Game played on 1/03/2025.
General Game Notes: The Victoria Royals hosted the Everett Silvertips on the first game of a home-and-home series. With the addition of overagers Kenta Isogai and Brandon Lisowsky just prior to the trade deadline, the Royals are making a strong push for a deep playoff run this season. Facing one of the toughest teams in the league, which includes the highly regarded future superstar Landon Dupont, the Royals executed a disciplined defensive strategy. They effectively clogged the Silvertips’ offensive zone, limiting their scoring opportunities and ultimately securing a 2-1 overtime victory.
Landon DuPont (D, R, 5’11”, 180, Everett Silvertips, 05/28/2009)
Grade: A-
Comments: Landon Dupont has quickly established himself as a pivotal contributor to the Everett Silvertips’ blue line early in his WHL career. A standout skater, Dupont exhibits exceptional edgework and agility, enabling him to navigate the ice fluidly with the puck. His explosive burst and ability to shift into a second gear when entering the offensive zone make him a dynamic presence, particularly as a secondary scoring threat. Offensively, Dupont’s deceptive movement and creativity set him apart. He employs head fakes and rapid direction changes to keep defenders off balance, often pinching strategically to exploit open ice below the hash marks. His ability to retreat effectively to the blue line to maintain puck possession ensures sustained offensive pressure. Complementing his offensive instincts is his proficiency in delivering crisp, accurate exit passes, which are instrumental in Everett’s transition game. His poise and confidence with the puck further enhance his impact on the offensive side of the game. Defensively, Dupont continues to refine his game. His skating enables him to close gaps effectively, but physicality remains an area for development, particularly when contesting opponents in front of the net. The Royals challenged him consistently, limiting his space on breakouts, finishing their checks, and outworking him in front of the net. Despite these challenges, Dupont consistently demonstrates composure under pressure and remains a dependable option in all situations, a testament to his maturity and versatility. Dupont’s elite skating, puck-moving ability, and offensive creativity make him one of the most promising players in junior hockey. Even during his exceptional status year, against a tough Victoria team, he made an impact on every shift, showcasing his ability to compete at a high level in all aspects of the game.
Carter Bear (LW, L, 6’0″, 180, Everett Silvertips, 11/04/2006)
Grade: B
Comments: Carter Bear is a high-IQ forward whose game is defined by his heads-up play and constant movement. He consistently evaluates his options while keeping his feet active, which allows him to be a dependable and positionally aware presence on the ice. While he initially struggled to generate quality offensive chances, Bear demonstrated his value with a strong defensive game, using an aggressive and disruptive stick to prevent the Royals from executing clean breakouts or entering the offensive zone with speed and possession. Bear’s offensive contributions improved as the game progressed. His ability to find and exploit quiet ice in the offensive zone is a testament to his spatial awareness and anticipation. He thrives when playing with a chip on his shoulder, as frustration from early offensive struggles seemed to fuel his best performances. His second gear in the offensive zone shows flashes of promise, but greater consistency in his pace and intensity will elevate his offensive effectiveness. One of Bear’s standout moments came on the power play, where he showcased his instinctive playmaking ability. Positioned perfectly in front of the net and left uncovered, he capitalized on a missed shot that rebounded behind the net, quickly retrieving the puck and moving it to his forehand for a tap-in goal to tie the game. This moment highlighted his knack for being in the right place at the right time and his ability to finish under pressure. Defensively, Bear’s positional awareness and commitment are evident. He covers for defensemen seamlessly and disrupts opponents’ plays with precision. His defensive reliability makes him a valuable two-way player, even when offensive production is not at its peak. Overall, Bear’s strengths lie in his hockey sense, defensive impact, and ability to find space in the offensive zone. Although he did not have many highlight plays, he is reliable and can see the game very well for a player at his age.
Lukas Kaplan (C, L, 5’8″, 160, Everett Silvertips, 06/30/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Lukas Kaplan is an energetic and relentless forward whose jitterbug style of play makes him a constant presence on the ice. His jumpy, high-energy approach is immediately noticeable, as he gains an extra gear as soon as he receives the puck. Kaplan excels at slipping around defenders along the boards, often lowering his center of gravity to evade checks and maneuver himself into dangerous areas, such as behind the net or into the corners. Kaplan’s edgework and agility allow him to manipulate opposing defenses effectively, drawing in multiple players and creating opportunities for his linemates. While he lacks consistency as a scorer, his ability to generate space and disrupt defensive structures by keeping opponents in motion makes him an asset offensively. He is willing to take punishment to extend plays, showcasing his toughness and determination. However, Kaplan’s puck-handling ability in tight spaces remains an area for improvement. While his tenacity and energy make him a nuisance to play against, refining his control and decision-making in high-pressure situations will elevate his overall effectiveness. Despite these areas for growth, Kaplan’s relentless style ensures he is noticeable whenever he is on the ice. While he still has work to do to translate his game to a higher level, his willingness to battle, draw defenders, and create opportunities for his teammates makes him a valuable contributor to his team but you have to question especially at his size if it will translate at the pro level.
Jayden Kraus (G, R, 6’2″, 202, Victoria Royals, 11/18/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Jayden Kraus displayed a composed and confident performance in net, particularly in handling the puck. With Everett frequently opting to dump pucks deep, Kraus showcased his poise by efficiently controlling and moving the play to his teammates, effectively neutralizing their forecheck. His ability to read the game and maintain flow was a noticeable strength. Kraus’s calm and controlled approach extends to his overall goaltending style. He avoids unnecessary movements, keeping his game simple and efficient. However, this composure can sometimes appear lethargic, even when he’s giving maximum effort. While his calm demeanor minimizes overcommitting, it occasionally detracts from his ability to react explosively to initial shots or second-chance opportunities. One area for development is his tendency to ‘turtle’ or tighten up in his stance, which can impact his ability to handle initial shots effectively. Additionally, while his vision is excellent—allowing him to track the puck well, even through screens. His rebound control, particularly on blocker-side saves, needs improvement. Directing pucks to safer areas or controlling rebounds more effectively would reduce scoring chances for opponents. Athletically, Kraus is not an elite standout, and his skating could use refinement to improve his lateral movement and crease adjustments. That said, his ability to read opponents’ sticks and anticipate plays compensates for some of these physical limitations. Overall, Kraus had a strong showing against Everett, benefiting from solid defensive support as his teammates clogged shooting lanes and kept dangerous chances to the outside. While his performance was steady and reliable, continued focus on puck placement, skating, and blocker-side consistency will help him round out his game and elevate his impact as a goaltender.
Brayden Boehm (RW, L, 5’11”, 182, Victoria Royals, 01/15/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: Brayden Boehm delivered an outstanding, detail-oriented performance for the Royals. His game stood out particularly in the neutral zone and on the forecheck, where his relentless effort disrupted Everett’s breakout attempts and created turnovers. His ability to break up passes and quickly capitalize on loose pucks made him a constant thorn in the opposition’s side, setting the tone for his line’s effectiveness throughout the game. Offensively, Boehm displayed sharp instincts and quick reactions, most notably on his powerplay goal. Positioned just above the slot, he reacted swiftly to a rebound from #25 Newman’s shot, roofing the puck over the goaltender to secure an early lead. His knack for reading and reacting to loose pucks makes him a reliable creator of opportunities, even if his contributions don’t always show up prominently on the scoresheet. Boehm’s style is simple yet highly effective, making him an ideal complementary player alongside skilled forwards like Lisowsky and Loponen. His ability to be first on the forecheck, disrupt the opposition’s structure, and sustain offensive zone pressure elevates the overall performance of his line. While not flashy, Boehm’s work ethic, positional awareness, and ability to make impactful plays in key moments were instrumental in the Royals’ success.
Cole Reschny (C, L, 5’11”, 183, Victoria Royals, 04/04/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Cole Reschny showcased his relentless puck pursuit and high hockey IQ in a strong performance for the Royals. As a true ‘puck hawk,’ Reschny was constantly around the play, either retrieving loose pucks or pressuring opponents into turnovers. His ability to anticipate and react quickly in transition allowed him to gain an edge on defenders, often using a quick stick lift or interception to regain possession and move the puck up the ice. While his speed and footwork aren’t standout attributes, Reschny’s compete level and timing more than compensate. He effectively uses head fakes and body positioning to deceive defenders and create opportunities, often carrying the puck deep into the offensive zone. His knack for one-touch passes adds another layer to his game – he positions himself as a viable option, receives the puck, and seamlessly redirects it to a streaking teammate, catching defenders off guard. Defensively, Reschny’s quick and effective stick checks disrupted opponents, and he wasn’t afraid to enter the blue paint or engage in tough areas of the ice. His impact was noticeable in all situations, as he played a key role in transition, forechecking, and defensive zone coverage. While Reschny’s hockey smarts and reliability make him a standout at this level, the absence of a truly elite trait beyond his high hockey IQ, raises questions about his pro potential. He projects as a professional player due to his well-rounded skill set, but his ultimate ceiling remains to be determined. Whether his intelligence and compete level can continue to elevate his game at higher levels will be crucial to his long-term success.
Keaton Verhoeff (D, R, 6’4″, 207, Victoria Royals, 06/19/2008)
Grade: A
Comments: Keaton Verhoeff’s development over the past couple of years has been remarkable, transforming him from a raw, confident, and somewhat erratic puck-moving defenseman into a much more polished and reliable player. Once known for forcing plays and overextending his skills, Verhoeff has matured into a highly effective all-around defender. His game against the Everett Silvertips demonstrated his ability to handle high-pressure situations and make critical plays for his team. One of the standout moments of the game was Verhoeff’s overtime-winning goal. With the puck on his stick, he entered the offensive zone confidently, spotted his teammate #86 Isogai streaking toward the net, and set up a quick shot. Following the play, Verhoeff capitalized on a loose puck beside the goaltender, using his long reach to tap it in from behind the net. This play not only showcased his offensive awareness but also his ability to follow through and finish under pressure. Verhoeff’s mobility is a key asset, particularly for a defenseman of his size. His four-way skating has improved significantly, now smooth and fluid, allowing him to transition quickly between forward strides and backpedaling. This enhanced agility enables him to handle heavy minutes and adapt to difficult situations, such as receiving poor breakout passes or dealing with limited time to make decisions. While turnovers do occur, Verhoeff compensates by using his size and reach to recover possession and reset the play. What’s most impressive is how seamlessly Verhoeff has addressed previous flaws in his game. His decision-making has improved drastically, and his ability to handle significant ice time and tough assignments highlights his growth as a dependable two-way defender. Logging more minutes than most of his peers at this level, Verhoeff is already a cornerstone on the Royals’ blue line. The ceiling for Verhoeff is incredibly high. With continued development, he is poised to be a major impact player not only throughout his junior career but also at the professional level. His combination of size, mobility, and growing hockey IQ makes him one of the most promising young defensemen in his age group.
Kenta Isogai (LW, L, 5’9″, 175, Wenatchee Wild, 08/28/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Kenta Isogai wasted no time making an impact for the Victoria Royals following his acquisition from the Wenatchee Wild. Slotted into the first line, Isogai demonstrated why he is an elite playmaker at this level, providing a dynamic and reliable presence in all areas of the ice. His seamless adaptation to the Royals’ system showcased his high hockey IQ and versatility. Isogai’s game is defined by his work ethic, smart stickwork, and excellent edgework. Offensively, he uses deception as his strongest asset, constantly keeping defenders guessing. With quick, fluid changes in direction, he opens up space for himself and his teammates, drawing defenders in before feeding precision passes to linemates. His ability to create plays under pressure makes him a constant offensive threat. Defensively, Isogai is just as impressive. His attention to detail is evident in his ability to lift sticks and strip pucks from opponents, often turning turnovers into odd-man rushes. His timing and anticipation are impeccable, and he rarely gives up pucks without a fight. While not a physical player, his defensive contributions are effective due to his positional awareness and stick discipline. One area for improvement is his physicality, as he can sometimes be outmatched in physical battles. However, in the modern game, his elite skill set, hockey sense, and two-way reliability more than compensate for this shortcoming. Isogai is a player who can elevate those around him, combining high-end offensive instincts with strong defensive responsibility. His game is already well-suited for the college level, where his creativity and relentless drive will undoubtedly draw attention and fill seats. A fun and exciting player to watch, Isogai’s potential is significant, and he will be a key contributor for the Royals hopes of making a long playoff run.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images