Played on Dec 4, 2025
Game Played in Tim Hortons Iceplex
Max Dessner (D, L, 5’9″, 168, Tri City Storm, 04/26/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Dessner is a smaller, left-handed defenseman whose skating and agility drive his game at both ends of the ice. His edgework and speed allow him to evade pressure, push play forward, and confidently join the attack, while defensively he closes quickly with strong anticipation and an active stick. He showed his ability to cut and slash away from defenders through the neutral zone and in the offensive zone in his 1st USHL game. He managed to get three shots on goal while also taking a hooking penalty in the 3rd period. Dessner saw 1st power play unit time as well. At times, his creativity can lead to overhandling or chasing plays, but the upside in his mobility and vision is clear. With refinement, his blend of pace and skill makes him a high-impact puck mover capable of tilting the ice.
Braydon Sisco (C, R, 5’8″, 144, Tri City Storm, 01/15/2009)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: The undersized Sisco was doing double duty on the weekend as he debuted with Tri-City in the USHL while playing with his normal NJ Avs U16 club. In the USHL games, he played sparingly in minutes and opportunities as he was given a 4th line right wing roster spot. It was a situation of Sisco being on the outside looking in, getting his feet wet environment. He did manage to pick up a 2nd-period slashing penalty.
Oliver Ozogany (LW, L, 6’1″, 197, Tri City Storm, 01/16/2009)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Ozogany is a forward who combines power with finesse, using his strength to protect possession and drive play. His reach and smooth puck skills allow him to create offense both off the cycle and in transition. Capable of wearing down opponents physically while also flashing creativity, he can impact the game in multiple ways. With his blend of size, touch, and upside, he projects as a difficult matchup who continues to show promising growth. There were times in the game where he looked disinterested and lacked determination with the puck. One shift in the 2nd period, he showed glimpses of his speed and skill down the wing for a shot on goal from the wing, yet was very dormant on most shifts, even though he was given power play time and an end-of-game 6v5 shift. Ozogany has potential, though he lacks consistency in his game at the junior level.
Tobias Trejbal (G, R, 6’4″, 188, Youngstown Phantoms, 11/09/2007, UMass Amherst)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Trejbal is a composed netminder who relies on structure and poise to anchor his crease. His frame and controlled depth provide him with strong coverage, while his mobility and edgework enable him to seal off tight angles and stay square through traffic. He tracks pucks cleanly, swallowing rebounds and maintaining balance even in scramble situations. With calm execution and efficient lateral movement, he provides a steady, reliable presence that instills confidence in his team. The right-catch goalie did not see a whole lot of work vs. Tri-City, especially early in the game, although he made a key save in the 3rd period while Youngstown held a 2-goal lead, tracking and challenging the shooter all alone in the slot to maintain the lead. He was beaten in the 2nd period on #7 Jenson’s breakaway move through the 5-hole.
Jack Hextall (C, R, 6’0″, 188, Youngstown Phantoms, 03/23/2008, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hextall is a versatile, two-way center who thrives in all situations. His blend of toughness and composure makes him a reliable presence, whether he’s winning draws, driving play with crisp puck movement, or battling along the boards. He consistently positions himself to generate offense while also showing a willingness to sacrifice for the team defensively. With his physical edge and sharp decision-making, he’s the type of player who wears down opponents over the full 200 feet of the ice. In the early going in the 1st period on a power play shift, he showed the ability to toe drag around the defender at the top of the circle for a scoring chance. He also showed hustle on the forecheck to the corner to gain puck possession and set up #91 McKinnon for an opportunity. He scored a 1st period power play goal from the dot as he positioned himself well to quickly deposit the #21 Simpson rebound shot. Hextall showed his smarts with and without the puck. In the 2nd period, he made a smart touch pass in the defensive zone to initiate the breakout, then jumped up to receive #56 Rucinski’s pass in the slot for another scoring opportunity. Then on the same shift, he made the indirect pass through the neutral zone off the boards to #21 Simpson that led to #91 McKinnon’s 2v1 goal. He again showed his vision and awareness in the 3rd period with a quick pass off the wall to #23 Kucharcik in the slot for a high-end scoring chance. While Hextall looks smaller than the listed 6-foot mark, he plays an effective game in all three zones, and his game is hard not to notice, even though he is not overly flashy.
Alexander Svitov (LW, L, 6’3″, 171, Youngstown Phantoms, 11/17/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Svitov is a good-sized, left shot forward who comes to North America and the USHL from Russia. He is rangy and lanky with a good reach and a balanced stride. He was noticeable in spots and for a late-’08 birthdate has potential and developing game with his offensive thoughts and skill sets. He made a nice pass to #27 Anderson from the wall in the slot in the 1st period for a scoring chance. Later in the game, he created a takeaway at the offensive blue line, then quickly showed his puck skills and thoughts by tapping the puck to himself off the boards around the defender after establishing puck possession, then took the puck to the net for a scoring chance. While his ice time and power play opportunities were limited, he is a player to monitor as his game becomes more mature and consistent.
Brayden Thompson (D, R, 5’6″, 166, Youngstown Phantoms, 05/06/2008, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Thompson is a compact, right-shot blueliner whose game is driven by pace and mobility. His elusive stride allows him to slip past pressure and transition the puck cleanly out of his own end. Confident with possession, he’s quick to jump into the attack and provide support in the offensive zone. Defensively, his speed helps him close gaps efficiently, taking away time and space from opposing forwards. Thompson comes into the USHL after leading the Sioux Falls Power for the last three seasons from the backend. While his feet and quickness allow him to be an effective player, his offensive contributions were reserved, as he played more of a simple puck-moving game with short shifts and limited power play opportunities.
Matvey Butkovskiy (LW, L, 6’2″, 187, Youngstown Phantoms, 03/20/2006)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Butkovskiy is a left-shot pivot who blends power with a bit of finesse. His frame and reach make him difficult to knock off the puck, especially when driving the net, while his quick hands and deceptive head fakes open lanes in tight spaces. He shows strong offensive instincts, using his wingspan and vision to create plays for himself and teammates. Sees the ice well, although his stride is very cumbersome. He needs refinement in straight-line and lateral mechanics to play at the higher levels.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images