Game played on 12/14/2024.
Nathan Behm (C, R, 6’1″, 192, Kamloops Blazers, 04/18/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: A quieter night for Behm in Red Deer as Kamloops possession and offensive transition just could not get going. Behm still maintained that play maker skillset regardless. His game demonstrated high end senses, puck skills, and positioning. Be it on defense or offense Behm made himself an option to exert both defensive and offensive pressure. In defensive transition Behm still had good spatial awareness and some pressure exertion ability. In the defensive zone Behm displayed his characteristic defensive instincts (stick lifts, poke checks, and defensive responsibilities), but lacked some urgency in other shifts. Offensive transition was a highlight for Behm this game with quick option identification, play processing, and vision he was able to enact quick touch and go zone exits. These touch and go passes were often paired up with good route creation and changes of pace away from puck. In the offensive zone Behm leaned more shooter in this one and had a quick release, and a high frequency of shots. Behm’s passing also stood out in the offensive zone but provided more play support with dump ins and cycles than anything that showed off his usual handling, manipulation. In the last moments of the third period Behm displayed some quality handling mechanics and hit absorption as he rolled off a defender down low to set up Kamloops 2nd goal with a good passing play. We look forward to growth in his skating (mechanics, depth, and power), and some improvements in puck control.
Tommy Lafreniere (C, R, 5’11”, 172, Kamloops Blazers, 01/16/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Lafreniere had a decent game for the Blazers. His skillset was that of a capable two way forward. His game was highlighted by his defensive play, motor, and some puck skills. The 2007 born forward also displayed hints of good chemistry with Behm in this one. He had a notable compete level for his motor, play involvement, and defensive pressure exertion. His defensive pressure and play was notable for his ability to close gaps quickly and angles of attack in both transition and zone play. Lafreniere was a bit of a play disruptor, and showed quality defensive awareness, stick positioning,and some good defensive instincts through physicality. His physicality shined for quality body leverage, grit, and shot blocking aptitude. In offensive transition the Blazers forward showed some decent offensive awareness, vision, and passing plays. He had a rush breaks where him and Behm often worked well together showing some play making ability, but had mixed results. We look forward to further refinement in his puck skills, and senses (manipulation, creativity, and play driving) to take another step forward for his game to find another level.
Jake Missura (D, R, 5’10”, 165, Red Deer Rebels, 06/07/2008)
Grade: C+
Comments: Missura had very limited ice time in this one, but had a ok showing. The 2008 born defender had the tool kit of a two-way defender. His game was highlighted by some solid puck skills, ok physicality, and a conservative transitional game. In defensive transition Missura generally displayed decent gap control in regards to maintaining a healthy gap, and some positioning but was quite passive, which showed a lack of confidence and experience. There were also flashes of some skating issues (power, extension). In the defensive zone he displayed decent defensive instincts through some habits (stick lifts, boxouts, and some risk mitigation). Overall he showed decent defensive responsibility, and some physicality with decent form and grit. In offensive transition he shined as he had capable option identification, vision, and passing, which benefited his teammates in generating quick breakouts. He could be a breakout asset in the future. In the offensive zone he patrolled the blueline and showed some ok shot selection but had issues with release, form (lower body flection and an awkward twisting motion upon release), and power. A below average compete level held back his effectiveness, and this manifested itself through a low rate of play involvement, motor, and pressure exertion. We look forward to further growth in Missura’s skating, compete, and offensive senses (creativity, instincts, and chance creation) as he completes his rookie season in the WHL.
Hunter Mayo (D, R, 6’1″, 202, Red Deer Rebels, 05/07/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Mayo’s game continues to progress in his over age season. Mayo presented as much more of a two-way defender in this one. His game was highlighted by strong physicality, defensive instincts, and some puck skills. Overall he showed some overt physical aggression which challenged some of his play reading instincts at times. His gap control was ok in this one with decent angling, risk mitigation, and physical isolation to the outside lanes. This reduced the chances against quality by some effect as it killed the rush momentum of the Blazers. In puck retrievals Mayo did a good job of establishing favourable body leverage against opposing forwards showing some puck protection mechanics. The OA defender shined in defensive zone play as a punishing physical slot presence with hard box outs, good hit form, and physical muscle mass gains. The Rebels defender also showed grit with some shot blocking lane awareness and the willingness to block said lanes. On puck retrievals In offensive transition Mayo displayed some growth in his offensive and rush instincts as he attempted some activations mixed in with the occasional lane creation. He served as a offensive facilitator for the rebels in the offensive zone, and did encounter issues with creativity, and puck handling. Mayo played on both the penalty kill and powerplay. We look forward to continued growth in his offensive senses, and puck skills.
Jace Weir (D, R, 6’2″, 186, Red Deer Rebels, 05/21/2004)
Grade: B-
Comments: Weir played an all around solid game in this one. Another over age two way defender on the Rebels blue line. Weir showed some elements of puck skills, play support, and good defensive habits. In his defensive zone the veteran defender displayed good habits with risk assessment, stick lifts, and lane blocking that all reduced the options for Blazer forwards on the rush and in-zone. In the defensive zone Weir was also a capable slot battler, which showed some good on ice spacial awareness. In offensive transition the defender had basic passing support, vision, and play identification.
Matthew Gard (LW, L, 6’5″, 195, Red Deer Rebels, 04/07/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gard had a solid game against Kamloops. He had the toolkit of a prototypical two-way forward with a touch of a playmakers soft skill. His game revolved around solid senses, passing ability, and compete level. He had a solid night in terms of faceoffs with a strong form that prioritized a low center of gravity and some quick draw ability. In defensive transition Gard proved to be a capable forechecker with quality play anticipation, pass interception, and defensive pressure exertion. This forechecking aptitude made the ’07 born forward a menace for Kamloops defenders. In defensive zone play Gard showed defensive awareness, and quality defensive habits via stick lifts, poke checks and angling that showed risk awareness and risk mitigation. In offensive transition the Rebels forward was most effective in touch and go plays particularly in offensive transition, which highlighted his play identification, option identification, and vision. In the offensive zone Gard continued to show notable playmaking and play creation ability. This creation centered around quality play reads mixed in with good vision, passing ability that were particularly noticeable when under offensive pressure. Gard had a good pressure awareness that allowed his play support to be even more evident. There were a few moments of pass efficiency issues mixed with a lack of deception, and hockey IQ issues that resulted in centering passes to no one, or ill timed challenges this game. Gard also showed some flashes of finishing ability, offensive body leverage, and situational awareness. This combination of skills was best exemplified on his breakaway goal in the third. We look forward to growth in skating as Gard showed issues around acceleration, and separation speed that generated further complications with pace, rush creation, and instincts. We also look forward to growth in further deception, pass efficiency, and physicality (effectiveness, and frequency).
Cohen Poulin (LW, L, 6’2″, 188, Red Deer Rebels, 06/10/2007)
Grade: C
Comments: Poulin had a bit of a rough game for Red Deer in this one. He showed some tools of a play maker. His game was highlighted by his ok offensive senses, slightly above average skating, and some shooting aptitude. The Rebels forward displayed ok skating with hints of agility, and some bursts of lateral acceleration, and his skating presented as slightly above average. In defensive transition he played a role in the forecheck but generated limited defensive pressure through slower gap closure, a non-active stick, and limited defensive awareness. This is replicated in the defensive zone as well, as the 2007 born winger displayed a below average compete level, through a lower end defensive motor, play engagement, intensity, and risk awareness. This below average risk awareness was best exemplified in his reactionary response prior to Kamloop’s second goal. In immediate offensive breakout Poulin showed developing breakout instincts and puck management with below average option ID, and decision making which resulted in quick ups to no where, but this provided adequate pressure relief for his team. His breakout play reading demonstrated a secondary area of growth around puck skills (passing aptitude, accuracy, and placement). In neutral zone transition he kept pace of play decently. In offensive zone play the young forward showed some lane awareness which resulted in decent positioning and some playmaking (with mixed results). This play making and offensive awareness combined with his tendency to crash the net from the bumper showed decent situational awareness, and helped contribute to the goal he scored in this one. His shooting projects as about average, with good accuracy, and finishing ability, but had a stiff below average release and posture.
Steven Steranka (C, L, 5’8″, 152, Red Deer Rebels, 10/02/2007)
Grade: C+
Comments: Steranka had an average game for the Red Deer Rebels against the Kamloops Blazers. He showed elements of a playmaker with some hard skill in this one. His game was highlighted by basic senses, puck management, and average shooting. In defensive transition he played an in-frequent role on the forecheck, and displayed some defensive pressure, mixed in with very lateral angles of attack, solid body positioning, and reactionary play anticipation. Moderate play involvement on the backcheck, with decent stick positioning and relentlessness. In the defensive zone he played the high forward and showed some grit through board battles, but largely remained passive. In offensive transition the Rebels forward showed his ability to keep up with pace of play quite well and positioning as he attempted to make himself and option, hinting at developing offensive awareness, and chance generation. Upon zone entry he showed some lane awareness but lacked lane creation, and had a decent nose for the net resulting in a couple of chances due to his notable on-ice vision and spatial awareness. In transition play Steranka displayed below average skating with limited ankle flection that produced a mechanically short stride that generated lower power, limited extension, and acceleration as a result. Particularly in efforts to create space/generate speed this was most obvious as the 2007 born forward was hampered by limited crossover integration and an overall inability to create separation speed. Despite skating limitations he did keep up with pace of play quite well in offensive zone play. One notable area was his ability to gain good body leverage/positioning off of offensive zone draws. He showed aptitude as a wall forward where he displayed decent puck protection that used decent stick positioning and wall angling to his advantage. This protection combined with the aforementioned vision allowed Steranka to exert some basic playmaking ability. Puck handling and plays under pressure were issues. Around average shooting with a decent release, notable weight transfer, and heavy leverage on his stick. We look forward to growth in skating, senses (hockey IQ, creativity, and deception, defensive zone play involvement), and physicality (muscle mass, hit absorption).
Beckett Hamilton (F, R, 5’10”, 160, Red Deer Rebels, 03/28/2008)
Grade: C+
Comments: Hamilton had a decent game against the Kamloops Blazers. He showed the toolkit of a two way forward. His game was highlighted by an above average compete level, physicality, and some passing skill. In defensive transition his compete level particularly stood out as he played a relatively frequent role on the back check by disrupting plays with quality angling and stick positioning, which reduced the quality of speed that Kamloops forwards could generate at points. In the defensive zone he once again showed decent defensive positioning, responsibility, and scanning. Hamilton’s displayed good defensive instincts in board play. In this board play he showed quality play reading that generated board play support when his team needed it, which demonstrated advanced defensive poise for an 08′, and he generated smooth weight transfers that allowed clean retrievals on the pucks involved in said board play. Overall his physicality also stood out for his hit absorption ability, physicality frequency, and ok muscle mass. In offensive transition the 2008 born forward generated quick breakouts via decent vision that was then matched with play identification and quality passing placement/accuracy. This transition game allowed for quick zone entries. On the offensive side of the puck Hamilton displayed good spacial awareness, which translated into decent positioning where he always made himself an option for his teammates, which hinted at some offensive awareness and play anticipation. We look forward to growth in Hamilton’s puck skills (handling, and control), endurance (lots of extended shifts in this one), and offensive instincts (deception, creativity, and route creation).
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images