| Joe Arntsen | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 198 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 2018 | Swift Current, SK | 2003 | 2021-2022: B |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 43, Goals 5, Assists 17, Points 22, plus/minus -4, Penalty Minutes 52, Penalties Drawn 2, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 22:59, Power play time 2:13, Short-handed time 2:42, Shots 4.9, %Shots on goal 43%, Puck battles 11, %Puck battles won 56%, Hits 0.61, Hits against 0.68
Arntsen is a big bodied left shot defenseman who is in his second year of NHL Draft eligibility. He plays a direct two-way game that allows him to show nice anticipation on both sides of the puck. In defensive transition Arntsen maintains tight gaps by moving well laterally with an extended stick that forces opponents to make puck decisions before they are ready. Offensively he has a good first pass and moves his feet to join the rush after the pass is made. On the power play Arntsen runs things from the top of the umbrella for Lethbridge. With the puck on his stick he moves well laterally to create shooting lanes and he has a quick low snap shot that generates rebounds. While killing penalties we like his active stick and willingness to maintain shooting lanes. Although in professional hockey his coaches will do whatever they can to keep him from using his backhand, he has the ability to settle bouncing pucks quickly on his backhand and make 10 to 15′ backhand passes rather easily. Last year we felt Arnsten’s combination of size, foot work and passing ability would make him very attractive to NHL teams as long term development package and we rated him “B-” for the 2021 Draft. This year we feel the same, but are more confident that his development is heading in the right direction and currently have him rated as “B” draft prospect.
| Logan McCutcheon | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | R | D | 5’9″ | 150 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 2019 | Saskatoon, SK | 2004 | 2021-2022: C |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 43, Goals 2, Assists 9, Points 11, plus/minus -14, Penalty Minutes 4, Penalties Drawn 4, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 16:58, Power play time 2:43, Short-handed time 0:38, Shots 2.7, %Shots on goal 48%, Puck battles 10, %Puck battles won 57%, Hits 0.07, Hits against 0.57
McCutcheon is an undersized right shot defenseman with high game awareness and quick processing. When the puck is dumped into his end he retrieves it quickly while looking over both shoulders locating teammates and forecheckers. We like the deception and puck poise he shows while drawing forecheckers to him before he passes to an open teammate. McCutcheon is always ready to make a quick outlet as he carries the puck on his forehand in a triple threat position. His passes are consistently hard accurate and on the tape. On the power play McCutcheon shows lateral explosiveness when he moves across the offensive blueline as well as the awareness that his job is to manipulate the penalty killer’s box into better shooting / passing options for his teammates. In defensive zone coverage McCutcheon relies on his brain and anticipation to arrive at spots early to establish his positioning before larger opponents can get set. He shows nice quickness and four way mobility on loose pucks and often times recognizes rebounds before anyone else on the ice. Fifteen years go McCutcheon would be an after thought for NHL teams, but in a World where transition and accurate passing leads to extended puck possession and zone entries we have no doubt that National League scouts will be watching closely.
| Nolan Bentham | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 198 | Victoria Royals | 2018 | Victoria, BC | 2003 | Free Agent Watch |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 43, Goals 2, Assists 10, Points 12, plus/minus -2, Penalty Minutes 29, Penalties Drawn 1, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 22:33, Power play time 1:02, Short-handed time 3:08, Shots 3.3, %Shots on goal 40%, Puck battles 12, %Puck battles won 56%, Hits 0.69, Hits against 1.05
Bentham is a 6’3″ right shot defensive defenseman with good straight line speed and the natural strength to shut down the opposing cycle quickly. In the defensive end he is willing to get big low to block shots and he uses his powerful leg drive to clear shooting lanes in 5 on 5 situations. During offensive transition he works well with his partner to be an outlet and his passes are accurate, but to be effective in the transition game at the professional level we would like to see more confidence and pace to his passes. Bentham is a very good indirect passer. In the offensive zone we like his ability to shoot through traffic and still hit the net. His shot is consistently 16″ high and very tippable. As a defensive minded defenseman with the size and strength to be a shut down guy at the next level, we feel Bentham will need to continue working to develop his lateral mobility/footwork and explosiveness to be used in this role in the National League.
| Chase Pauls | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | R | D | 6’4″ | 216 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 2018 | Osler, SK | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 43, Goals 0, Assists 8, Points 8, plus/minus -11, Penalty Minutes 14, Penalties Drawn 11, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 18:18, Power play time 0:47, Short-handed time 2:27, Shots 2.1, %Shots on goal 48%, Puck battles 11, %Puck battles won 59%, Hits 0.79, Hits against 0.95
Pauls is a late 2003 right shot defenseman who looks to take care of his end first. At 6’4″ 215 pounds he has the ability to shut things down very quickly and manhandle opposing forwards forwards in the corners or in front of his net. We like his skating posture and feel that as he continues to gain strength through training he will become quicker, faster and more agile. At this point in his season he has zero goals, but that certainly is not from a lack of ability to get his point shots through. Along the offensive blueline Pauls shows the ability to smoothly handle poor passes and get his snap shots through. He also is not afraid to slide to the middle for one time opportunities. To be totally honest, Pauls is going to make his way into professional hockey as penalty killer / shut down defender and we like what we see from him as he plays in straight lines and is more than willing to sacrifice his body by blocking shots. We view him as a long shot to be drafted, but we think NHL teams and development coaches would like to have a late round 6’4″ right shot defender to work with and help develop.
| Yegor Klavdiyev | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | L | LW/RW | 5’11” | 181 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 2021 | Minsk, BLR | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 37, Goals 10, Assists 7, Points 17, plus/minus -12, Penalty Minutes 16, Penalties Drawn 10, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 15:39, Power play time 3:00, Short-handed time 0:30, Shots 4.9, %Shots on goal 65%, Face-off % 38%, Puck battles 10, %Puck battles won 45%, Hits 0.68, Hits against 0.70
Klavdiyev is a stocky powerfully built left shot forward who has the pass receiving skills and soft first touch to be effective on either wing. In the offensive zone he thinks the game like shooter and has the ice awareness to lose his defender as he’s heading to the slot for a scoring opportunity. We like his deceptive release and his ability to make the goaltender lean in the opposite direction of his intended shooting target. Klavdiyev is not a burner, but he does have the ability to protect the puck when an opponent is on his back while he keeps his feet moving. On zone entries he is unpredictable, but once he gets to the top of circles his intent is to get the puck to the net. His wide skating base and deep knee bend allows him to be strong through contact. Klavdiyev is a shooter who hits the net and we feel his long term effectiveness at the professional level will depend largely on his ability to add straight line speed and explosiveness.
| Justin Hall | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | R | LW | 6’1″ | 203 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 2016 | Edmonton, AB | 2001 | Free Agent Watch |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 40, Goals 23, Assists 23, Points 46, plus/minus -1, Penalty Minutes 16, Penalties Drawn 13, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 20:41, Power play time 3:59, Short-handed time 2:03, Shots 5.9, %Shots on goal 62%, Face-off % 49%, Puck battles 19, %Puck battles won 45%, Hits 0.58, Hits against 0.85
Hall is a dependable 200′ left shot forward who is currently in his over-age year with the Hurricanes. He is a player who has always left us feeling like he makes an impact in every game. Whether it be to block a shot while protecting a lead late in a game, backchecking hard through the middle to force a turnover or generate scoring opportunities after a grinding shift in the offensive zone. He is the type of player that any coach likes to look down the bench and see because will do what it takes to have an effective impactful shift. Hall has good size and is very willing to battle for loose pucks. We feel his success at the next level will depend largely on if he can continue adding that quick first step and explosiveness.
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes 2020 NHL Prospects, March 4 2020: Justin played a simple straight forward game. He is not flashy, but he has the trust of his coaching staff as was evident by him being used late in the game to protect the one goal lead. This is the second game over the past few weeks where Justin has been leaned on by the coaches to protect the lead. He shows excellent awareness away from the puck. His stick is active in passing lanes, his head is on a swivel and it is very obvious that he is vocal. Game Grade: C+
| Ty Nash | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | L | C | 5’11” | 179 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 2018 | Scottsdale, AZ | 2003 | Free Agent Watch |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 42, Goals 13, Assists 15, Points 28, plus/minus -7, Penalty Minutes 34, Penalties Drawn 35, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 18:05, Power play time 3:04, Short-handed time 1:52, Shots 4, %Shots on goal 70%, Face-off % 43%, Puck battles 12, %Puck battles won 38%, Hits 1.07, Hits against 1.17
Nash is an average sized left shot forward who can play all three forward positions. He has good quickness, but what we really like is his ability to take a hard stride that enables him to get his shoulders or hips in front of his opponent when racing for loose pucks. Nash seems to have the awareness to know that when he takes another player’s ice that he will win 50/50 races. He plays an honest two-way game. He scans the ice looking for his teammates and rarely does he over pursue a contested puck or get caught on the wrong side of a rush. He shows the ability to one-time poor passes as well as have a very quick stick for rebounds in front of the net. We have noted multiple times that Nash’s backhand is very quick to rebounds and that he can elevate rebounds quickly. As he continues his career he we feel he has the skating posture to carry more weight without losing his agility.
U15: USA Hockey Nationals, April 23, 2019: Ty was all over the ice this weekend. He is an athletic left-wing that plays a controlled game in each zone. He has a smooth stride and gets up to speed quickly. He likes having the puck on his stick, and constantly made plays through the neutral zone. He plays a physical game and is tough to separate from the puck. He shoots the puck from anywhere in the offensive zone and has a quick release. He is tough and battles along the walls and in front of the net. He is always ‘in the way’ defensively and breaks up plays with good hand-eye and an active stick. He plays and contributes in all situations and was a big reason the Coyotes had a lot of success. Grade: A-
U15: USHL Fall Classic, October 22, 2018: Uses delays to create space for himself, cuts back and shifts gears at a high level. Acts as an effective F2 driving back the D on the attack and taking them to the net opening up the wings. Pushes play to the middle. Moves very well north. Needs to impact the game on a more regular basis. Was effective while moving feet and pushing pace, disappeared when not moving feet and contributing defensively. Grade: C
U14: Boston Breakout, September 13, 2017: Ty is the son of former NHLer Tyson Nash but the son’s game is a bit different than his father’s physical style right now. Ty is looking for reasons to get up ice and use his quick feet in order to gain speed through the neutral zone. Once he has puck possession, he is a nimble stickhandler and moves his wrists quickly to break down defenders. Looks to be about 5’8 based on the eye test, and we look forward to hearing more from Nash in the coming seasons. Crafty, athletic player.
| Tyson Laventure | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | R | RW | 6’3″ | 185 | Prince Albert Raiders | 2018 | Lloydminster, AB | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes and Prince Albert Raiders as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 39, Goals 7, Assists 12, Points 15, plus/minus -6, Penalty Minutes 20, Penalties Drawn 8, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 14:30, Power play time 2:43, Short-handed time 0:04, Shots 3.5, %Shots on goal 56%, Face-off % 29%, Puck battles 11, %Puck battles won 46%, Hits 0.79, Hits against 0.62
Laventure is a long right shot forward who we feel is just scratching the surface on the type of power forward he can be. He has a little bit of an inside edge skating base that we feel will continue to become more efficient as he continues to gain core strength and train. We like his ability to protect the puck, especially when he decides to lower his shoulder to attack the far post. Basically we feel that he as he adds strength and power to his frame Laventure’s game will blossom into a true power forward with the raw stick skills to be an impactful professional.
WHL: Prince Albert Raiders vs Swift Current, November 19, 2021: Tyson physically struggled a bit in this game, but has nine points in nine games, including four goals this season. He scored the empty-net fourth goal in this game. He skates well, he was involved in the play all over the ice, and he is impossible to miss out there. Of all the players on the ice he is the one you can hear skating – those deep powerful strides cut the ice up. Along with his long stride he uses his reach very well in chipping pucks past defenders and then out-skating and out-reaching them. His passing is very good, with some great passes in the neutral zone to streaking linemates and a few terrific plays in the offensive zone with some quick zips to open players. Tyson is a big kid listed at 6’3 186lbs, yet in this game he often lost puck battles on the boards which came as a surprise. When you see a player of his stature head into a puck battle we’d often see them come out with the puck and the other player on their butt. This wasn’t the case at all here. I don’t think this was a good showing for Tyson and we look forward to seeing him again. Grade C
U14: Rocky Mountain Classic, November 27, 2017: Tyson is a speedy shifty player who can use his speed to attack seams in the offensive zone. He plays hard all the time and is both a shooter and play maker. He can shoot through a screen, shoots it quickly but is a great play maker with hard accurate passes. Grade: B+
| Tristan Zandee | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | L | LW | 6’3″ | 201 | Calgary Hitmen | 2020 | Airdrie, AB | 2003 | 2021-2022: C |
WHL: Lethbridge Hurricanes and Calgary Hitmen as of February 16, 2022 Season stats: Games played 37, Goals 2, Assists 4, Points 6, plus/minus -3, Penalty Minutes 26, Penalties Drawn 7, 2021 Game Averages: Time on ice per-game 11:55, Power play time 0:20, Short-handed time 0:39, Shots 1.84, %Shots on goal 72%, Face-off % 44%, Puck battles 9, %Puck battles won 48%, Hits 1.03, Hits against 0.81
Zandee is a long strong left shot forward with all of the tools to be an impactful professional player. He has a great posture for a big young man and high end straight line speed. He understands body positioning and can be a game breaker when forechecking because has the size and speed to intimidate opponents into mistakes. Bringing the consistency will allow him to have a professional career.
WHL: Calgary Hitmen NHL Prospects, May 5, 2021: Zandee was initially committed to play at Colorado College, and played his first junior year with the Canmore Eagles before officially signing with the Hitmen this past offseason. Colorado’s loss is certainly Calgary’s gain. Zandee skates really well for his size. He gets low and has good knee bend and a decent top end speed. He plays in straight lines, and can be relentless in his drive to get to scoring areas. He is a good forechecker. While he isn’t a big hitter, he uses his body really well along the boards and wins lots of those battles. He has a heavy stick, and pursues the puck well on the forecheck. He doesn’t just crash in on the puck carrier, he has good awareness, and attacks with intelligence. He creates a lot of take aways with his good feet, and anticipation. On the offensive end, Zandee plays a meat and potatoes type game. He never seems far away from the net, or the slot, and has the soft hands to finish around the net. He makes quick decisions with the puck and strong passes in the offensive zone. But ultimately, Zandee likes to drive to the net and look for secondary opportunities. Defensively, there were a couple of things this week that jumped out to us: One was that Zandee was very strong in the faceoff circle. He has quick hands, and a heavy chop, and seemingly overpowers his opposite centre in the circle. He is a solid defender, though we can see that he is still processing the game a little slower than he’d like. He supports his defensemen well, and doesn’t release too early from the offensive zone. He can be puck centric, and sometimes the integrity of their defensive structure can breakdown, but he doesn’t seem to make the same mistakes twice. We feel like Zandee could be a power-forward in the making. Grade: B+
WHL: Calgary at Red Deer, March 6, 2021: Zandee made a much better impression in this game. The evening before he showed he had all the skills needed to be a high-end player, however just kind of disappeared into the mix during his shifts. Tonight, was quite the contrary – he looked significantly better. He showed some great net-drive on his goal, seeing an opportunity to beat his defender to the net for a loose puck he put the pedal down, leaning on his opponent and then burying the loose puck with the defenceman all over him and his stick. Zandee had quite a few shifts this game where he was a standout, moving his feet, making smart plays (with and without the puck) and contributing to his team’s overall success. It was a great bounce-back for him. B+
WHL: Red Deer Rebels at Calgary Hitmen, March 5, 2021: Zandee has all the tools to become a very good WHL scorer. He has a heavy shot with a quick release. His has a long, smooth stride and overall, high-end speed. What he lacks is the game experience to put it all together at the WHL level. Several times throughout the game he missed opportunities to get into position for scoring chances. It was the same on the defensive side of things. Again, he has the tools, he just needs the confidence and game experience to put it all together. Game Grade: C
Macs Midget Tournament, March 13, 2019: Zandee had a solid showing and looked above his age during the tournament, being the offensive catalyst for his team and playing a good two-way effort. Zandee likes to play in your face and will finish his hits off the cycle or forecheck to separate the player from puck retrieval. He can find chances off the cycle by bullying his way to the net from down low or getting free space up high and getting room to take his powerful shot. Coming up ice he has a strong, fluid stride and can beat defenders to the outside. He showed battle and compete in his own end and was smart with his positional play. Needs to work on his hands in tight as he can struggle creating and bobbles pucks with defenders on him. Grade: A-
2003: World Select Invite, June 4, 2018: Zandee is an excellent skater; he’s smooth, he’s fast and has a combination of balance, power and agility. With that being said, he didn’t play to his true potential here; he took shifts off, he didn’t stop on pucks and was in and out for much of the week. He thinks the game well when he’s engaged and makes clever passes in all three zones. He has good length, a soft set of hands and ability to find the seams and get the puck to his teammates. He’s poised, almost to a fault, and passed off some plays where he should have driven the net and went to the net front at times when he should have gone to the corners and dug the puck out. Like his upside but needs more consistency and energy. He produced 2 goals and 2 assists on the week and was drafted 36th overall in the WHL Draft by Calgary.
U14: Rocky Mountain Classic Bantam, November 27, 2017: Plays a physical style game with a bit of flare in the offensive zone. His agility will let him down at times, but he is hoping to blow by opponents with a wide stride and using his length to his advantage. Upside as a late 2003. Grade: B+
U14 AMBHL: Alberta Bantam, October 20, 2017: Tristan plays the game North-South, and tries to bully his way at both ends of the ice into the action to make plays. He does this with a big wide skating stride which generates good power, but hinders his agility in tight spaces. He’ll try to stickhandle around opponents, but unless he has lots of space he looks a little clumsy. This may be due to his stick which looks long for a player his size. Where he may lose feel for the puck, he gains on the defensive end with a larger defensive radius where he can knock pucks away and block passing lanes. Being more engaged physically and take advantage of his size would help him be more of an impact. Grade: B+
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Stats provided InStat