Played on March 17, 2024
Dimitri Fortin (G, L, 6’2″, 183, Moose Jaw Warriors, 05/19/2006)
Game Grade: B
Performance:
Fortin displayed good fundamentals with strong puck tracking ability, particularly on screened shots from the point. He maintained a forward-leaning, aggressive posture that allowed him to play deeper in his crease showcasing quick reflexes.
Save Percentage: .909 (30 saves on 33 shots)
Goals Allowed:
- Goal 1: This was a high snapshot from outside the left dot lane. The shot was screened by an offensive player and his net front defenseman, making it difficult for Fortin to see the release. The shot cleanly beat him high on his blocker side. Ideally Fortin could have gotten a better read on the release point by challenging the shooter from the top of the crease.
- Goal 2: This came on a 3-on-1 rush. His defender overcommitted to the right-handed puck carrier attacking through the right dot lane. This left both the trailer in the middle of the slot open and left handed player in the left dot lane with space to receive a pass. The goal scorer received the royal road pass quickly carried the puck back across the royal road for a backhand finish. While Fortin reacted well to the initial pass, the defensive breakdown left him with very little chance as the goal scorer slashed through the royal road.
- Goal 3: This was an unlucky deflection. A point shot was partially blocked bouncing high into the air approximately 12 feet in front of the crease. With the puck bouncing unpredictably into the slot a Regina forward batted the puck out of the air with his backhand that beat Fortin.
Analysis:
On the night Fortin faced 58 attempted shots, 30 attempted shots from inside the expanded house, 15 of those high quality shots hit the net and generated 3 net front rebounds. While you can make excuses on the first two goals against, they are also goals that Fortin probably wants back. The third goal was a clear case of bad luck.
Brady Ness (D, L, 6’3″, 199, Moose Jaw Warriors, 06/18/2006)
Did not play.
Connor Schmidt (D, R, 5’11”, 176, Moose Jaw Warriors, 03/20/2007)
Game Grade: C+
Schmidt is a smooth skating below average sized offensive minded right shot defenseman who is still gaining the confidence and strength needed to play impactful minutes in the WHL.
Skating:
- Strengths: Smooth skater with an explosive first step. This allows him to quickly separate on puck retrievals and close down space defensively. He has the type of edge control that allows him to pull pucks off the wall while at top speed and then cut the net to leave the forechecker behind.
- Weaknesses: As a 2007 he is still gaining strength and explosiveness but he has the athletic posture and fluid stride that will allow him to gain speed as he matures.
Defense:
- Strengths: Good awareness and footwork, allowing him to play both the right and left sides effectively. Uses his speed effectively to win races to loose pucks. Uses his feet to establish his ice early and then box out opposing forwards.
- Weaknesses: Won only 2 of 6 puck battles tonight but is winning 55% of his puck battles this season. As with any young player Schmidt needs to continue gaining strength and explosiveness this off season.
Offense:
- Strengths: In this game he made hard, flat passes that were on the tape (completed 7 of 7 passes). Not afraid to shoot (5 attempts) although accuracy and release need improvement (1 on net, 2 blocked).
- Weaknesses: So far this season he has attempted 99 shots and has 35 of them blocked. He is completing 83% of his passes this season.
Overall:
Connor Schmidt is a mobile, offensively-minded defenseman with good awareness and the ability to play both sides. His skating and passing skills are good but there are times when he is still forcing his passes into tight areas and to teammates who can’t do anything with the puck after they receive the pass. His defensive play will improve as he gains strength, particularly in puck battles and when boxing out on point shots. With improved puck management, especially along the offensive blueline so his shots are not blocked Schmidt has the potential to be two-way defenseman in professional hockey. As with all young defenders continued development in his defensive game, particularly physicality and strength, will be crucial to his long-term success.
Aiden Ziprick (D, L, 6’1″, 183, Moose Jaw Warriors, 12/08/2005)
Game Grade: C+
Size: Standing at 6’1″ Ziprick is a defensive minded slightly below average sized left shot defenseman who played a simple direct game.
Skating:
- Strengths: Good backwards skating with smooth powerful strides. Uses this to effectively “surf” the neutral zone and maintain gap control.
- Weaknesses: Lacks explosiveness and leg strength in his forwards skating. Needs development to become a shutdown defender.
Defense:
- Strengths: Strong on the puck, uses his body well to clear shooting lanes and pin opponents along the boards.
- Weaknesses: Overcommitted to a rusher on a 3-on-1, leading to a goal against. On the 3 on 1 Ziprick overcommitted to the right-handed puck carrier attacking through the right dot lane. This left both the trailer in the middle of the slot open and left handed player in the left dot lane wide open with space to receive a pass. The goal scorer received the right to left royal road pass and quickly cut back across the royal road for a forehand backhand finish.
Offense:
- Strengths: Makes quick and decisive one-timers from the point. Handles D-to-D passes cleanly and passes the puck well with hard tape-to-tape passes (when not telegraphing).
- Weaknesses: Limited offensive upside and is fairly predicable with the passing option he is choosing. He completed only 12 of 15 passes (needs more deception). Not currently utilized on the power play.
Summary:
Ziprick is a defensively-minded defenseman with good physical strength and positioning. His backwards skating allows him to effectively defend through the neutral zone and to meet opposing line rushes near his defensive blueline, but his forwards skating needs work for him to become a top-tier defender. Offensively, he has a good shot and passing ability, but struggles with deception and awareness, limiting his overall offensive contributions.
Recommendation:
- Continued focus on developing Ziprick’s forwards skating explosiveness and agility.
- Work on defensive line rush recognition, particularly on odd-man rushes..
Projection:
Ziprick has the tools to become a reliable defensive defenseman at the WHL level. Development in his forwards skating and offensive awareness will determine his upside and potential to play a more complete two-way game.
Owen Berge (C, R, 5’11”, 197, Moose Jaw Warriors, 05/02/2006)
Did not play.
Noah Degenstein (LW, L, 6’4″, 196, Moose Jaw Warriors, 12/02/2007)
Did not play.
Max Finley (RW, R, 6’0″, 177, Moose Jaw Warriors, 01/05/2007)
Game Grade: B
Standing at 6’0″ Finley is a below average sized right shot right wing with strong offensive instincts and upside.
Skating:
- Strengths: Explosive first step and long, fluid strides. Uses his skating effectively to be impactful in both forechecking and backchecking.
Work Ethic:
- Strengths: Plays with a strong motor, evident in his willingness to stop on pucks and keep his stick on the ice during turnovers.
Forechecking:
- Strengths: Active forechecker who uses his speed and puck anticipation to pressure opponents and disrupts plays.
Offensive Awareness:
- Strengths: Made a heads up play Moose Jaw’s sixth goal of the game after backchecking into the low slot, settling a bouncing rebound and firing a pass to the stretch man at far blueline. It looked like a simple play but it required all of the attributes needed to play at higher levels.
Penalty Drawing:
- Strengths: Drew two penalties by initiating a post-whistle scrum while protecting himself from an opponent looking to take a run at him. We liked the play and the timing as Moose Jaw was up 6-3 with only 0:10 remaining in the game.
Puck Handling:
- Strengths: Effective in pulling pucks off the wall to initiate clean breakout passes. Settled rolling pucks quickly while keeping his eyes up.
Shooting:
- Strengths: Played with a shooter’s mentality in the offensive zone, fired two hard one-timers on net.
Passing:
- Strengths: Completed all five attempted passes, showing good passing accuracy.
Power Play/Penalty Kill:
- Not currently utilized on either power play or penalty kill units.
Overall:
William Finley is a high-energy right wing with strong skating abilities and a good work ethic. He excels in forechecking and backchecking situations, keeping his stick active and disrupting plays. Offensively, he demonstrates good awareness in the slot and a willingness to shoot. While not currently used on special teams, there is no doubt his skillset will be used on the power play and penalty kill opportunities.
Areas for Development:
- Tonight he won 43% of his 50/50 puck battles and for the season he is winning 34%. In our mind this is a clear indicator that he needs time in the weight room developing strength, power and explosiveness.
- We feel Finley’s offensive numbers have the potential to explode with time in the weight room.
Projection:
Finley has the potential to be a valuable top line forward in the WHL who plays big minutes while contributing offense. We like his on ice attitude and assertiveness and feel his impact at higher levels will go hand and hand with his commitment to off ice training.
Ethan Hughes (LW, L, 5’7″, 154, Moose Jaw Warriors, 08/10/2006)
Game Grade: B
Standing at 5’7″, 154 pounds Hughes is an undersized left shot center.
Skating: Excellent skater with quick strides, explosiveness, and good agility.
Offensive Awareness: Attacks the slot confidently, generated 2 rebound chances through puck anticipation. Both scoring opportunities were backhand quick stick one-timers.
Puck Battles: Effective in tight spaces (4/5 wall battles won). He used his low center of gravity to stay below his opponent’s point of leverage and his quick feet to then jump into the open ice behind the scrum.
Passing: Accuracy allows teammates to make plays after receptions. He did force two passes to his right wing when they were trying to push the pace.
Faceoffs: 50% win rate (5/10) in limited minutes (10:59 TOI).
Special Teams: Not currently utilized.
Projection: Undersized but skilled center with strong skating, confidence and awareness. Professional upside depends on his development in strength and offensive productivity.
Lynden Lakovic (LW, L, 6’4″, 185, Moose Jaw Warriors, 12/12/2006)
Game Grade: B
Standing at 6’4″, 185 pounds Lakovic is a December 2006 with NHL upside. He is left wing who has the potential to bring a power forward’s mentality to every game.
Playing Style: Power forward with a blend of size, skill, and physicality. Projects to bring a net-driving mentality to every shift.
Skating:
- Strengths: Excellent skater with long, powerful strides. Deep knee bend provides low center of gravity and good balance. Impressive agility and explosiveness (evident in goal sequence where he pivoted, accelerated, and finished).
Offense:
- Shot: Highly skilled with a deceptive curl-and-drag snap shot. Understands how to use defenders as screens and create scoring opportunities.
- Playmaking: Demonstrates willingness to play a give-and-go game with linemates. Developing passing vision to find open teammates in transition and the weak side.
- Net-Front Presence: Uses his reach and developing strength to box out defenders and keep plays alive. Has the potential to be a dominant force in front of the net.
Needs Development:
- Strength: While possessing good size, still needs to gain strength and leverage to win more puck battles (currently 43% win rate). This will be crucial for dominating wall battles and establishing a strong presence in the crease.
- Passing: Tendency to force passes to the stretch in neutral zone transitions. Decision-making and passing vision will improve with experience.
- Physicality: While he shows a willingness to play a physical game, adding strength will allow him to fully utilize his size and become a more impactful power forward.
Special Teams:
- Power Play: Utilized in various roles on the power play (slingshot, stretch, net-front). Adding strength will allow him to be even more effective in these situations.
- Penalty Kill: Not currently used, but his skating ability and reach suggest potential for future deployment.
Overall:
Lakovic is a high-ceiling power forward prospect with a well-rounded skillset. His skating, offensive tools, and size provide a strong foundation for success at the next level. Developing his strength and decision-making will unlock his full potential as a dominant two-way force.
Pavel McKenzie (LW, L, 6’0″, 174, Moose Jaw Warriors, 10/08/2005)
Game Grade: B
McKenzie is a productive, rookie left winger. He possesses good skating and strong passing ability but needs to develop his strength to have a role in professional hockey.
Skating:
- Strengths: Above average straight-line speed with a strong athletic skating posture. Maintains speed throughout his shift with subtle heel pushes. The puck does not slow him down and he can make passes while his eyes are up and his feet are moving.
- Weaknesses: Off ice training will add power and explosiveness to his athletic skating posture.
Offense:
- Strengths: Scored a goal with a smooth catch-and-release snapshot after getting lost in the quiet ice. Had another scoring chance on a 2-on-2 rush where he used the defenseman as a screen but he fired the puck high and to the wide side. Overall he showed good offensive instincts and looked to play a quick 2 on 1 game.
- Weaknesses: Missed high and wide on a scoring chance while he had a hard middle drive. On the play he could have utilized a down hill tip or a shot off the far pad for rebound.
Shot:
- Strengths: Scored on his only shot attempt, displaying good accuracy and a deceptive release.
- Weaknesses: It was only one opportunity but recognizing where his linemates are on the line rush and shooting with the purpose of generating more scoring opportunities.
Passing:
- Strengths: Makes flat, tape-to-tape passes with good deception. Teammates trust his passing ability.
Strength:
- Weaknesses: As with all young players he needs to improve power, strength and overall explosiveness. This season he is winning 41% of puck battles and today he won just 1 of 4 puck battles. He can use his hips to protect the puck from defenders and extend possession but if he is shoulder to shoulder with a defender he is still noy strong enough to consistently win those battles.
Special Teams:
- Power Play: Not currently utilized, but may see power play time in junior career due to offensive skills. Unlikely to be a power play option in professional hockey.
- Penalty Kill: Attention to detail suggests potential future use on the penalty kill.
Overall:
McKenzie is a detail oriented winger with good skating and passing ability. His production in his rookie WHL season is promising. Developing his physical strength will be crucial for him to reach his full potential at the next level.
Projection: McKenzie has the skillset to be a productive offensive player in the WHL. Continued development in strength, explosiveness and power will determine his long-term professional upside.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images