Played on Mar 7, 2025
United States Hockey League
Game Played in Viaero Events Center
Michal Pradel (G, L, 6’5″, 195, Tri City Storm, 03/10/2007)
Game Rating
A-
The young goaltender boasts an impressive size-to-skills ratio, making him highly sought after in his age group. His playing style is centered around using his height effectively and maintaining a balanced stance to limit larger movements. While some aspects of his movement can be refined, such as precision and poise, he demonstrates a strong tracking ability and quick reaction time to read plays and identify threats. His rebound control is also a notable aspect that requires improvement to reach elite levels. When comfortable in his reverse stance, the goaltender can create a clean pad connection with the ice, showcasing his potential for success. With some fine-tuning, he has the makings of an elite goaltender.
1 Viewing
Comments: The 2007 born goaltender shows an adequate size and skills ratio that makes for an appealing and sought after game. At just over 6’4′ the Slovakian native uses his size to his advantage and even gains depth appropriately to add to his frame. His movement is sound and fluid creating precision but at times holes through his body open. Creating a nice seal along the ice but lacking some upper body structure allows some holes through his frame and his chest to fall forwards which should improve with experience and age. His body control is effective while using his shoulders and elbows from distance to fight off pucks and corral them to eliminate rebounds. Pucks to his lower half give off rebounds at times but he is effective if not able to get stick on puck to use angles of his pads to redirect pucks to mostly non dangerous areas. Using a reverse only and staying inside his posts he plays to his size and seals holes, though movements slightly reduce power in a reverse. A large amount of action in this contest and keeping the Storm in the game although surrendering four he still has a solid showing. Grade: A-
Kam Hendrickson (G, R, 6’0″, 171, Waterloo Black Hawks, 01/09/2006, Connecticut)
Game Rating
A-
Kam Hendrickson showcases a versatile playing style, seamlessly transitioning between compact stances and fluid movements. He effectively utilizes depth to reduce angles, setting his feet on plays and gaining control of rebounds. His ability to track pucks and maintain body positioning allows for precise movement and reaction time. With occasional refinement needed in reading plays through shoulder checks and zone scans, Hendrickson’s solid performances are notable.
1 Viewing
Comments: The Chanhassen Minnesota native plays a more athletic style with strong fundamentals. His movement stems from a condensed stance where he creates power and mobility. With everything under his shoulders and hands in tight he makes it easy to move with power and precision and if he must spread out and make a reactive save, he will. Showing the ability to drop into pucks as well as use a stance differential allows him to not only see over screens and track pucks but get his center line on attempts. The Connecticut commit gains depth usefully to add to his only 6′ tall frame and plays mostly with his toes on top of the crease. The setting of his feet and tracking ability plays a huge role in rebound control as if he can do both he is effective at controlling the play in his own zone. Eliminating holes and sealing the ice when pucks are down low using a reverse, he is compact here as well. Enabling fluid and powerful movement east west as well as north and south even regaining his feet. A sound and athletic game Hendrickson stopped 26 of 27 to help secure the win. Grade: A-
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images