Played on Dec 4, 2022
Game Played in Scotiabank Saddledome
Scout: Ian Moran
| Matteo Danis | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 172 | Calgary Hitmen | 2022 | Glenlake, AB | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Danis is an average sized left shot center who did not earn any special team ice, but did contribute to 11:17 of even strength hockey. He played a hard in your face style that was obviously very annoying and bothersome to the Warriors. Danis might not be a burner, but his feet were always in motion as he fearlessly went into the corners looking to win 50/50 pucks. As an F1 on the forecheck he cut the ice in half looking to limit his opponent’s options by taking away their time and space and it was obvious his linemates knew that he was looking to execute the Hitman’s game plan. His maximum effort led to him having four takeaways compared to one giveaway and after he won a battle Danis looked to move the puck quickly to an open teammate. At this point we do not view him as a draft pick, but as a player who went undrafted in the WHL bantam draft and has worked his way into a third line role with nine points in twenty-three games we feel he is a player to watch as a potential free agent.
| Maxim Muranov | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | L | RW | 6’2″ | 168 | Calgary Hitmen | 2021 | Moscow | 2004 | 2022-2023: C2021-2022: C+ |
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Muranov is a 6’2′ 170lbs left wing who was incredibly noticeable while shorthanded. He showed nice awareness by anticipating passes and then knocking passes down. The thing that stood out was that after he created a loose puck on the penalty kill Muranov was looking to score. He maintained possession for as long as possible while looking to see if Moose Jaw had a forward play D on the power play. Once he located the forward Muranov was trying to beat him. He is a 2004 in his second year of NHL draft eligibility and second season in the WHL.
| David Adaszynski | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | L | F | 5’10” | 168 | Calgary Hitmen | 2020 | Burnaby, BC | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: The left shot forward primarily played the right wing. Adaszynski is a slightly below average sized forward with a deep knee skating posture that almost makes it look like he is trying to sneak up on you. In this game he earned 17:02 of TOI including 1:08 while on the power play and an additional 1:22 while short handed. While on the PP he was positioned as the strong side goal line support, but he would move to the net front as a screen when the puck went to the point. His low skating base allowed him to be strong in his ice while attempting to take the goalie’s eyes away. As a penalty killer his attention to detail was very noticeable as he stopped on every puck and maintained his line-up to prevent point shots from getting through. Adaszynski used an active stick to direct Moose Jaw’s power play to move pucks in the direction he wante dthem to pass and he showed the hand eye coordination to get his stick on sauce passes. As killer we liked his poise to get a 200′ clear from his high slot and his awareness to change when he was supposed to rather than sniffing for offensive opportunities.
| London Hoilett | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 179 | Calgary Hitmen | 2022 | Winnipeg, MB | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Hoilett is an average sized right wing who played the kind of 5on5 hockey that coaches love. By this we mean that he did not turn the puck over in the grey areas. Instead he looked to utilize indirect passes to his linemates who were in slash support to get out of the defensive zone. And at the offensive blueline he consistently used a strong side chip and then moved his feet. Versus Moose Jaw he earned 10:17 of TOI including 0:36 while short handed. Hoilett also scored a first period goal off a set face-off play and rang the cross bar off the same face-off play in the second period. On net front rebounds his stick was quick. At this point we do not feel Hoilett is a potential NHL draft pick, but he went undrafted in the WHL bantam draft yet is earning 12:48 of of ice during his rookie year.
| Oliver Tulk | Calgary Hitmen | WHL | R | F | 5’8″ | 172 | Calgary Hitmen | 2020 | Gibsons, BC | 2005 | 2022-2023: C+ |
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Tulk is an undersized right shot center with smooth feet and high level puck patience. Early in the first period we noted his ability to gain the offensive blue line as his speed and ability to play with his eyes up forced the Moose Jaw defenders to back off the line. Once he gained the offensive zone Tulk was very good at breaking his stride down to manipulate the gap into him having more time and space. This exact type of play led to his beautiful primary assist in the second period when after winning a 10′ race to a soft chip he used his inside edges to slow himself down and then hit his linemate who was driving the middle lane with a perfectly timed pass. Tulk earned 15:35 of TOI including 1:07 of power play time. While on the PP he took the face-offs (2 for 2) and was positioned on his strong side – right side flank. His first touch was soft and he moved the puck quickly without needing to overhandle the puck. On the negative the side Tulk had two defensive zone grey area turnovers. Neither led to a Warrior scoring chance, but turnovers in that area lead to opportunities at higher levels.
| Harper Lolacher | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | C | 5’11” | 146 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2020 | Pilot Butte, SK | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Rating
C
1 Viewing
Comments: Standing at 5’11’ and weighing in at 146lbs Lolacher is a slightly built below average sized left shot center with a powerful stride and wide strong skating base. He played 5:58 of even strength hockey, but his pace and willingness to stop on pucks and awareness to provide low middle support in transition was very noticeable. He finished the game -1 on a play that immediately followed him losing a defensive zone face-off. We currently do not view Lolacher as potential 2023 NHL draft pick, but he was drafted at #222 overall by Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft so we feel he has the competitive mindset to prove people wrong.
| Cosmo Wilson | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | R | D | 5’10” | 146 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2020 | Vernon, BC | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Wilson is an undersized right shot defenseman with an excellent skating base, edge control and a surprisingly powerful stride. Although Moose Jaw failed to establish in zone possession, he played the left point on the second power play unit and was charged with leading the breakout. His passes were hard and to his teammate’s forehand. Mid-way through a first period power play he got caught up ice which contributed to Calgary having a shorthanded breakaway, but Wilson showed the composure to hustle back and corral the rebound before he wheeled the net and threw beautiful stretch sauce pass to the far blueline that caught Calgary in a change. He used his quickness and overall skating ability to be an effective penalty killer as he maintained shooting lanes with an active stick. He was willing to maintain shooting lanes and by our count finished the game with four blocked shots. In the defensive zone his game relied on body positioning and anticipation as he looked to establish his ice early using his strong skating base to not be pushed around. We liked how quickly he sorted out the cycle and how confidently he went after his man in the corner. His smooth feet allowed him to not get trapped on the wrong side of the puck during scissor plays or bump backs. Wilson is former 2020 7th round Bantam Draft selection who is averaging 17:48 TOI for and although he is currently weighing in under 150lbs he is winning 58% of his puck battles. He will obviously need to add strength, weight and power to play at the next the next level, but he has the makings of a solid defender who thrives in the professional transition game.
| Ben Riche | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | LW | 5’10” | 161 | Moose Jaw Warriors | Bethune, SK | 2005 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Rating
C
1 Viewing
Comments: Riche is an undersized left wing who receives passes with a nice easy first touch that allows him to make the next play without needing to overhandle the puck. He earned 8:01 of even strength ice as well as an additional 0:59 while on the power play. On the power play he appeared to be positioned at the right point, but during an early PP the puck bounced over his stick to allow a Calgary full ice breakaway. Although he did not see huge minutes it looked like he had the awareness to find the soft area in the slot and he did have a grade ‘A’ opportunity in the second period that he fired high and wide. On the play we understand that he was looking to beat the goalie high glove, but we would have loved to see him lower his shoulder to attack the crease because he had a step on the defender in coverage. Riche was drafted at #33 overall by Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.
| Brayden Yager | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | R | C | 6’0″ | 165 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2021 | Dundurn, SK | 2005 | 2022-2023: A |
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Yager is a high end prospect who processes the game very quickly and cleanly. In this game he earned 19:44 TOI including 3:15 while on the power play and 1:16 while shorthanded. He plays the game with pace, yet still has the skating ability to shift it into over drive when needed. The perfect example of this occurred on his first period goal where he won a battle below his goal line to start a clean breakout. After the pass he read that Calgary’s players were looking to change and he put it into overdrive sprinting through the middle to receive a pass at center ice to go in all alone to bury it. He also had another grade ‘A’ after working a quick offensive zone give and go while playing 4on4. On the play he one-touched a pass and then used an explosive right inside edge thrust to jump passed coverage into the soft area near the left face-off dot. Yager then ripped a one-timer to the short side shelf that hit the goalie in the right shoulder. It was a goal scorer’s read and shot. Mid-way through the third period the assistant captain did receive a fluky delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass in his defensive zone. While we understand that bad bounces happen, Moose Jaw had been pinned in their end after Yager had a turnover at his defensive blueline so sometimes there is cause and effect. Overall he went 7 for 18 on face-offs including going 3 for 6 in the defensive zone.
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