Game played on 1/31/2025.
General Game Notes: The hometown Kelowna Rockets jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 51 seconds into the game and kept it tight through one period at 1-1 but, the Everett Silvertips blew it open in the second. In a span of just 2:41 the Silvertips scored four unanswered goals put the game out of reach. Other than this brief timeframe the game was relatively even. Cole Temple led the way on this night scoring three times while Carter Bear added a goal and two assists, making the final 7-3.
Cole Temple (C, L, 5’9″, 168, Everett Silvertips, 03/20/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Temple is a stocky, sturdy player who excels at maintaining puck possession due to his impressive strength and balance, making him difficult to knock off the puck. He combines his solid physicality with notable speed, allowing him to navigate the ice effectively and create scoring opportunities. Temple’s excellent hands are complemented by his high-end shooting ability, which was prominently showcased during the game as he netted three goals all by driving through the mid lane and unleashing powerful wrist shots that found the back of the net from similar positions. The first was wrist shot from distance that seemed to simply overpower the netminder while his second, he came off the wall darted into a seam and buried it. His aggressive style is highlighted by his willingness to drive the net hard, utilizing excellent puck protection skills. Additionally, Temple demonstrates a strong understanding of defensive play, showcasing sound body positioning in his own zone and proficient hit-and-pin techniques. He was very effective on face offs, winning 72% of his draws. Overall, Temple’s blend of speed, skill, and ability to handle the physical game make him worth a look for play at the next level.
Landon DuPont (D, R, 5’11”, 180, Everett Silvertips, 05/28/2009)
Game Rating
A
Landon DuPont is an elite player with exceptional skills in various aspects of the game. His small stature is somewhat mitigated by his impressive technique, compete level, and hockey IQ. He excels as a skater, with great mobility, quickness, and escapability, allowing him to effectively retrieve pucks, accelerate out of trouble, and neutralize opponents’ speed advantages. DuPont’s poise and deception with the puck are notable strengths, demonstrated by his ability to create scoring opportunities through clever passing and manipulation. He also displays remarkable skill in puck battles, winning races and quickly gaining access to his opponents’ skating lanes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dupont is an elite talent whose combination of skill, work ethic, and competitive spirit sets him apart from his peers. His skating and puck-handling abilities are truly exceptional, allowing him to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces and escape pressure with remarkable agility. He showcased his vision and playmaking ability on a breakout wheel, by executing a perfect stretch pass to Heslop, leading to a breakaway and subsequent rebound goal by Bear. On the power play, Dupont excels as a quarterback on the top power play unit, effectively walking the blue line and making quick decisions to either pass or shoot, where he consistently gets pucks through to the net with his quick release. His vision and intelligence are evident on breakouts, as he pre-scans the ice and anticipates plays, demonstrating a strong awareness of where his defensive partner and teammates are allowing him to make plays. Notably, he absorbs contact from forecheckers, getting them on his back, while keeping his head up, allowing him to maintain possession and again, make smart plays. He’s also effective on the defensive zone coverage where his mobility allows him to easily maintain body position and will finish with a hard hit and pin. A highlight of the night was his assist on one Temple’s goals where on a bouncing rimmed puck at the offensive blue line, while pressured, he skillfully kicked it forward to Temple, who cut to the middle and scored. Dupont’s combination of elite skill, hockey IQ, and compete makes him a standout player already, with a very bright future ahead.
Carter Bear (LW, L, 6’0″, 180, Everett Silvertips, 11/04/2006)
Game Rating
A
Carter Bear was not present for the Prospects Game, indicating that he is likely being utilized by his team as part of their prospect development strategy. This move suggests that the organization values his skillset and wishes to continue his growth within their system.
1 Viewing
Comments: Bear is an exceptional two-way forward that possesses a multifaceted high end skill set that is highlighted by his elite skating ability and high hockey IQ. His edge work and top-end speed make him a constant threat on the ice, allowing him to evade defenders with his elusive footwork and tight turns. Offensively, Bear possesses quick hands and exceptional puck skills, enabling him to make plays in tight situations, even when faced with pressure from defenders. His vision is excellent, as demonstrated in one scenario while on the attack where he had multiple options in front of him, executed a perfect cross-ice pass to his linemate Temple driving the mid lane who buried it, showcasing his playmaking ability and awareness. His ability to win board battles and roll off checks, then make the right play by either distributing or challenging defenders and taking it to the net was on display all night. Defensively, Bear is equally impressive; he plays a relentless game, consistently pursuing the puck and not just finishing checks, but finishing with authority. His willingness to go to the hard areas was on display for his goal when the puck was apparently frozen by the goalie, but recognized it was not, drove into the blue paint, hammering the puck home, knowing full well he would take some abuse from defenders…but he did not care. He is sound in his own zone showing details in his game such as taking the correct route to get into shooting lanes, stopping on pucks that turned over or effectively using his stick to disrupt plays. Overall, it is difficult to find holes in his game…Bear’s combination of speed, skill, and compete all rank at the highest level making him a player that leaves no doubt to be a difference maker at the highest level.
Jesse Heslop (LW, L, 5’11”, 171, Everett Silvertips, 04/18/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Heslop’s impressive skill set allows him to be a persistent and effective force on the ice, despite his smaller stature. His exceptional maneuverability and quick hands make him a threat in tight spaces, as showcased by his slick move against a defenseman where he pulled the puck through his legs and shielded it with his body. He is an excellent worker who consistently battles for position, winning 71% of his battles on this night. This is a testament to his tenacious playstyle, which enables him to dominate possession in crucial areas of the ice. As such, it’s no surprise he has established himself as a key contributor with 15 goals and substantial playing time.
1 Viewing
Comments: Heslop is a hard-working player with decent top-end speed, though his skating style lacks fluidity. His strong hockey instincts and a well-rounded skill set enable him to make impactful plays, as evidenced by his balanced scoring output of 24 goals and 24 assists. On this particular night, he showcased his tenacity by winning 72% of his puck battles during over 20 minutes of ice time. Heslop is a versatile asset, contributing effectively on both the top power-play and penalty-killing units. Defensively, he demonstrates reliability, frequently using his stick to disrupt shooting lanes and protect the puck. Continued development at the university level will further refine his game and enhance his overall impact on the ice.
Shea Busch (LW, L, 6’2″, 210, Everett Silvertips, 06/12/2007, Penn State)
Game Rating
B+
Shea Busch showcases an impressive set of skills, with exceptional skating ability and speed making him a top prospect. He excels in various situations, including power play and penalty kill, where his high-end skillset shines through. With frequent trips to the paint, Busch’s production would significantly increase in 5v5 games. However, inconsistencies arise from his inconsistent shift lengths and lack of urgency at times, leading to long stretches without contributing to the team. Despite this, Busch is a smooth skater with great speed and size, capable of making plays in tight spaces down low in the opponent’s zone.
1 Viewing
Comments: Busch showcased a physical presence on the ice, demonstrating excellent work ethic and a relentless approach to puck pursuit throughout the game. His ability to engage opponents and use his sizable frame effectively allowed him to assert himself in the offensive zone, culminating in a noteworthy goal after driving hard to the net. Busch possesses very good hands and puck skills for a player of his stature, utilizing them to protect the puck along the boards and create scoring opportunities in high-traffic areas. His offensive instincts were evident as he attempted to jam the puck home bringing the puck with authority from behind the goal line, while his sound positioning in the defensive zone highlighted his two-way game. He demonstrated a sense of vision by making quick little plays, contributing to his team’s offensive flow. He was used on the second units of both the powerplay and penalty kill. He is a good skater however, his skating mechanics require refinement to enhance his overall effectiveness on the ice. As a scout that watched him on several occasions with Vernon in the BCHL, he often left you wanting more…tonight there was more. Busch appears to have a clearer understanding of his role and what makes him effective as a player, leaving scouts now with a more encouraging impression of his development and potential moving forward.
Jaxsin Vaughan (C, R, 6’1″, 206, Everett Silvertips, 01/10/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Vaughn is a player who is noticeable and makes an impact every shift thanks to his size, very good skating ability, physicality and relentless work ethic. His speed allows him to navigate the ice effectively, enabling him to get in on the forecheck quickly and apply pressure on opponents. Vaughn plays with a physical edge, delivering heavy hits without hesitation to any player on the ice as showcased in his notable collision with one of Kelowna’s tough players Corbet, which sparked a spirited bout. His understanding of his role within the team is commendable, along with sound puck and passing skills allows him to complement his young, fast line mates perfectly, contributing both offensively and defensively. With his combination of grit and skill, Vaughn exemplifies what it means to play the game the right way, making him a valuable asset for any team.
Will Sharpe (D, L, 6’0″, 195, Kelowna Rockets, 03/07/2007)
Game Rating
B
Sharpe’s skating ability is notable, enabling him to navigate the ice effectively and create scoring opportunities from the back end. He consistently demonstrates a willingness to engage in offensive scenarios, showcasing his ability to set up teammates with precision passes. Sharpe’s puck skills are also impressive, allowing him to make quick, decisive plays with his combined speed and awareness. However, he occasionally struggles to balance his offense and defense, requiring refinement in discerning when to activate versus maintaining defensive responsibilities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sharpe showcases a well-rounded overall skill set, highlighted by very good skating ability, and mobility that allows him to be evasive with the puck and effectively join the offensive attack. His puck skills are solid, as he handles the puck well and consistently makes smart first passes to transition play. However, his decision-making without the puck remains a concern, particularly on this night in the defensive zone, where he tends to circle instead of stopping and starting, resulting in moments of puck watching and losing his position. His priority anywhere on the ice seems to be thinking offense. To elevate his game, Sharpe will need to prioritize the defensive side of the puck, to compliment his very good offensive instincts, skating and puck skills.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
