Played on March 28, 2024
Austin Elliott (G, L, 6’2″, 173, Saskatoon Blades, 05/14/2004)
Game Grade: C
Despite a playoff performance that fell short of expectations, 2004-born goalie Elliott displayed glimpses of the potential that led to him having a 0.904 sv% during the regular season . The 6’2″ left-handed catcher stopped 15 of 19 shots, with 13 shots coming from high-danger zones inside the crease. However, he allowed 4 goals, with 3 finding the net high on his blocker side and another being a quick rebound off the top of the crease that we feel he could have controlled. Given the pressure of the playoffs, this performance can be classified as a below average outing for Elliott.
Evan Gardner (G, L, 6’0″, 174, Saskatoon Blades, 06/25/2006)
Did not start
Brayden Klimpke (D, L, 5’9″, 148, Saskatoon Blades, 10/08/2007)
Did not play
Isaac Poll (D, R, 6’2″, 183, Saskatoon Blades, 05/03/2007)
Morgan Tastad (D, L, 6’4″, 188, Saskatoon Blades, 01/10/2006)
Tastad, a 6’4″ left-handed defenseman, saw limited action on the bottom pairing (8:08 TOI). He did not contribute on special teams and his lone attempted shot was blocked by point coverage. Despite showing good passing ability (7/7 completions), he lacked physicality (0 hits, 0.63 average) and strength during puck battles (0/4 wins). A minus-one rating on a deflected goal doesn’t reflect his impact on the play. Overall, we do not currently project him as a potential NHL draft pick.
Rowan Calvert (LW, L, 5’11”, 191, Saskatoon Blades, 10/01/2005)
Game Grade: C+
Despite his undersized frame (5’11”, 190 lbs), left wing Calvert logged significant ice time (14:37 TOI), including 3:15 on the power play for Saskatoon. He also led Saskatoon forwards in penalty kill time (2:22). He finished -1 on Price Albert’s first goal on a defensive lapse where we would have liked to have seen better stick place and a more direct backchecking route. Offensively, he generated rebounds with two quality shots from the low left slot and displayed strong puck anticipation winning races to 3 loose puck rebounds. Calvert impressed with his physicality, winning 9 out of 10 puck battles and showcasing good body control and balance. While not projected for the 2024 NHL Draft, his development since his 187th overall WHL Bantam draft selection is encouraging.
William James (F, R, 6’0″, 153, Saskatoon Blades, 09/28/2006)
Did not dress
Hudson Kibblewhite (C, R, 5’11”, 165, Saskatoon Blades, 04/07/2007)
Game Grade: C
A below average sized rookie forward Kibblewhite (5’11”, 165 lbs) saw limited ice time (7:11 TOI) in this one. Despite displaying consistent hustle throughout his shifts and acceleration out of hard hockey stops so he could stay on the puck, he needs to develop strength and power (3/8 puck battles won). His passing accuracy (83%) suffered due to telegraphing passes and predictability. An offseason focused on strength and explosiveness will be crucial for him to make a bigger impact on a shift by shift basis.
Zachery Olsen (C, R, 6’2″, 181, Edge School U18, 03/16/2008)
Did not dress
Nathan Preston (G, L, 6’3″, 165, Prince Albert Raiders, 11/12/2005)
Did not play
Doogan Pederson (D, L, 6’3″, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 06/27/2006)
Tyrone Sobry (D, L, 6’2″, 177, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/12/2006)
Game Grade: C
Despite not playing power play or penalty kill time Sobry was effective in the 10:17 of even strength ice time he saw. Standing at 6’2″, 177-pound the left shot defenseman Sobry showcased NHL-caliber size and willingness to win battles in front of his net and in the corners. He displayed good puck handling ability by pulling pucks off the wall smoothly and he handles passes into his feet with little problems. He made smart breakout passes (100% completion rate), even though he did not earn an assist on Price Albert’s first goal of the game it was his head’s up stretch pass to the far blueline that led directly to the goal. Strong along the boards (5/9 puck battles won). Added strength and confidence will help his overall game develop.
Oli Chenier (C, R, 5’10”, 185, Prince Albert Raiders, 01/26/2007)
Game Grade: C+
Oli Chenier is a thickly built 2007 right shot forward who can play center or wing. Despite earning only 6:17 in total ice time he finished +2 and had a primary assist on Price Albert’s first goal of the game. He was not used on the penalty kill but played 0:44 on the second power play unit. As his game continues to grow puck management will be a focus as today he had 6 giveaways and completed only 83% of his passes.
Brayden Dube (RW, R, 5’10”, 176, Prince Albert Raiders, 09/22/2005)
Game Grade: B-
Right wing Dube (5’10”, 175 lbs) offers intriguing speed and explosiveness despite his undersized frame. He displays strong edgework and above average acceleration. Offensively, he creates discomfort for opponents with his fast, aggressive style. He also showed defensive awareness as he provided low support to his defensemen an did so while keeping his head on a swivel. He saw second unit power play time (0:44) and a nice change of pace on a breakaway chance after a stretch pass and doing an in stride spin-o-rama. Notably, he excels in puck battles (78% win rate) and displays good passing accuracy (100%). We love how he stood up for himself when he received a double minor for a post second period scrum after a Saskatoon player took a run at him. His overall compete level is high. Dube’s skillset warrants monitoring as he develops.
Matej Kubiesa (RW, R, 5’11”, 171, Prince Albert Raiders, 09/11/2006)
Did not dress
Grady Martin (C, L, 6’3″, 193, Prince Albert Raiders, 04/26/2006)
Game Grade: C
Power forward Martin (6’3″, 193 lbs, LW) utilizes his size and strength effectively, winning all 3 puck battles in his limited ice time (4:29 TOI). He contributed offensively with a secondary assist on Prince Albert’s second-goal after a right mid-wall puck battle win. Martin prioritizes driving the puck towards the opponent’s net, keeping his offensive approach straightforward. His size is very intriguing but he will need to improve his skating efficiency for a chance to play professionally.
Luke Moroz (C, L, 5’9″, 153, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/18/2007)
Game Grade: C
An undersized 5’9″, 153 pound center Moroz (2007, C, LW) showcases good skating ability (fluid strides) but needs significant strength and explosive development to capitalize on his offensive instincts. Despite limited ice time (4:29 TOI), he contributed offensively with a primary assist after he fired a 10″ snap shot off the far pad that went to his left defenseman. As he enters his draft year, adding strength, explosiveness and power will be crucial for his 2025 NHL Draft potential.
Cole Peardon (C, L, 6’0″, 175, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/26/2006)
Game Grade: C
Left shot Center Peardon (6’0″, LW) is an undersized prospect with intriguing speed. He consistently showed a deep knee bend skating posture with above-average straight-line speed and agility. Peardon contributed on the penalty kill (1:15 TOI) and showed good strength and quick hands during 50/50 puck battles (60% win rate). Offensively, he can make the passes that need to be made but overall he keeps things simple, utilizing the walls effectively to advance the puck when he does not have a clear passing lane. While not projected for the 2024 Draft, his development, particularly in adding strength, makes him a player to monitor.
Ryder Ritchie (LW, R, 6’0″, 176, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/03/2006)
Game Grade: B+
Right shot right wing Ritchie (6’0″) offers offensive upside despite his slightly below-average frame. He possesses strong puck awareness and a scoring mentality, evident in his sweeping wrist shot power play goal and his primary power play assist that came directly from a low angle shot that generated a rebound at the top of the crease. He generated scoring chances (8 shot attempts, 5 SOG, 2 Grade-A) but needs to improve strength and power (40% puck battle win rate) for long-term success, especially in professional hockey. He saw significant ice time (19:02 TOI) including power play usage (3:27 TOI), but was not utilized on the penalty kill. We feel he is a potential late first round 2024 NHL draft pick and with added strength, power and explosiveness he could translate his offensive game to the pros.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images