Game played on 12/01/2024.
The 2004s from Cape Breton.
Dylan Andrews (LW, L, 6’1″, 190, Cape Breton Eagles, 03/31/2004)
Comments: DNP. He has been with the West Kent Steamers since October 12, 2024. He was averaging nearly a point per game.
Brayden Schmitt (D, R, 5’11”, 177, Cape Breton Eagles, 03/18/2004)
Grade: B-
Comments: Decent size with tight gaps, Brayden played in his eighth game with Cape Breton. His head was always on a swivel in the defensive zone; he was aware and attentive at his net front. Schmitt played a 2v1 perfectly in the first period, gained possession, and quickly hit a forward to transition up the ice. Brayden forced dumps and stopped the rush at his blue line. He used his backhand well to sift passes through the middle zone, was elusive with banks off the wall behind his back, and was poised to wait for plays to develop. He did not show great reach or the ability to knock opponents off pucks. Brayden did struggle at times with larger and faster opponents. His feet were mobile and he played some power play and penalty kill. The 2004 was quick and showed recovery and separational speed. He has over 230 games in the QMJHL, where the Truro, Nova Scotia native has leveraged almost half a point per game. Last season, he had 40 points and could play a role in the NCAA as a puck mover with a quick processor and feet. He is a player to watch more.
Joseph Henneberry (C, L, 6’2″, 194, Cape Breton Eagles, 12/20/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: Joseph scored on the power play. He made a tremendous effort at the net front to hold his position, free his stick through traffic, and dive to poke a rebound home. Joseph bumped a clever backhand off the wall to the point. His hand-eye coordination was excellent, and he picked pucks off the wall, in traffic, and won faceoffs. He can play winger or center and on the power play, carried the mail to generate zone entries and start work in the offensive zone. His net-front presence was excellent. Henneberry blocked the goalie’s eyes and bounced off for rebounds and to hunt loose pucks. The 2004 used speed and a strong stride to get in on pucks and create chaos. He had reach and showed strength to win puck battles. We felt like there were moments he could have used his size more on the wall, but overall, his stick was heavy, and he won more battles than he didn’t. Joseph moved with pace and made smart plays at top speed. He supported the puck and created back pressure. The 6’2′ Henneberry curled and cut quickly to avoid contact and fought through or slid with contact. He was fast and strong and made an impact in every situation.
Jacob Newcombe (LW, L, 6’0″, 202, Cape Breton Eagles, 04/27/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: He played with balanced edges and a slick stick. He was tough to defend, with a slippery element and some quick hands in space. Jacob won puck races and played special teams. He made a few solid checks and was on pucks all game. He dipped and drove off the left wing for a quick snapshot on goal. In the second he quickly gained a step on the rush and snapped a shot off the bar, high, near side. Newcombe was difficult to knock off track. His chest was up when he carried the puck, thus affording him a vision and balance. Despite his slick handles, Kacob did struggle with some first touches and easy moments with possession in space. This may have been more of a function of the ice, as it was a Sunday game after a busy weekend. Overall, he showed why he led the Eagles in scoring at the time of this report. He can impact an NCAA team anywhere up and down the roster.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images