Game played 11/08/2024.
General Game Notes: Kitchener dominated this game from start to finish and showed a well rounded attack with its top 3 lines. The first place Rangers showed depth on their backend as well and gave up very little in their defensive zone. If there were any breakdowns in the Rangers zone, goaltender Jackson Parsons closed the door. He was not called on often but he stopped all 20 shots he faced in a 4-0 win.
Jackson Parsons (G, L, 6’2″, 202, Kitchener Rangers, 11/23/2004, Clarkson)
Grade: B+
Comments: Parsons entered the game among the league leaders in wins, having won 9 of his first 12 games. He was strong this evening when called upon and stopped all 20 shots he faced to earn a 4-0 shutout win. Despite a relatively quiet game, he remained focused and made crucial saves when needed. He got out to the top of his crease and challenges shooters. There was very little net visible to opposition shooters when he played high in his crease. His strong glove hand and ability to gobble up rebounds were keys to his success this evening. The Soo had very few second chances in this game. He is a smart puck handler and showed the ability to distribute the puck quickly to his defenders. This helped support quick defensive transitions and limited any sustained forecheck from the Soo.
Carson Campbell (D, R, 6’0″, 185, Kitchener Rangers, 06/08/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: This right shot defenseman has shown steady improvements over last season on both sides of the puck. He has moved up the depth chart for the Rangers this year and is playing in a top two pair role on their backend. His assist tonight gave him 8 points on the year in 18 games – the same total points he tallied last year in 58 games. Campbell’s improved mobility has given him the confidence to stand up and take away time and space from opposition forwards on zone entry. His puck handling has also improved, last season the puck was a bit of a grenade for him at times but he has simplified his transition game and is spending less time in his zone chasing pucks. Campbell is benefitting from playing minutes with an elite partner in Cameron Reid, but Campbell has also raised his game and is taking advantage of the opportunity. Progression and confidence are keys to development with these young defenders. Keep an eye on this player.
Adrian Misaljevic (C, L, 5’11”, 168, Kitchener Rangers, 01/01/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Misaljevic was buzzing early this evening and his pace was noticeable from the start. He showcased speed and skill throughout the game and had the ability to break open the game with his pace, quick release shot or a nifty passing play to spring a teammate into open space. His pace and sharp edges made him a difficult player to defend. He showed an ability to back off defenders on the rush and used tight turns or a change of pace to create pace. Misaljevic had a handful of quality feeds early off a tight turn where he found an open winger in space for a high quality scoring chance. He was in on one goal this evening but it could easily have been more as his line generated chances early in this viewing. He showed defensive awareness with his stick in the lanes and also an ability to transition from defense to offense quickly. He broke up a play in the defensive zone on his first shift with his active stick in the lane. He then quickly transitioned the puck into the offensive zone and used his pace to back a defender off. A quick turn and change of pace gave Misaljevic enough space to find the trailer in an open seam for a quality scoring chance. There was no goal on the play but it set the tone for his game where he was rewarded for his commitment to defense.
Cameron Reid (D, L, 6’0″, 195, Kitchener Rangers, 04/08/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Reid continues to impress with each viewing so far this season. He is emerging as a dynamic offensive force on the backend who plays a crucial role for the Rangers. His mobility and skating ability allow him to transition the puck quickly and join the rush. He was active again this evening on offense and showed a ton of confidence getting forward as a secondary wave in the attack. He possesses a high hockey IQ with the puck, making smart decisions and effective outlet passes. He spent very little time in his defensive zone this evening and showed an ability to break down opposition forechecks quickly. Coming into this viewing, Reid has been better than a point per game in total offense 13 games into this season. This young defender is one of the primary options on the Rangers powerplay and his confidence and willingness to engage offensively seems to be growing with each viewing. Defensively, he is not a big bruising force but is effective with his feet and uses his mobility to take away time and space from opposition forwards. We would like to see him continue to improve his physical game along the walls, and his gap management. He relies a lot on his footwork and mobility defensively rather than his physical play at this point. In this viewing he spent very little time in his zone as he was so effective and clean on his breakouts.
Maxim Dirracolo (D, L, 6’4″, 220, Kitchener Rangers, 06/29/2006)
Grade; B
Comments: This big young defenseman continues to show a foundation of physicality and skill. He has size, reach, and willingness to engage in physical play along the walls and in front of the net. Dirracolo is showing maturity in his all-around game and growing confidence with his gap management and defending against pace. He has a long active stick and his improved footwork has allowed him to get tighter to opponents on the attack. He is not only showing a heavy game in his own zone, but also increased confidence and poise with the puck. He keeps the game simple on puck retrievals and outlets in transition. He is also seeing more time on the powerplay and holding the offensive blueline as his confidence grows. He has a heavy shot and can zip passes towards the offensive net with good velocity. Look for continued improvement in this area as the season progresses.
Tanner Lam (RW, R, 5’9″, 156, Kitchener Rangers, 07/17/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: This undersized right winger continues to show as a skilled playmaker who elevates the play of his teammates. He showed the ability to beat defenders one on one this evening. He generated pace through the middle of the ice but then mixed in subtle moves and quick adjustments to pace or angles to create separation. While his size may be a disadvantage in physical matchups, his intelligence and skill allow him to compensate with quick changes of direction or pace to keep defenders off balance. His ability to make quick decisions and execute precise passes makes him a dangerous threat on the power play. He plays second unit powerplay for the Rangers on the off wing down low and in both the last two viewings has setup up a trigger man in the slot for wide open looks off creative one touch passes.
Luca Romano (RW, R, 5’11”, 178, Kitchener Rangers, 06/25/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Romano continues to show potential with his offensive flair and strong 200 defensive game. This second year forward is playing in the top center role for the Rangers early in the season. Romano is a hard working center who is steadily improving and increasing his confidence level in viewings so far this season. Romano works well his two veteran wingers and has a knack for finding them with his above average vision and playmaking abilities. He has found a bit of groove right now on offense, scoring in his last 4 games. He scored again this evening, buried a quality wrist shot top shelf from the top of the circle on a second period powerplay for the Rangers. As with earlier viewings this season a lot of his offense is set up by his work ethic and willingness to get back and support pucks in his defensive zone. Romano is always an option, never far from his teammates and looking to be the guy to make plays in transition to start the attack. He looked strong head to head vs another high potential draft eligible centerman (Brady Martin) and saw a lot of him in this viewing. Romano showed well and handled the physical style of game very effectively. He will need to continue to improve his physical strength to help him navigate and create against larger opponents at the next level. The good news is the second year center has time on his side.
Jack LaBrash (C, L, 6’5″, 196, Kitchener Rangers, 03/04/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: This massive left shot centerman has a lot of raw potential. At nearly six feet six inches, this player has a significant size advantage over most opponents. He showed this evening he has the willingness to use this size as an asset in both offensive and defensive situations. A few quality shifts on offense where he put his head down and drove to the net with purpose. On the defensive side, he showed the ability to get back and break up chances towards his net with his long reach. He is playing limited minutes on the fourth line for the Rangers but Labrash is not afraid to engage physically and showed some spirit on the offensive cycle tonight. At this point in his development, his lack of top-end speed can limit his effectiveness at times but this first year player has won a regular spot in the lineup. The rest is up to him to bring a high compete game and energy when the opportunity presents itself. This player is still early in his journey in hockey – his size, physicality, and work ethic suggest that he could become a valuable asset on this deep Rangers team.
Charles Schenkel (G, R, 6’5″, 207, Soo Greyhounds, 08/16/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Schenkel came off the bench in relief after the Soo starter was pulled. He was unfazed and performed admirably in relief, stopping 17 of 18 shots in the second half of the game. A handful of the saves were high quality and under duress as the Rangers were rolling. He is a big goaltender and used his 6’5′ frame to cover a lot of space and challenge shooters. He was most effective when he played at the top of his crease, with his positioning and size many pucks just hit him. Schenkel made a handful of quality saves early and settled things down for his team. It was looking like a potential blowout for awhile early in this one but his entry into the game gave his team confidence and allowed the Soo to push back in the third period.
Travis Hayes (F, R, 5’11”, 186, Soo Greyhounds, 09/03/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: This sturdy winger played a solid two-way game and showed a good motor throughout this evening. He has good edges, can change direction quickly and was able to create separation in the offensive zone. The Soo attack was really limited tonight and Hayes was one of a few who provided any spark at all in the Kitchener zone. He was caught with a quality body check late in the first period but did not let it deter him or slow him down when he returned to the ice. He has a sturdy build and low center of gravity, which made him a difficult player to move off the puck. Defensively, he was responsible and showed the ability to get pucks out of his zone to start the transition. He also showed the ability/commitment to come back strong on the back check. He is a middle 6 forward on this team who has the ability to move up in the line-up if he can show more offensive consistency.
Hunter Solomon (D, R, 6’0″, 184, Soo Greyhounds, 12/04/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: This rookie right shot defender showed a willingness to engage physically in his defensive assignments. He is confident with his gap and is playing a mature defensive game early in his junior career. The Soo used him on a regular shift in this game and trusted him to be on the ice in 5 on 5 situations. He was physical and active on the pinches in the offensive zone and this helped him maintain a good gap. He used his partner effectively on regroups and under pressure of the forecheck and rarely got into trouble in his defensive zone. He was calm under pressure and was efficient in moving pucks up ice. Solomon got a few pucks through from the offensive blueline but did not show much at all with the offensive side of his game and had limited opportunities to support the anemic Soo attack. Solomon will also need to clean up a few things defensively, he was aggressive with his gap management but got caught flat footed a few times in this game and allowed a highly skilled opposition forward beat him clean to the net.
Brady Martin (C, R, 6’0″, 178, Soo Greyhounds, 01/01/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Martin is a promising young power forward with a strong physical game and a developing offensive skillset. He is a second year player with a power game and compete game well beyond his years. He is a formidable opponent head to head and has a willingness to compete for every inch of ice. He plays the game the right way with heavy hits, strong forecheck, and puck-winning ability in all zones of the ice. He showed flashes of offensive potential but did not have a lot of support in the attack this evening. Martin had a handful of bursts of offensive play with his strength on the cycle, powerful wrist shot, and ability to carry the puck in transition but Martin and the rest of the Greyhounds had trouble generating any consistent offensive pressure in this one. To help drive his offensive consistency he is going to need to focus on his top end speed. He is a powerful skater who could benefit from improving his top-end speed on the rush. If Martin can continue to develop in this area he has the potential to dominate the OHL. He is already an elite centerman in the league at a young age.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images