Played on Mar 20, 2025
Ontario Hockey League
Game Played in Meridian Centre
Jack Brauti (D, L, 6’0″, 168, Niagara Icedogs, 05/24/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Bauti had a rougher game but some moderate highlights. He plays like a standard offensive minded defender. His game was highlighted by puck skills, ok shooting, and offensive senses. Skating looked around average in most regards. In defensive transition his gap control was articulated through some high frequency stick usage, and limited positioning. He was frequently in recovery due to mis-timed activations that displayed below average poise and risk assessment. Major barriers of defensive senses showcased in this one with defensive awareness and hockey IQ. Where Bauti shined in this one was in the offensive zone with good puck skills that exemplified vision, offensive awareness, and lane recognition. This was best exemplified with 3:56 in the first where Bauti found a lane to Loshko that should have generated a goal. A smart deceptive offensive pass. Puck skills show upside in handling, and spatial usage in the offensive zone. Plentiful activations in this one, not all equally fruitful. High frequency shooting threat as well, with equally capable shot selection. Possible power-play late bloomer, definitely something to watch for next season. Barriers to his play include the aforementioned limited defensive senses, physicality (muscle mass, and body positioning losses, and greater grit in the defensive zone). Also flashes of decision making errors leading to turnovers in this one.
Alexander Assadourian (C, L, 5’9″, 172, Niagara Icedogs, 07/24/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Assadourian had an all around solid game for the Niagara IceDogs. He plays the standard game of a capable two way forward. His game was highlighted by strong defensive senses, compete, and puck skills. He played his usual high energy game with strong hustle, intensity and motor throughout all 60 minutes of the game. At the baseline his skating seemed to struggle a bit with a shorter mechanical stride, more rigid stride recovery, and limited lower body and ankle flection that produced generally limited top speed. In short, he wasn’t all over the ice as some of his teammates. This was best exemplified by his limited separation speed as articulated on his breakaway with 6:22 in the first, which allowed the Ottawa defenders to recover and reduce the danger of the chance against. His strengths still remain in his own zone where his compete blends with his defensive senses to form quality positioning, relentlessness that allows him to exert clean defensive pressure, while he also used a quality active stick. Growth in his offensive game continues as he showed some elements of good off-puck option creation, flashes of deception with some good cutbacks. Capable transition handler with notable vision and decent passing placement. The IceDogs forward also remains less static in offensive zone positioning. Had a high shooting frequency in this one and showed some offensive awareness with good shot selection, but the shot itself had a moderate release point with little deception, and average shot mechanics.
Blake Arrowsmith (RW, R, 6’0″, 185, Niagara Icedogs, 04/17/2007)
Game Rating
C+
Arrowsmith’s playing style is centered around creating scoring opportunities for his teammates through playmaking. His skating ability, competitiveness level, and senses are notable strengths, allowing him to get into position and create chances in transition. While he shows potential in terms of speed and endurance, there is room for improvement in pace control. When on the ice, Arrowsmith demonstrates some spatial awareness and offense instincts, although they can be subtle at times. However, his defensive game requires development, particularly in terms of pressure, awareness, and instincts. He also tends to avoid physical contact and cheat plays, which can hinder his effectiveness in certain situations. Overall, Arrowsmith’s skills are a work in progress, with some promising elements that need further refinement.
2 Viewings
Comments: A quiet game from Arrowsmith. Still continues to hone his playmaking ability with ok play reads, lane awareness, and some base line offensive awareness. Displayed good positioning, and some ok play anticipation throughout the night and this shows some growth in his transitional game. Flashes of physicality and what he could be once he gets comfortable in his frame. He continues to struggle with pace, but demonstrates above average skating (gliding, acceleration, and depth), which allows him to be anywhere he needs to be. Lots of smaller engagements, an all around low event game for the Niagara Icedogs forward.
Ryan Roobroeck (C, L, 6’3″, 202, Niagara Icedogs, 09/25/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Roobroeck’s game was marked by his solid physical presence, strong senses, and shooting abilities. He continues to exhibit a good understanding of space manipulation, pressure comprehension, and pace management, which allows him to manipulate the tempo of play in a beneficial way. His ability to read situations and anticipate plays is notable, often leading to scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Physicality remains a strength for Roobroeck, with a stable base and good frame size allowing him to effectively absorb hits and create space on the ice. However, puck skills are an area where he still struggles, particularly with handling, control, and pass placement. Despite this, Roobroeck’s overall game is well-rounded and effective in creating scoring chances.
3 Viewings
Comments: The usual game for Roobroeck. Plays a power forwards game with some offensive upside. Shooting, physicality, and senses stood out in this one. Senses showed improvement in terms of spatial creation, route creation, and offensive awareness. Vision, and hockey IQ remain consistent in this game. This vision and offensive awareness mixed with space creation was best exemplified at 6:45 left in the second where Roobroeck and Assadourian worked a solid play-set up leading to a high quality chance. Issues with skating, passing, remain evident. Had a good chance on the breakaway with 2:35 in the second, but expressed some limited creativity and deception.
Ivan Galiyanov (LW, L, 5’10”, 174, Niagara Icedogs, 10/16/2007)
Game Rating
C+
Galiyanov’s recent performances have showcased his ability to execute the fundamentals of the game with consistency. His skating and puck handling skills remain solid, with notable improvements in transition defense as he becomes more effective at creating angles and utilizing an active stick. Galiyanov’s energetic playstyle is a key aspect of his game, allowing him to cover a lot of ground on the ice. While there are areas for growth, such as improving physicality and senses, Galiyanov’s overall skill set makes him a valuable asset to the team.
1 Viewing
Comments: The usual game from Galiyanov which focused around compete, motor, intensity, and high pace. Moderate improvements in puck handling and decision making. Senses remain lacking as there tends to be little plan for what to do with the puck, but Galiyanov will certainly be in position to get it. Decent option creation, and energy throughout his limited ice time. Overall mixed results in this one.
Nicolas Whitehead (C, L, 5’10”, 159, Ottawa 67s, 02/11/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Whitehead had a solid game for the Ottawa 67’s. He played that of a playmaker with some two way forward upside. His game was highlighted by quality skating, puck skills, and compete level. Skating is an asset for the 2007 born forward as he has solid posture, a clean stride that shows the ability to get some top end speed, and this benefits his route creation, pace of play, and play engagement rate in a positive manner. On defensive transition Whitehead played an active role on the forecheck which was demonstrated by his absolute relentlessness, quality hustle, and steady play anticipation. This allows him to generate moderate defensive play disruption in favour of the 67’s. The majority of these aspects translated to his play in the defensive zone as a high forward which blended seamlessly with a highly active stick, and quick gap closure. Risk management and defensive IQ was Whiteheads game in this one. On the offensive side of the puck his play processing and puck skills were evident. Particularly his inclinations to attack with speed and incorporate quality touch and go sequences, as he exemplified quality playmaking, option creation, and pass creativity throughout the game. In zone he showed some good offensive awareness, and was frequently ready in one-timer position. Execution of this one timer had mixed results, as his shooting projects around average with decent hand eye, power, and accuracy, but needs some growth in his shooting mechanics, release point, and deception. His hip twist in his release could also generate more power. This is likely something that comes with time and more physical maturity. One barrier to his play would be his offensive senses as he remains quite static, and basic with his play creativity, creation, and driving. There were also moments of lapsed pressure relief and risk assessment misplays.
Chase Yanni (LW, L, 5’10”, 172, Ottawa 67s, 01/08/2007)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Yanni had an uneventful but solid game for the 67’s. He played what looked like a blend of a physical powerforward mixed in with some playmaking efforts. Yanni’s game was highlighted by physicality, senses, and some average shooting. Throughout both defensive transition and zone play Yanni employed decent defensive instincts through semi-frequent risk assessment, scans, and stick tie ups the 2007 born forward was relatively successful in reducing the quality of chances against Ottawa. At points in the game he even provided slot support which highlighted his sense of defensive responsibility to his team. Physicality really stood out in this viewing, although he lacked muscle mass to make it incredibly effective, he rarely did not finish a check, while looked to be an asset in board play through good physical pressure, and showed little avoidance of physicality. Capable play reading on both sides of the puck, he attacks with pace and added another option to the 67’s breakout, and often attempted to crash the 67’s net with around average route creation. Took a handful of shots in the game, which looked around average due to his mechanics that generated a stiffer release. Slightly below average skating in terms of a slightly upright posture and some busy feet which harms his top speed, that being said he can still relatively keep pace at this level. Good low center of gravity on faceoff, but struggled with tie ups. Needs growth in his offensive senses and compete with more offensive pressure, better decision making, and further growth in his offensive creativity.
Ryan White (D, L, 5’8″, 168, Ottawa 67s, 06/28/2007, Providence)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: White had a rougher game for the 67’s. He played the game of an offensive minded defender. His game was largely that of puck skills mixed in with offensive inclinations. Around average skating in almost all regards (stride, recovery, depth, and acceleration/power generation). When in position White can keep pace in defensive transition, with adequate balance and backwards crossovers. In defensive transition White implements overly aggressive pinches, which resulted in constant recovery efforts. Prone to inside-outside lane manipulation of opposing forwards. This hints at high aggression and poorer risk assessment, poise, and play reading ability. This play reading also translated to his zone play and comes from a lack of scanning which produced limited defensive awareness, and positioning mis-reads. He showed some puck skills in offensive transition with some capable short passes, ok vision, and conservative decision making/play support when he already had the puck (d-d passes, dumps, and outlet passes). Showed hints of urgency, and hustle in his offensive play. Shooting elements had capable shot selection and was complimented by some offensive awareness which allowed White to generate a handful of chances against. We look forward to growth in his defensive senses (risk assessment, positioning, and poise), and some physical growth as he was often lacked muscle mass to implement beneficial body positioning, and struggled in the grittier areas of the ice.
Nathan Amidovski (C, L, 6’2″, 173, Ottawa 67s, 04/08/2008)
Game Rating
LV
1 Viewing
Comments: Limited ice time for the 2008 born Amidovski in this one. Shows flashes of puck skills with some decent offensive play support via ok handling, short passing, and basic vision in the offensive zone. As his game matures we look forward to growth in his compete level (hustle, motor, and urgency/intensity) to improve his effectiveness and reactivity in his own zone. Below average skating in terms of a shorter choppier stride with limited extension, and an awkward push-off that reduced his overall acceleration.
Nolan Jackson (D, L, 6’1″, 190, Ottawa 67s, 01/02/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Jackson had a stable game with the Ottawa 67’s. He plays a steady two way defenders game with some hidden offensive upside. Game was highlighted by senses, shooting, and puck skills. At the base of Jacksons game is his skating which sits moderately above average. with some flashes of acceleration, and agility, which benefits his recovery and pivots in defensive transition greatly. Around average stride. Gap control shows good space management via effective pre-scans, risk mitigation, and opponent isolation. Does not allow for much opponent lane manipulation. In defensive zone plays the role of a capable slot presence, with touches of physicality involving a good stable base, and advantageous frame, and a high willingness to shot block, and get gritty with opponents. Jackson looked to be a bit more reactionary, and does need some growth in defensive play anticipation. Shows basic defensive instincts, and adequate lane awareness, could increase scan frequency to help his anticipation. He shined on the offensive side of the puck in this one, with solid puck skills, and flashes of offensive instincts. In offensive transition the 2007 born defender generated quick ups with solid option ID, particularly under pressure, and often creates space for himself. Plentiful activations to join the rush, some quality rush instincts and situational awareness shown in this one. In the offensive zone Jackson drives the pace of play forward with some smart pass look offs, and deception, which embodies quality vision and some playmaking from the blueline upside. Was a shooting threat in this one with a quick snappy release, good upper body leverage, and a complete lower body weight transfer. Shows some finishing as exemplified by his goal in the second period.
Filip Ekberg (LW, L, 5’10”, 166, Ottawa 67s, 04/14/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: A solid showing for Ekberg. He plays the game of a soft-skill orientated playmaker, and plays said game well. His game was highlighted by strong offensive senses, puck skills, and skating. Ekberg shows a good skating base with a solid stride, flashes of consistent acceleration, and deception with changes of pace and agility/edgework. That being said, Ekberg’s skating does need a bit more growth in terms of power, and a rigid stride recovery. His defensive game looked non-existent tonight, with half effort forechecks, and passiveness/puck watching in the defensive zone and often in offensive transition. Where he did excel was on the offensive side of the puck, with good spacial awareness, and play processing he excelled as a playmaker for the 67’s tonight. This was most evident the offensive zone where Ekberg generated offensive pressure by entering and then circling the zone, while creating opponent gaps with his pressure absorption, and puck control. This pressure absorption allowed Jackson to slip by the Niagara defence, and with quality offensive poise and one skilled pass Ekberg used this space and generated a high quality chance for Jackson which he converted on leading to Ottawa’s first goal. Ekberg’s puck handling is excellent. Between his passing arsenal with high quality drop passes, slip, and stretch passes, smooth protection which prioritized angling and speed, and decision making there’s little he can’t do with the puck. These puck skills are further complimented by his offensive senses (lane awareness, offensive instincts, deception and positioning). The 2007 born winger was also notable with winning puck battles because of his higher end pace which seemingly granted automatic body positioning, and flashes of acceleration that let him get away before being pinned to the boards. Good space manipulation in this one too, as he consistently opened up lanes and options for him and his teammates. The main barriers to Ekberg’s play remain his compete level, and defensive senses. Both of which limit his effectiveness away from the puck as he lacks the hustle and defensive awareness as he is consistently last one back on the back check, or can be found cheating an initial breakout in the neutral zone. Ekberg remains an interesting prospect.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images