General Game Notes: Neutral Zone was in attendance at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB, on December 3rd as the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors defeated the Oil Kings by a score of 5-1. Our scout focused on players eligible for the 2024 and 2025 NHL Drafts. Each player below has been given a grade based on their performance in this game, which is not an overall indication of the player’s long-term upside or ability.
| Gavin Hodnett | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | L | C | 5’7″ | 158 | Edmonton Oil Kings | 2021 | Winnipeg, MB | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: After an injury held him out of the lineup to start the season, Gavin is now second on the Oil Kings in scoring with 19 points in only 19 games played. Gavin was held off the scoresheet in this contest, but considering the fact he was playing against Mateychuk, Yager, and Firkus most of the night, this is understandable. The knock against Gavin will always be his size and the fact that he projects as just an average straight-line skater at the NHL level. That being said, he is quick in tight with the puck and was always thinking the game a step ahead. When transitioning the puck up ice, Gavin would identify the fastest-moving Oil King and move the puck to him to start the rush. When in possession of the puck, he would often draw defenders in towards himself before passing around them. He made two highlight-reel passes in this game, the first of which was a one-touch pass to the slot, but nobody was home. Gavin also made an excellent cross-ice pass from high to low while on the power play. He made this pass against the grain of the play and through the killers’ box for a chance on goal. Gavin is rarely hit hard, as he is intelligent enough to avoid the contact, but he did take a hard hit in this game that was called a penalty. After collecting his stick off the ice and going to the bench for a check up, Gavin was back on the ice for the power play. Gavin currently sits in 9th place in the WHL in points per game. This is an impressive feat as he is one of the few draft eligible players who is required to drive the bus offensively for his team.
| Nathan Pilling | Edmonton Oil Kings | WHL | L | C | 6’3″ | 199 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2021 | Calgary, AB | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Nathan is unlikely to be selected in this year’s NHL draft as it is his third year of eligibility, and he has produced a modest 8 points in 15 games played. That being said, Pilling is a player who attracts our attention every time he is on the ice. The big power-forward is a surprisingly strong skater, and his straight-line speed projects as being average at the NHL level. Due to his size and speed, Nathan is a menace on the forecheck and consistently forces turnovers with his physical play as well as his stick checks. When in possession of the puck, he protects it well with his frame and is able to deke through traffic to space. His hands are remarkably soft for his size, and he has so far displayed much more skill than you would expect. Defensively and off-puck, Nathan plays at full speed as he constantly hounds puck carriers and fights to make something happen. He came back hard to support the defenders down low and overall played a team first game. Due to his surprising speed and skill, Nathan is a player for NHL teams to keep tabs on, as he could be an excellent AHL free agent signing after his overage season next year. Due to his effort and tenacious play, Nathan would add depth to any organization.
| Dimitri Fortin | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | G | 6’1″ | 183 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2021 | Winnipeg, MB | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Dimitri had his fourth start of the season against the Oil Kings tonight. The ’06 netminder has improved his save percentage in each of his starts and now sits at a 0.901 save percentage on the season. It is difficult to assess Dimitri’s abilities as all four of his starts have been against Prince Albert and Edmonton, both weaker teams. Moose Jaw also did a good job of limiting the chances against, and for the most part the shots against him were low percentage. That being said, the only goal that he allowed was against a breakaway. On this play, the Warriors’ defender shot into a block, which led to a breakaway the other way. The Oil Kings’ forward faked a shot, which caused Dimitri to bite, and he then put the puck past him on the blocker side. Dimitri’s best save of the night came off a one-timer off a cross-ice pass while Edmonton was on the power play. He pushed off aggressively right to left and came flying across his crease to rob the Oil Kings. Dimitri made numerous pad saves throughout the game and moved well across his crease with his chest up.
| Brady Ness | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | D | 6’3″ | 199 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2021 | Edmonton, AB | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: C
Comments: The left-shot defender logged big minutes for the Warriors in this game. Brady is a strong defender, able to effectively gap up puck carriers before either stealing the puck with his stick or forcing a turnover with his physical play. He routinely hopped into the rush to create odd-man chances but was prone to getting caught out of position when the play turned the other way due to his lack of foot speed. Brady is a below-average straight-line skater for this level of play and must continue to refine his stride mechanics, as his stride is short and choppy. Brady also struggled with his balance at times, as he was knocked over a number of times when he made contact with opponents. Brady can also continue to refine the accuracy of his breakout pass, as he missed the tape of his teammates on a number of occasions.
| Lynden Lakovic | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | LW | 6’4″ | 185 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2021 | Kelowna, BC | 2006 | 2024-2025: B+ |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Due to his late birthday, Lynden is not draft-eligible until 2025. Listed at 6’4′ and 185lbs, he is a big body who plays a power-forward style of game. Lynden is just an average straight-line skater for this level of play but displayed a quick first step and an ability to create space for himself in tight. He handled the puck well and, on a number of occasions, hesitated with the puck to make a defender jump before passing the puck past them to a teammate. Lynden was physical on the forecheck and forced opposing defenders to rush their decisions with the puck. He also displayed strong positioning in the neutral zone and was able to step up to intercept breakout passes. Overall, Lynden has the makings of an NHL-level power forward due to his size, strength, and quickness in tight space and along the wall. As he is only 185 lbs, there is considerable room for him to continue to fill out his frame.
| Pavel McKenzie | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | LW | 6’0″ | 174 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2023 | Nipawin, SK | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Pavel scored his team’s third goal of the game against the Oil Kings. On this play, Firkus carried the puck up the wall on the right side of the ice and fed a pass to Yager at the top of the right circle. As the defender closed in on Yager, Pavel carried up ice into the slot and attacked open ice at the front of the net. Yager slid a pass over to Pavel, who deked forehand to backhand for the goal. Pavel is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play. He used his speed effectively to get to open ice to be a passing option offensively and to force and hop on turnovers defensively. He displayed quick hands in tight, and he was able to make accurate passes on the breakout to start the play up ice. McKenzie primarily played on a line with Yager and Firkus, which, if this continues, will significantly impact his point totals this season.
| Aiden Ziprick | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 183 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 2020 | Russell, MB | 2005 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Aiden consistently got pucks through to the net from the point in this game and recorded 2 shots on goal in the process. In the defensive end, he positioned himself well to protect the front of the net. Aiden was effective at head-checking before getting to loose pucks and identified pressure well. He must continue to improve the accuracy of his passing as, on one occasion, he missed the tape of a teammate on a breakout, which led to an icing.
| Ethan Hughes | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | L | LW | 5’7″ | 154 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2022 | Edmonton, AB | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Ethan scored his first goal of the season against the Oil Kings and rifled 5 shots on goal. On his goal, Ethan identified a loose puck in the slot and hopped on it, skating right to left. His momentum carried him out of the slot, and he managed to beat the Oil Kings’ goaltender on a well-placed shot from a bad angle on the left side of the ice. Ethan is a dynamic skater who generated speed quickly with his first step. Despite being a smaller player, he was able to maintain possession of the puck in traffic and displayed quick hands. He was also fearlessly driving to the net with the puck and, overall, didn’t let his size be a limiting factor. Defensively, he positioned himself well to intercept passes and was quick to loose pucks. Ethan is currently playing on Mosse Jaw’s fourth line and is thus playing very limited minutes on a strong Warriors team. As the composition of the Warriors changes next season, one would expect Ethan to play a much greater role and thus get more opportunities to contribute offensively.
| Max Finley | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | R | RW | 6’0″ | 177 | Moose Jaw Warriors | 2022 | Kelowna, BC | 2007 | 2024-2025: C+ |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Max is a small forward who displayed strong edge work and a quick first step. He was quick to loose pucks and used his quickness and inside edges to create space with the puck before making a pass. He was creative with the puck, and on one play, he made an excellent cross-ice pass from high to low to the slot. His pass was the right idea and his teammate just missed it.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images