
Game played on 12/18/2024.
Daxon Rudolph (D, R, 6’2″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/06/2008)
Grade: B+
Comments: Rudolph was a stable presence on the Prince Albert blue line in this one. He played the game more as a two way transitional defender. His game shined through his puck skills, and transition play. His skating (stride, acceleration, and notable pivots and recoveries) and compete level (some hustle, good play involvement, and intensity) were above average in this one. In offensive transition Rudolph shined with quick play processing, option identification, and a smart bank pass behind he regularly generated fast transition times rarely requiring a regroup or d-d pass. This allowed Prince Albert to generate more offensive pressure. In the rookie’s passing plays alone he showed good offensive awareness, scans, puck management, and hockey IQ. In other transitional plays he displayed quality puck handling, control, and offensive poise mixed with some basic play support in the form of chips, dumps, and rims. In the offensive zone Rudolph’s puck skills once again showed quality short passing, and facilitation. This facilitation did lack some on-ice vision, and creativity at points and remained quite side to side. In other instances the defender showed decent offensive play reading and reacted in an appropriate manner with the occasional activation or closing off the wall with quality pinches. Rudolph does struggle in defensive transition as his gap control is quite passive, and he displayed limited spatial awareness in this one. He also struggled with establishing beneficial body positioning. This passive nature mixed with limited body positioning and spatial awareness can be best exemplified in the first, third, and fifth Hitmen goals. In the defensive zone this spatial awareness became even more evident with his over-commitments, which reflected developing positioning, and defensive awareness. On the offensive side of the game we look forward to growth in his offensive creativity, and situational awareness which will make his facilitation game even stronger. A lot of these issues that were present should work themselves out with more experience and time.
Vincent Palmarin (D, R, 6’2″, 205, Prince Albert Raiders, 11/19/2005)
Grade: C
Comments: Palmarin had a quieter night in only his second WHL game of his career. He showed the toolkit of a two way defender in this one. His game was highlighted by physicality, defensive senses, and some hidden support play. In defensive transition Palmarin had some issues with positioning, and balance, but when in position maintained gap control space well, and attempted to mitigate some risk. In defensive zone play the defender shined with strong defensive senses he established himself as a slot presence. This presence was done through quality defensive habits (box outs, body positioning, and tie ups), which showed decent spacial and defensive awareness. In times when Calgary pressured the rookie defender located and executed decent pressure relief through zone clears or a smart passing play up. The 2005 born defender also proved to have some hidden offensive senses with the occasional activation, passing play, or dump in he showed some offensive awareness. In zone he was a bit of a shooting threat, and had ok shooting tendencies with some power, but displayed a stiffer release, and limited leverage/weight transfer. There were also some moments generally that highlighted difficulty with puck skills for the Raiders defender, exemplified through evident puck bobbles issues with handling.
Luke Moroz (C, L, 5’10”, 170, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/18/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Moroz showed some capable skills in this one. His game resembled that of a two-way forward in this one. Some of the elements that were highlighted in this one include his senses, some compete level, and ok physicality elements. In defensive transition Moroz played an active role on the forecheck and back check. In defensive transition the forward demonstrated some hustle, decent lane awareness, and some minor play disruption. In the defensive zone and offensive zone Moroz showed quality defensive and positional responsible awareness, covering for out of position defencemen, and some ok habits by establishing favourable body leverage, ok angling in board play, and overall quality spacial awareness. The aforementioned lane awareness also helped Moroz with some decent risk assessment allowing the forward to reduce the quality of chances against. In offensive transition Moroz struggle with misplays revolving around puck placement, and pass reception, which demonstrated that puck skills needed some improvement. In other transitions he showed some good short range puck plays under pressure, which showed some offensive poise. In offensive zone play the 2007 born forward showed flashes of some playmaking, offensive scanning, and awareness that added to his upside. This aforementioned playmaking, poise, exempliifed itself in his facilitation of the first Prince Albert goal. This hidden offensive upside also explained the extended shifts on the powerplay. Around average skating defined by quality pivots, some decent edgework, and ankle/lower body flection, but does need more power, and a cleaner depth/stride. We look forward to growth in his play processing as he seemed quite reactionary in this one.
Dayce Derkatch (LW, L, 5’8″, 145, Prince Albert Raiders, 05/30/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Derkatch had a solid game against the Hitmen. He played the game of a relentless two way forward. His game was highlighted by his notable compete level, grit, and some puck skills. On the forecheck the Raiders forward showed some decent active scanning, stick work, and some ability to close gaps quickly. Most of all his compete level shined in defensive play with an above average motor, relentless poke checks, and a high workrate the 2007 born forward was able to exert some defensive pressure on his opponents. In the defensive zone this was furthered by his selfless defensive play reading as he showed good lane awareness only matched by his willingness to block shots, which displayed some grit, positional responsibility, and some increased penalty kill potential as he gets older. In offensive transition he struggled with some offensive positioning, and option creation as he often skated into higher pressure as an outlet option. Upon immediate zone entry Derkatch showed some struggles along the wall. Limited puck touches in this one but showed capable basic puck skills with ok handling, some short passing/vision, and mixed attempts at play making. Lots of touch and go offence in this one from Derkatch. We look forward to growth in skating (shorter stride, limited power, muscle mass, and further refinement of his acceleration).
Riley Boychuk (LW, R, 5’10”, 165, Prince Albert Raiders, 01/31/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Boychuk had an alright game for Prince Albert in this one. He has the tools of a playmaking forward. His game was highlighted by puck skills, senses, and some shooting elements. One thing that really hurt his game was his compete level in this one, as he had a low motor, intensity, hustle and play engagement. Without the puck Boychuk remained quite passive in both defensive and offensive zone play. In defensive transition he showed flashes of defensive awareness, and good situational awareness by identifying an opposing forward and implementing quick pressure plus stick lifts to strip the incoming forward of possession. There were also flashes of risk assessment, and defensive habits with occasional pressure plus stick lifts in zone instances. These flashes needed to be more frequent throughout the game though. In offensive transition the 2008 born forward really shined with some quality puck skills, play making elements, vision, and handling. When Boychuk had the puck the Raiders forward generated quality defensive zone exits through decent hit/pressure absorption and decision making that allowed for quick neutral zone transitions for him and his teammates. Boychuk also demonstrated some rush instincts with good puck placement and spacial awareness off of the rush best exemplified by his shot selection leading to his goal. In the offensive zone the Raiders forward had ok shooting mechanics including some deception in his release, but displayed only a half weight transfer resulting in less leverage. He also showed hints of creativity, play reading, and offensive instincts throughout. Some minor issues with play anticipation in this one. We look forward to growth in his skating as Boychuk possessed awkward stride mechanics that had limited extension and some lower body angling issues. These skating issues generated less power that produced below average stride recovery and choppiness.
Ty Meunier (LW, L, 5’8″, 160, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/16/2008)
Grade: C
Comments: A quieter night for Meunier. The forward shined as an energy forward in this one with a notable compete level (motor, hustle, and angling), but found limited success in any sort of pressure exertion. The 2008 born forward showed around average skating with some good bursts of acceleration, and stride recovery. In offensive transition and zone play the forward displayed some elements of vision and play anticipation, but found mixed results in execution. Showed good shooting mechanics with a solid weight transfer, and release but below average accuracy. We look forward to growth in his puck skills (puck management, receptions, and passing), and further refinement of his game more generally.
Ethan Bibeau (RW, L, 6’1″, 190, Prince Albert Raiders, 01/01/2007)
Grade: C
Comments: Bibeau had an uneventful but solid game for Prince Albert in this one. His tool kit looks like one of a capable two-way forward. His game is highlighted by some quality defensive senses, physicality elements, and basic play support. Overall the 2007 born forwards skating is around average, as he plays with capable pace, an around average WHL stride, and stride recovery, but limited acceleration, and power. This limited acceleration and power is best exemplified in the first few steps from offensive transition where it takes him a couple strides to find stability. Slightly above average compete level (motor, play engagement). In defensive transition the Raiders forward plays a role on the forecheck, and employs a good active stick, proves to be positionally responsible, and has some lane awareness, and attempts to limit their passing lane options. Exertion of defensive pressure is not fully there yet. In the defensive zone Bibeau is a decent high forward, and shows good defensive senses. These defensive senses manifest themselves in the form of his decent angling, ability to close gaps quickly and once again his aforementioned active stick and lane awareness. Bibeau shows some elements of physicality including some decent board play mechanics, some hit frequency, and a developing hitting form. He also displays around average simple puck skills, with capable short passing, and puck handling. Often resorts to dump ins, or chips. His offensive play frequently kills plays at the boards, and this is hinting at limited offensive creativity, instincts, rush aptitude and play making. He generated no chances in this game. We look forward to refinement in his offensive senses, puck skills, and skating in order for his game to take another step forward.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images