Played on Mar 9, 2025
Ontario Hockey League
Game Played in Meridian Centre
Tuomas Uronen (C, R, 5’11”, 183, Kingston Frontenacs, 03/19/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Uronen had a solid game for Kingston in this one. He showed more a playmakers game in this one with consistently high pace play. His game was defined by puck skills, senses, and skating. His skating was fundamentally solid due to quality balance, a smoother stride, and edgework that allowed for quality changes of pace. To further help these changes of pace Uronen demonstrated quality agility and route creation that added greater deception and made lane manipulation even more effective. He looked particularly good on retrevials and reloads hinting at quality spacial awareness and option ID in offensive transition. The Kingston forward was a menace in the offensive zone and this was best articulated through a mix of puck skills and senses in the form of quality play awareness, vision and positioning. This positioning was particularly relentless in terms of space creation. He was a chance generating machine in this one due to quality decision making, consistent offensive pressure generation, and high frequency shooting. This shooting was defined by good accuracy and a solid weight transfer, which allowed for a quicker release. We look forward to growth in his compete level, as he regularly cheated plays prematurely, and better defensive pressure exertion. Physicality fundamentals were evident.
Ethan Hay (C, R, 6’1″, 200, Kingston Frontenacs, 01/15/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hay had an all around solid game against the Niagara IceDogs. His skating, puck skills, and compete level shined in this one. His skating possessed a relatively clean stride, that showed good lower body flection, edgework, and allowed hints of agility to display themselves in Hay’s route creation. Skating was not much of a problem in this one. In defensive transition Hay proved to play an active and effective role on the forecheck, with quality spacial recognition, and gap closure, which exerted some clear defensive pressure on his opponents. In the defensive zone it was much of the same with more of a physical close quarters edge which displayed ok grit, battles, and some quality risk mitigation through stick tie ups and quality angling attempts in this one. This role on the forecheck and in the defensive zone clearly articulated his above average compete due to his defensive play engagement, hints of motor, and overall physical pressure creation. In transition play Hay displayed slightly above average puck skills through decent handling, option identification, and decision making. All of this contributed to quick pace high intensity offensive pressure whenever Hay and his line was on the ice. He showed hints of this aforementioned route creation, and some decent positioning as he had a notable nose for the net. In the offensive zone this zone physicality became evident once again as he established himself as a capable net front screen that routinely battled for body positioning, space, and relocated when he needed to. He lacked an uncharacteristic active stick, and let some quality plays develop around him.
Tyler Hopkins (C, L, 6’1″, 179, Kingston Frontenacs, 01/23/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hopkins had a solid game for Kingston. He showed some elements of a capable two way forward in this one. His game was highlighted by support elements, senses, and quality puck skills. Showed some ok face-off mechanics as well, with a low center of gravity, some leverage creation, and quick drawbacks. In defensive play he showed quality lane awareness, risk assessment, and play anticipation which hinted at quality defensive responsibility, and hockey IQ. In offensive play Hopkins was a key support player for Kingston as his senses granted him quality offensive instincts, positioning know how, that allowed for favourable spacial manipulation, that same aforementioned lane awareness, and play anticipation. In offensive transition the young forward showed quality pace that allowed for him to get open on rush plays, sucker in pressure, and generate space for his line-mates. In offensive transition and zone play Hopkins shows quality puck skills through his handling aptitude, hand eye, and on-ice vision as he was able to locate play options relatively frequently. This play ID, mixed in with his defensive senses hinted at above average play processing. Displayed solid hit absorption and balance, which furthered his off-puck offensive efforts, and pressure absorption. Slightly below average skating as he displayed a shorter stride, which meant a high rate of stride recovery, and needed better and more consistent crossover integration in this one. We look forward to more growth in his offensive play driving/play reading, as he cheated lots in transition which had mixed results.
Noah Van Vliet (D, L, 6’2″, 222, Niagara Icedogs, 02/18/2004, Sacred Heart)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: The 2004 born defender is the prototypical physically punishing defender. Van Vliet had a solid game against Kingston. His game still stands out for its physicality, and compete level. Van Vliet did continue to struggle in defensive transition due to skating limitations (stride, acceleration, stride recovery, and top end speed), but makes up for it with ok angling, and physical pressure. In short the Icedogs defender has the potential to be a momentum killer with strong physical form, muscle mass, and effectiveness, when in position. In the defensive zone the over ager established himself as an intimidating slot presence who battles hard, showed good defensive habits (box outs, and tie ups), and made it hard on opposing forwards to establish favourable body leverage in the slot. He showed a higher end compete in this one as well in both transition and zone play as he routinely showed good hustle, intensity, and pressure exertion upon his opponents. He showed some quality finishing ability in this game specifically as he capitalized on a penalty shot. Outside of that instance Van Vliet showed basic puck skills, (facilitation, passing ability, and play support) in the offensive zone. Van Vliets main drawbacks are his senses (pace of play, play processing, and creativity), and the previously mentioned skating shortcomings.
Ethan Czata (C, L, 6’1″, 180, Niagara Icedogs, 05/29/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Czata had a ok game against the Kingston Frontenacs. His game resembled that of a power forward with his commitment to finishing checks, and his compete. His game was highlighted by quality physicality, compete, and some situational awareness. In defensive transition Czata proved to be a capable forechecker, through a quality compete level that exerted clear defensive and physical pressure, plus a relentless attacking commitment, and quality angles of attack. Evident defensive positioning, and defensive responsibility throughout the game, but minor improvements with a more consistent active stick could be beneficial. Anytime the play came around the boards the young Icedogs forward served as a capable momentum killer with quality angling pace isolation, and effectiveness. In the defensive zone Czata struggled with pace of play due to his reactionary nature, which hinted at issues around play reading, and play anticipation. There were very few shifts that Czata did not finish his checks, and this physicality and toughness is evident throughout his entire game with a quality heavy hitting form, good body leverage, and quality grit it’s obvious he will be a physical presence at the next level. This physicality blends seamlessly with Czata’s high end compete level and this is particularly evident in his motor, intensity, and physical pressure exertion. With improvements to his skating (upright posture, limited acceleration/power, and rigid stride which all limit top speed), and puck skills (decision making, puck management, and risk awareness), he could be more consistent high pace chance generator in offensive transition. There were multiple instances of Czata attempting defender manipulation in transition, but not having the agility, or puck skills to fully connect. In zone he was a consistent offensive pressure generator, through good puck protection mechanics (angling, handling, and body positioning all mixed together), and capable space creation he showed play awareness. Hidden finishing ability with Czata.
Maximus Crete (C, L, 5’9″, 185, Niagara Icedogs, 04/24/2008)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Crete plays a game of a bigger player than the Icedogs forward is. Crete’s game resembles that of a power forward. This matchup against the Kingston Frontenacs allowed his compete level, senses, and physicality to thrive. In defensive transition Crete put his compete level on full display with a relentless motor, hustle, high frequency play engagement, and consistent defensive pressure exertion. On the forecheck specifically Crete employed good lane awareness, risk mitigation attempts, which all generated consistent and effective defensive pressure exertion. In the defensive zone Crete showed high rates of play engagement along the boards, and showed notable lane awareness, and spacial awareness which articulated itself in the form of notable risk awareness. Showed hints of defensive instincts. This defensive play was also furthered by quality physicality which blended nicely with his play engagement, and demonstrated quality physical pressure absorption, and showed elements of grit in the young forwards game as well. This defensive play formulated itself into offensive play, best exemplified by his forecheck pressure that generated a turnover and a high pace chance for with 5:47 in the second period. This hinted at some quality situational awareness from the 2008 born Crete, which further aided the growth in his senses. In the zone Crete largely played a support role, and generated some off-puck offensive efforts. We look forward to growth in his skating (flection, mechanically shorter stride, and some cleaner crossovers), and in his puck skills (puck placement, cleaner puck receptions), and some growth in poise/play anticipation which will come with more time in the league.
Andrei Loshko (RW, L, 6’2″, 190, Niagara Icedogs, 10/07/2004)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Loshko had another decent game for the Niagara Icedogs. The forward plays that of a snipers game. His game was highlighted by strong skating, senses, and puck skills. His skating routinely had clean strides, quality acceleration, some deception (cutbacks, changes of pace), and a notable top speed. This skating blended well with his puck skills in terms of vision, and passing ability in offensive transition as he was able to routinely generate chances for, hinting at quality offensive senses in terms of play anticipation, passing plays/pace, and patience in offensive poise as Loshko regularly waited for not just a play but the best available play. High end offensive awareness. Showed advanced second efforts, and above average intensity in this game. However, concerns still remain around the forwards compete level as he often lacks intensity, effective pressure exertion, and hustle. These compete level shortcomings are particularly evident on the defensive side of the puck.
Ivan Galiyanov (LW, L, 5’10”, 174, Niagara Icedogs, 10/16/2007)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Galiyanov can be a fun player to watch. He plays the game of a play maker with a two way forwards edge. His game was highlighted by high end compete, skating, and puck skills. Galiyanov’s game was highligted by a relentless compete which blended well with his skating aptitude. It’s obvious that Galiyanov is an energy forward for the IceDogs, as he showed good hustle, motor, angles of attack, and second efforts, which blended well with his high pace skating, clean stride, rapid acceleration, and solid outside edgework. This all combined to make Galiyanov a capable and consistent forechecking presence at the OHL level. This compete and skating articulates itself offensively in the form of above average positioning, and some option creation. Galiyanov showed good chemistry with his linemates in this one, which was particularly evident in Niagara’s first goal which displayed positioning, energy. and some hidden finishing ability. We look forward to improvements in senses (creativity as he rarely has a plan, play anticipation, and offensive awareness). We also look forward to further growth in Galiyanov’s physicality game (muscle mass, power, and frequency).
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images