General Game Notes: October 19th, 2023. BCHL action between Vancouver Island rivals, Nanaimo Clippers and the Cowichan Valley Capitals. A devastating defeat at home saw the Capitals give up a whopping nine goals against, as the Clippers defeated them by a final score of 9-3.
Why should NHL teams be watching?
And why they are not.
| Tyler Hodges | Nanaimo Clippers | BCHL | L | G | 6’1″ | 165 | Gormley, ON | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Despite it being a blowout game, Hodges still saw plenty of action. Sealed his posts well and utilized his RVH effectively. He did so by being decisive on when to go down or when to stay on his feet. Tracked pucks into his body accordingly as he made the saves he was supposed to with ease. Fought threw traffic, finding sight lines and having his hands out in front of him, cutting down the angle. If he didn’t see the pucks, with his hands out in front he was able to ‘block’ instead of react, which happened a couple times throughout the game.
Why: Had great year in the OJHL in 2022/23 with a 2.00 GAA and a 0.931 sv% which led to him being named OJHL Second Team All-Prospect. He was not selected in the OHL draft so that means he is getting better and we’re only starting to see his development.
Why not: He is 6’1″. Yes he’s a late 2005 but is he done growing? He has struggled out of the gate in the BCHL with a 3.97 GAA and an 0.833 sv% which has him ranked 28th among goalies who have played under 10 games.
| Willyam Gendron | Nanaimo Clippers | BCHL | L | C | 5’10” | 181 | Sacred Heart | 2024 | Broisbrand, QC | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Gendron scored a beautiful breakaway goal in the 1st period. He picked up a pass at the far blue line, went in all alone and roofed a bullet top shelf, beating the goaltender clean. His ability to comeback to the defensive zone, allowed him to play offense, especially in the transition game. Picked up loose pucks, moved them up ice and created plays using his creativity, speed and hockey IQ.
Why: Is he a late bloomer? During the 2021/22 season he split time between the CCHL (44 pts in 54 games) and the NCDC (12 pts in 7 games). Then last year with Nanaimo he popped 20 goals in 43 games. He plays with grit and jam. He is heading to Sacred Heart next fall and he should be competing for ice time in all situations.
Why not: He is an undersized 2003 who has never really been an offensive catalyst at any level. He plays with grit and jam but does he have the weight to be a bottom six in professional hockey?
| Joel Plante | Nanaimo Clippers | BCHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 160 | Langley, BC | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Plante, as a right shot winger was able to create plays, particularly off the rush. For example, entered the zone with speed as either the wide driver (with the puck) or the middle lane driver (dragging defenders back). Showed off his hands in rush scenarios where was able to make skill passes to his teammates in scoring positions.
Why: He is an ’05 who was never drafted in the WHL bantam draft who had 23 total points in his first two BCHL seasons but has come out flying in 2023/24 with 11 points in the first 11 games so maybe he just needed to have his body catch up with his mind. He understands how to create off transition and off zone entries which is essential for team success in professional hockey.
Why not: He is currently listed at 5’11”, 161lbs. Can he gain the mass needed to be a professional?
| Michael Murtagh | Nanaimo Clippers | BCHL | L | C | 5’11” | 187 | Connecticut | 2024 | East Greenbush, NY | 2004 | 2021-2022: C2020-2021: C |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Murtagh makes players around him better. Consistently does the little things right, which leads to more puck possession and scoring chances. Wins battles along the walls with his compete level and active stick. Forechecks with a purpose, hunts down pucks and gets them back. Once getting them back, either attacks the net himself or finds his teammates in the slot areas. Has the ability to shoot the puck, or pass it, which makes him a dual threat. Owns a high skill-set and isn’t afraid to make the extra move to get into a better scoring area. Oozes confidence.
Why: He is detailed and consistently makes the right hockey play. He makes the players around him more effective.
Why not: He is 5’11”, 187lbs and has never been a prolific point producer at lower levels. He will be an impactful NCAA player at UConn but will he be able to develop the same role in the pros?
| Isa Parekh | Nanaimo Clippers | BCHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 157 | Toronto, ON | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Parekh, a right shot defenseman has the ability to make elite plays. When gaining possession of the puck, he is able to breakout his teammates cleanly with crisp passes. If he doesn’t have a teammate open, he is able to use his smooth skating ability to get the red line and either dump it in, or carry it in. Finds pockets in the offensive zone where he is able to receive passes and get shots through to the net. Although, his shot isn’t the heaviest, he’s still able to get pucks through with traffic and create offense this way. Has a high hockey IQ as he surveys the ice and reads the game. Doesn’t have to defend much because he’s the type of player who plays with the puck, not without it.
Why: He has good vision and makes hard flat passes. He has taken his time with his development and is heading to Bemidji State where he will be able train and add mass to his 157lbs frame.
Why not: He is an ’03 who is playing his first junior season out of the OJHL. He is an ’03 who is still weighing in under 160lbs. Is his frame maxed out?
| Luke Bibby | Vernon Vipers | BCHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 185 | Brantford, ON | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Bibby was able to score two goals on the night, contributing at both ends of the ice. In the defensive zone, used his size to fill shot blocking lanes and wasn’t afraid to get in the way of them if necessary. Once blocking shots, he was able to use his speed and fly the zone, catching passes in the neutral zone, stretching back the opposing teams players, opening up the ice for himself and his teammates. He was able to score a beautiful breakaway goal, by committing to the puck in the defensive zone, pinching by the defenders and ripping a bullet of a shot top shelf past the goaltender.
Why: He is an ’04 who was drafted 250th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Draft so we know he is not an early developer. He has blazed his own path from NOJHL to GOJHL to AJHL and now to BCHL. Historically he has always scored more goals than assists so maybe he is a late bloomer who just knows how to burry it.
Why not: He is a late ’04 who had 9 points in 24 games in the AJHL during 2022/23.
| Samuel Boisvert | Nanaimo Clippers | BCHL | L | LW | 6’4″ | 184 | Connecticut | 2025 | Mirabel, QC | 2005 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Boisvert brings a physical element to the game that allows him to win puck battles and races. Uses his size to his advantage by engaging physically, separating opponents from the puck. Might not knock you off your feet, but his reach and stick work will win puck battles. For a bigger player, owns a good skill-set and can make plenty of high end plays, particularly in the offensive zone. Owns a longer reach, and by changing the angle of his body, hands and stick he is able to protect the puck, making high end passes to his teammates in scoring positions.
Why: He is a 6’4″ 181lbs left wing. He put up 84 points in 42 games playing U18 AAA during 2022/23, including 31 goals. He is a UConn commit so he is going to spend considerable time in the weight room adding to his 6’4″ frame. He is 6’4″.
Why not: Still developing his first step and lateral agility but he’s chosen the NCAA route so he consistently be working on his athleticism from the second he steps on UConn’s campus.
| Brett Merner | Nanaimo Clippers | BCHL | R | D | 6’1″ | 181 | Colgate | 2024 | Nanaimo, BC | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Merner is a right shot, puck moving defenseman. Gets pucks north in a hurry by zipping a quick pass and taking three strides immediately. By doing so, this separates himself from his forechecker and allows him to be the second wave of offense. For example, on the 5th goal of the game for the Clippers, Merner was able to zip a pass up ice, jump into the rush, find a pocket in the offensive zone, walk into the slot area and rip a bullet of a shot over the goaltenders shoulder. Not always a shoot first type player, he has the ability to do so, as well as his passing, and skating ability. Although being an offensive threat, he is also responsible defensively too.
Why: He is a leader who has shown consistent improvement over the his time in the BCHL. He thrives in transition and the pro game is built around not spending time in your defensive end. He went undrafted in the WHL’s bantam draft. He is going to Colgate where he will play high paced games and continue building his base as a 6’1″ right shot defender.
Why not: He is 6’1″ and is not a real offensive presence and the most penalty minutes he’s had over the past five seasons is 12 total PIMs so he will have to not only add mass to his frame but bite to his game.
| Luke Santilli | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 207 | Reading, MA | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Santilli, a right shot defenseman has plenty of raw potential. At times, gets a little lost in the defensive zone, but ultimately, works hard and makes some great plays (especially with the puck). Owning a longer reach, he’s able to corral pucks in the offensive zone, walk the blue line and get shots towards the net. Assisted on the 1st goal of the game for the Capitals by receiving a pass on the PP, shooting it towards the net, avoiding any potential blocks and it getting tipped in.
Why: He is a 6’3″ no nonsense defensive minded defenseman. He is a leader and takes pride in playing a hard nosed simple game.
Why not: He is a late 2004 who is still developing his first three steps.
| Brady Yakesh | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | R | D | 5’8″ | 179 | Minnesota | 2024 | Delano, MN | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Yakesh is a smaller, right shot defenseman who brings multiple elements to the game. For example, did a good job at his puck retrievals by going back with speed, shoulder checking and continually moving his feet to beat his fore-checkers to pucks. Made clean breakout passes and played well with the puck. Not the most defensive player, but did a good job at getting pucks out of his end by possessing it. Wants to move the puck up the ice and create offense off the rush.
Why: He is committed to the University of Minnesota where he will spend the next four season competing in practice against some of the best professional prospects in college hockey.
Why not: He is 5’8 and will have to prove to everyone every single day that he is the exception.
| Luke Lavery | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 185 | Providence | 2024 | Nanaimo, BC | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Lavery is a taller, power-forward type player with a long reach. Utilizes his long reach to his advantage as he’s able to push pucks out in front of him, away from stick checks. Using his size, he’s able to corral pucks in the hard areas and either make plays to his teammates or get pucks towards the net. For a big forward, has a good combination of skill and size, which makes him hard to defend against.
Why: At 6’1″, 185lbs he is taking an NHL frame with him into Providence College where he will have the details required to be a bottom six NHLer pounded into his head over the next few years. This is a real positive because professional coaches don’t have the time to be teaching you about stick placements and angling while they’re trying to prep for the next win.
Why not: He is not a real offensive threat.
| Cole Melady | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | L | LW | 5’11” | 188 | Seaforth, ON | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Melady was able to create offense off rush scenarios by using his speed and skill. At times, turned the puck over and forced some plays to the middle, but he also showed confidence by trying to get into the middle of the ice and create plays from there, opposed to sticking to the outside. Made some nice chip plays and sauce passes to his teammates in scoring positions.
Why: He plays with jam and abrasiveness.
Why not: He is a 5’11”, 190lbs forward who is still sorting out his line rush puck management.
| Ronan O’Donnell | Cowichan Valley Capitals | BCHL | R | RW | 6’2″ | 176 | Yale | 2024 | Fairfield, CT | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: O’Donnell is a power-forward type player who goes to the hard areas. Does his best to get to the net front area by hacking, whacking and using his body to get inside the game. Once getting there, jams at loose pucks and creates havoc net front. Scored the 1st goal of the game for the Capitals by getting net front and tipping home a shot in the high slot area. It displayed good hand-eye coordination, but also his ability to get to the blue paint.
Why: At 6’2″, 180lbs he has an NHL frame that he can continue to build. He has always been around the top of the crease and has scored goals. During the 2021/23 season he was the leading scorer on his New England prep school team while playing in three less games but the second leading scorer was an NHL draft pick that year. He can be a total dink and that is a compliment.
Why not: Yes he has the frame for professional hockey but he will need to continue developing his explosiveness and agility to be a bottom six role player who can also be a valuable penalty killer.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images