sliding, he can get to the lateral plays quickly. Lane has a lot of potential and with his size and talent, the sky is the limit.
| Dylan Lariviere | Merritt Centennials | BCHL | R | RW | 6’4″ | 195 | RPI | 2025 | Welland, ON | 2005 | 2023-2024: C2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: A
Comments: Lariviere is a great mix of size, skill and power. As a bigger body, he fills space and can get in the way of shots/passes in both the offensive and defensive zone. Could break up plays in the neutral zone by getting his frame in the way and getting pucks back to play offense. It was evident that he owned a good skill-set, especially in tight areas, around the net. Was able to collect pucks and get them on net, despite the pressure he faced. Considering his size, he was able to out-muscle his opponents and get quick hacks/whacks on pucks that created scoring chances. Lariviere was able to score a goal in the first period by showing of his quick hands – he collected a puck net front, and quickly shot the puck past the goaltender.
| Michael Stenberg | Merritt Centennials | BCHL | R | C | 6’0″ | 197 | Needham, MA | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Stenberg is a powerful right shot forward who played a hard abrasive intense game. Tonight his attention detail was rewarded as he scored the game winning goal for the Centennials by being in the right spot at the right time. His linemate, Felsing, intercepted a clearing pass and fired a shot that generated a rebound into the high slot area and Stenberg made no mistake as he buried the loose puck.
| Ryan Spinale | Merritt Centennials | BCHL | R | RW | 6’5″ | 205 | Colgate | 2024 | Plymouth, MA | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Spinale is a bigger forward who relies his game on puck protection. Whether it be along the boards or in open ice, he is able to use his big frame to shun off defenders and maintain possession of the puck. In the open ice, his foot-work may not be the greatest, but when he has the puck he is able to shield off checks, and find his teammates who have more time and space (since the opponents are checking him). Showed off some skill as well, particularly off the rush where he was able to make some nice passes with his head up… once making the passes, he would drive the net, dragging defenders backwards and creating chaos net front.
| Michael Felsing | Merritt Centennials | BCHL | R | C | 5’11” | 185 | Robert Morris | 2024 | Pittsburgh, PA | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Felsing was all over the ice right from puck drop. A speedy forward who always moves his feet, regardless of what zone he is in. Will back-check hard to try and regain possession, to then flip the puck up the ice to start the transition game. With his speed, he is able to attack the offensive zone wide and either jam pucks towards the net or have the vision to find his teammates in open ice. Owns a nice set of hands as he can get himself out of trouble when pressured by pushing pucks around his opponents or making the extra move to buy time.
| Dylan Wegner | Merritt Centennials | BCHL | R | RW | 6’2″ | 180 | Michigan State | 2024 | Nashville, TN | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Wegner is a power-forward type player who is able to make plays in tight areas. Doesn’t over-complicate the game by making simple, hard plays. A straight-forward type player who will forecheck with a purpose and finish his check in the process. As a bigger body, he can hit his opponents hard, but also protect the puck when having possession. If he has the puck with pressure, shows off his skill-set by making small chip plays to his teammates who can skate onto pucks with speed. Has lots of upside to his game as he can play a hard game which will wear on his opponents.
| Easton Ryan | Merritt Centennials | BCHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 168 | Nepean, ON | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Ryan scored the first goal of the game by streaking down the wing, cutting to the middle and ripping a shot through the defenders legs, beating the goaltender top shelf. Despite the way he scored this goal, it was evident that his speed was a problem for his opponents all night. Pushed pucks up the ice and continually moved his feet whether it was to drive wide or attack the net through the middle ice.
| Dylan Brooks | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | L | D | 5’11” | 170 | Chilliwack, BC | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Brooks was able to make some good plays in the defensive zone. Instead of going glass and out, he was able to hold onto pucks, utilize his skating ability and make clean first passes that led to up ice pressure. In addition to his first passes, he was able to fool the forecheckers with quick edge-work (tight-turns) and control / slow the play down.
| Jack Pridham | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | RW | 6’1″ | 176 | Boston University | 2024 | Stouffville, ON | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Pridham is a solid, speedy 2-way winger who hunts pucks at both ends of the ice. Back-checks with a purpose back into his own end and can break plays up with an active stick or physicality if he needs too. Has long skating strides with power behind them as he can get moving with momentum. Multiple times in the game he was able to hunt pucks back into his own end, create a turnover and immediately take it back into the offensive zone. At times, he could beat the defenders and get partial breakaways on net. Scored the third goal of the game by catching a defenseman pinching, poking a puck loose, going in on a 2 on 1, opting to shoot, ripping the shot over the glove for a goal.
| Owen Drury | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | RW | 6’3″ | 205 | Newport Beach, CA | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Drury is a bigger forward who fills space in all three zones using his frame. Cut some passes off in the neutral zone by getting in the way of the puck and starting the transition the other way. Not the fastest skater, but can control the puck well and make plays using his brain, opposed to his speed.
| Callum Hughes | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 172 | Boston University | 2024 | Basking Ridge, NJ | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Hughes was solid at both ends of the rink. Responsible defensively as he stopped on pucks, allowing him to break up plays and go the other way with it. Wasn’t overly flashy, but made quick hard plays that allowed his team to keep possession and play offense. On the PP, played with vision as he was able to catch his opponents napping with nifty, quick passes.
| Brennan Nelson | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 194 | Long Island University | 2024 | Edmonton, AB | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Nelson was able to win 50/50 puck battles all night that resulted in more puck possession and scoring chances. Fore-checked with a purpose as he was first to pucks, leading with an active stick and playing physical if necessary. Was able to make heads up plays by seeing the ice well and finding his teammates in scoring positions.
| Felix Caron | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 165 | RPI | 2024 | Terrebonne, QC | 2004 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: A
Comments: Caron is a cerebral player who makes high end plays that benefit himself and his teammates. Speedy forward who can attack off transition / rush plays. If he is the puck carrier in rush scenarios, he can weave in and out of traffic to avoid checks, gain space and make a play accordingly to try and attack the net. He can do so by having a high hockey IQ, making elite passes to his teammates streaking back-door or holding onto the puck and getting high quality shots on net. Shows good puck poise when pressured allowing him to hold onto pucks, see the ice better and make plays. All night, he had the ability to change the game with his speed, skill and finish (as he scored 2 goals).
| Michael Salandra | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | LW | 5’10” | 176 | Pleasantville, NY | 2003 | 2020-2021: C |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Salandra did a good job on the PP, particularly on the half-wall. Didn’t overcomplicate anything, but instead made hard, crisp plays that led to puck possession and no turnovers. Plays with his head up and likes to survey the ice to find open teammates in scoring positions.
| Isaiah Norlin | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | D | 6’5″ | 187 | Clarkson | 2024 | Minneapolis, MN | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Norlin is a big, right shot defenseman. He is a 2-way defender who plays defense to turn pucks over and play offense. Likes to zip pucks up the ice to start the transition play and will immediately jump into the rush if the opportunity presents itself. Definitely has an offensive mind-set as he likes to jump into pockets in the OZ where he can receive passes and get shots towards the net. Owns a shot first mentality which can be predictable for his teammates as he shoots from the point, gets pucks on net (with traffic) where his teammates can create havoc.
| Johannes Lokkeberg | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | C | 5’11” | 158 | Stjernen, NOW | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Lokkeberg had some great looks on net, but was unable to capitalize on his chances. Had the ability to beat defenders in 1 on 1 situations and challenged them often in the offensive zone. A particular play in the second period saw Lokkeberg catch the puck in the slot, put the puck under the defenders triangle, slip by him and get a mini breakaway in tight. Although he was unable to score, it showed how he could create chances using his skill-set. Played with his head up, retrieved pucks and found his teammates in the slot area for open looks on net.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images