Played on Mar 21, 2025
Ontario Hockey League
Game Played in Meridian Centre
Ethan Czata (C, L, 6’1″, 179, Niagara Icedogs, 05/29/2007)
Game Rating
B-
Ethan Czata’s game against the Kingston Frontenacs showcased his well-rounded skill set as a power forward. He demonstrated quality physicality, compete, and situational awareness, making him a formidable opponent in front of the puck. In defensive transition, Czata was a capable forechecker with clear defensive pressure and relentless attacking commitment. However, he struggled with pace of play due to his reactionary nature, which can be improved through better play reading and anticipation. Czata’s physical presence is evident throughout his game, with good body leverage, quality grit, and high motor intensity. While there are areas for improvement, such as skating and puck skills, Czata has the potential to become a consistent high-pace chance generator in offensive transition. His ability to create space and generate offense in the zone was impressive, particularly when using effective puck protection mechanics.
2 Viewings
Comments: Czata had a capable game for the IceDogs in this one. He continues to play that power-forwards game. Assets continue to be his compete (motor, intensity, and defensive pressure exertion), and his strong physicality. The first year draft eligible forward rarely avoids the grittier areas of the ice, and exerts his will over opponents through physical pressure, hit frequency, and higher end muscle mass. Senses were improved since last viewing, but play anticipation still needs growth as there were some mis-reads. Remains a high quality net front battler. Skating, and higher end senses still remain barriers for the 2007 born forward.
Braidy Wassilyn (C, L, 5’11”, 194, Niagara Icedogs, 05/28/2008)
Game Rating
B-
Wassilyn showcased a solid foundation of skills in this game, with skating being the cornerstone of his gameplay. He demonstrated good posture, lateral acceleration, agility, and edgework, which enabled him to excel in transitional play and positioning. His on-ice awareness improved as he attempted to disrupt plays and manipulate space around opponents. In contrast, Wassilyn struggled with risk assessment in the defensive zone, indicating a need for improvement in this area. On the offensive side, he displayed promising handling, smooth passes, and decent decision-making. However, his lack of finish and execution was notable, particularly against his own team’s struggles. To elevate his play, Wassilyn needs to increase his compete level, including engagement, intensity, and defensive pressure, as well as develop physicality.
2 Viewings
Comments: Another capable game from the 08 born Wassilyn. He continues to play the game of a playmaker. This game was highlighted by his skating, puck skills, and offensive creativity. Skating is still an asset for his high energy pace, clean pivots, and quality acceleration that makes him an quality contributor to any transition play or puck race. Defensive play remains below average as he continues to have limited effectiveness due to a lower defensive motor, lack of defensive pressure exertion, and defensive awareness both in transition and zone play. Offensive senses continue to grow with capable puck skills to compliment them. He finds space, showed good positioning through 60 minutes, added tinges of changes of pace and puck handling deception in some plays, and continues to thrive in a high pace play. Showed flashes of offensive creativity in this one, with smart play reads, and routes. Lacks the ability to take over a play, and drive the offence, or the offensive pressure. Notable shooting in this one with good shooting leverage, shot accuracy and shot selection. Physicality (muscle mass, body positioning effectiveness, and body leverage) and his role as an all too frequent play passenger remains a barrier to his play at the next level.
Kent Greer (D, R, 5’8″, 167, North Bay Battalion, 02/07/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Greer had a solid game for the North Bay Battalion. He played that of a transitional defender with some hidden offensive upside. His game was highlighted by strong senses, puck skills, and capable compete. In defensive transition Greer employed a relatively solid gap control throughout the game which prioritizes decent space management, stick positioning, and some decent attempts at risk isolation of rush attacking forwards. This isolation was exemplified by Greer’s consistent and direct challenging of the incoming forwards, which showed some quality play reading ability. The selection of when to and when not to challenge also showed some defensive poise from the 2008 born Greer. In the defensive zone Greer established himself as a net front presence and had some quality defensive awareness as articulated by his active stick that showed good lane awareness and some shot blocking willingness. Greer struggled with execution especially in physicality as he often got over powered due to limited muscle on his smaller frame, and trouble exerting any form of physical pressure on the more mature players, this is an area that should get better as he himself matures and wrestles better body positioning/leverage on opponents. In offensive transition Greer showed capable puck skills and although his option ID at points took longer, that should get better with time. Other notable puck skills included decent handling, decision making, and play reading. In the offensive zone he showed some capable offensive awareness and play facilitation. This play facilitation was especially evident on the power plays second unit, and a particular aptitude around vision that should only get better as the player ages and develops more offensive poise. Around average skating with a mechanically shorter but capable stride, and some notable acceleration. Improvements around depth, and edgework would make his activations even more prominent. With further growth to his deception through less predictable routes, and angles of attack Greer could be even more effective both ends of the ice.
Briir Long (C, L, 5’10”, 154, North Bay Battalion, 07/22/2007)
Game Rating
LV
1 Viewing
Comments: Long had limited minutes in this game. His game had solid faceoff technique, compete, and some awareness. Long employed a particularly effective faceoff form with clean leverage, and a quick drawback that allowed his teammates to maintain possession with little effort. Additionally in transition the 2007 born forward employed decent lane awareness, and positioning throughout his limited minutes. Notable compete level with a decent motor Long served as a capable energy forward for the North Bay Battalion. Limitations in skating (stride problematic, which causes issues with top end speed and acceleration). Minor issues displayed around puck skills (control, and handling). Defensive awareness was limited as exemplified by Long being reactionary during Niagara’s first goal.
Ryder Carey (RW, R, 6’1″, 182, North Bay Battalion, 08/02/2008)
Game Rating
LV
1 Viewing
Comments: Carey had limited ice time, but displayed some puck skills with quality passing ideas even if the execution didn’t match. Moderate compete level (hustle, play engagement), and ok positioning. The 2008 born forward employed around average skating mechanics (stride/extension, good pace, and ok edge work). We look forward to seeing his development next season in the OHL as he gets a more regular shift.
Ihnat Pazii (C, L, 5’9″, 161, North Bay Battalion, 12/04/2006)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Ihnat had an all around solid game for North Bay. He looked to be a solid two way forward. His game was highlighted by solid puck skills, compete, and shooting. In defensive transition this compete level articulated itself through decent space management mixed in with an above average motor, relentlessness, and minor defensive pressure exertion. In the defensive zone this compete level demonstrated itself once again with notable play engagement, and pressure awareness. In offensive transition his senses were evident particularly in his sense of positioning, offensive pressure awareness/absorption, and offensive support awareness. He often sucked pressure in and then implemented a quick outlet pass demonstrating decent poise as well. Thrives in high pace environments. Puck skills stood out in this one as well for quality handling/control mechanics, puck management, and stable/conservative decision making. In the offensive zone he showed some shooting ability with ok accuracy, shooting leverage, and finishing. This shooting aptitude was best exemplified by his shooting lane identification on the first North Bay goal. We look forward to growth in his shot selection, skating (edge-work, improved separation speed), and higher end play processing.
Parker Vaughan (RW, R, 6’1″, 191, North Bay Battalion, 03/06/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Vaughan had a solid game for the North Bay Battalion in this one. he plays the game of a two way forward. His game was highlighted by a high end compete level, some defensive senses, and smart physicality elements. Skating looked to be above average with a rapid stride he was able to find some greater acceleration, but needed a slightly cleaner stride. In defensive transition he played a capable role on the forecheck with some clean pivots he expressed some agility, and better angles of attack that he was able to exert clean defensive pressure through. Consistent play disruption using his body positioning and defensive instincts. Notable defensive awareness both in transition and zone play. In the defensive zone Vaughan showed good risk assessment, lane awareness, and situational recognition, and frequently closed gaps quickly as a high forward using a blend of all of his skills. On the offensive side of the puck he regularly kept pace and created himself as a play option for North Bay, which hinted at decent positioning, and offensive play reading and play support. Largely served as a net crasher that battled in the tougher areas of the ice. Shooting needs some growth (stiffer release, and shot selection), but this and greater offensive creativity, and poise should come with time as the player matures.
Stepan Chukharev (RW, L, 6’2″, 190, North Bay Battalion, 02/28/2007)
Game Rating
1 Viewing
Comments: Chukharev also had limited ice time in this one. He showed some elements of a two way forwards game. His game was highlighted by some compete level, moderate skating, and ok transitional play. In defensive transition the young forward showed some energy to engage on the forecheck with some clear defensive pressure exertion, attempted play disruption, and attempted risk mitigation. These attempts had mixed results, but it demonstrated some basic level defensive awareness in the 2007 born forward. This also blended well with Chukharev’s around average skating that showed a cleanish stride, some adequate depth, and bursts of acceleration. Physicality was not particularly evident i this game. Issues around puck skills (control made him a turnover machine, and often his puck management saw him skate right into pressure). We look forward to development in Chukharev’s game next season.
Shamar Moses (RW, R, 6’1″, 206, North Bay Battalion, 05/06/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Moses had a capable game for the North Bay Battalion. He played the game of a two way forward, with some hidden offensive upside. His game was highlighted by shooting, physicality, puck skills, and some improving senses. Moses does struggle with skating and this is one area that does need growth as he had issues around balance, almost rocking in his skates, a grindy stride, and some problems with extension. All of which contribute to his limited acceleration and top speed. Overall this skating did not stop his defensive transition game from (albeit inconsistent but) decent play engagement, which allowed for Moses to challenge opponents with unique angles of attack in both defensive transition and zone play. Employed a notable active stick throughout the game. Also had evident physical stability, muscle mass, and hit frequency/leverage. In offensive transition he showed capable play reading, and offensive instincts, which is a testament to the growth in his game this past season. This offensive instincts were articulated by attempts at defender manipulation, offensive zone play facilitation, and chances for generation. Flashes of vision in his puck management ideas in this one. His offensive toolkit is developing nicely with some decent offensive awareness, and hints of a hockey IQ. One area that Moses really excelled in this game was his shot selection, which combined nicely with his good shooting mechanics, and slight deception in his release to generate high quality chances for against the IceDogs. We look forward to further growth in his skating, consistency in his compete level, and passing ability to really elevate his game to the next level.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images