On New Year’s Day we saw Penticton travel to Vernon for an afternoon tilt against the Vipers. We were very interested to see the progress in Danny Weight’s game and we left impressed with his growth as a player as well as his teammates Tristan Amonte, Evan McIntyre and Lukas Sillinger
Danny Weight (4 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
Danny has always had the ability to process the game quickly from an offensive stand point. He is very good at reading offensive gaps and creating space for himself or his line mates. As expected, he was very good while cycling the puck and generating scoring opportunities from below the goal line (1 primary assist from below the goal line), but what we really liked seeing was the added grit to his game. Danny looked confident engaging in net front battles and was very strong while screening the goalie or getting his stick on point shots. We also noticed that he has grown defensively and looks much more patient away from the puck. In the defensive zone he was able to maintain net side positioning while keeping an eye on the puck. This made him a much more reliable low forward. In general he has become a more complete player and it is easy to see the confidence he has in his game.
Tristan Amonte (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Free Agent Grade — C) Forward
Tristan played his usual high energy game finishing as the games 1st Star and had a positive impact in all three zones. He used his quick feet to initiate contact, create turnovers and be a threat in transition. Tristan scored a beautiful goal to open the game’s scoring. We feel it was a goal that he may not have scored just a few months ago and it is a great example of his continued development. He remained patient in the high slot as an F3 and let his line mates do the work along the wall. In past seasons Tristan would have engaged in the contact, but this year he is showing the patience to remain in the high slot and tonight he was rewarded. Tristan is a maximum effort player who puts the team first.
Evan McIntyre (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Free Agent Grade — C) Defense
Evan was impressive. He moves the puck quickly in transition, yet has the poise to look off fore-checkers for a better option. In the defensive zone, Evan maintained net side positioning while controlling the opposing forward’s sticks. He walks the offensive blue line with his head up and has the confidence to make highly skilled plays off of a D to D pass. He scored on a slap shot through traffic, but it was his first touch on a catch and release that made the goal happen. He reads line rushes well and has the ability to see the second or third wave of attackers. Evan will remain on NHL team’s radars because he has very quick feet and makes smooth tape to tape passes that hit his forwards in stride.
Lukas Sillinger (3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Free Agent Grade — C) Forward
Lukas is in his third season with Penticton and is averaging over a point per game. He is confident with the puck and looks to make plays all over the ice. He is elusive in 1 on 1 situations and is very effective when generating give and goes. He showed a quick release while shooting the puck with authority and most importantly he has patience while in the scoring areas. He was an offensive threat on every shift while not being a defensive liability.
Game Evaluations
| Name | Brain | Poise | Vision | Feet | Contact | Release | Compete | PP | PK | Game Grade |
| Danny Weight | 4 | 4.75 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | B |
| Tristan Amonte | 4.25 | 4 | 4 | 4.25 | 4.75 | 4.75 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | A- |
| Evan McIntyre | 4.25 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | A- |
| Lukas Sillinger | 4.5 | 4.75 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.25 | 4.25 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | B |
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images