Played on Feb 1, 2025
United States Hockey League
Game Played in Tyson Events Center – Gateway Arena
Bjorn Bronas (G, L, 6’2″, 190, Sioux City Musketeers, 02/25/2007, Minnesota State)
Game Rating
B+
Bronas demonstrates a well-rounded skill set, showcasing fluid movement and stable footing on pucks. His precise body positioning allows him to maintain balance and stay centered, even when facing pressure from opponents. He effectively seals the ice with strong footwork and scans of the zone, enabling him to secure rebounds. While lacking explosive power in his movements, Bronas is able to adapt and navigate the game, making up for it with solid rebound control and a calm presence around his posts.
1 Viewing
Comments: The young goaltender from Illinois has a strong set of fundamentals founded from more of a European style staying balanced, a little deeper in his crease, and a wider stance. The Minnesota State commit has static hands out from his body which allows for ease of movement from a wider stance, as well as keeping them reactive. Creating a nice seal of the ice makes players elevate pucks but widening knees as well as widening feet cause a regain or loss in power of movement on occasion. Looking comfortable in awkward angles or when pucks are behind the net, he showed an overlap as well as a reverse used effectively. More frequent shoulder checks and over exaggeration on tracking could aid in rotational ability as well as ease in save selection. A solid base to his game but coming up short in this one surrendering four in the 5-2 loss. Grade: B+
Waylon Esche (G, L, 6’2″, 200, Sioux Falls Stampede, 03/29/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: The well-traveled goaltender from New York relies on very effective tracking of pucks and powerful athletic movement to center his body on pucks. His tracking of pucks comes from a visually noticeable turning head to track pucks as well as take frequent scans to identify threats away from the play. The Stampede goaltender’s movement is powerful but lacks precision causing additional movements. Creating a nice seal of the ice forces players to elevate pucks where his upper body is balanced and reactive. When pucks are lost in screens a tendency to lose his feet reduces mobility and sightlines are reduced. Controlling of rebounds or keeping them close and able to be covered, stemming from his tracking allowed him to control play and eliminate a lot of scrambling. A solid performance in his first game for Sioux falls stopping 20 of 22 in the win. Grade: A-