
Game played on 12/01/2024.
Luke Shipley (D, R, 6’0″, 186, Brandon Wheat Kings, 08/08/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: Luke is a right-shot defender who plays a strong two-way game for the Wheat Kings. A hallmark of his game is his edgework and ability to defend the rush, consistently closing gaps and forcing turnovers. He worked well with his defensive partner, falling back to cover when his partner activated into the rush. In the defensive zone, Luke positioned himself effectively to disrupt passing lanes and engaged opponents physically. He lifted sticks and gained inside control to win puck battles, then used his edges and hands to cut to open space. Calm and composed with the puck, he made smart passes off both his forehand and backhand. Luke initiated the rush on multiple occasions and drew a tripping penalty in one instance. However, we did note that he sometimes struggled to get the puck to the middle of the ice when leading the rush, making passing at pace an area for continued improvement. In the offensive zone, he timed his pinches well at the blue line and made intelligent passes to his forwards, helping to create scoring opportunities. Overall, Luke is a responsible two-way defender who can slot up or down the lineup depending on the quality of his teammates.
Marcus Nguyen (RW, R, 5’11”, 178, Brandon Wheat Kings, 08/02/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: This was a quiet game for Marcus, but it’s worth noting that it was the Wheat Kings’ third road game in three days as they wrapped up their swing through Alberta. Marcus is an intelligent forward who displayed excellent acceleration in his first few strides. Off a neutral zone faceoff win, he sprinted past the opposing forwards and beat the defenders up ice, generating a partial breakaway for himself. He deked the goaltender to his backhand but was ultimately stopped. In the offensive zone, Marcus identified open lanes off the puck and read the defenders well to find space, particularly in the slot. With the puck on his stick, he attacked up ice, showcasing quick hands and a sharp release. He spread his feet wide to lower his center of gravity and dropped his shoulder to drive through contact and get to the net. Defensively, Marcus forechecked the opposing breakout effectively, using his stick to disrupt plays and knock pucks loose. He has an impressive resume as he is currently on pace for his fourth consecutive 20+ goal and 40+ points season.
Nolan Flamand (LW, L, 5’10”, 190, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/12/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Nolan is a smaller, skilled forward for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He showcased good acceleration in his first few strides, though improving his top speed remains an area for growth. His stride is somewhat choppy, and working to lengthen it would help him generate more speed. A standout feature of Nolan’s game is his spacing, as he consistently found open ice to present himself as a passing option on the breakout and in transition. He also fell back to cover for pinching defensemen and was quick to jump on loose pucks. Upon gaining possession, he made quick decisions, particularly under pressure. On one notable play, he picked up a puck along the end wall, spun, and fired a quick pass to a teammate in the slot, creating a scoring chance. On the defensive side, Nolan needs to play with more aggression, as he was occasionally too passive in puck battles. Overall, Nolan is a smaller forward who thrives in a top-six role and could succeed at an NCAA program that slots him into this role so that his skill set and hockey sense can shine.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images