Played on Feb 24, 2026
Game Played in Assiniboine Credit Union Place
General Game Notes: February 24, 2026 – The Prince George Cougars visited the Brandon Wheat Kings. A 46-save performance from #30 Filip Ruzicka unfortunately wasn’t enough for the Wheat Kings, as #4 Carson Carels and #32 Terik Parascak were too much to handle, sealing a 4-2 victory for the Cougars.
Filip Ruzicka (G, L, 6’6″, 204, Brandon Wheat Kings, 03/24/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Ruzicka is big, athletic, and made Grade A stop after Grade A stop in this game against the Cougars. His frame alone stands out, as he covers a large portion of the net, forcing shooters into tough decisions by cutting down angles and staying square to the puck. What’s rare for goalies his size is a lack of athleticism, but he shows plenty of it – even diving headfirst if necessary to make a save. It’s those instincts that allow him to make second- and third-chance saves. He doesn’t quit and, despite being out of position at times, finds ways to get a piece of his body on the puck. At one point, he made a save while facing backwards on the post because he never gave up and simply found a way. Aside from that, in calmer situations he makes saves by staying square, keeping active hands, and limiting rebounds. He has all the tools to be a high-end goaltender, and without him against the Cougars, the game could have gotten out of hand. He made 45+ saves and kept his team in it throughout.
Cameron Allard (D, R, 6’2″, 187, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/11/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Allard is a big, strong defenseman who keeps the game simple and effective. He doesn’t overcomplicate plays, instead relying on fundamentals to move the puck efficiently and maintain structure. He’s smooth on his skates for a larger defender, capable of carrying the puck or making crisp outlet passes. He shows good hockey IQ, knowing when to safely punt the puck under pressure versus making a cleaner breakout pass to start a transition. Defensively, he was reliable in a game that required heavy zone coverage, staying composed under pressure and making plays that helped his team manage the pace and protect leads.
Brady Turko (RW, R, 5’11”, 167, Brandon Wheat Kings, 09/12/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Turko’s skillset is highlighted by his ability to control the puck and create scoring opportunities through his speed and agility. He excels at winning puck battles off the rush, using his hands and hockey IQ to anticipate where defenders will be and find open teammates. He showcases impressive edge-work, allowing him to cut back effectively and maintain zone time while applying pressure on opponents. While he may not generate a lot of offense, Turko’s ability to get pucks into dangerous areas and create cycle plays with his linemates makes him a valuable asset on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Turko is a speedy forward who thrives attacking off the rush. He has the ability to beat defenders with speed alone, but when a lane isn’t there, he shows strong edge work – stopping up quickly, peeling off along the wall, maintaining possession, and making plays from the outside. He has good vision and the ability to execute in tight areas. In the third period, for example, he spun off a check and absorbed a heavy hit, but while falling, managed to slip a slick pass into the slot that led directly to a goal. That sequence captures his game well – using speed and agility to draw pressure, absorbing contact, maintaining possession of the puck, and still finding a way to create offense.
Jaxon Jacobson (LW, L, 5’10”, 181, Brandon Wheat Kings, 12/11/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Jacobson demonstrates confidence and a high level of skill, often taking on opponents directly and creating scoring opportunities. He excels at driving into open spaces, using his speed to find teammates entering the zone. His ability to read the game and deliver pucks to the net is notable. Jacobson also possesses a shooter’s mentality, adding versatility to his offense and making him a threat in both playmaking and scoring situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jacobson is a dynamic, high-end offensive forward who consistently creates chances through pace, awareness, and deception. He plays with his head up at all times, processing the ice quickly and making plays at full speed. There’s a calm confidence to his game – he doesn’t rush decisions, even when moving fast. What separates him is his puck poise. He can hold onto the puck just long enough to manipulate defenders, using subtle pump fakes and shoulder deception – whether at five-on-five or off the rush – to freeze opponents and open passing lanes. He forces defenders to commit, then exploits the space they leave behind. A prime example came in the first period on a 3-on-2. Picking up the puck in the high slot, he sold shot with a convincing fake that pulled both defenders and the goaltender toward him. In one fluid motion, he slid a perfect pass to the back door, creating a Grade A look that was only denied by a strong save. It was a small moment in the game, but it encapsulated his impact – manipulating coverage, slowing the play down under pressure, and generating high-quality chances.
Jordan Gavin (LW, L, 5’11”, 188, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/13/2006)
Game Rating
B
Gavin’s ability to read the play and create scoring opportunities is notable. He effectively positions himself to get pucks towards the net, often using quick releases and heavy shots to capitalize on open space. When he doesn’t have possession of the puck, Gavin drives the middle lane, creating chaos in front of the net. His strong skating abilities make him difficult to knock off the puck, allowing him to maintain control even when under pressure. Gavin’s instinctive playstyle and willingness to finish checks also contribute to his offensive presence.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gavin is a responsible, two-way forward who plays a heavy game in his own end, leaning on opponents and showing real strength on pucks. He tracks back with purpose, and on a night where his team spent extended time in the defensive zone, he made a noticeable impact by getting into lanes, winning battles down low, and helping turn stops into transition the other way. By doing the hard work first, he creates opportunities to push play up ice. When he did get his chances to create, he was poised and efficient. He didn’t over-handle the puck or force plays. Instead, he made smart, skilled decisions that generated quality looks, particularly off the rush. He sees the ice well, processes quickly, and makes short, decisive plays that lead to chances around the net. His ability to read space and pounce in the crease area adds another layer to his offensive game.
Luke Mistelbacher (C, R, 6’0″, 196, Brandon Wheat Kings, 11/02/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Mistelbacher is a natural goal scorer. He has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage, and just as often, pucks seem to find him in dangerous areas. No matter where he is in the offensive zone, he consistently creates quality scoring looks. He opened the scoring by jumping on a loose puck down low, driving the net with purpose, and taking it to the far post for a strong jam-play finish. Beyond that goal, he was a constant presence around the crease, generating multiple Grade A opportunities he couldn’t quite capitalize on. His willingness to live in the hard areas makes him difficult to defend. He’s especially effective on the power play, where much of the unit’s offense runs through him. While he can distribute the puck and shows good vision, he’s naturally a shoot-first player. He looks to funnel pucks to the net, attack the slot, and generate chances off quick releases. His mindset is simple and dangerous – get pucks to the net and be around the crease to finish.
Nicholas Johnson (C, R, 6’1″, 201, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/20/2005, Ferris State)
Game Rating
B
Johnson demonstrated impressive skills on the ice, showcasing his ability to drive through traffic and create scoring opportunities. His edge work was particularly effective, allowing him to gain valuable zone entries and control the pace of play. He maintained strong positioning on his skates, often finding himself in positions to drive the net or make plays to the net-front area. Johnson’s vision and passing ability were also noteworthy, as he consistently took advantage of scoring chances. A notable display of his skill came in the second period, when he drove wide, created space, and made a precise pass that set up a scoring chance. This play showcased his ability to think critically on the ice and make plays with precision.
1 Viewing
Comments: Johnson is a true power forward – big, physical, and extremely effective at protecting the puck. His strength and puck-handling ability make him difficult to knock off the puck, allowing him to shield it along the walls, create space for teammates, and drive play into dangerous scoring areas. He’s a capable skater who can make plays both in the offensive zone and off the rush, showing versatility beyond just his physical presence. His offensive skill was highlighted with a beautiful goal in the slot, where he collected a puck and executed a forehand-to-backhand move, displaying sneaky hands and natural scoring ability.
Joshua Ravensbergen (G, R, 6’5″, 192, Prince George Cougars, 11/27/2006, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Ravensbergen is calm, cool, and collected. He brings a presence to the back end that exudes confidence and allows his team to play more freely offensively, knowing they have a rock in net behind them. At times, he can almost look *too* perfect in the sense that he leans heavily on his technical structure – trusting his positioning, angles, and reads. But when the structure breaks down, he’s shown he can reach another level. In the first period, he made a huge, fully stretched back-door save that many goaltenders simply wouldn’t have the ability to execute. He read the play early, used his size and athleticism to extend across, and managed to get just enough of the puck to keep it out. His foundation is his ability to stay square to pucks. That’s his strength. He skates well, gets into position early, and lets his structure do the work. Because of that, he consistently makes difficult saves look routine. The combination of technical precision and the ability to elevate in high-danger moments is what makes him such a steady, high-end presence in goal.
Bauer Dumanski (D, L, 6’0″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 01/05/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Dumanski is a reliable two-way defenseman who brings consistency and effort every shift. He’s particularly effective on the penalty kill, setting the tone for his team by winning puck battles and doing the hard work that allows teammates to stay engaged offensively. His use of size and strength to box out opponents and his willingness to engage physically make him a dependable presence in his own zone. While primarily a defensive-minded player, Dumanski is also a capable puck mover. He consistently makes clean first passes to jumpstart the transition game, helping his team play at pace. On a team that emphasizes speed, his ability to get the puck up the ice efficiently makes him a valuable contributor in both ends of the rink.
Carson Carels (D, L, 6’2″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Carels is an elite talent with incredible upside – a player who consistently makes special plays whenever he’s on the ice. What sets him apart is his ability to impact the game on both sides of the puck. While very offensive-minded, he’s also responsible defensively, showing versatility as a defender who can play in all scenarios: power play, penalty kill, and at five-on-five. Offensively, he reads the play exceptionally well, timing jumps into the rush perfectly. He often acts as a late trailer, collecting pucks and generating shots on net. He has a heavy, accurate shot and excellent vision, particularly in transition, knowing when to attack and when to hold back – a clear sign of high hockey IQ. On the power play, he showcased his offensive tools with a bomb of a one-timer from the blue line, demonstrating not only shot power but also his ability to get pucks through traffic and create scoring chances for his teammates.
Kooper Gizowski (LW, L, 5’9″, 177, Prince George Cougars, 05/05/2005)
Game Rating
B
Gizowski demonstrated his capabilities as an unorthodox playmaker, using his quickness and agility to create opportunities for his teammates. He excelled at initiating the pace of attacks, pushing forward with speed before making sharp cuts to deliver precise passes that found their mark. This north-to-south approach allowed him to evade defenders and maintain possession, setting up a game-tying goal with a well-timed through ball. His ability to make high-pressure plays and exploit defensive gaps made him a reliable contributor in key situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gizowski is a skilled forward who plays at pace. He has a quick set of hands and consistently plays with his head up, surveying his options and processing the ice well. His ability to execute plays at speed makes him a constant offensive threat. He’s particularly dangerous on the power play because he looks for – and can execute – difficult plays through seams and traffic. On multiple occasions, he identified high-tip options that created chaos around the net front, showing both vision and confidence with the puck. What also stood out was his ability to get to the net without the puck. He consistently arrived in scoring areas at the right time, finding space in tight and getting his stick free around the crease. He was strong on pucks and heavy on his stick in those net-front battles, generating quality looks even if he wasn’t able to finish.
Dmitri Yakutsenak (C, L, 6’0″, 209, Prince George Cougars, 02/12/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Yakutsenak is a forward who consistently gets to the net, whether he has the puck or not. He plays a north-south game and uses his size and strength to apply pressure on opponents, making him difficult to play against. A true chip-and-chase player, he excels on the forecheck, creating turnovers through contact and immediately attacking the net. He also retreats to his own end with purpose, disrupting plays with smart positioning and staying disciplined defensively without overcommitting offensively. Overall, Yakutsenak is a reliable two-way presence, playing a hard, heavy game that impacts all three zones and sets the tone for his teammates shift after shift.
Dawson Seitz (RW, R, 6’2″, 193, Prince George Cougars, 03/01/2005)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Seitz is a fast, decisive skater with a knack for getting to loose pucks before anyone else. He used his speed to beat clean dump-ins and quickly generate shots on net, consistently creating offensive opportunities. His release is quick and carries real power, a trait that stood out throughout the game and led to multiple quality scoring chances. He also showed his ability to perform in high-pressure moments, scoring on a penalty shot with a perfectly placed low-blocker finish. That play highlighted not only his skill but his composure and poise in clutch situations.
Terik Parascak (RW, R, 6’0″, 176, Prince George Cougars, 05/28/2006)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Parascak registered 10 shots in the game against the Wheat Kings, which perfectly reflects what he does best. He plays in all scenarios, and when your top player is trusted on the power play, penalty kill, and at five-on-five, it says a lot about the type of player he is. He does strong work in the defensive zone, chipping pucks free and immediately transitioning to offense. He’s quick to attack, turning recoveries into rush chances, quality looks, or extended zone time. He can hold onto pucks under pressure and make plays that elevate the players around him. He doesn’t shy away from the net-front area, consistently getting to the blue paint and generating chances – even if they’re gritty second or third whacks at loose pucks. He has a goal-scorer’s touch, finding soft spots in coverage to create quality opportunities. While he’s known for his shot, he’s equally capable as a passer, showing vision and poise that make his linemates more dangerous. He may not be the fastest skater in straight lines, but he processes the game quickly and can make plays at pace, which makes him difficult to contain. He capped off his performance with an empty-net goal to secure the win – a small detail that speaks volumes about the trust his team places in him in key moments of a close game.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images