Game played on 10/25/2024.
General Game Notes: Kitchener blew the game open early in this one, scoring 3 in the first period. Erie were playing their second game in two nights and were on their heels early. Erie made it close in the second period with two quick goals before they ran out of gas late. The game featured a number of first year draft eligible players including two highly touted draft eligible defenders, Cameron Reid from Kitchener and Mathew Schaefer from Erie. Both defenders were active all game and impressive with their confidence to get forward and generate offense from the backend.
Dylan Edwards (C, L, 5’8″, 170, Erie Otters, 07/20/2005)
Grade: B-
Comments: Edwards showed good pace throughout this game and an ability to make plays in traffic. He is an undersized winger but is so elusive with his feet. He created separation with agility and edgework kept defenders off balance. He was difficult to defend with his quick changes of direction and ability to protect the puck. A few quality passes in tight in traffic where he showed good vision and quick hands to provide his linemate with a wide open look. He plays a high speed game with the puck and works to get open with his off puck play. He worked hard to get open and showed good anticipation – Edwards had a number of good looks early but could not beat Parsons in the Kitchener net. His back pass to Royston early in the first was elite and should have resulted in a goal. Edwards changed the direction on the play and fed his big winger for an A1 scoring chance.
Malcolm Spence (LW, L, 6’1″, 195, Erie Otters, 09/22/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Spence is a dynamic, high-skilled forward with elite skating ability. This young forward is one of Erie’s top six forwards in his first year of draft eligibility and is off to a productive start this season – operating at better than a point per game early in the season while playing a committed 200 foot defensive game. He gets up and down the wing with pace in both directions. He has above average speed and quickness. This was noticeable on many shifts with quality drives down the wing, also on the back check to support his defenders and disrupt the Kitchener attack. He is a committed 200 foot player who is showing defensive maturity in his game. Spence is playing a more physical style of game as he develops and used quick acceleration to close on defenders quickly and finish checks. This pace also helped him win pucks and strip pucks from opponents to create scoring chances. He scored a beauty in this one where he beat a defender to space and finished a one timer with authority. His pace was the key in his net drive and created the separation he needed in front of the net.
Matthew Schaefer (D, L, 6’2″, 175, Erie Otters, 09/05/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Schaefer is an elite offensive defenseman with the potential to break games open. His exceptional puck skills, vision, and offensive instincts make him a dangerous threat on the ice from the backend. He was active in this game, jumping into the offensive play frequently as a secondary option or leading the rush if he had time and space. He possesses elite passing skills and made accurate passes to teammates in tight spaces. His outlet passes were crisp and efficient and if needed his puck-handling skills allowed him to control the puck effectively and make plays under pressure. When space opened up he showed solid acceleration and agility moving up ice. Defensive positioning was effective and decision-making on when to attack were generally on point. While he likes to attack he didn’t take unnecessary risks that led to scoring chances for the opposition. He should be one of the top defenders in the upcoming 2025 draft, he definitely will be one of the top defenders if he can continue to develop his one-on-one defending. He will need to tighten up his gap on the rush and the defensive zone coverage. A few loose plays in this one where he let a skilled player beat him to the net or didn’t have attention to detail on his gap management. Schaefer has all the tools to be an elite two way defender at this level.
Wesley Royston (RW, R, 6’3″, 174, Erie Otters, 11/22/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Royston is a large, skating forward who possesses a combination of size, skill, and speed. He is a surprisingly good skater for his size and can get to top speed quickly in transition. While he didn’t contribute significantly to the scoresheet in this game, he showed some positive play using his size and strength to create space for himself on the net drive. He worked hard off pucks and worked well with his linemates to maintain pressure in the offensive zone, and was successful generating secondary chances on the cycle. Royston was most effective this evening on the cycle game, but needed better touch on a few of his chances – he had at least two quality A1 chances in tight but didn’t do much with either opportunity.
Jackson Parsons (G, L, 6’2″, 202, Kitchener Rangers, 11/23/2004, Clarkson)
Grade: B+
Comments: Parsons came into this game having won his last 5 starts. He continued his hot streak with another win this evening. He is a strong positional goaltender who anticipates plays well and always seemed to be in the right spot to make saves. His angles were on point and he challenged shooters at the top of his crease. He showed good rebound control and limited second chance opportunities for Erie this evening. He wasn’t as busy in the net this evening but stopped 20 of 22 and made a handful of quality saves in tight on rare breakdowns on the Kitchener backend. He also showed quality puck handling abilities, making life easier for his defenders to break down the forecheck and allowed his team to quickly transition from defense to offense.
Jakub Chromiak (D, R, 6’0″, 199, Kitchener Rangers, 11/02/2005)
Grade: B
Comments: This mobile right shot defender has jumped into a top pair defensive role for the Rangers early in this season. He showed good puck moving skills in this game, rarely overhandling, allowing him to make accurate passes and limit time in his defensive zone. He generally plays a low risk game in his zone and minimized turnovers. A few loose plays up the middle in this viewing, that he will need to tighten up as the season progresses. He is not a physical force on defense, prefers to use his stick on stick and quick feet to defend. He did limit scoring chances in this game and used his feet effectively to take away time and space from the Erie forwards. He was effective on the powerplay, managing pucks with confidence and used his mobility and vision to create scoring chances and find open teammates. The Rangers are starting to roll right now after a slow start, the addition of Chromiak has stabilized their backend.
Adrian Misaljevic (C, L, 5’11”, 168, Kitchener Rangers, 01/01/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: This speedy left shot forward came out of the gates early in this one, playing with energy and pace. He possesses exceptional speed and showed it on the attack and the forecheck early. His goal was class, he beat a defender with his pace, protected the puck well an lifted the shot top shelf with a quality finish. When he is engaged, his high motor allows him to consistently pressure opponents and create scoring chances. He is a player who defenders need to take note of through the neutral zone, if Misaljevic gets any extra time and space he can beat defenders one on one. He is starting to find his legs right now and will be one to watch as his confidence grows.
Cameron Reid (D, L, 6’0″, 180, Kitchener Rangers, 04/08/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: This mobile second year defender is playing an important role for the Rangers at a young age. He is trusted to play in all situations – runs their powerplay, plays 5 on 5 against top 6 forwards every night, and is also showing as an effective penalty killer early in this season. He skates so well and was willing to activate to support the attack all night. He showed the ability to transition from defense to offense and back quickly in this viewing and was supremely confident in his ability to activate offensively. His defensive game is improving, with good gap control, mobility, and an active stick. Reid relies on his footwork and mobility to front opposition forwards and defends well stick on stick. He could add more physicality to his finish and contain game along the walls. While this aspect of his game needs to continue to develop it is a minor issue right now, Reid’s efficient breakouts/quick outlets limited zone time in his defensive zone this evening. He is emerging as one of the best first year draft eligible defenders in the OHL this season and with continued development, he could become a top-pairing defenseman in the league.
Tanner Lam (RW, R, 5’9″, 148, Kitchener Rangers, 07/17/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Lam is a skilled right winger who possesses a unique blend of finesse and vision. He was quiet early in this game but quickly made his presence felt with a handful of quality scoring opportunities in the second period, these chances were set up with his vision and elite puck skills. In one particular shift, he generated three high-quality scoring chances, showing confident puck handling and exceptional creativity in traffic. Lam is a pass first player who can find his linemates with precise passes but has an underrated shot. He rang one off the crossbar this evening with his deceptive release, fooling the Erie goaltender. He is an undersized forward, who will not beat you with his physical play, but he does not let it impact his offensive creativity. He is elusive and his underrated speed and agility allows him to avoid hits. Lam is evolving into a dynamic and creative offensive force who can significantly impact a game with his playmaking abilities and scoring touch.
Luca Romano (RW, R, 5’11”, 168, Kitchener Rangers, 06/25/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: This young centerman is rapidly establishing himself as a top-tier player, excelling in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game. Despite his youth, he’s already earned a spot on the team’s first line. The Rangers line-up is starting to take shape with players returning from pro camps, this will only help Romano in the coming weeks. He has the offensive tools – strong passing/vision, a quality shot, and an ability to make plays at top speed. His ability to play a 200-foot game is particularly impressive. He consistently supports his wingers and defenders – never far from the puck in support. One missed assignment in this viewing in the defensive zone led to a goal, he allowed Spence to drive to the net alone, overall he has a maturity in his 200 foot game. This will ensure he continues to play in important situations for his team, despite his young age. Look for this player to start to produce more offensively as the Rangers line-up evolves and fills out. Romano did not get on the scoresheet this evening but it is just a matter of time before he starts to show more offensive consistency in his game. As he continues to mature and refine his game, he has the potential to become one of the league’s top young centers.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images