General Game Notes: West Kelowna was able to take home the victory with hot start and steady defensive play in their own zone. Including a great night from the Warriors goaltending, the players defended in front of their own net. It wasn’t until the third period that the Vipers were able to get on the board and by then it was too late.
| Owen Kim | Vernon Vipers | BCHL | R | RW | 5’8″ | 160 | Holy Cross | 2024 | North Vancouver, BC | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: When Kim has a stride on his opponent he will never be caught, he has that type of jump in his step.. His break off the sidewall or out of corners to the net is lightning fast. Makes tape-to-tape passes when there is not play available. He looks to take a lot of plays himself, that is why is second option is pass. Sometimes, he does too much, couple times he had untimely turnovers attacking the net, but believes in his confidence to make something happen.
| Shea Busch | Vernon Vipers | BCHL | L | LW | 5’10” | 173 | North Vancouver, BC | 2007 | 2024-2025: C |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Scored a nice power play goal tonight first moving the puck around showing his confidence beating players with passes, then connecting in a scoring area. He tends to float around in these areas and can either unleash a one timer, or stays loose around the net hoping for a bounce to come his way but positions himself in the right area. Busch plays with an edge and you can see then when he stops at the net almost inviting the contact his way.
Anthony Cliche | Vernon Vipers | BCHL | R | D | 6’4″ | 220 | Vallee-Jonction, QC | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: One of the better parts of Cliche’s game tonight was how active he was in the offensive zone. The way he was able to dive into the play created chaos for the defensive zone coverage and if he didn’t get the puck, it opened up the ice for his teammates to use. His mobility along the blue line is noticeable especially when he has time and space, he doesn’t settle for first lane but will take it. He is a threat when he he is on the ice both with and without the puck.
| Landen Hilditch | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 193 | RPI | 2024 | Surrey, BC | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: As more of a two way defenseman, he shows his skating defensively by maintaining great gap control, activating at the right times and taking proper angles forcing rushes to the outside and cutting opponents off with space. Makes a solid first pass to get the puck out of the zone, and likes to put some zip on it. Even under heavy forecheck pressure, most the time, he made the right decision with where to go or where to direct the forechecker. He has the size and strength to compete in front of the net which he did a lot tonight.
| 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 showed tonight that he sees the ice exceptionally well, knows where his line-mates and opponents are at all times, and reacts accordingly. Most the time off the rush he is looking to pass, multiple times he forced a pass through the middle showing that he is a pass first player tonight. It was not a bad play to look pass but had chances to skate the puck in himself. His pass first mentality helps him in his own end.
| Felix Caron | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 165 | RPI | 2024 | Terrebonne, QC | 2004 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Caron did a good job tonight at finding soft spots in the scoring area creating scoring chances for himself. Shows great puck patience, waiting for teammates to open up before deftly dropping touch passes off both sides of the blade. He was not able to get on the score sheet tonight but produced chances getting the puck and himself in a scoring areas. Multiple times below the goal line, he would take pressure and find a way to sneak the puck in the slot for grade A chances.
| Michael Salandra | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | LW | 5’10” | 176 | Pleasantville, NY | 2003 | 2020-2021: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Salandra controls the pace and flow when he’s on ice, will regroup himself if he does not see the lane opens he tries to attack first. Has an innate feel for the game and anticipates where the puck and teammates will be with area passes and a hard and consistent pressure on the defense. He was at his best tonight when he kept his shifts short and uses his burst of energy to make plays, sometimes his shifts got lengthy and could see his feet dragging
Jackson Kyrkostas | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | C | 5’10” | 170 | RPI | 2024 | Selden, NJ | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Kyrkostas played hand in hand with Lokkeberg tonight, both being able to find each other all over the ice. Kyrkostas had great speed tonight and can change that speed on a dime. The way he was able to change up how quick he wanted to attack on entries on in zone, pushed back defenseman and forced them to re-gap a lot, and that was where he was able to catch his opponent flat footed. He played a hard game tonight, even though he is not one of the bigger players on the ice, he engages in the battle and works to win the puck so he can take it to the net.
| Johannes Lokkeberg | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | R | C | 5’11” | 158 | Stjernen, NOW | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: With a three point night, Lokkeberg did a great job at showing us multiple ways at getting to the net. With his shifty movements and quick turns, he likes to challenge defenders one on one, beat them in tight, giving himself more ice to work with after he beats his man. He sees the ice well at top speed and while being stationary, like on the power play. He reacts quickly to both loose pucks and to players looking to attack him, with quick shoulder check, he is aware of what is happening around him, helping him decide that next plan of attack on the fly.
| Caden Kemkaran-Humble | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | L | LW | 6’3″ | 181 | Calgary, AB | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Kemkaran-Humble showed solid skating, puck skills and hockey sense. He shows his skating by looking to be first on pucks, and if he cant, uses his body positioning and strength to win those battles. Couple times tonight he showed his puck skill by looking to attack the net, and when it wasn’t there, he was able to regroup the puck and look for another play. Has a long, effortless stride; glides across the ice almost as if his blades are not making contact with the surface and edging is as crisp when he stops and gets going again.
| Jack Farrell | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 185 | Bentley | 2024 | Wilmington, MA | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: The big man on the blue line scored a nice goal for the Warriors. Farrell has a powerful shot to go with his powerful way of playing the game. He is not afraid step up in the middle of the ice and connect with a check. Along the wall he gives the extra shot reminding opponents of his physicality. Along with playing the game hard, he is able to bring a solid skill set with an ability to get up and down the ice effectively. His long stride make him hard to play against and catch when at top speed with the puck.
| Viggo Nordstrom | West Kelowna Warriors | BCHL | L | C | 5’8″ | 180 | Lulea, SWE | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Nordstrom plays at a high tempo and never takes a shift off. Relentless pressure is something he provided early in the game and stayed consistent throughout sixty minutes. Showed quick reactions with the puck in small spaces being able to relieve pressure with little bump plays into the middle. Easier play than it looks but showed confidence and patients when making this play. Even though he is smaller on the ice, he battles hard in the faceoff circle always looking to get the puck back.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Player Evaluations: Ben Marshall