Played on Dec 3, 2025
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: Goaltender Josh Ravensbergen was the difference in this game making several outstanding saves early on, 31 total, leading his visiting Prince George Cougars to a 4-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets. Dimitri Yakutsenak led the way with a goal and an assist for the Cougars with Carson Carels, Brock Souch and Jett Lajoie adding singles.
Tomas Poletin (RW, L, 6’1″, 206, Kelowna Rockets, 04/30/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Tomas Poletin is a physical left wing with a strong understanding of his role, consistently competing for pucks and contributing to the team’s offense. He excels at winning stick battles and creating screens, and has a reliable finishing ability, often scoring from close range. Poletin plays with a high level of competitive drive, always looking to be involved in scrums and battles for the puck. While his skating speed could use refinement, he is strong on edges and physical on walls.
1 Viewing
Comments: Poletin is a consistent, skilled, physical forward who brings an elite grinder’s mentality every night — working hard over the full 200 feet, attacking the walls and the opposition’s front of net without hesitation. He pairs excellent puck skills and good, though not elite, skating with enough top-end speed to navigate heavy traffic effectively; a prime example came when he worked his way through heavy traffic on the attack and then threaded a beautiful backhand cross-ice pass through traffic to linemate Paupanekis for a one-timer goal. Poletin logged 20 minutes in this game and impacts the lineup in all situations, playing on both the power play and penalty kill, providing reliable two-way play, crease presence, and consistent effort.
Dawson Gerwing (LW, L, 6’4″, 232, Kelowna Rockets, 07/12/2006)
Game Rating
B
Dawson Gerwing is a reliable player known for his relentless work ethic and physical playstyle. He consistently delivers a hard-nosed performance every game, using his size and strength to pursue pucks and establish himself in the corners. His competitive nature allows him to engage in battles for possession, making him a formidable presence on the ice. While his skating may not be particularly flashy, Gerwing’s ability to navigate the ice effectively and contribute positively to his team is undeniable. Gerwing has shown growth in recognizing pivotal moments and stepping up when needed, both offensively and defensively. His solid skill set may not be flashy, but with refinement and additional work on his skating mechanics, he could become a more well-rounded player. Gerwing’s commitment to the forecheck and physical aspect of the game make him a valuable asset in a bottom-six role.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gerwing is a hard-working, physical forward whose game is at its best when grinding along the walls and finishing checks — tonight he was consistently effective in those areas, routinely winning battles and even engaging in a spirited scrap with a Cougars player. An average skater with a respectable top gear, he can close gaps and support both forecheck and backcheck; his puck skills are serviceable and he showed the ability to make plays when needed. He logged just over 11 minutes of ice time and provided value tonight on the second power-play unit, noticeable by playing his game reliably and impactfully.
Joshua Ravensbergen (G, R, 6’5″, 192, Prince George Cougars, 11/27/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Ravensbergen’s performance in net was marked by his ability to stay focused under pressure, making saves on several quality chances throughout the game. His size and lateral quickness proved advantageous, particularly during a crucial sequence where he displayed agility and made an excellent save. In tight scrambles around the crease, Ravensbergen consistently demonstrated his skills, often emerging with control and composure. While there were instances where he may have benefited from more decisive puck control, his generally concise and controlled style allowed him to stay squared to shooters and maintain a strong presence in the net.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ravensbergen (6’5′, R-catching) was the clear difference-maker in this game, posting 31 saves with a composed between-the-pipes presence; he displays excellent positioning and reads shooters well, allowing him to conserve movement most of the night yet explode laterally when required. He consistently challenges shooters, stays square, and takes away angles – standout moments included, very early in the game, a high-difficulty cross-crease back-door stop and, an instinctive take-away on a two-on-one where he anticipated the cross-ice pass. His ability to read plays was on display all game, as he seems to be able to get too difficult cross ice plays easily. Rebounds are minimal and controlled (quickly sealed at his feet), his saves combine fundamentally sound positional technique with occasional athleticism, and overall he projects as a calm, technically reliable starter with the size and mobility to handle traffic and high-danger chances.
Phoenix Cahill (D, R, 6’2″, 212, Prince George Cougars, 07/07/2008, Colorado College)
Game Rating
B
Cahill is known for his defense-first approach, consistently competing hard in his own end. He possesses decent puck skills, able to make a reliable first pass when calm. However, his puck-handling can be shaky, and he needs improvement in this area. Physically, he has a presence but requires more consistency. His skating and overall mechanics are average, with room for growth in terms of quickness and closing speed on D-zone coverage.
1 Viewing
Comments: Cahill is a 6’2′, right-shot defenseman whose game projects as a stay-at-home defender rather than an offensive catalyst. He shows decent skating and quickness for his size and is capable of timely accelerations to evade pressure, though those moments were limited; improving his skating mechanics and overall foot quickness would markedly raise his effectiveness. He is physical occasionally – competitive in board battles but not imposing – and his puck skills are good, with some early-game inconsistency in decision-making that settled somewhat as the game progressed. Overall he profiles as a reliable defensive option with upside if he develops his skating and quickness, and cleans up puck management under pressure.
Carson Carels (D, L, 6’2″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008)
Game Rating
A
Carson Carels is a highly regarded left defenseman with an impressive all-around game. He excels in his skating, showcasing good edges and stride, although he could benefit from quickening his first strides. Defensively, he consistently takes away space using strong angles and finishes physically, displaying excellent instincts to lead or jump into the rush. As a puck-handler, Carels is confident and sharp, with reliable first passes that set up his team’s transition game. He recovers quickly in retrievals, reads the ice effectively, and utilizes his partner or accelerates out of danger. His mobility at the offensive blue line allows him to create shooting lanes and make pucks through.
1 Viewing
Comments: Carels is a defenseman that can do pretty much everthing at a high level (skilled, physical), who consistently impacts all areas of the ice without relying on flash – a composed puck-mover with very good puck skills who never panics under pressure and routinely makes the right, timely play whether that’s an easy outlet pass or making tougher breakout read. He’s a very good skater with strong top-end speed and impressive recovery ability, though gaining half a step in quickness woild elevate his game even more. His overall game IQ is high, including defensively…he defends tight through the neutral zone to smother entries, holds position smartly in the defensive zone to ensure support before engaging, or jumps quick when appropriate and finishes checks with authority. Offensively he’s willing to lead or join the rush, shows mobility on the blue line, gets pucks through, and can score-shown by a quick release beating the goaltender clean glove-side where he jumped in as the late guy on the attack. He logged a huge 34 1/2 minutes in this game, which seemingly didn’t affect his play at all. Physically strong and comfortable under contact, Carels profiles as a reliable, two-way defender whose minor improvement in quickness would make his already overall high level game even better.
Brock Souch (LW, L, 5’11”, 176, Prince George Cougars, 10/11/2006, St. Cloud)
Game Rating
B
Brock Souch is a talented left winger with impressive skating ability, allowing him to generate scoring opportunities through the neutral zone. He exhibits creativity and confidence when controlling the puck in the offensive zone, often navigating through traffic to set up plays for his teammates. Souch’s decision-making on the ice is intelligent, striking a balance between shooting and passing. His persistence in pursuing the puck also enables him to maintain possession in tough situations.
1 Viewing
Comments: Souch is a steady, 200-foot presence for the Cougars who logged just over 19 minutes in this game; he was about 50% on the face off dot but was well below his season average in battle success at only 33%. He plays at a high pace, is a very good skater and puck handler – quick, tight with strong top-end speed – and is dangerous on the attack, able to challenge defensemen wide with speed or use deft puck skills to create space. He showed finishing ability on a sequence where he received the puck across his body in the slot, moved it into shooting position in one motion and snapped a quick low wrister beating the goalie blocker side, and he demonstrates a willingness to go to the net with and without the puck.
Kooper Gizowski (LW, L, 5’9″, 177, Prince George Cougars, 05/05/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Gizowski showcases a strong skillset as an opportunistic winger, particularly effective on power-plays with his quick release and accuracy on one-timers. He has solid skating abilities, albeit without standout speed or agility, which he compensates for by finding space and creating opportunities.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gizowski is a stocky 5’9′ forward whose game is driven by very good offensive instincts and playmaking ability; he shows strong vision and awareness, routinely locating linemates and exploiting seams – notably, delaying on the attack to deliver a perfect cross-ice feed to the late guy Carels for a goal. He operates well in tight spaces thanks to quick hands, good point-to-point quickness, and the ability to fire hard, flat passes under pressure. Generally, he does not drive the attack, but gets himself into position for his speedy linemates. His release is rapid, getting pucks on and off his stick in an instant, making him a threat both shooting and setting up others. While his top-end speed is only average, his acceleration and agility in small areas compensate, and he remains a reliable, responsible contributor in the defensive zone. All told, his work was good, playing with some energy, Gizowski projects as a dangerous offensive catalyst at his level, effective with and without the puck.
Dmitri Yakutsenak (C, L, 6’0″, 209, Prince George Cougars, 02/12/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Yakutsenak is a stocky 6’0′, 210 lb left-wing who skates well for his size — decent top-end speed but not elite — and uses his strength making it difficult to knock him off the puck and, win battles along the boards. He’s strong on his skates, protects the puck effectively and competes hard in traffic, showing tight-area maneuverability and reliable puck skills; he demonstrated this with a slick tap back pass to power play linemate Parasak that led to a goal. He can finish, depositing a quick wrist shot top-shelf on a semi-breakaway, and projects as a physical, puck-possession winger who drives play off the walls and creates chances around the net.
Kayden Lemire (RW, R, 6’4″, 196, Prince George Cougars, 01/27/2008)
Game Rating
B
Kayden Lemire is a large and agile player with a strong work ethic, consistently battling for pucks along the boards and in front of the net. His speed and reach allow him to effectively challenge defenders and create scoring opportunities. On offense, he exhibits reliable puck skills, particularly in tight spaces, and demonstrates an ability to make plays. Defensively, Lemire is willing to engage physically and push back against opponents.
1 Viewing
Comments: Lemire is a big-bodied right winger who brings a physical presence and willingness to engage on the forecheck and battle for loose pucks; he logged roughly 12 minutes in this game. His skating is decent overall, his mechanics and quickness good but would benefit from targeted work — improved stride efficiency and edge control would help him sustain momentum through contact and win more puck races. He competes around the net and shows the willingness to dig in, and his puck skills are good for a big player, though more consistency in competing on races and finishing plays would raise his impact. With refinement of his skating mechanics, quicker first steps, there is clear upside to his game.
Jack Finnegan (LW, L, 6’1″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 02/01/2008, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Finnegan (6’1′, draft-eligible) is a physical, energy-driven forward who plays a reliable, noticeable heavy game in limited minutes (8:00 TOI) – every shift he competes hard, battles in front of the net and on the walls. He plays the chip-and-go get it putting it behind defenders to create contact and turnovers. Skating is average overall with flashes of quickness and a respectable top gear that allow him to close gaps and sustain forecheck pressure. He showed reliable puck skills, and made good reads on fore check rotations. He brings consistent physical pushback (including willingness to drop the gloves, vs Gerwing in this game) and unsettles opponents, and he showed a strong, quick release on his shot. Improved skating mechanics would go a long way for this competitive young player.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images