Played on Jan 9, 2026
Game Played in Canada Life Place
Jeremy Freeman (F, R, 5’10”, 164, Brantford Bulldogs, 07/07/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Freeman had a solid game for Brantford in this one. He played the game of a puck moving playmaker in this one and shined as a quality option creator. Freeman’s skillset was best defined by a high compete level, clean skating, and quality senses. Skating showed good pace, ok mechanics, and quality speed generation, that will only improve as he ages. This skating also blended seamlessly with his compete level to inject energy, and his high motor in every single play. If Freeman needed to do something like retrieve a puck, facilitate a play, or support the cycle he did it confidently and consistently with a high rate of play engagement. Freeman was an active player on the forecheck as well with a quality stick, minor pressure, and smart routes he was active and engaged. In his defensive zone he looked to be a defensively responsible high foreward who consistently provided defensive play support and semi-frequent risk assessment. Freeman also shined on the offensive side of the puck as a rush asset with clear offensive instincts, who kept pace, and created option after option for his teammates. This option creation hinted at solid active positioning, play anticipation, and quality spatial awareness. He constantly looked for soft ice to abuse as well, and he had a couple of sequences where he made London pay. One that stood out happened with 8:20 in the third where he located the dangerous areas on the ice went directly there and crashed the net for a grade-A chance for. Consistnet motor, and endurance throughout. Some areas that lacked tonight were Freeman’s puck skills as he struggled with lane recognition, control, and displayed limited puck protection mechanics which moderately interrupted Brantford’s breakout. Physicality should also improve as he grows, as he lacks muscle mass, stability, and leverage ability which resulted in him getting boxed out and overpowered in body battles frequently. Overall due to his senses, skating, and compete he’s looking like a relentless playmaker out there and he’s off to a promising start to his OHL career.
Dylan Tsherna (RW, R, 5’11”, 170, Brantford Bulldogs, 02/22/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Tsherna was a capable depth scoring option for Brantford in this game. He played a pace driving play pushing playmakers game well. His skillset was highlighted by decent skating, puck skills and compete. When he has to take a faceoff he is also quite a quickdraw. Skating skills showed good edgework, notable agility, and bursts of acceleration that allow him to be wherever he needs to be on the ice at any given time. He played an adequate role on the defensive side of the puck, as he was active in the forecheck, and had an above average motor that allowed for consistent pressure exertion on London. Offensively he shined more as a play connector and pace driver through that as Tsherna implemented good smooth passes, pass creativity, and quality handling when under pressure. The main issues within his game are his senses as he looks quite reactionary, hinting at limited play anticipation as he prematurely cheated plays and often went into offensive situations with no plans, and below average play reading as he often went with the first option rather than the best option available. In the offensive zone Tsherna also displays a more rushed release, and limited power behind his shots.
Philip Govedaris (LW, L, 6’0″, 192, Brantford Bulldogs, 12/06/2007)
Game Rating
LV
2 Viewings
Comments: Very limited icetime in this one for Govedaris. He continues to show a playmakers game, with quality puck skills, and adequate senses. Consistent pressure relief, and confident decision making in this one. Skating shows good balance, stability, and posture throughout his shifts. Showed some jump in his play with a motor, and moderate hard skill as articulated by higher physical pressure exertion. Looked relentless in his pressure exertion, just could not get much going offensively in this one.
Henry Brzustewicz (D, R, 6’2″, 204, London Knights, 02/09/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Brzustewicz had a mixed results game in this one. He is one of the top defenders for the Knights and a key disributor for them offensively. His game demonstrates a high compete level, decent senses, and quality high frequency shooting throughout his game. Skating remains a clear issue for the young defender as he issues generating top speed due to poorer lateral acceleration, and agility. However he makes up for these deficiencies by being an absolute workhorse with good hustle, high intensity, and non-stop play engagement. Gap control looked good in this one as Brzustewicz angles opponents towards the boards, shows good risk awareness, and has solid physical stopping power to mitigate pace effectively. He shows these same aspects in his own zone, while also being a solid slot presence. One area he’s improved upon this season is his breakout ability as he showed frequent activations, and growth in his handling ability, that routinely pushed the pace in this game. Fundamentally he has decent puck skills buty some of his pass placement and decision making either missed the mark into high pressure or seemed quite basic in this one. His in-zone facilitation looked capable though, even though London didn’t get much going in this one. His shooting mechanics and frequency are great, with good leverage, and a clean weight transfer in every shot his power alone can fool some goaltenders. At his core he remains a high compete capable and confident play driver, with skating, puck skill, and more consistent physicality barriers to overcome.
Braiden Clark (F, L, 6’0″, 203, London Knights, 04/08/2005, Providence)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Clark had a very active game in this one and was all over the ice. Clark plays the role of a high energy two-way forward for London, and he provided a spark for his teammates throughout the game. He thrives in the grittier areas of the game with a strong compete level, evident physicality, and adequate puck/passing skills to get plays moving in a favorable direction. His forecheck ability is relentless wioth smart routes, creative angles, and just hounding opponents from their own end until established play in the defensive zone. He is a pace driver and pressure supporter in both defensive and offensive transition, with his motor alone. It is when Clark’s physicality blends in that his game shines even more with restless pursuit of body positioning, a willingness to engage in board play, and just a pure element of toughness to his game. He plays both on the penalty kill and the powerplay as a bumper forward where his compete and physicality compliments that role nicely. Offensively when he has the puck Clark displays capable vision, good scanning, and realitively effective option ID. He likely won’t be a play driver at the next level, but he would be a more than capable play supporter with active positioning, brisk passing ability, and down low support/cycle extension upside. Skating might need some improvement as he showed minor depth issues that interrupted his stride recovery, and overall power generation, also has average agility.
Evan VanGorp (LW, L, 5’10”, 166, London Knights, 05/18/2006, Maine)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Van Gorp is a mobile playmaking forward with a high rate of engagement and stronger puck skills. He was featured on a line with Nicholl throughout the first two periods and the two of them show some developing chemistry too. Van Gorp is always moving, and supporting plays which makes him a hard forward to pin down for opponents. This mobility comes from above average skating that shows good lateral acceleration, edgework and a cleaner stride. This skating blends well with his offensive instincts (playmaking efforts, puck creativity, timing, and facilitating) that allow him to be a consistent set up man in the offensive zone. He can also drive plays entirely by himself with silkier hands as evidence of one sequence with 15:30 left in the first where he deked through some bulldogs, recognized his timing and generated a quality chance for. Throughout the game he displayed a good hustle, and high rate of play engagement in all three zones, hinting at good zone activeness and endurance. Areas of improvement include his defensive senses, and defensive awareness as he could have been more effective in terms of risk mitigation in this game. Physicality also lacks due to his undersized nature, limited aggression, and overall physical ineffectiveness in some of the grittier areas of the ice.
Maksim Sokolovskii (D, L, 6’8″, 192, London Knights, 07/12/2008)
Game Rating
C
1 Viewing
Comments: It’s obvious why Sokolovskii plays at the CHL level, and its purely because of his size and physicality. He is quite a raw prospect, but does show some shutdown ability as a third pairing defender. Sokolovskii shows capable all around skating, with not as much awkwardness as a player his size normally has, high frequency physicality, and basic puck skills. Sokolovskii on gap control is focused on one thing and it is isolating a player with pure body leverage, and exerting clean physical pressure, but this focus does open him up to defender manipulation as he does not employ a lot of pre-scans or play reading in transition leading to a quick rush pass leading to a goal, which is exactly what Brantford did to Sokolovskii on their first goal. In the defensive zone he lacks consistent play engagement, and has sporadic positioning hinting at limited play anticipation, poise, and play reading, but absolutely thrives in board play as he can effortlessly pin players, slow the pace down, and angle his body and muscle mass so they cannot move until Sokolovskii says the board play is done. On the breakout Sokolovskii largely employs short passes, ok play reads, and capable play support. In the offensive zone he demonstrates some basic pinches and positioning, but is a basic play supporter with an all around average shot. We look forward to growth in Sokolovskii’s senses (play reading, processing, and offensive instincts), and compete level as Sokolovskii plays a low pace game with limited play engagement outside of his physicality.
Braidy Wassilyn (C, L, 5’11”, 194, London Knights, 05/28/2008, Boston University)
Game Rating
B
Wassilyn displayed a strong playmaking ability, evident in his creativity on the ice, puck skills, and skating. He consistently finds space, shows good positioning, and exhibits tinges of change of pace and puck handling deception. While he has developed offensive senses, he still struggles to take over a play or drive the offense. His skating is an asset, with clean pivots, quality acceleration, and agility that makes him a quality contributor in transition plays. However, his defensive play remains below average due to limited effectiveness in exerting defensive pressure and awareness in both transition and zone play. Physicality and role as a play passenger also hinder his development at the next level. Despite some flashes of timidness, Wassilyn’s on-ice awareness and route deception will continue to improve with time.
1 Viewing
Comments: A mixed results game for the Knights forward. He continues to be a secondary playmaker. His game continues to be highlighted by decent senses, quality puck skills, and skating ability. One thing that was noticable about Wassilyn’s skating is all the usual elements from last season (mechanics, posture, and stride), but he struggled to reach a consistent top speed in this one. A low impact forward throughout the game, but he read plays effectively, and established decent positioning. His puck skills once again stand out in this viewing as he employs good puck handling, clear vision, and lacks no confidence when that puck is on his stick. One very evident issue with his game remains to be his lack of compete (hustle, pressure exertion and endurance) made him a play passenger frequently. He did have a grade-A chance in front of the slot in the middle portion of the game, but failed to finish on it. He seemed to force more plays then usual in this game as well, which does raise questions about his overall hockey IQ.
William Nicholl (C, L, 6’0″, 184, London Knights, 05/24/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Nicholl remains an effective two-way forward that he was last season, and is poised to have another breakout campaign. His game is just so driven by a relentless work effort/high pace, strong puck skills, and quality skating. There’s few plays that Nicholl is not noticeable, as his high end acceleration, agility, and pace manipulation blend so well with his significant motor and energy elements within his game that he is routinely at the center of every play. He’s an active and engaged forechecker with consistent scans, relentless angles of attack, and solid lane awareness for opponent outlet passes, which all combine to make him an absolute turnover generator every single shift. Even in his own zone he exerts this same sense of urgency, and defensive pressure with his motor, and consistent risk assessment that allow him to always make micro-adjustments to make himself even more effective. On the breakout this previously mentioned speed meshed weith his solid control/handling mechanics to make him almost a guaranteed zone entry that when established in the offensive zone Nicholl’s exudes confidence with the puck and shows this through stable decision making, and quick option ID. He pushed the pace frequently in this one despite it being a down game for London. There was some minor uncharacteristic concerns around his spatial awareness in this one as he was forcing some dangerous routes, best exemplified by one breakout with 11:12 left in the first where he just charged pressure head on, but this could be from some minor frustrations in this game too.
Caleb Mitchell (D, L, 5’9″, 170, London Knights, 03/17/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Mitchell is a stable smart two-way transitional defender, with moderate offensive upside. His game is defined by quality puck skills that blend in with solid senses and a high degree of confidence. Skating looks stable in terms of balance, posture, and lower body flection, but does lack an element of power and higher end acceleration. Even his gap control showcases his hockey senses with effective pre-scans that allow Mitchell to change his angles, and exert clean aggressive pinches when he can. He was the largest asset on the breakout as the 2008 born defender shows crisp puck contyrol, no matter the pace of play, with quick play processing, effecient option ID, and solid puck protection mechanics on every single one of his activations. Mitchell can carry the puck 200 feet, but often opts to make a quick, and confident pass that routinely showed offensive awareness, and good pass placement hitting all of his targets. In the offensive zone he is a solid facilitator with this same quick option ID, and evident poise that makes his game calm and collected in every situatiuon, especially under pressure. Thrives as a pace driver with quality play processing, and hints of hockey IQ, but also serves as a all around facilitator from London’s blueline. Shooting (predictable release with limited deception), and physicality (body positioning, and effective leverage) both project around average and could be key areas of improvement to better complete his defensive slot-presence game and offensive finishing game.
Jaxon Cover (RW, L, 6’2″, 182, London Knights, 02/13/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Cover is a consistently solid high pace playmaker with some hints of hard skill to his game. This viewing was highlighted by quality puck skills, solid senses, and skating. Skating projects above average by all regards. Cover also played an effective role on London’s backcheck with good hustle, engagement, and evident situational awareness that when timed right resulted in smart puck strips and opportunities going the other way. Displays a high scanning frequency in all three zones which gives him advanced pressure awareness, and the previously mentioned situational awareness as well. Offensively his hustle, and puck skills (control, handling, and creativity) generate frequent and quality zone entries for his team in an effective manner. There were moments in this game that he looked like he had the puck on a string, particularly his handling in high danger areas like his sequence he put together with 13:15 left in the second period. Offensive creativity and hockey IQ are evident and blend well with his higher energy playstyle to make him a force on most of his shifts. Also understands timing well, as he had a playmaking sequence with 10:40 left in the third where he generated a high pace chance for. We look forward to growth in his shooting (outward release point, limited deception, but decent power generation), and physicality (stability, and hit absorption that does cost him momentum).
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images