Played on Apr 3, 2026
Game Played in South Okanagan Events Centre
General Game Notes: The Penticton Vees moved on to the second round of the playoffs, taking down the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3. Louie Wehmann and Jacob Kvasnicka led the way with two goals each, while Ryder Evers and Nolan Stevenson added single goals for the winners. Cameron Schmidt, Tai Riley, and Coster Dunn replied for the Thunderbirds.
Ethan Weber (D, R, 6’0″, 191, Penticton Vees, 12/10/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
B+
Weber is a dynamic right-shot defenseman who excels in multiple facets of his game. He possesses exceptional mobility, allowing him to cover a lot of ground and maintain possession of the puck. This enables him to be highly effective in the neutral zone, where he consistently uses his speed to cut off attacks and finish plays physically. On the power play, Weber’s quick decision-making and vision make him a reliable playmaker from the back end. He is also able to move pucks out efficiently and jump into the rush, showcasing his ability to contribute on offense. In his own end, Weber has improved his defensive reliability, consistently pushing back in net-front scrums and winning puck battles. His defensive-zone fundamentals are sound, but there is room for improvement in tightening up his play to match his high-end offensive skills.
1 Viewing
Comments: Weber – Right-shot defenseman who logged nearly 24 minutes this night (second on the club) and manned a role on the second power-play unit; he profiles as a versatile player very capable on both sides of the puck, with excellent puck skills and playmaking instincts from the back end, able to move and transport the puck, lead the breakout, or jump as a secondary layer in the attack. He complements his vision with a sneaky, chippy, physical edge, being sound defensively, that makes him effective in board battles and disruptive in the defensive zone, and he routinely changes the angle of attack at the blue line to create shooting lanes and get shots through to the net – a reliably creative player who can quarterback a possession and still bring bite to the defensive game.
Nolan Stevenson (D, R, 6’2″, 177, Penticton Vees, 01/04/2005, St. Cloud)
Game Rating
B+
Nolan Stevenson is a dependable defenseman who excels in both offense and defense, consistently playing a responsible game on the back end. He relies on excellent positioning and stick work rather than physicality to break up plays, while also showcasing confidence as a puck-mover and quarterback of the top power play. His skating ability is good, allowing him to navigate the ice effectively, but not elite. Instead, he compensates with a high IQ, making steady decisions and demonstrating situational awareness. Stevenson’s versatility allows him to contribute in various game situations, including on the penalty kill and in transition. He consistently wins battles for possession and clears passing lanes in front of his net, making him a reliable player who elevates special teams and steadies his team’s structure. His ability to make plays with the puck is notable, particularly as he leads his team in assists this season.
1 Viewing
Comments: Stevenson is a steady, high-minute right-side defender who quietly anchored the Vees’ backend, logging a team-high ~24 minutes while contributing on both the top power play and penalty kill; his sound mobility and reliable first pass let him defend effectively through the neutral zone and transition play, and he defends the defensive zone with smart hit-and-pin technique rather than overt physicality (58% puck-battle win rate on the season). He consistently generates offense from the blue line-five shots at the net in this game, matching his season rate-and will jump in and join rushes at times, offering competent puck skills and vision. Overall, Stevenson brings a reliable, low-risk two-way presence who can be leaned on in all situations, though he’s not a game-changing physical force and profiles best as a dependable minute-eater and matchup defender.
Louis Wehmann (C, L, 6’1″, 209, Penticton Vees, 04/12/2006, Cornell)
Game Rating
B+
Wehmann’s playing style is characterized by his consistent effort and energy on the ice, which allows him to effectively navigate the rink. He possesses a strong motor that enables him to press opponents in all zones and participate in the forecheck. His defensive reliability and willingness to finish physically also contribute to his overall value. Offensively, Wehmann shows potential with his ability to create chaos in front of the net, as seen by his two goals in this game. He is capable of moving the puck and making plays in traffic, thanks to his good puck skills. However, there is room for improvement in Wehmann’s battle game, where he struggles to achieve success rates above 50% this season, which may be a concern given his role and skill set.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wehmann is a gritty, hard-nosed forward who brings reliable, consistent shifts and physical compete every time he steps on the ice; while not a flashy skater, he possesses good top-end speed and enough mobility to be dangerous on the forecheck and to create off the rush – he showcased this by outworking and dangling a defenseman one-on-one to win a puck battle and tuck a backhand goal. Also notable is his strength in battles as he is very difficult to dislodge off of his feet. Recently promoted to the second power-play unit, scoring on a rebound one-timer, and his 17+ minutes of ice time in this game underline his growing trust and versatility at both even strength and special teams.
Doogan Pederson (D, L, 6’4″, 187, Penticton Vees, 06/27/2006, Lake Superior)
Game Rating
B+
Pederson is a reliable and mobile defenseman who consistently delivers solid play at both ends of the ice. He excels at pinching off opponents, closing gaps quickly, and making plays on the walls. While not an elite skater, his acceleration and top-end speed allow him to evade forecheckers and create separation. His dependable first pass helps transition play cleanly, and he logs heavy minutes in key situations. Pederson’s puck skills and mobility make him effective at carrying the puck out of his own end and joining rushes as a complementary offensive contributor. He provides strong five-on-five minutes and is a mainstay on the top penalty kill. While not particularly physical, he is effective on the boards and has good puck-battle numbers.
1 Viewing
Comments: Pederson, a 6’3′ left-shot defenseman, logged 14+ minutes of five-on-five ice time and was a steady two-way presence all game; most notable his very good skating – excellent top-end speed and quickness – allows him to join and drive the attack from the back end or recover defensively when needed. He consistently makes smart reads on when to jump into the play, is active in the offensive zone (often stepping down off the line to find soft ice and create chances), and handles the puck with poise, delivering reliable first passes out of the defensive end. He was also good, on the downlow defensive zone coverage, where he can be very physical on opponents in the corners and net front. With a strong overall skill set and versatility, he projects as a contributor on both power-play and penalty-kill units and should continue to develop into a dependable top-four defender.
Noah Milford (C, R, 5’11”, 171, Penticton Vees, 03/07/2008)
Game Rating
B
Milford showcases impressive speed and agility on the ice, allowing him to keep pace with his teammates and create scoring opportunities. He is physically engaged in forechecks, demonstrating tenacity and competitiveness. On defense, Milford displays strong decision-making, calmly chipping the puck out of pressure situations or finding support in the mid-lane.
1 Viewing
Comments: Milford (13:30 TOI) is a high-energy, pace-driven forward whose standout attributes are his work ethic, quick feet and excellent top-end speed – he uses effective crossovers to pressure defenders on the forecheck and consistently creates problems on the forecheck. His skating and ability to play with pace allows him to slide seamlessly into the Vees forward groups up-tempo style; he shows strong puck-handling poise and patience under pressure, exemplified when he used speed to push a defenseman off the blue line, turn back, and calmly thread a dangerous pass. Beyond physical tools, he displays good hockey IQ, understands offensive rotations and executes defensive-zone coverage details reliably. Overall he’s a well-rounded competitor with the skill, compete level and situational awareness to be a dependable, impact depth forward.
Sawyer Mayes (C, L, 6’4″, 202, Seattle Thunderbirds, 01/08/2007)
Game Rating
B
This player brings a well-rounded skill set to the ice, emphasizing his hard-nosed and physical approach to the game. He excels on the forecheck, using his good skating ability to pressure defensemen and create turnovers. His reliable puck skills and above-average vision allow him to generate chances for himself and linemates. While not elite in terms of speed, he has a strong top-end speed that makes him a dependable force on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mayes is a big-bodied forward who moves very well and brings a solid overall skill set; against a fast Vees club he consistently matched the pace, skating well through traffic, keeping his feet moving, and protecting pucks along the walls. He reliably handles the grind, good on battles down low, and consistently goes to the net to create chaos around the crease, showing measurable physicality and timely pushback. Defensively he competes on the backcheck and does the hard work on down-low coverage, earning deployment on the second penalty kill, and his faceoff win rate sits around 55% this season. In this game he logged 18+ minutes of top-six forward minutes, projecting as a power-forward type who can contribute in all three zones and on special teams.
Brock England (C, L, 5’11”, 174, Seattle Thunderbirds, 08/22/2009)
Game Rating
B
Brock England is a highly skilled forward with a versatile game, capable of playing both centre and left wing. His smooth skating and explosive acceleration make him difficult to handle in tight spaces, while his puck skills and heavy shot provide scoring opportunities. He excels on the attack, creating time and space for himself and teammates through clever playmaking. England’s defensive awareness is generally good, but he needs to work on controlled stop-and-start play to improve gap management.
1 Viewing
Comments: England is a young, high-energy forward who drives play with elite pace through the neutral zone and explosive acceleration in small spaces; he can change speed to beat defenders, accelerates through traffic, and logged nearly 16 minutes in this outing. He threatened every time he carried the puck – notably one occasion driving down the right side, quickly moving the puck backhand-to-forehand and snapping a quick release wrister creating a quality scoring chance – and his hands are quick and reliable in tight. Beyond the offensive jump, he competes physically, consistently engaging along the boards and finishing checks, making him a dangerous, two-way presence who can pressure defenders on the attack and create momentum for his team.
Radim Mrtka (D, R, 6’6″, 218, Seattle Thunderbirds, 06/09/2007)
Game Rating
B
Radim Mrtka is a physically imposing right-shot defenseman with impressive mobility and puck skills. He effectively uses his size and speed to create space in tight areas and make plays from the offensive blue line. With good poise and patience, he makes smart decisions when handling the puck, often facilitating quick transitions. Mrtka’s defensive reads can be improved, as he sometimes overcommits or puck-watches, leading to him being on the wrong side of plays. However, he consistently wins battles in the neutral zone and demonstrates a strong capacity to absorb contact while retrieving pucks. With refinement needed in his skating mechanics, Mrtka still showcases awareness and physical prowess in his defensive playmaking and tight gap control. Continued development could make him a formidable player at the next level.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mrtka is a sizeable right-shot defenseman who displays commendable mobility and an eagerness to contribute offensively by carrying the puck and joining the attack this game. His assertive approach in transitioning from defense to offense is somewhat effective, particularly as he frequently played the give and go game with his wingers joining in the attack, reinforcing the offensive layer. While his puck skills are solid, they don’t reach an elite level, yet he was dependable in quarterbacking the power play, demonstrating an ability to distribute the puck well. However, Mrtka has shown moments of lapses in focus defensively; notably, he was outmuscled in a one on one attack then stick battle by a forward, leading to a goal against, and he failed to adequately position himself and battle to prevent a player from screening on a point shot, resulting in another goal against. Overall, while he has the tools to be a very solid overall defender. This game he seemed to want to push the offensive side too much, then lost focus defensively.
Joe Gramer (D, L, 6’0″, 195, Seattle Thunderbirds, 07/14/2005, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Gramer is a steady, dependable left defenceman for the Thunderbirds who logged 21:00 of ice time and consistently wins coaching trust-he was first over the boards on the penalty kill and provides a steady presence on the back end. Strong in board play and puck battles (roughly 55% on the season), he broke up plays routinely and posted a team-leading 14 takeaways in this game, showing his knack for reading play and forcing turnovers. Disciplined in the defensive zone, Gramer maintains sound body positioning, protects the puck on the wall, and chooses quality outlet options rather than forcing risky passes; his mobility and clean puck-moving ability make him effective through the neutral zone. Not a flashy offensive driver, his value is his reliability, situational awareness, and consistent defensive play.
Cameron Schmidt (RW, R, 5’8″, 167, Seattle Thunderbirds, 01/19/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Cameron Schmidt is a dynamic player with impressive offensive skills, showcasing exceptional speed and agility on the ice. His ability to drive the offense through the neutral zone and create scoring opportunities with precision passes is a key strength. With high-end skating and lateral mobility, he can maintain speed and create space, allowing him to unleash powerful shots or set up his teammates for easy goals. Schmidt’s intensity and competitiveness are notable aspects of his game, as he thrives on physical engagement and fueling his performance through it. His resilience in the face of adversity is also evident, as seen in a particularly intense defensive interaction where he absorbed a hit without retaliation. While there is room for improvement in terms of engagement and consistency, Schmidt’s elite skill set makes him a valuable asset on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Schmidt displayed his high-end skill set in this game, showcasing quick feet and quick hands while notably stepping up to try to get an edge for his group; he was a constant threat on the attack with straight-line speed, quick feet, and a willingness to drive the defensemen hard to the outside then cut to the middle. He released a quick, heavy wrist shot and maintains excellent acceleration and evasiveness in tight spaces, allowing him to create time and space where few exist. Schmidt is physical in the scrums, consistently pushes back, battles hard for loose pucks, and shows a clear competitive edge. He logged over 20 minutes as the leader of his forward group, contributing extensively on the power play and chipping in on the penalty kill, and produced a high volume of shots – matching his season average with eight put on the net.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images