General Game Notes: The Oil Kings scored three goals in the third to come from behind to defeat the visiting Silvertips by a score of 5-3 in front of a packed crowd at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Our scout focused on Silvertips players who are eligible for the 2024 and 2025 NHL Draft. Each player below has been given a grade based on their performance in this game, which is not an overall indication of their long-term upside or ability.
| Carter Bear | Everett Silvertips | WHL | L | RW | 6’0″ | 171 | Everett Silvertips | 2021 | West St. Paul, MB | 2006 | 2024-2025: B- |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Carter was difficult to evaluate in this game, as the vast majority of his ice time appeared to come on the power play. He is an average straight-line skater for this level of play and was able to enter the puck into the offensive zone with his feet at times. Carter was excellent on the power play, as he displayed quick hands and feet in tight to the goal. He was also able to find space near the goal, which made him dangerous away from the puck. At times, Carter was the net front man on the power play, and he struggled at times in this position as he was easily pushed around by the defender. Adding size and strength will be imperative if he wishes to play professionally. Overall, Carter is an offensive talent who will hopefully continue to round out the defensive aspect of his game so that he can play more at even strength.
| Dominik Rymon | Everett Silvertips | WHL | L | F | 5’10” | 156 | Everett Silvertips | 2022 | Karlovy Vary, CZE | 2004 | 2023-2024: C+ 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Dominik finished the game with 2 assists (1 primary, 1 secondary) and currently leads the Silvertips in scoring with 35 points in 30 games. On his first assist, the puck came to him in the slot from the point. As he had his pack to the net, Dominik quickly bumped it to his right to Hemmerling who one-timed the puck into the net. On his second assist, Dominik worked hard to get a stick on a D to D pass in front of the Oil Kings’ net, and forced a turnover which immediately led to a goal. Dominik is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play. His first-step is quick which enables him to create space for himself with the puck. He is a strong stick-handler, and is able to deke opponents at low and high speeds to create chances. With and without the puck, he attacked open ice, and worked well with Roest and Hemmerling to cycle the puck and break down the Oil Kings’ defense. Defensively Dominik worked hard to get into passing and shooting lanes and was rewarded for his efforts with time on the penalty kill. As he was limited to just 18 games last season due to injury, this is essentially Dominik’s first full season in North America, and he is certainly making the most of his opportunities. Dominik’s upside is not quite at the same level of Hemmerling and Roest, who are both drafted 2004’s, but he is close enough, that an NHL team may be smart to risk a late round pick on him.
| Julius Miettinen | Everett Silvertips | WHL | L | LW | 6’3″ | 205 | Everett Silvertips | 2023 | Helsinki, FIN | 2006 | 2023-2024: B |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Miettinen is a big power forward who plays a strong 200-foot game. He managed to score Everett’s second goal of the game. On this play, Rymon forced a turnover in front of the Oil Kings’ net, and Hemmerling hopped on the loose puck. Julius followed in behind Hemmerling and found space at the net front. Hemmerling made an excellent pass through his legs back to Julius in the slot, who scored into the open net. Julius is an average straight-line skater for this level of play and is a player who will excel in tight at the pro level. He was excellent in puck battles along the wall, as he was able to use his edges, size, and strength to shield the puck. He was also able to deke his way through traffic as he kept his cool under pressure and created time and space for himself. Julius also displayed a good degree of skill as he handled bad passes at ease, the best of which was a pass in his feet that he kicked up to his stick at full speed without breaking stride. Defensively, Julius displayed a strong effort as he worked hard to get back defensively after being in the offensive zone. He also positioned himself well to get into passing and shooting lanes, and was able to intercept passes in both the defensive end and the neutral zone. Julius was also strong at supporting the puck by being a passing option on the breakout. Moving forward he must continue to improve his faceoffs if he wishes to play center at the pro level, as he was a lowly 8/18 in the faceoff dot tonight. Due to his late birthday, the big Finn will have one more season to develop before his draft season.
Jesse Heslop | Everett Silvertips | WHL | L | LW | 5’11” | 171 | Everett Silvertips | 2021 | Nanaimo, BC | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Jesse is a skilled forward who displayed soft hands throughout the game. On one specific play, a puck was passed way behind him, and he managed to stretch and control the puck and get a shot off. He made intelligent passes, the best of which was a cross-ice tape-to-tape pass from the blue line to a teammate in the slot for a chance. Jesse processed the game quickly and identified open teammates as soon as the puck was on his stick. He displayed a quick first-step and was thus able to crate space for himself. At the almost halfway point of the season, Jesse has recorded 0.73 points per game, which is only a slight improvement over last year season, when he scored 0.62 points per game as a 16-year old. Hopefully he can continue to increase his point totals in the second half, as a flat development curve is not ideal for a draft year player.
| Rylan Pearce | Everett Silvertips | WHL | R | D | 5’9″ | 178 | Kamloops Blazers | 2021 | Martensville, SK | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Rylan is a smaller defender who moved the puck D to D well when under pressure. He stepped up at the offensive blue line to stifle breakouts, but must work to improve his decision making. On one specific play, Rylan stepped up and held the puck in, but he tried to make a play rather than sending it deep into the zone which led to a chance against. He must also work to be more deceptive with his passing as had a tendency to telegraph his passes.
| Tarin Smith | Everett Silvertips | WHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 175 | Everett Silvertips | 2021 | Porcupine Plain, SK | 2006 | 2023-2024: B- |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Tarin was a bright spot for the Silvertips in this contest. He appeared to be out on the ice for every important faceoff, and he was impactful in all three zones. When defending the rush, he controlled the gap well, using his stick and positioning to keep the attacker to the outside of the ice. He also jumped up well to force a dump-in or turnover and moved well laterally to push the attacker into the wall. In transition and in the defensive zone, Tarin was able to get into shooting and passing lanes, and blocked at least 3 shots. When in possession of the puck, Tarin made high-level and creative passes. One of the best passes he made all night was a two-line cross-ice backhand saucer pass that he put onto the tape of a teammate. When breaking out of his end, Tarin was calm with the puck and often wheeled to space before making the pass. When in possession of the puck at the offensive blue line, he walked the line well with his head up, and was able to either make a pass or get the puck through to the net. His first-step was quick and he thus was able to create space for himself with the puck. Throughout the game, Tarin consistently made strong decisions with the puck while under pressure. The only bobble he had tonight, was that early in the first, he was defending a 2-on-1 rush and fell when pivoting which let the pass get through for a shot on goal. Despite this error, he quickly rebounded and his game improved immensely. Tarin currently sits at 0.52 points per game, an impressive feat considering he only played 8 games last season, and this is essentially his rookie season in the WHL.
| Lukas Kaplan | Everett Silvertips | WHL | L | C | 5’8″ | 151 | Everett Silvertips | 2022 | Spruce Grove, AB | 2007 | 2024-2025: B- |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Lukas played on the fourth line tonight for the Silvertips and thus had limited minutes. He started off the game slowly, looking timid with the puck on his stick, and as if he didn’t want to make a mistake. As he became more comfortable, he began to make plays, and made accurate breakout passes out of his end. Defensively, he contributed by stifling a rush in the neutral zone with a well-timed stick-check. Lukas is a smaller player with a quick first-step, but just average straight-line speed. He will have to add speed and strength if he wishes to be picked at the 2025 NHL Draft.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Player Evaluations: Nick Earle