Played on Sep 19, 2025
Game Played in CN Center
General Game Notes: Prince George Cougars had a strong opening night that can be summoned up as a relentless forecheck and a huge desire to win their first game at home against the Portland Winterhawks.
Kayd Ruedig (D, R, 5’11”, 174, Portland Winterhawks, 07/07/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Kayd is a well-balanced defenseman for the Portland Winterhawks. He was the quarterback on the powerplay where he took multiple quality shots. Kayd also broke the puck out well against the fast forecheck of the Prince George Cougars. He always had his head up looking for his best options. Kayd did well to pull opposing players to him, then quickly move the puck to his open man. It was a long game for Portland’s defense, as the Cougars worked tirelessly pressuring on the forecheck. Kayd managed his game well but the emotions got the best of him in the 3rd when he took a bad holding call. Outside of the bad penalty, Kayd managed a solid game in this 6-1 defeat.
Sam Spehar (RW, R, 5’8″, 178, Portland Winterhawks, 04/20/2007, Denver)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Sam is a tough player for the Portland Winterhawks. He has great vision on the powerplay and was not afraid to let the Cougars know he was there. His mix of skills and toughness is something that should really help Portland. On the power play, Sam played the bumper assisting his teammates in the middle. He did well at making sure he was an option, and took some quality shots. At one point he received the puck in the middle, controlled it, and looked far side where he sent a backhand pass to his teammate stepping into the zone. It was a great showcase of his comfortability in that position and vision on the power play.
Ryan Miller (LW, L, 6’0″, 178, Portland Winterhawks, 05/03/2007, Denver)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Ryan is an athletic forward who uses his speed to create space for himself. A tough first game for the Portland Winterhawks but Ryan made himself noticeable with his endless effort and commitment. When Ryan received the puck on breakouts he would use his long athletic strides to move the play up the ice. Ryan had the lone goal for Portland early in the game. It was a quick transition two on one, with Ryan coming down the right side as a lefty. Ryan elected to shoot, taking a strong shot in stride, beating the goalie far side to tie the game early.
Jake Gustafson (RW, R, 6’4″, 183, Portland Winterhawks, 04/03/2008, Colorado College)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Jake Gustafson is a big-bodied winger who uses his size and reach to his advantage. Jake does well to protect the puck against smaller opponents and battles hard in the offensive corner. Notably, tonight, Jake was great on the penalty kill. Multiple times he broke up the Cougars zone entry with a smart gap and a great stick. He took pride in his penalty killing ice time and made it tough for the Cougars to be successful. He took an unlucky high sticking penalty, which we would like to see avoided but these things can happen. Jake played well in his first game in the WHL. It will be exciting to see the growth of the Shattuck alumni in his opening season in the WHL.
Nathan Free (RW, R, 5’10”, 163, Portland Winterhawks, 06/23/2006, Penn State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Nathan Free is an excellent offensive talent. He showcases his puck skills at top speed and with deception on the powerplay. Nathan did a great job getting pucks on net when he had good shooting lanes. Nathan was calm and collected with the puck, waiting for lanes to open, where he would show shot then zip the puck to his open teammate. At one point during a breakout Nathan received a cross ice pass that was well behind him. Nathan made a highly skilled play at full speed, reaching behind him on his backhand, and pulling the puck between his feet as he continued up the ice. It was a high skill touch that Nathan made effortlessly. We would like to see him avoid two avoidable stick penalties leading to power plays for the Cougars.
Alexander Levshyn (G, L, 6’3″, 155, Prince George Cougars, 07/08/2006)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Alexander was solid in net tonight only getting beat by 1 shot stopping 19 of 20 attempts. It is tough to completely evaluate his game in net, since he was not challenged with many high scoring chances in this game. Where we can speak on Alexander’s game, as a goalie, is his ability to play the puck. Alex has great puck control and he showcased it tonight with confidence in his first WHL start. There were multiple dumped pucks by the Winterhawks each period that Alex would stop and help establish the breakout with his defenseman. This led to really smooth and effortless breakouts, as it did not allow the Winterhawks to ever fully forecheck the Cougars. In a 6-1 game, maybe the biggest highlight of the night was Alex controlling the puck just off to the side of his net. An opposing Winterhawk forechecker cheated the wrong way as Alex showed passed and pulled it around him dangerously. He probably would not have tried this without the comfortable lead his team had given him but nevertheless, it no doubt gave his team a good boost and maybe a word from his coach after the game.
Bauer Dumanski (D, L, 6’0″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 01/05/2005)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Bauer was a great defenseman tonight. Bauer plays a simple yet solid defensive style that really shut down the Portland Winterhawks tonight. Most notably, Bauer has great gap control when receiving the Winterhawks forwards. He trusted his feet and took time in space away, between the blue lines, where he laid some devastatingly big hits. During a change where Bauer had just joined the play, and maybe the only time Bauer’s gap control could come into question. Bauer stayed composed and accepted the opposing Winterhawk by forcing him wide and eventually behind the net. This is where Bauer laid another monster hit and an easy retrieval by his teammate. It was a great showcase of his defensive skillset and a strong start to his season recording two assists in tonight’s game.
Carson Carels (D, L, 6’2″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: In the home opener for the Prince George Cougars Carson Carels was a very active defenseman all over the ice. Carson did a lot of things right tonight. Puck protection in the Dzone, breaking up a 2v1 chance, and driving the net while joining the rush are only to name a few. Carson quarterbacked one of the Cougar powerplays where he did well to make quick decisions. Whether that was getting the puck to the net or moving it to his open flanker, Carson did not second guess himself rather letting his natural instincts work. At one point Carson received the puck at the blue, stepped toward the middle and faked the shot, only to step around the opposing winger leading to an even better chance. It is hard to compliment Carson’s defensive game as he really led his team in pushing the play to the Winterhawks zone. His explosive speed from backwards to forwards had him driving the net on multiple odd man rushes for the Cougars. Carson is a well rounded skating defenseman whose balanced skating really allows him to transition his speed quickly.
Arseni Anisimov (D, L, 6’0″, 171, Prince George Cougars, 11/25/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: The Russian defenseman is a patient and confident player with the puck on his stick. Arsenii does well to pull players towards him and move the puck to the open man on the breakout. His confidence with the puck in the offensive zone is impressive. On the offensive blue line Arsenii uses his edges well to move across the blue line putting quality shots on net. Even if he shows he’s more of an offensive defender, Arsenii still showed his team his desire to win with a huge blocked shot during an odd man rush. Arsenii has good edges with the puck on his stick but we would like to see him length his stride and become a more powerful skater. He did find himself in some gap control trouble with faster Winterhawk forwards. Adding some power to his skating would only enhance his worth as a reliable defenseman.
Brock Souch (LW, L, 5’11”, 180, Prince George Cougars, 10/11/2006, St. Cloud)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Brock is a big offensive weapon that uses his size and good hands to beat defenders on the ice. Brock is best when he is able to gain speed and attack down hill. His first assist is a great example of that. Brock entered the zone on the power play skating down the left wall. He beat the first man with good body positioning and speed, then quickly went forehand to backhand to beat the second layer. It was fast and athletic skating but once he beat the second man, Brock widened his stance and attacked the net. As he attacked the net, he found his teammate back door who was able to one-time the puck past the goaltender. It is safe to say Brock’s added size and weight has helped him grow his game and improved his overall play. It was a great start to his first season in the WHL.
Kooper Gizowski (F, L, 5’9″, 177, Prince George Cougars, 05/05/2005)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: In his first game with the Prince George Cougars, Kooper really showed what he can bring to his new teammates. Kooper illustrated his strong play-making qualities with a goal and two assists. His goal showcased a shot first mentality while walking off the half wall, shooting short side high, beating the Winterhawks goalie clean. The puck seemed to find Kooper a lot tonight and once he had it he made sure to skate away from pressure with quick bursts finding the open ice. As much as we can say the puck found him, it is best to acknowledge his nose for the puck too. Like his first assist when he was first on a puck behind the net, as he stepped out he found his teammate coming downhill where Kooper laid a nice pass out in front of him, which led to another Cougars goal. It was a great showing by the 20 year old with his new team.
Riley Ashe (RW, R, 6’1″, 180, Prince George Cougars, 01/30/2006, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Riley Ashe is not a flashy forward but a highly intelligent hockey player. Riley did many things tonight to showcase his high hockey IQ. For example, in the second period, instead of rushing the play or simply dumping and chasing after the puck, Riley recognized his teammates were changing and circled back in the neutral zone. This allowed him to have not only time and space but teammates to attack with. Being a bigger forward (6’2”) Riley used his body well, laying multiple big hits during this game. Riley was a main force behind the relentless forecheck by the Cougars. The first goal started with Riley and his teammate causing a turnover, where he then crashed the net and helped screen the goalie from a high slot goal. Eventually, in the third, he was rewarded while screening the Winterhawks goalie again. The rebound found Riley’s stick and he was able to bang in the rebound. Riley is a big powerful skater who deserves high praise for his first game in the WHL.
Jett Lajoie (LW, R, 6’0″, 180, Prince George Cougars, 02/05/2007)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Jett had a strong start to his third season in the WHL with the Prince George Cougars. There is no greater compliment to give this power forward other than pest. Jett is a fast skater who uses his speed to close distance and hound his opponents. Once Jett closes the distance his low stance allowed him to lay multiple nice body checks. His quick feet helped other ways when he evaded a Winterhawks player, who instead of using their feet to match his transitions, took a bad penalty against Jett. His hard work and endless battery rewarded him two times tonight with goals. Both of which could be summed up in his will for the puck, which was much more than his opposition. Jett was another forward for the Cougars that was relentless on the forecheck causing multiple turnovers in the offensive zone. It is hard to critique Jett in this game, as he was such a hard worker and always moving his feet.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Mark Shroyer