Played on Dec 6, 2022
Ontario Hockey League
Game Played in Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
Scout: Paul O’Hagan
General Game Notes: Ontario Hockey League Guelph Storm at Kitchener Rangers Tuesday, December 6 The Rangers won this game 4-1. They were backstopped by free agent goalie Markus Vandenberg (2004 birth year) who stopped 38 of 39 in this game for the win. This was a low scoring tight affair until the late in the second. The Rangers scored late in the second and two early in 3rd period to extend the lead. The Rangers put the game away early in the third period with 2 quick goals created by their forecheck and sloppy defensive zone Guelph Storm play. Two young draft eligible right shot defenders showed very well in this game – Guelph Storm defender Cam Allen and Kitchener Rangers defender Hunter Brzustewicz – both showed why they are considered potential A prospects in the upcoming 2023 NHL draft. There were a small number of draft eligible and free agent players in this game who performed well and 5 were written up below.
| Cameron Allen | Guelph Storm | OHL | R | D | 5’11” | 190 | Guelph Storm | 2021 | Toronto, ON | 2005 | 2022-2023: A |
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Allen is an excellent young right shot defender who can play both sides of the puck. Defensively, when he was going tonight he managed his gap well and was very physical with a handful of quality hits on defense. He was quick to close gaps and played a sturdy game on defense but his key assets are on the offensive side of the puck. He had a number of offensive chances early in this one and showed excellent zip on his shot and an ability to get pucks through traffic. He showed good vision in the offensive zone and found his teammates with a few chances in the slot with good open looks. He pinched at the right times and stepped up to read the play well. Allen rarely panicked with the puck under the forecheck and always seemed to find an outlet. He had a few loose moments in his zone this evening late in the game where he tried to force the play with high risk passes. Also, he needed to tighten up around his net with his gap. He gave up a few open looks in close. These issues cost him tonight defensively. If this young defender can continue to work on these areas he will get some notice next spring. He is showing he has the potential to be an elite young two way defender already at this level.
| Marcus Vandenberg | Kitchener Rangers | OHL | L | G | 5’11” | 165 | Kitchener Rangers | 2019 | Dorchester, ON | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: This free agent goaltender was excellent for Kitchener in the win. At 5’11 he is undersized for today’s modern goalie but he stood tall in this one – he stopped 38 of 39 and was deservedly one of the stars in this game. He is well down on the Rangers depth chart of goaltenders, only playing 14 games in the last two seasons but he took the opportunity in this game and ran with it. Guelph generated a number quality chances in good scoring lanes and Vandenberg stopped all but one in this game. He showed excellent mobility in the net and tracked pucks moving side to side well. He competed for rebounds well and was able to get his body in front of a handful of quality second chances in this one. He needs to continue to work on his rebound control, a handful of the second chance opportunities he faced in this could have been minimized with better control of rebounds.
| Hunter Brzustewicz | Kitchener Rangers | OHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 187 | Kitchener Rangers | 2022 | Washington Township, MI | 2004 | 2022-2023: A- |
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: No panic in his game, this smooth skating right shot defender is a creative passer who can start the play up ice effectively. He deals with the opposition forecheck well and plays a heads up game. He showed the ability to look forecheckers off and hit his teammates moving with pace. He is a two way threat and will jump down in the offensive zone to create odd man situations. He showed creativity with the puck on the offensive zone blue line and ability to make adjustments at the offensive line to get through traffic. Early in his rookie season Brzustewicz has been productive on the scoresheet with nearly a point per game, although we would like to see more scoring from this defender. He showed a high IQ defensive game and used his angles well to get his body in the way of opposition forwards. He has the size to play a more physical game but is not a bruiser – he chose to use his body positioning well to rather than look for a big hit. He needs to continue to improve his overall strength and power – he was knocked down a few times along the wall in this game and lost a few physical battles along the wall.
| Matthew Andonovski | Kitchener Rangers | OHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 201 | Kitchener Rangers | 2021 | Markham, ON | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: This steady left shot defender played a simple game for the Rangers and rarely got himself in a bad position in his zone tonight. He is a defensive defender and at 6’2 and 200lbs has the size to win his fair share of pucks in the defensive zone. He has good length when defending and used his reach and body well along the walls and in front of his net. We would like a little more composure with the puck along the walls. He had a few ping pong plays up the boards tonight where he had the option to hit a teammate with a short pass in transition. Offensively, he did well tonight to get shot through on target. He made a handful of adjustments at the offensive line and pucks were generally getting into the good scoring areas.
| Carson Rehkopf | Kitchener Rangers | OHL | L | C | 6’1″ | 194 | Kitchener Rangers | 2021 | 2005 | 2022-2023: B- |
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: A big body left shot forward who can play the wing or center. He is versatile and played in all key situations for the Rangers in this game. Rehkopf has a nice package of skill, size, and agility but did not much out of his offensive game this evening. He has a quick release on his shot but fell in love with the shot tonight vs driving hard to the net. He had shifts where he played a heads up game with excellent crisp passes and pace through the neutral zone and then quiet periods. When he was going he was able to dictate the pace of play this evening and looked dominant but he left us wanting more out his game tonight. He is a big skilled player who can get more out of his game. Overall, he is a player to keep an eye on, as he develops his strength and his overall intensity – he has the potential to be a dominant offensive player at this level.