Played on Apr 8, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Art Hauser Centre
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed Game 7 of the first round WHL Playoffs matchup between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Prince Albert Raiders. Despite a strong showing from the Oil Kings, they couldn’t capitalize on their chances where the Raiders truly did, scoring three times off of Dragicevic’s point shots that had eyes for the net – one goal, one tip, one rebound. These proved to be the difference makers in the game and ultimately the series as the Raiders won 5-0.
Gavin Hodnett (C, L, 5’7″, 158, Edmonton Oil Kings, 04/09/2006)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hodnett showed great burst and reaction with a quick jump on a lost faceoff in the neutral zone—he pounced on the loose puck and got a shot off just over the blue line. His skating stands out, with quick turns, strong edges, and elusive movement through the neutral zone. He’s a shifty puck carrier, capable of creating time and space under pressure, and handles the puck confidently even in tight situations.
Adam Jecho (RW, R, 6’5″, 198, Edmonton Oil Kings, 03/24/2006)
Game Rating
B
This player showcases a unique combination of size and skill, allowing him to navigate tight spaces and handle the puck through traffic. His smooth hands enable him to make effective passes and create scoring opportunities. He also displays creativity and vision on the ice, threading pucks through the middle to set up teammates. The player’s physical presence is notable, as he can find open ice well and display a controlled aggression in all zones of play. He is an effective forechecker who can win battles for pucks in corners, but may not rely on speed to beat defenders. In the offensive zone, he moves well around the ice, looking for opportunities to make plays.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jecho plays a heavy, skilled game that is tough to defend. He’s an active presence in the offensive zone, moving all around the perimeter, reading the play and surveying options before setting up a teammate for a one-timer. His size is a major asset—he leans into defenders and uses his frame to protect the puck, but he’s also surprisingly mobile and agile for a big forward. Jecho controls the flow of play, especially off the cycle, showing patience and vision as he looks to shift the attack toward the middle of the ice. He blends strength with a creative offensive mindset, frequently taking routes through the high slot to create space and mismatches.
Gracyn Sawchyn (C, R, 5’11”, 157, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/19/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Gracyn Sawchyn showcased exceptional on-ice vision and skillset, consistently creating scoring opportunities through his clever movement and quick thinking. He expertly utilized his agility to navigate tight spaces and outmaneuver defenders, often leaving them behind with his sharp turns and rapid changes of direction. His ability to make pinpoint passes was evident in the play that led to a goal, as he accurately delivered the puck to an open defenseman. Sawchyn’s impressive footwork allowed him to stay ahead of the action, whether rushing up the ice or covering for defensive plays. He demonstrated exceptional hand-eye coordination by poking away a shot attempt with his stick, showcasing his overall proficiency and control on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sawchyn continues to show why he’s one of the most dynamic players in the Oil Kings’ lineup. He has the confidence and ability to drive transition plays singlehandedly, starting a 3-on-2 rush after skating the puck out of his own zone and through the neutral zone with pace and control. His puck-handling is elite—on one sequence, he dangled past a defender and slipped a pass to a teammate for a shot just outside the slot. Despite attracting full defensive attention when he has the puck, he keeps his head up and finds open teammates with precision, including a cross-ice feed for a high-danger chance. He’s very strong on his skates and displays balance through contact, consistently bouncing off checks while keeping his feet moving. In a 1-on-2 situation, he smartly used the defender as a screen and got a quality shot on net. Sawchyn combines creativity, competitiveness, and speed to be a constant offensive threat.
Miroslav Holinka (RW, R, 6’1″, 187, Edmonton Oil Kings, 11/10/2005)
Game Rating
B-
Holinka showcased strong playmaking skills in the corners, using tight turns to create space and gain access to open ice. He demonstrated impressive agility by spinning off checks and maintaining speed under pressure. In the offensive zone, Holinka was effective at creating scoring opportunities through his movements and passing ability.
1 Viewing
Comments: Holinka is a highly skilled offensive player with great awareness. He had a standout play entering the offensive zone by cutting laterally across the ice, drawing defenders with him before threading a perfect pass to the back post for a grade-A scoring chance. Defensively, he turned heads with a smart steal in the neutral zone, using his long reach to poke the puck free and quickly turning the play into a breakaway opportunity. He’s a dangerous player in transition and excels when the pace picks up.
Lukas Sawchyn (C, R, 5’10”, 174, Edmonton Oil Kings, 02/27/2007)
Game Rating
B-
This player’s skillset is well-suited for generating high-danger opportunities off the rush, where he can utilize his speed and agility to create space and separation from defenders. He excels at getting in close to the net with ease, thanks to soft hands that allow him to slip past checkers. His ability to quickly accelerate and change direction enables him to make sharp turns and cuts, often catching defenders off guard. He consistently creates chances for his team by being present both with and without the puck in the offensive zone. He also demonstrates good chemistry on the ice, particularly when skating alongside a teammate. While he may not be the most explosive player, his quickness and agility allow him to make plays that generate scoring opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sawchyn uses his speed effectively off the wing, pushing defenders back and creating entries. On one sequence, he broke into the middle from the outside and made a poised drop pass to a trailing teammate—a play that demonstrated awareness and control at speed. He also hustled to beat out what looked like a sure icing, gaining body position on the defender and maintaining the puck for his team. His speed and willingness to chase plays help extend zone time and generate offensive chances.
Lukas Dragicevic (D, R, 6’1″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 04/25/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Lukas Dragicevic played a well-rounded game, showcasing his skills both offensively and defensively. He demonstrated strong gap control, allowing him to stay tight on assignments and shut down opposing rushes. His ability to skate the puck out of his own zone was effective, generating offense from the back end. On the blue line, he displayed high-end skill, walking the line with quick hands to evade pressure. Dragicevic’s movement at the blue line created opportunities for himself and his teammates, while his physicality added an element of toughness to his play. He demonstrated confidence in possession, using his deking ability to create space and scoring chances. Defensively, he was solid, staying tight on forwards in his own end and using his stick to break up plays.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dragicevic had a highly productive offensive game from the back end. He tallied multiple points thanks to his ability to get pucks through traffic. One of his shots from the point was tipped in for a goal (assist), and later he scored himself through a heavy screen. He then added another point when a low, accurate shot from the point was deflected by a teammate and found the back of the net. His shots consistently found lanes, and his poise at the line allowed him to pick the right moments to fire. He was a major catalyst offensively from the blue line.
Justice Christensen (D, R, 5’9″, 195, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/30/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Justice Christensen played a solid game on the back end, showcasing his defensive skills and ability to create scoring opportunities. He demonstrated good anticipation, intercepting a pass in the neutral zone and setting up a goal for himself with a clever give-and-go maneuver. On defense, Christensen was effective at keeping opponents to the outside and completing hits without being unduly aggressive. When possessing the puck, he displayed composure under pressure, skillfully skating it out of his zone when necessary.
1 Viewing
Comments: Christensen played a sound two-way game and made multiple key defensive contributions. He dropped low in the defensive zone to support his blueliners, closing off a forward who tried to cut to the middle, with a well-timed stick-on-puck and a finishing hit. In the neutral zone, he consistently took away time and space, preventing controlled entries. His physicality stood out in board battles, where he played hard and committed to finishing checks. Late in the game, he showed shot-blocking courage, going down to one knee to help preserve the lead.
Daxon Rudolph (D, R, 6’2″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/06/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Rudolph showcased his defensive skills, demonstrating a solid understanding of when to pinch and how to disrupt opposing teams’ breakouts. He was particularly effective in anticipating passes and intercepting attempts, showcasing his awareness on the ice. On offense, Rudolph’s passing ability stood out, as he quickly moved the puck to his winger in open space, setting up a prime scoring chance from the slot. His heavy shot also forced the goaltender to make a difficult save, highlighting his power and accuracy with his stickhandling. Defensively, Rudolph was strong in critical moments, making key plays such as breaking up a 3-on-1 rush by challenging the puck carrier and blocking passing lanes. These efforts demonstrate his ability to stay focused and make smart decisions under pressure.
1 Viewing
Comments: Rudolph was a key presence on the powerplay, acting as the quarterback on the top unit. He moved the puck confidently, drawing penalty killers toward him before opening up passing lanes—his composure and patience allowed the Raiders to maintain setup. His game has taken a big step forward with improved awareness and vision, looking much more comfortable under pressure. Defensively, he was solid against the rush, holding his gap and using good stick placement to contain entries. On one sequence, he jumped into the rush for a shot that forced a blocker save. In his own end, he fought to clear the crease, allowing his goalie clean sightlines. He finished the game with an assist on the powerplay, feeding a teammate at the dot for a one-touch goal.
Aiden Oiring (C, L, 5’7″, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 05/09/2005)
Game Rating
B
This player showcases a well-rounded skillset that contributes to his team’s success. He is reliable in all three zones, consistently supporting his defensemen and forwards. His vision on the ice is strong, as demonstrated by a perfectly timed pass in transition that allowed a teammate to receive a clean break. He also displays toughness and physicality, taking hits and making plays that require sacrifice for the team’s benefit. In the offensive zone, he positions himself well at the top of the crease and capitalizes on rebounds. His agility allows him to seamlessly shift between lanes, making him a threat in both the middle and outside areas. His work ethic is evident in his backchecking efforts, where he hustles hard to intercept passes and support his team’s defensive play. This player’s overall skillset makes him a valuable asset to his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Oiring played a gritty, intelligent game with strong two-way effort. On the powerplay, he battled at the net front and found a rebound for a well-earned goal. On the penalty kill, he showed smart defensive awareness, blocking a shot with an outstretched hand and applying quick pressure at just the right moment. His timing was excellent—he picked his spots to challenge puck carriers, forcing hurried plays without overcommitting. Along the boards and in the corners, he consistently gained inside body position and won possession battles. He’s the type of player who does the little things right and contributes in all three zones.
Niall Crocker (RW, R, 6’4″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/31/2004, Ohio State)
Game Rating
B
This player demonstrated a well-rounded skill set that showcased their ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. They were highly effective on the penalty kill, using their composure and awareness to clear the puck and relieve pressure. In the neutral zone, they showed confidence in their skating and passing abilities, creating opportunities for scoring chances. Their hand-eye coordination was impressive, as seen in a highlight-reel goal where they batted in a rebound off the glass. Their hockey IQ also shone through, as they made smart decisions to draw defenders and find open space for teammates. Throughout the game, this player consistently showed their engagement and commitment to both offense and defense, making impactful plays that often resulted in scoring opportunities or defensive stops.
1 Viewing
Comments: Crocker played his role to perfection, especially in the tough areas. He parked himself in front of the net and screened the goalie effectively, tipping a point shot for a goal. Even when he doesn’t touch the puck, he creates problems by taking away the goalie’s eyes and occupying defenders. He consistently took away space without the puck, reading plays well and positioning himself to disrupt. Crocker excelled in board battles and down low, getting low in his stance to win pucks and maintain pressure. He was first on loose pucks in the cycle and helped extend zone time. He’s a dependable, hard-working forward who thrives in net-front and down-low roles.
Harrison Lodewyk (C, L, 5’10”, 201, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/01/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Lodewyk brought physicality and energy, starting with a massive hit to finish a check right after a breakout pass. He also demonstrated skating ability, carrying the puck end-to-end with control before cutting wide on a defender and getting a rebound-generating shot on net. He continued to push the pace offensively, taking pucks from the middle out wide and looking for teammates crashing the net. His combination of physical play and rush potential makes him a versatile forward.
Rilen Kovacevic (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/02/2004)
Game Rating
B+
Kovacevic showcased a well-rounded skill set throughout the game. He demonstrated excellent puck control and patience in the attacking zone, making the most of his chances with quick-release shots. His hands were also on display as he attempted a high-skill play, navigating through traffic to create scoring opportunities. The winger’s ability to drive the net with speed was impressive, allowing him to identify lanes and create space for himself and teammates. He consistently moved around the ice, creating opportunities and keeping himself available for passes. Kovacevic also demonstrated strong defensive awareness, reading plays perfectly and making numerous interceptions and steals throughout the game. His speed and agility allowed him to outskate opponents in various situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kovacevic flashed high-end skill and work ethic throughout the game. He made a highlight-reel play, stickhandling through two defenders before taking off with speed on the rush. Later, he displayed strong puck pursuit by tracking a forward trying to exit the zone, stripping the puck, and turning the play into a prime scoring chance. He’s a full 200-foot player who takes pride in helping defensively, regularly supporting his defence and battling behind both nets. His motor never quits—he drew a penalty by refusing to stop moving his feet while pushing past a defender. On the powerplay, he capitalized with a one-time blast from the dot for a goal. He combines skill, drive, and hockey sense in a well-rounded game.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images