Played on Sep 19, 2025
Game Played in Assiniboine Credit Union Place
General Game Notes: Moose Jaw seized control early in the second period with four unanswered goals to build a commanding lead. Brandon battled back and cut the deficit to just one, but the Warriors’ relentless offense ultimately proved too much to contain, sealing the win down the stretch.
Chase Surkan (RW, L, 5’6″, 166, Brandon Wheat Kings, 03/31/2009)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Player of the game tongiht for the Wheat Kings with two goals on the night. Scored one of them early in the first to tie the game at one getting at the net at the right time. After making a nice play out of the corner under pressure, the puck went to the net and so did he, picking up a rebound for an easy tap in. Surkan has a great shot with a quick release. When he gets a clean look at the net, he was able to show that he is accurate by getting pucks on net from difficult angles. He is still a growing playmaker, and he is not a strong enough skater nor is he sturdy enough possessing the puck to create enough time and space as a playmaker. Defensively, he is a stick first reaching to break plays up type of player. He has energy and brings some snarl to his game, but he is not big enough or strong enough to play a physical role.
Jordan Gavin (LW, L, 5’11”, 190, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/13/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Gavin uses his speed to create offensive opportunities. He can burn past bigger, more lumbering defensemen to create breakaways and odd man rushes, and his ability to get alone with the goaltender is something opposing defenders need to take note of. Defensively, Atkinson’s game is also based on his speed. He is a smart player, but more importantly, he overcomes being a little undersized by being a relentless forechecker and backchecker and being an impact player by not turning the puck over often. He makes smart plays and if he does need to get rid of it, it is to a thoughtful area.
Jimmy Egan (C, L, 6’2″, 182, Brandon Wheat Kings, 03/19/2008, Arizona State)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Egan is a taller lanky forward with some solid size and feet to go with it. He takes a couple steps to get to top speed but once he does, that is where his game excels. He wants to make the right play but looks like with minimal experience, he is just a half second behind the pace that he is used to. He works his bag off and does not quick on the backcheck, whether or not he made the right play getting up the ice, you can always find him extending his stride to get back in to his own end.
Luke Mistelbacher (C, R, 6’0″, 196, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/02/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Mistelbacher plays a rough, physical game but lacks a possession offensive game. His larger frame allows him to screen the net well, but other than that his other offensive attributes, skating, playmaking, shooting, get shut down before he is able to showcase having being bumped off the puck too easy and too often. For a player his size, he should be able to embrace contact and maintain possession better. While he does provide solid defensive awareness where he uses that same frame to separate opponents from the puck well.
Nicholas Johnson (C, R, 6’1″, 201, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/20/2005, Ferris State)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Johnson plays a rough hard nosed game and was able to show that he has sneaky offensive ability as well. His tough style makes him an offensive asset as a crease cleaner and net screener, and despite his initial appearance as body first type of player, he has sneaky good awareness and playmaking ability, where he can draw players in and look to make that pass around them. Not a spectacular skater but definitely good enough to create the time and space he needs to make a play.
Giorgos Pantelas (D, R, 6’2″, 216, Brandon Wheat Kings, 04/24/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Pantelas has decent size and strength, but he struggles to reliably win board battles and does not play with enough tenacity to be an imposing physical force despite being one of the bigger defenseman on the ice. At times struggles to process the defensive game quick enough and is not one easily and quickly to burst through and interrupt passing lanes. At times he was able to show that he can phase out the mistakes that come from an aggressive, puck moving style and be a contributor with scoring chances and set ups on the power play.
Matthew Hutchison (G, R, 6’3″, 191, Moose Jaw Warriors, 10/07/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hutchinson has some size with good instincts and is a calm goalie who squares up to pucks well. He does not overly rely on his athleticism, instead moves effectively side to side where he can be in the right spot at the right time for the puck to hit him. Needs a bit of help playing the puck, he was able to get out of his net and stop rims but had an issue making the outlet pass to his defenseman at times. Left a lot of rebounds tonight but also made some goal saving saves, little bit inconsistent but solid with the win none the less.
Colt Carter (D, R, 5’9″, 162, Moose Jaw Warriors, 07/23/2009, Denver)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Carter sees the ice well, and has a great offensive mind, able to look for holes in a defense and adequately judge where and when to join the rush and help in transition. He is a strong skater whose first couple strides are able to beat most players on the ice. Defensively, Carter is still a work in progress, as he is not overly physical nor is he a shut down force given his size but he is a smart player and his skating abilities allow him to be an asset with zone exits where he can beat players skating the puck out of the zone, obviously this tactic will not work every time so he is going to need to learn other options.
Steven Steranka (C, L, 5’8″, 171, Moose Jaw Warriors, 10/02/2007)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Steranka uses his speed effectively to create time and space with the puck, and as a result his opportunity for scoring chances opened up. His quick and agile skating allows him to be a strong defensive presence, bursting into and interrupting passing lanes, as well as allowing him to be a major positive in transition where he can quickly get the puck going the other way, whether that is with a pass or using his feet. His defensive presence does stop at great stick work, he is not going to use the body and when he tries, he tends to get beat for space. Had a nice assists on the power play back door that showed his vision with time and space.
Casey Brown (RW, R, 5’11”, 183, Moose Jaw Warriors, 02/20/2006, Arizona State)
Game Rating
A-
Casey Brown showcased a dynamic skill set on the ice, displaying impressive connection and shot accuracy during a goal-scoring opportunity. His ability to quickly release a one-timer shot from the high slot was notable, although it took a slight deflection to reach its destination. Brown’s speed is an asset, but he must work on maintaining possession rather than relying on teammates to bail him out. He excels at using his physical presence and awareness to create scoring opportunities, often finding ways to beat defenders through clever movements. A highlight reel play saw Brown expertly collect a bouncing puck and spin it into a teammate’s stride during a breakaway. His ability to apply pressure and stay one step ahead in all three zones is impressive, making him a valuable asset on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Brown was able to show tonight that he has decent size, though he is not overly physical. However, he is a tough, higher motor, aware player, and he brings energy to each of his shifts. A good skater with solid puck handling ability and has above average shooting and playmaking abilities. his high compete level, skating, defensive awareness allow him to be effective in all three zones. On the rush is where he is able to showcase his speed, taking defensemen wide and expose gaps. His three point night was indicative of how well he can handle the puck close to his body, multiple times he was just able to out stick handle for space.
Pavel McKenzie (LW, L, 6’0″, 174, Moose Jaw Warriors, 10/08/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: McKenzie scored a nice goal using his size and out muscling a defender to the net and the far post where he was able to beat the goalie on a little forehand backhand move. He has the size and the strength to to make plays under pressure when smaller defenseman are looking to play him one on one. He needs to improve his foot speed, when he is at top speed he is hard to control but it takes an extra second to get their. His ability to stay on top of pucks while taking contact was a skill that was quickly recognized.
Riley Thorpe (LW, L, 5’10”, 178, Moose Jaw Warriors, 03/27/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Thorpe does a good job at making plays under pressure. Had a nice assist in tonight’s game simply reading the play and getting a tip in the neutral zone to his streaking teammate in on an elite scoring chance. He was able to show tonight that he is a very diligent player, bringing responsible two way play and a hard nosed effort to every shift he plays in. He plays a mistake limiting, versatile game that allows him to contribute in any situation. His relentless work ethic allows him to be a serviceable player in a lot of different situations.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Ben Marshall