Played on Feb 28, 2024
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the Hitmen’s 6-3 home win over the Oil Kings on February 28th. This game featured a number of highly ranked 2024 and 2025 NHL Draft prospects, who we have highlighted here.
Reese Hamilton (D, L, 6’0″, 168, Calgary Hitmen, 03/26/2007)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Reese was excellent today for the Hitmen and was rewarded for his efforts with his 5th goal of the season. While on a 5-on-3 power play in the third period, Reese received a right-to-left pass from Yakemchuk near the top of the left circle. He stepped into a slap shot, which he put through traffic and beat the goaltender to the glove side. The first thing one notices about Reese’s game is his skating. Reese is an above-average straight-line skater who also displayed an excellent first-step as well as edgework. Due to his speed and edgework, Reese was able to consistently activate off the line with the puck and cut to space before making a play toward the middle of the ice. Reese made high-level passes in the offensive zone and in transition, as he was able to thread the needle between defenders and land the puck on the sticks of his teammates. Reese pivots well and was able to use his speed to stay gapped up to puck carriers defensively. Upon controlling the puck in the defensive end, Reese was able to cut to space and move the puck up ice. At times, he was prone to holding onto the puck for too long, which led to turnovers, but he excelled when he didn’t try to do too much. Reese now has 19 points in 32 games, which is an impressive total for a first-year defender. Look for him to build off that into next season.
Carson Wetsch (RW, R, 6’1″, 190, Calgary Hitmen, 05/04/2006)
Game Grade: B
Comments: Carson recorded a short-handed assist tonight as he stole the puck off an Oil Kings player who was rushing up the right side of the ice. He moved it directly to Tulk, who carried it into the offensive zone and scored. Carson was noticeable down low in the offensive zone as he cycled the puck well and was physical on the forecheck. He consistently won pucks along the wall and moved them to the middle of the ice for a chance on goal. On the defensive side of the puck, Carson positioned himself effectively to disrupt shooting and passing lanes and to move the puck up ice. His skill with the puck is his biggest growth area, as he currently has the physical abilities requisite for the pro game. Carson currently has 41 points in 57 games this season, which is respectable but points to more of a depth role. A career path similar to that of Will Cuylle should be a goal for Carson.
Carter Yakemchuk (D, R, 6’3″, 201, Calgary Hitmen, 09/29/2005)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: This was our best viewing of Yakemchuk so far this season, as the ’05 defender played a style that allowed his offensive abilities to pop without putting him out of position defensively. Upon gaining control of the puck, Carter displayed strong edgework as he was able to escape pressure. Oftentimes, he would escape pressure and hit a teammate with an accurate pass. Carter usually loves to rush the puck, and this is something that we saw less of today. Carter is an average straight-line skater for the WHL level, so it is unlikely that he will be able to rush the puck routinely at the NHL level. so seeing him identify and hit passes today was encouraging. The most interesting play that Carter made was when he was faced with a breakout out of the Oil Kings’ end. Carter identified that an Oil Kings forward had cheated up ice, and he accelerated quickly backward to keep all of the attackers in front of him. Carter’s ability to defend the rush has been a question mark all season; thus, this was an encouraging sign. On another play, the Oil Kings tried to move the puck from the wall to the middle in transition, and Carter stepped up and intercepted the pass. There were still a number of plays today that left us wanting more. Carter struggled in puck battles and was often outworked by less skilled players. He also was prone to turnovers when he tried to do too much with the puck. That being said, Carter has shown that he has the ability to simplify his game and defend and move the puck at the pro level.
Blake Fiddler (D, R, 6’3″, 193, Edmonton Oil Kings, 07/09/2007)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Despite being a -4 showing in this game (and he now is last on the team at -27), this was a positive performance from Blake. The Oil Kings defender did an excellent job handling bouncing pucks and was able to settle them down before cutting to space and making a pass. His puck movement has improved significantly since the start of the season, and there appears to be pro-level upside in his game. On at least one occasion, he made long and accurate breakout passes under pressure. Blake pivoted well when transitioning to backward and was able to defend the rush with competence. He was also noticeable along the walls and in puck battles. As it stands, the defensive side of Blake’s game can continue to improve, but the growth that he has shown in his skating and puck movement is quite promising and points to future success. One would expect Blake to take another big step forward in his draft year.
Gavin Hodnett (C, L, 5’7″, 158, Edmonton Oil Kings, 04/09/2006)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Despite not recording a point tonight, this was our best viewing of Gavin this season. The ’06 forward consistently carried the puck through pressure and was able to make intelligent passes. In the offensive zone, Gavin routinely skated into pockets of space between defenders, and as they converged, he would pass to an open teammate. He also attacked seams with the puck as well as lanes to the net. On one play, Gavin picked off a pass and went hard to the Calgary net on a partial breakaway but was unable to score. Gavin dominated transition, as he seemed to always be open for his defenders to feed him with a pass. Late in the game, he made an extremely skilled two-line cross-ice pass in transition that he put right onto the tape of a teammate. The addition of Gracyn Sawchyn to the Oil Kings lineup has been huge for Gavin as, for the first time in his WHL career, he has a linemate capable of keeping up with him. Sawchyn is a more explosive skater than Hodnett and is able to attack defenders with speed and edgework, whereas Gavin is required to think his way through problems due to his average speed and edgework. The pair engaged in multiple passing plays and had a positive impact on the game overall. There were a few times this game where Gavin tried to do too much with the puck, and this led to turnovers, but for the most part, he played within himself. It is worth noting that despite his size, Gavin has dominated the last four seasons (not counting the missed Covid season) against older competition. As a U14 player, Gavin was over a point per game in the top U15 loop in Western Canada. As a U16 player, he recorded 1.69ppg at the U18 level and had 2 points in 5 games for the Oil Kings. Finally, as a U17 player, he was the best player for the Oil Kings night in and night out. Gavin has demonstrated time and time again that his size is not a limiting factor, and an NHL team will be rewarded for their faith on draft night.
Adam Jecho (RW, R, 6’5″, 198, Edmonton Oil Kings, 03/24/2006)
Game Grade: B
Comments: Adam scored a late goal as he hopped on a rebound at the net, pulled it around the out-of-position goaltender, and shot it into the open net. This was a quiet game overall for Adam, who appeared passive when engaging in puck battles and lost many of them. When in possession of the puck along the wall, he displayed soft hands and was able to cut off the wall to the middle of the ice. Adam dekes well both in tight and in transition but must work to move the puck quicker. His first step isn’t overly explosive, but he is an average straight-line skater for this level and projects as being average at the NHL level. Adam was strong once again in transition as he attacked open lanes with and without the puck. On a 3-on-2 rush, Adam had the puck on the left side of the ice, and as the defender went down, he slammed on the brakes and pulled the puck to the middle but fanned on his shot. As a skilled and mobile 6’5′ forward, there is a lot to like about Adam’s game, but he must continue to improve his compete level.
Owen Mastroianni (RW, R, 5’6″, 130, Edge School U15 Prep, 07/04/2007)
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Owen recorded his first WHL point in just his second career game today. On this play, Pederson put the puck high and hard off the glass into the neutral zone. Owen read the play perfectly and was able to poke the puck past the defender, who was caught flat-footed. Owen then deked hard to his right, which pulled the goaltender out of the net and created a rebound which was put home by Jecho. Despite playing limited minutes primarily on the fourth line, Owen stood out due to a quick first step and dynamic edgework. He forechecked well and was able to disrupt the breakout. Owen also fell back for pinching defensemen and was responsible defensively overall. Given his size and that he played primarily at the U18 level this season, it is unlikely that Owen will be drafted next season. That being said, he should have a serviceable WHL career that could propel him to a minor pro deal in the future.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Nick Earle