Played on Sep 20, 2026
Game Played in Slush Puppie Place
Scout: Ian Henderson
Royden Smith (G, L, 6’4″, 206, Kingston Frontenacs, 02/06/2009)
Game Rating: A-
Upside/Projection: Starter Minor Pro
Player Type: Gamer/Competitive Goalie
Comments: ATHLETICISM/REFLEXES: track puck through traffic, butterfly, desperation save POSITIONING/TECHNIQUE: square to shooter, net presence, traffic handling, inconsistent depth PUCK PLAY: handles puck well, wraps, rimming COMPETITIVENESS: battles for pucks, battle, bounce-back ability HOCKEY IQ: Reads play, heads up OVERALL COMMENTS: Roydon is a big, competitive goaltender who uses his frame well to take away space and challenge shooters. He stayed square to the puck through movement, tracked shots through traffic and showed a willingness to battle for loose pucks around his crease. His depth was inconsistent at times, as he challenged aggressively on some rushes but backed too deep into his crease on others. He also handled the puck confidently outside his crease and made clean plays to move pucks up the wall. Roydon looked shaky early but settled into the game and appeared much more composed as the game progressed. Rebound control was the biggest concern in this viewing, as too many saves resulted in second opportunities around the slot and other dangerous areas. Overall, his size, competitiveness and ability to recover were positives, while managing his depth and controlling rebounds more consistently will be important areas to watch going forward.
Aleks Kulemin (C, L, 6’4″, 191, Kingston Frontenacs, 03/20/2009)
Game Rating: A-
Upside/Projection: Bottom 6 NHL
Player Type: Two-Way Forward
Comments: SKATING: powerful stride, balance, stop/start, elusive PASSING: accurate, fits through tight windows, touch on passes, tape to tape SHOOTING: quick release, shoots through traffic, shoots for rebounds PUCK HANDLING: quick hands, deceptive, 1v1 skill, handles at full speed, head up, handles under pressure, protect puck, puck control DEFENSE: positioning, reads rush, angles SIZE/STRENGTH: tall, wins battles COMPETITIVENESS: battles for pucks HOCKEY IQ: quick processor, high hockey sense, vision, finds ice, offensive instincts OVERALL COMMENTS: Kulemin is a tall, strong two-way center who plays a direct, competitive game and was noticeable throughout this viewing. He showed a powerful stride with good balance and used changes of pace, stops and starts to escape pressure in tight areas. His hands were quick and deceptive, allowing him to handle the puck at speed and protect it effectively under pressure. Kulemin distributed the puck accurately with good touch, finding teammates in stride and showing the awareness to identify openings as plays developed. He generated offensive opportunities despite being held off the scoresheet, getting pucks off quickly through traffic and creating chances rather than forcing low-percentage plays. Defensively, he read the rush well, maintained good positioning through the neutral zone and used his size effectively to compete for loose pucks and win battles. He showed a well-rounded combination of size, skill, hockey sense and competitiveness that projects well to a two-way, player at the pro level, but his offensive production will need to become more consistent for him to provide secondary scoring in that role.
Logan Prud’homme (C, R, 6’7″, 213, Kingston Frontenacs, 08/02/2010)
Game Rating: B-
Upside/Projection: Middle 6 NCAA D1
Player Type: Two-Way Forward
Comments: SKATING: choppy stride, balance PASSING: tape to tape, accurate SHOOTING: quick release, hard release, snap shot PUCK HANDLING: protect puck DEFENSE: stick in lanes SIZE/STRENGTH: tall, rangy, uses reach HOCKEY IQ: offensive instincts OVERALL COMMENTS: In only his second OHL game, Prud’homme showed flashes of his upside but was inconsistent throughout the viewing. For a player with his large frame, his skating was fairly good, although there were moments where his balance and stride could improve. His puck handling showed similar inconsistency; at times he protected and controlled the puck well, while on other touches he appeared hesitant and unsure of his next play. His positional play was generally sound and he used his size and reach effectively. Overall, the tools are evident, but he is still adjusting to the pace and demands of the OHL. As he becomes more comfortable at this level, it will be important to see whether he can use those tools more consistently from shift to shift.
Nolan Snyder (RW, R, 5’11”, 178, Kingston Frontenacs, 04/13/2009, Penn State)
Game Rating: A-
Upside/Projection: Minor Pro
Player Type: Finesse Forward
Comments: SKATING: balance, powerful stride, strong edges, stop/start PASSING: accurate, tape to tape, headmans the puck, firm, zip on passes SHOOTING: quick release, shoots through traffic, shoots for rebounds, accurate PUCK HANDLING: handles at full speed, head up, handles under pressure, protect puck, puck control DEFENSE: positioning, angles, strong on puck, active stick SIZE/STRENGTH: strong on edges, wins battles COMPETITIVENESS: battles for pucks, battle, bounce-back ability, takes hits to make plays, competes hard, backchecks hard, relentless forecheck HOCKEY IQ: high hockey sense, vision, finds ice, offensive instincts, reads play, heads up, sees whole sheet, situational awareness, reads the play OVERALL COMMENTS: Snyder is a compact, stocky finesse winger who plays with pace, puck skill and a strong competitive edge despite lacking overall size. He is a balanced skater with a powerful stride and strong edges, using quick stops and starts to change pace and find open ice. He showed this on his goal, finding open ice, taking the pass in stride and finishing cleanly. Snyder handles the puck well at speed with his head up, protects it through contact and maintains possession under pressure along the wall. His passing was firm and accurate, and he consistently looked to head-man the puck and move it quickly in transition. He showed a quick release, got pucks through traffic and competed for second opportunities around the net. His awareness and competitiveness were also positives, as he logged heavy minutes, worked hard on the forecheck and backcheck, angled effectively defensively and was willing to take contact to complete plays. While his skating is effective, adding another gear would improve his ability to create separation off the rush and complement the puck skill and hockey sense already present in his game.
Matt Henderson (D, L, 5’11”, 177, Kingston Frontenacs, 03/20/2009)
Game Rating: B+
Upside/Projection: Bottom 4 NHL
Player Type: Two-Way Defenseman
Comments: SKATING: balance, elusive, fluid stride, gap control, strong edges PASSING: accurate, touch on passes, tape to tape, stretch pass, headmans the puck SHOOTING: quick release, shoots through traffic, shoots for rebounds PUCK HANDLING: handles at full speed, head up, handles under pressure, protect puck, puck control DEFENSE: positioning, reads rush, angles, gap control, closes gaps, active stick SIZE/STRENGTH: good-sized, lean, strong on edges, wins battles COMPETITIVENESS: battles for pucks, battle, bounce-back ability, takes hits to make plays HOCKEY IQ: quick processor, high hockey sense, vision, finds ice, offensive instincts, reads play, heads up, sees whole sheet, situational awareness, poise OVERALL COMMENTS: Henderson is a lean, mobile two-way defenseman who played in all situations and moved the puck with poise and purpose. He showed a fluid stride with good edges and balance, using his mobility to maintain gaps and defend the rush before attackers could get to the middle. His puck movement stood out, as he consistently head-manned pucks tape to tape, connected on stretch passes through the neutral zone and showed good touch on shorter outlets under pressure. Henderson handled the puck comfortably at speed with his head up and showed the awareness to identify open ice and activate into the attack. On the power play, he walked the line effectively, got shots through traffic and looked to create second opportunities around the net. He competed along the walls, took contact to complete plays and responded well after mistakes. His defensive-zone detail was less consistent, particularly with his coverage and support decisions below the dots, and this will be an area to monitor as he progresses. Henderson has a lean frame and will need to add strength as he develops to increase his physical presence and effectiveness in contested areas.
Kohyn Eshkawkogan (D, R, 5’10”, 177, Ottawa 67s, 11/19/2008, Penn State)
Game Rating: B+
Upside/Projection: Bottom 4 NHL
Player Type: Offensive Defenseman
Comments: SKATING: balance, strong edges, stop/start, gap control, backward skating, fluid stride, quick acceleration PASSING: accurate, tape to tape, headmans the puck, firm, crisp first pass SHOOTING: quick release, shoots through traffic, shoots for rebounds, accurate PUCK HANDLING: handles at full speed, head up, handles under pressure, protect puck, puck control, strong hands DEFENSE: positioning, angles, active stick, gap control, poke check, rides off puck, reads rush, stick in lanes SIZE/STRENGTH: strong on edges, undersized COMPETITIVENESS: battles for pucks, battle, bounce-back ability, takes hits to make plays, competes hard HOCKEY IQ: high hockey sense, vision, finds ice, offensive instincts, reads play, heads up, sees whole sheet, situational awareness, reads the play, composure, can slow it down OVERALL COMMENTS: Eshkawkogan is an undersized, mobile, cerebral right-shot defenseman who defends with his feet and moves the puck quickly to keep the game in front of him. He showed a fluid stride with strong edges and good acceleration out of stops and starts, while his backward mobility allowed him to maintain tight gaps and steer attackers outside. He consistently made firm, tape-to-tape first passes and looked to head-man the puck rather than hold it and invite pressure. Eshkawkogan handled the puck comfortably at speed with his head up and showed the composure to protect possession and slow the play down when pressured. Defensively, he read the rush early, played his angles well and used an active stick, relying on positioning and mobility rather than physicality to separate opponents from the puck. He also showed offensive awareness, finding open ice in transition and getting shots quickly through traffic to create opportunities around the net. Despite his lack of size, he competed in the corners, battled for loose pucks and was willing to take contact to complete plays. His size and strength remain areas to monitor, but his mobility, hockey sense and puck-moving ability give him the tools to overcome some of those physical limitations as he develops.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images