Played on Feb 10, 2026
Game Played in Temple Gardens Centre
Jayden Kraus (G, R, 6’2″, 201, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/18/2006)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Jayden was a major factor in the Wheat Kings’ victory tonight. At 6’4′, he uses his size to cover the net extremely well. Once committed to his butterfly, he is difficult to beat on first shots. He moves laterally very well, using his legs to push across the crease while keeping his upper body compact and controlled. His rebound control is strong, especially on high shots that he absorbs cleanly. Around his crease, Jayden effectively uses his stick to disrupt passes or prevent extra dekes. His stick work can look unorthodox at times, but it is highly effective due to his reach. After allowing a breakaway goal late in the third, he responded with a huge pad save on a backdoor play a minute later. It is always impressive to see a goalie make a key response save immediately after being scored on – it shows focus and confidence in himself and his teammates.
Brady Turko (RW, R, 5’11”, 167, Brandon Wheat Kings, 09/12/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Brady Turko has a unique style that works well and can be quite dynamic offensively. In the offensive zone, he will move the puck and disappear, only to reappear in soft areas around the net as a scoring threat. On one rush, he dropped the puck to the trailer and ended up on the goal line, where he quickly one-touched a pass back into the slot for an open teammate. It was a quick, dangerous play that many players would not be capable of making or even recognizing. At times, he does not look like a strong skater in tight spaces, but in open ice he shows powerful strides and strong bursts of speed. Despite not recording a point tonight, he created multiple high-quality scoring chances.
Jaxon Jacobson (LW, L, 5’10”, 181, Brandon Wheat Kings, 12/11/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Jaxon’s skillset lies in his ability to create space and time for himself and others on the ice. He excels at finding seams between defenders with his agility and footwork, often using head fakes and shoulder movements to deceive opponents. This allows him to quickly move into position and release shots or pass accurately. When working with the puck, Jaxon demonstrates soft hands in tight spaces, enabling him to control and manipulate the ball with precision. His ability to work the half wall on the power play also shows promise, as he can quickly transition from one action to another.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jaxson once again showcased his creativity and athleticism at center. When he has the puck in the offensive zone, something is usually created. He has excellent vision, finding teammates through small passing windows, and pairs it with an accurate shot. Jaxson is responsible defensively, taking proper routes on breakouts and not leaving the zone early. He plays within the system and quickly transitions to offense once possession is secured. He was strong in the faceoff circle, winning 19 of 23 draws, which complements his puck-possession style. With the overtime goal tonight, Jaxson played a very sound game, exposing the opposition’s defense and producing when it mattered most.
Grayson Burzynski (D, L, 6’4″, 212, Brandon Wheat Kings, 06/04/2005, RPI)
Game Rating
B-
Grayson Burzynski is an offensive defenseman with a solid skill set, excelling at reading plays and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He demonstrates excellent vision, often sneaking backdoor to capitalize on rebounds left by his forwards. His breakouts are efficient, allowing him to join the rush quickly. However, there are areas where he can improve. On the power play, he sometimes overextends himself, firing shots without providing adequate screen. To mitigate this, he has shown flashes of cleverness, such as faking a shot and passing backdoor for a teammate. In corner battles and one-on-one situations, Burzynski handles himself well, but could benefit from adding some physicality in front of the net to make him more formidable. With refinement in these areas, his overall game can become even more effective.
1 Viewing
Comments: Grayson is a strong offensive defenseman who quarterbacks the power play effectively. He is patient with the puck, holding onto it while waiting for options to develop. When he moves it, he uses no-look passes and deception, creating an early layer of attack for his teammates. However, his calmness with the puck got him into trouble at times tonight, largely because he was not moving his feet. Many of his struggles could have been avoided with better pace and foot movement. Still, he remains a high-level offensive defenseman who simply had some difficulties in this game.
Gunnar Gleasman (RW, R, 6’5″, 211, Brandon Wheat Kings, 09/17/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Gunnar is a role player for the Wheat Kings and did his job well tonight. He was a force on the forecheck, creating confusion and finishing his checks consistently. As the game tightened, Gunnar got under the skin of some key Moose Jaw players, disrupting their focus. These details matter and are the responsibility of certain players in a lineup. With limited ice time, it is difficult to evaluate other aspects of his game, but he deserves credit for the role he played in his team’s overtime win.
Luke Mistelbacher (C, R, 6’0″, 196, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/02/2005)
Game Rating
A-
Luke Mistelbacher is a skilled player who uses his aggressive playing style to control games on both offense and defense. He effectively disrupts opponents’ passing lanes with his stickwork, forcing them back into traffic and creating turnovers. On offense, Luke excels at moving himself quickly after receiving the puck, finding openings for give-and-go plays and taking advantage of his quick release. When off the rush, he often looks for trailing options when other choices are limited. While Mistelbacher’s emotional control can be an issue at times, he consistently finds ways to make a positive impact on the game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Luke is an incredibly skilled winger who was hard to miss in this game. With three assists and a plus-two rating, his fingerprint was all over the scoresheet. This stems from his high-IQ puck decisions and dynamic shot. His first assist was a perfect example: entering down the right side, he stopped just above the hash marks, put the puck through an attacking defender, and sent a backdoor pass to a streaking teammate who buried his own rebound. It was a great showcase of puck skill and awareness of teammate positioning. He is a very dangerous offensive player who is also reliable defensively.
Daniil Skvortsov (D, L, 6’4″, 222, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/13/2007)
Game Rating
B
Daniil Skvortsov is a physically gifted defenseman with an impressive combination of size and mobility. His 6’4″ frame allows him to dominate face-offs and take up space on the ice, making it challenging for opponents to create scoring chances against him. He excels in his ability to maintain balance and control, even when being pressured by faster skaters. START Skvortsov’s skating is a key aspect of his game, enabling him to quickly transition from defense to offense and participate in breakouts. He is adept at releasing the puck when teammates are open, showcasing his intelligence and awareness on the ice. Additionally, he has made noticeable strides in adding physicality to his game, demonstrated by his increased hits off the rush and in defensive-zone battles.
1 Viewing
Comments: Daniil continues to show his defensive presence as a shutdown defenseman with adequate puck-moving ability. He is a dominant force when using his body defensively and provides a strong first pass on zone exits. He does not allow players easy access to the front of his goalie’s net. His game is best suited to be paired with an offensive defenseman, as Daniil can serve as the reliable defensive presence alongside a more aggressive partner.
Cohen Williams (D, R, 6’3″, 199, Moose Jaw Warriors, 07/26/2009)
Game Rating
B
Cohen Williams continues to showcase his skills on the ice, displaying a fluid and effortless skating style. He excels in edge work, particularly on defensive pivots, and demonstrates effective gap control by taking away time and space from opponents. On offense, he effectively works the blue line and knows when to pinch for scoring opportunities. Showing promise in penalty-kill situations as well, Williams made several key plays, including a notable stick check that saved a goal. While still awaiting his first WHL point, it’s clear he has the potential to become a top-tier defenseman.
1 Viewing
Comments: Cohen continues to show his ability at both ends of the ice with strong skating and awareness. He leads breakouts with quick, smart passes and transitions the puck effectively through the neutral zone. He is a sound defenseman who takes away shooting and passing lanes, while offensively recognizing and attacking those same lanes. Cohen does not take unnecessary risks; rather, he plays a steady game and joins the rush when the opportunity presents itself. He recorded an assist on the tying goal late in the third, zipping a pass across the offensive blue line for a one-timer that beat the goalie. As a 2009 adapting to the WHL schedule, he at times lacks compete in corner battles. It does not appear to be an effort issue, but more fatigue or slight hesitation when the game becomes heated.
Casey Brown (RW, R, 5’11”, 183, Moose Jaw Warriors, 02/20/2006, Arizona State)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Casey is a complete player who is relied upon in all situations. The reason he is used in these roles is his understanding of the game with and without the puck. He showcased this on the penalty kill, demonstrating strong awareness of passing lanes by using his stick to disrupt options and knowing when to pressure the opposing power play. His straight-line speed stands out, with strong knees-over-toes mechanics and an explosive stride that creates early separation. With a net-front rebound goal late in the third, Casey showed his ability to generate offense away from the puck by finding open ice for his playmaking linemates. He is not an elite offensive talent, but he is a very well-rounded forward who excels in all situations.
Pavel McKenzie (LW, L, 6’0″, 174, Moose Jaw Warriors, 10/08/2005, Alaska Fairbanks)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: McKenzie is a dominant offensive presence, using his size and teammates to create multiple opportunities in this game. His skating appears improved in terms of balance and stride fluidity. It does not necessarily make him quicker, but it makes him more efficient. In this game, Pavel showcased his hands in multiple one-on-one situations while working with his linemates to create give-and-go plays that led to dangerous scoring chances. When he is on the ice, offensive opportunities naturally develop due to his work ethic and skill set. Defensively, Pavel played within the system well, but in overtime he got caught puck watching, which led to the game-winning goal against.
Benson Hirst (D, R, 6’1″, 192, Moose Jaw Warriors, 11/02/2008, Northern Michigan)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Benson is a solid defensive presence due to his reliability and simple game. He has good size and can be dominant in corner battles, using his strength to take opponents off the puck and gain control. His gap control was solid, as he managed his edges well when defending the rush. One notable play was a pinch at the offensive blue line where he gained possession and fed a backdoor backhand pass to a teammate for what should have been a goal. His defensive awareness followed by offensive vision showcased his overall skill set. With only one assist in 30+ games so far, his game is clearly dedicated to the defensive side.
Riley Thorpe (C, L, 5’10”, 177, Moose Jaw Warriors, 03/27/2008)
Game Rating
A-
Riley Thorpe is exhibiting consistent effort on the ice, which has led to points in each of his recent games. His work ethic and tenacity are evident as he pressures opposing defensemen into making difficult plays. When possession is in his line’s favor, he doesn’t hesitate to get involved up front. While he may not be the fastest skater, Thorpe makes up for it with his relentless motor.
1 Viewing
Comments: It would be hard not to notice Riley Thorpe when watching Moose Jaw because of his compete level. He has strong vision with the puck and can be dynamic in the offensive zone when he is moving. He is first on pucks in corner battles and on the forecheck, creating turnovers and escaping pressure effectively. To spark his team in the third, Riley made an excellent individual effort off a defensive zone draw. After the Wheat Kings won the draw, Riley exploded toward the defenseman, poked the puck off his stick, and created a breakaway. Beating the goalie high glove without breaking stride, Riley showed excellent skill. Especially shooting cross-body as a left shot. Combined with the effort and awareness to create the play, it is easy to see why he is always noticeable for Moose Jaw.
Kash Andresen (C, R, 6’2″, 192, Moose Jaw Warriors, 07/20/2007)
Game Rating
B
Kash Andresen is a physically imposing center who brings a rugged edge to his playstyle. He excels at battling for position in the corners and is not afraid to take the puck to the net. His size and strength allow him to finish checks effectively on the forecheck, creating scoring opportunities for his team. While Kash has a strong physical presence, he also shows a willingness to be involved in faceoffs, taking advantage of his 68% success rate to gain puck possession. Overall, his straightforward north-south approach allows him to be an effective asset to his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kash continues to show a blend of skill and edge that allows him to be effective at this level. He is one of the few players who needs to be physically and emotionally engaged to be at his best. Once he gets under the opposition’s skin, his confidence grows. His game is built around finishing checks, driving the net, and being highly competitive in corner battles. He is not easy to move and does well planting himself in front of the net on the power play. A detail some players refuse to embrace. He is not the most gifted offensive player but has solid awareness and skill. When you match that with his grit and edge, he creates that intangible ability to move up and down the lineup effectively.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images