General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the WHL’s version of the Battle of Alberta as the Calgary Hitmen hosted the Edmonton Oil Kings on January 7th. The Hitmen were able to come away with a 4-1 win, highlighted by a 2-goal performance from ’06 forward Keets Fawcett. Our scout focused on players eligible for the 2024 and 2025 NHL Drafts.
| Keets Fawcett | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | L | LW | 5’10” | 167 | Calgary Hitmen | 2023 | Grimshaw, AB | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Fawcett earned 12:52 in ice time (8th among fwds) including 1:15 on the PP (9th among fwds). He did not play on the PK. He finished +3 (tied for a team high) with 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, received 1 hit, had 3 shots blocked, 3 giveaways, 4 takeaways and for the season he is winning 48% of his puck battles.
Comments: This was a strong performance from Keets, who scored twice. On his first goal, Keets positioned himself well to be a passing option up the wall for his defender. He then calmly moved the puck to his swinging centerman and hopped into the rush. By now, Greenway had the puck, and Keets filled the lane behind him as he dropped the puck at the top of the offensive circle. Upon receiving the puck, Keets fired a low shot over the pad of the goaltender. Keets is a slightly built forward with average straight-line skating for this level of play. He struggled at times on the breakout and in puck battles, as he could be pushed off the puck by stronger defenders. He can also continue to improve the accuracy of his passing, as at times in the offensive zone; he would miss the wheelhouse of his teammates, which led to them having to control the puck rather than one-timing it. That being said, he did show good IQ as he was able to win races to loose pucks and identified strong areas of the ice to attack. Keets will have to have a big second half if he is to be draft
| Wyatt Pisarczyk | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | L | D | 5’9″ | 165 | Calgary Hitmen | 2022 | Airdrie, AB | 2007 | 2024-2025: C |
Game Grade: B
Pisarczyk earned 15:54 in ice time (5th among D) including 2:03 on the PP (2nd among D). He did not play on the PK. He finished +2 with 1 goal, 2 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 2 PIMs, received 1 hit, had 1 shot blocked, 1 giveaway, 9 takeaways (2nd on team) and for the season he is winning 54% of his 50/50 puck battles/
Comments: Wyatt scored his second of the season in this contest. On this play, an Edmonton defender attempted to clear the zone with a hard rim, and Wyatt was able to pick the puck up at the left wall near the top of the circle. He quickly threw the puck on net, and it found its way through traffic and past the goaltender. Wyatt is a highly skilled and dynamic defender. His first step is explosive, and he is able to create separation between himself and defenders with ease. His edgework is strong as well, and on one play, he was able to spin with the puck past a forward to keep it in the offensive zone and keep the pressure on. Wyatt’s size will be the main determinant as to whether he is drafted next season. He is currently listed at 5’10’ and 170 pounds, which is the minimum size for a defender to get drafted, but he will hopefully keep growing. That being said, Wyatt was able to throw hits in this game to win pucks and was not pushed around. He is one to watch for 2025.
| Carson Wetsch | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | R | RW | 6’2″ | 165 | Calgary Hitmen | 2021 | North Vancouver, BC | 2006 | 2023-2024: B- |
Game Grade: B+
Wetsch earned 16:03 in ice time (4the among fwds) including 1:24 on the PP (7th among fwds) and 2:07 on the PK (4th among fwds). He finished +3 (tied for team high) with 1 goal, 4 shots (tied for team high), 3 grade “A” opportunities (2nd on team), 1 hit, received 1 hit, 3 giveaways, 3 takeaways and for the season he is winning 44% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Comments: Carson scored Calgary’s third goal of the game. As he was coming off the bench, he was able to stifle the breakout. He then walked to the top of the circles in the middle of the ice and blasted a puck past the goaltender. Despite not being the most offensively gifted player, Carson does possess a pro-level shot, as the puck explodes off his stick when he shoots. Carson is an average straight-line skater for this level of play. He is strong in the defensive end as he positions himself well to protect the net front. He also supports his defensemen down low and is able to win puck battles. He was able to rush the puck up ice at times and displayed soft hands in transition. Due to his defensive abilities and physical frame, Carson is a player who projects as a bottom-six forward at the next level. He is not overly skilled with the puck, but he displays enough skill that he will be able to keep up with the play at the NHL level. Carson is a prospect we would consider to have a high floor but a low ceiling.
| Carter Yakemchuk | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 190 | Calgary Hitmen | 2020 | Fort McMurray, AB, AB | 2005 | 2023-2024: A- |
Game Grade: B+
Yakemchuk earned 22:42 in ice time (1 second off team leader) including 4:01 on PP (1st among D) and 6:03 on the PK (2nd among D). He finished +2 with 0 points, 2 shots, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 4 PIMs, 2 hits, had 2 shots blocked 3 giveaways, 9 takeaways (2nd on team) and for the season he is winning 53% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Comments: There is no denying Carter’s skill. The late ’05 defender can dangle opponents in all three zones and can often transition the puck up ice with his feet. On one power play entry this game, he carried the puck in behind the net and then threw a perfect backhand pass to a teammate in the slot for a chance on goal. Carter’s skating is a major concern, as he would be a below-average straight-line skater at the NHL level. His stride is not technically poor; he is just slow. At times, he struggled to separate from opponents with his feet in tight, and it would be difficult to play his high-skill, creative style against faster opponents. Due to his lack of foot speed, he greatly struggles to defend the rush. He was able to stop a Sawchyn rush 1-on-1 at one point, but Carter merely got in the way of Sawchyn until the forward ran out of ice. Cole Miller, an ’05 power-forward for the Oil Kings who is undrafted, also dominated Carter in the corners at times and overwhelmed Carter with his speed and skill. Carter’s backward skating would be considered poor, and it is not unfathomable to believe that an NHL coach would find it difficult to put him in the lineup if his speed and defending did not improve. Considering that Carter is one of the oldest players in the draft, and he is already quite physically developed, it is not unlikely that his ability to improve his weaknesses is not as great as that of other players in this draft. Carter is a real boom-or-bust player as he could one day run an NHL power play, but it is equally likely that he will not play in the NHL.
| Rhys Pederson | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | L | D | 6’4″ | 189 | Edmonton Oil Kings | 2021 | Stettler, AB | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C+
Pederson earned 15:52 in ice time (5th among D) including 2:33 on the PK (4th among D). He did not play on the PP. He finished -2 with 0 points, 2 shots, 5 giveaways, 8 takeaway (2nd on team) and for the season he is winning 53%^ of his 50/50 puck battles.
Comments: Rhys missed considerable time this season due to injury. The ’06 defender seems to have lost a step due to the missed time, and it will be interesting to see if he can regain form this season. At times he was able to win pucks defensively and close the gap when defending the rush to force dump-ins or turnovers. He routinely hit his breakout passes and looked comfortable with the puck overall. There were a few times that Rhys looked rusty, as on one play, he took a poor angle to a puck in the defensive end and thus lost the foot race to it. On Calgary’s second goal, he gave the puck carrier a clear lane to the net in a 2-on-1 situation, which led to the goal. Overall, Rhys is a smooth-skating 6’4′ tall defender who is one of the youngest players in this draft class. It is unlikely that he is selected this season, but he is one to keep an eye on moving forward.
| Parker Alcos | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 181 | Edmonton Oil Kings | 2023 | Port Moody, BC | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C+
Alcos earned 20:11 in ice time (1st among D) including 1:58 on the PP (2nd among D) and 2:44 on the PK (3rd among D). He finished -2 with 1 assist, 0 shots, had 2 shots blocked, 6 giveaways, 7 takeaways and for the season he is winning 56% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Comments: Parker’s best ability is his ability to cut to space with the puck and hit a breakout pass. The 6’3′ defender is a smooth skater who is effective when playing a simple game. He is not overly skilled with the puck but was able to cut to space in all three zones and make intelligent decisions. Defensively, he controlled the gap well and would close it to force turnovers or dump-ins. As it stands, Parker is unlikely to be drafted due to his lack of skill with the puck and the overall simplicity of his game. He is someone to monitor, though, as if he can continue to defend well and add some skill, he would be an interesting AHL signing down the road.
| Gavin Hodnett | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | L | C | 5’7″ | 158 | Edmonton Oil Kings | 2021 | Winnipeg, MB | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: C+
Hodnett earned 21:50 in ice time (Team High) including 7:26 on the PP (Game High) and 0:23 on the PK (8th among fwds). He finished even with 0 points, 0 shots, 1 grade “A” opportunity, 1/1 on face-offs, had 2 shots blocked, 4 giveaways, 8 takeaways and for the season he is winning 47% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Comments: Gavin has continued to impress despite a slow start to the season and now has 32 points in 30 games played. He routinely showcased his skill with the puck in this contest. The standout moment for Gavin was when he had his back to the wall in the offensive zone and was able to deke through the tripod of the approaching forward and dodge the hit. He then followed the top of the circle to the middle of the ice and then, as the defenders shifted, threw a beautiful pass against the grain of the play down low to an open teammate. Despite being one of the smallest players on the ice, Gavin was able to operate with limited space and withstand contact before making a skilled pass to an open teammate. Gavin’s ability to protect the puck in tight points to success at the NHL level, as he has the skill, creativity, and courage to wait until the right moment to make plays with the puck. Due to his skill level, he quarterbacked the power play for Edmonton and was excellent at getting the puck into the offensive zone so that the Oil Kings could set up. As it stands, Gavin projects as a top-nine forward who would have success up or down the lineup. It is worth remembering that Gavin was the Oil Kings’ number-one forward last season despite being 16 years old and has more than proven that he can play against larger opponents.
| Adam Jecho | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | R | RW | 6’5″ | 198 | Edmonton Oil Kings | 2023 | Zlin, CZE | 2006 | 2023-2024: B+ |
Game Grade: A-
Jecho earned 18:20 in ice time (4th among forwards) including 6:28 on the PP (4th on team) and 0:24 on the PK (7th among fwds). He finished +1 with 1 assist, 4 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 2 PIMs, 3/11 on face-offs, had 2 shots blocked, 9 giveaways (Game High), 6 takeaways and for the season he is winning 46% of his 50/50 puck battles.
Comments: This was by far our best viewing of Jecho, who missed some time before Christmas due to injury. The Czech forward displayed his speed and ability to dominate transition play. On his assist, Adam sprinted up the right side of the ice and went behind the net before spinning and throwing a puck back through the crease to Sawchyn, who was positioned well to fire the puck home. Despite being a bigger player, Jecho can be averse to contact at times but will hopefully adjust as he continues to become more accustomed to playing in North America. That being said, there are not many players his size who are as fast or as skilled as he is, and this combination will be tantalizing for NHL teams. He also moved the puck well, and on one play, he hit the brakes in the neutral zone to create separation before firing a two-line pass up to Hodnett. Adam was also strong in the defensive end as he helped to win pucks down low and supported the defenders well. Adam is not someone who likes to drive his own line and works best with teammates who can get him the puck so that he can play his run-and-gun style. He is also at his best when someone else can battle for the puck in the corner so that Adam can attack with space. Overall, this was an extremely promising showing from a player who currently looks like a second-round NHL pick.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Nick Earle