Game played on 12/13/2024.
Noah Kosick (C, L, 5’9″, 153, Calgary Hitmen, 08/18/2008, Michigan)
Grade: C
Comments: Kosick had limited ice time, but showed some promise for future years. Kosick’s tool kit was that of a playmaker with a bit of a two way forward. His game was highlighted by some puck skills and compete level. In defensive transition Kosick attempted to keep up with pace of play, and when he served to disrupt play through a notable hustle, motor, and decent angling. Additionally he displayed decent lane awareness that was mixed with an active stick, and defensive positioning, which showed some advanced defensive awareness for his age. In the defensive zone Kosick served as a high forward and served as a capable screen for opposing shooters. In offensive transition Kosick struggled again to keep up with pace of play due to limited skating acceleration, but often tried to get in the grittier areas of the rink, by serving as an extra obstacle for opponents as his team around him generated chances. In offensive zone play Kosick showed some decent puck skills aptitude with some smart passing plays, and play support/creation. The 2008 born forward showed hints of a developing hockey IQ. We look forward to growth in his game as a whole, especially around skating, offensive instincts, and physicality as Kosick gains experience in his rookie season.
Hunter Aura (D, R, 5’10”, 165, Calgary Hitmen, 10/22/2007)
Grade: C+
Comments: Aura had a bit of a rougher game against Kamloops. He displayed the toolkit of a physical two way defender. His game was highlighted by physicality, some puck skills, and about average shooting. In defensive transition the Hitmen defender struggled with gap control, as he had a tendency of getting burned by more skilled players, and had awkward early pivots. As the game went on his gap control although still liberal displayed some smart physicality through player isolation and some rush play killing. In the defensive zone Aura served as a capable slot presence and showed some ok defensive habits/instincts (stick lifts, board play, and stick positioning). Overall he had issues with play reading, anticipation, and lane awareness which led to some quality chances against, converted twice into two goals against. In defensive zone play his physicality shined the most with decent form (rush/play killing), solid muscle mass that made his hits and board play more effective, and healthy aggression. This aggression at points made him over commit to players. In offensive transition the 2007 born defender showed capable puck skills and option identification, which often resulted in quick breakouts or solid pressure relief. In the neutral-zone Aura also displayed some decent passing plays around zone entry hinting at hidden space creation and facilitation ability. In the offensive zone Aura was not a play driver. He often provided basic play support with ok cycles, pinches, and shots. The young defender did have a tendency to shoot in the offensive zone hinting at atleast some offensive awareness. His shot itself was around average with a ok release, limited weight transfer/leverage, and below average shot selection. About average compete level. We look forward to growth in his skating, (short mechanical stride, acceleration, extension, and power), as it will help with gap control, puck handling speed, and space management. We also look forward to growth in his senses to reach the next level of his game as he displayed limited creativity, risk management, and play reading.
Wyatt Pisarczyk (D, L, 5’10”, 175, Calgary Hitmen, 07/20/2007)
Grade: C
Comments: This game against Kamloops was a limited showing from Pisarczyk. He showed the tool kit of a two-way offensive minded defender. His game was highlighted by some hidden offensive instincts, a ok compete level, and average skating. In defensive transition Pisarczyk’s gap control was defined by his aggression, which had mixed results, and quite linear angles of attack that did make his defensive transition game quite predictable. He showed some hustle in instances where he got beat in transition due to his aggressiveness. In the defensive zone he showed some decent habits with stick tie ups, some spacial awareness to make sure he wasn’t screening his own goalie, and overall some scanning. In offensive transition Pisarczyk showed his biggest contributions with some offensive instincts/awareness via attempts in activations, vision, and attempted passing plays, which demonstrated some offensive play reading upon zone entry. This area needs quite a bit of development, but he does show some promise. In the offensive zone he once again showed play awareness, and spacial awareness as he had lane awareness and attempted to make shooting lanes for himself, but this was to little avail. His one shot he took demonstrated below average mechanics, release, and selection. Around average skating in most regards. We look forward to growth in his physicality in all regards as it would make his defensive transition game and zone play more complete. Another area of improvement would be puck skills, particularly handling and passing accuracy as this would allow some of his base level offensive ideas to actually come to fruition.
Connor Hvidston (LW, L, 6’2″, 164, Calgary Hitmen, 09/11/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Hvidston had a decent game against the Kamloops Blazers. He possessed the skill set of a soft skill playmaker-sniper combo in this one. His game was highlighted by his senses, puck skills, and playmaking ability. As a center the 2004 born over ager showed some ok faceoff technique highlighted by capable leverage and a quick drawback. One area of concern was his below average compete level was notable for a lower than average motor, play engagement, and intensity away from puck. In defensive transition he played an inconsistent role on the forecheck, but one area he shined in was play anticipation and lane reading which allowed him to generate notable pass interceptions in the game. This hinted at some defensive awareness mixed in with good hand eye aptitude. In the defensive zone Hvidston was often the last one back, and played in a defensively responsible manner through some ok positioning, and defensive scans. In offensive transition Hvidston shined with quality vision and play reading/making ability. Skating is around average but was serviceable enough to keep up to pace of play, and allowed some of his creative puck management to come to fruition. In the offensive zone he played one of two roles, on special teams he was a net front presence, and in 5 on 5 a hash marks shooting threat. On the powerplay this is where some of his handling and play reading was more noticeable, while in-tight behind the net he showed a couple of quality passing plays that generated high danger chances for the Hitmen. As a shooting threat the danger for Kamloops came from his sheer frequency, as he likes to shoot lots, but it also displayed some offensive poise through his decent shot selection. As for shooting mechanics he had an ok release with some deception, and notable power, but a below average posture, form, and weight transfer. It was almost as though he was rushing shot mechanics in favour of shot speed. We look forward to growth in terms of compete level, and more evident physicality in his game (frequency, and better hit absorption).
Sawyer Mayes (C, L, 6’4″, 190, Calgary Hitmen, 01/08/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Mayes had a competitive showing in limited ice time against the Kamloops Blazers. He showed smart physicality and the tools of a modern day power forward, with decent defensive upside. His game was highlighted by a solid compete level mixed with physicality, and defensive senses. With Sawyer there were very few instances in all 200 feet of the rink where the forward was not actively scanning, hinting at good spacial and play awareness. Mixed in with his motor, hustle, and defensive pressure exertion he was a threat to any offensive momentum of Kamloops. In defensive transition this was most evident as Mayes made notable efforts to involve himself in plays on the backcheck where he served as a capable play disruptor by either blocking lanes or slowing down plays by bringing them to the boards, which displayed quality risk management. In board battles the Hitmen forward used his frame mixed with muscle mass to establish favourable body leverage and positioning in every battle. This combination further articulated itself in net front battles involving Mayes. In penalty kill zone play Mayes served as an active forward and displayed ok angles of attack as one of the high forwards. The Salmon Arm born player proved to be quite a defensive responsible forward. In offensive transition Mayes had a very one-touch type puck handling, but demonstrated ok control, and moderate puck protection mechanics (exemplified by in-tight board battles). He also displayed decent faceoff mechanics and created leverage to win draws with regularity. We look forward to growth in his offensive senses, as more complex play creation, instincts, and offensive decision making would add another level to his game. We also look forward to growth in skating particularly around acceleration, power, and separation speed as improvements there would make him even more of a threat in defensive transition.
Rylan Ng (RW, R, 5’9″, 150, Calgary Hitmen, 09/22/2008)
Grade: C
Comments: Ng had a quiet game against Kamloops. He looked like he had the tools of a soft-skill playmaker with energy. His game was highlighted by a notable compete level and some puck skills. In defensive transition Ng looked relentless, and displayed an above average motor as he served as an energy forward within Calgary’s bottom six. He served as a high forward in defensive zone coverage, but often cheated plays before possession was even secured. This cheating mixed with limited spacial awareness in neutral zone transition hints at below average positioning, play reading, and option creation. In offensive transition he maintained an ok pace of play, while also displaying some puck skills (handling). In the offensive zone he had a tendency to shoot, but this suffered from below average mechanics/release, leverage, and power. Around average skating in most areas. As a 16 year old in the WHL, more offensive poise, creation, and deception should come as the young 2008 born forward gains more experience. We look forward to growth in his senses, shooting, and skating as the player matures.
Andrew Thomson (LW, L, 6’1″, 185, Kamloops Blazers, 02/17/2007)
Grade: C+
Comments: Thomson was a stable presence for Kamloops in their game against the Calgary Hitmen in limited ice time. He displayed the toolkit of a prototypical two-way forward. His game was highlighted by senses, puck skills, and some compete level. In defensive transition Thomson was an active role in the forecheck and backcheck, and displayed some decent risk assessment, hustle, body positioning and defensive pressure exertion. In the defensive zone Thomson was a capable high forward who employed semi-regular defensive scans, which displayed some defensive awareness. In offensive transition he showed some capable puck skills defined by clean short passing, and handling. One thing that particularly stood out was his overall adaptability in the breakout, as Thomson received even bad passes well, which demonstrated his overall handling ability. In offensive zone play Thomson showed some decent play anticipation as well with his positioning and overall awareness (covered for defenders, hustle on rush chances against). The 2007 born forward also showed some shooting ability with about average release, transfer, and posture, but did lack some shot power. We look forward to the growth of Thomson’s physicality, as he struggled due to limited muscle mass, form, and aggressiveness, which made his efforts largely ineffective. We also look forward to growth in Thomson’s offensive instincts, play creation, and awareness to further increase his offensive output for Kamloops.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images