Game played on 10/2/2024.
General Game Notes: The first two periods of the game lacked energy, with both teams struggling to find momentum. However, something changed in the Prince George dressing room during the second intermission, as they came out strong in the third period and completely dominated Kelowna. Led by their top players, Prince George maintained sustained pressure in the offensive zone, outscoring Kelowna 4-0 in the final frame, including an empty-net goal. A standout play early in the third—a skillful between-the-legs pass from Heidt to Parascak for a one-timer—seemed to spark the team’s turnaround. Scout: Bill Maguire
Jackson Gillespie (D, R, 5’11”, 182, Kelowna Rockets, 02/26/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Gillespie is a reliable D that makes simple plays. His higher level thinking was displayed with a very effective indirect pass from the point off the end boards. He always gets pucks through from the point has good vision and moves pucks well.
Levi Benson (LW, L, 5’7″, 146, Kelowna Rockets, 10/04/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: An undersized player, Benson seemed to be very much a cerebral player trying to think his way around the ice. He was not very noticeable unless he had the puck. Once he had it you could see he was very good at making the in tight little plays but needed to use his quickness and speed more to evade and make plays. He was not one to necessarily go get the puck but his compete for it was pretty good, even though his success rate was below 50% on battles.
Bauer Dumanski (D, L, 6’0″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 01/05/2005)
Grade: B+
Comments: Dumanski was a very steady D for the Cougars. He can make simple plays with regularity. He is a good puckhandler that can prescan well which helps him to make plays. He is a good skater which allows him to move around the ice effectively in all zones. These skills allow him to play the top on PP1.
Carson Carels (D, L, 6’1″, 180, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Carels is a very good skater moving backwards as he is quick off the start and can track laterally very well. He also handles the puck very well which allows him to make plays quickly and easily as his head is always up. He also pre-scans the ice nicely, receives the puck with his head up allowing him to make effective plays. He is by no means physical but because of his great feet he can defend the 1v1 very well. As he becomes more comfortable he definitely has excellent upside to be a very skilled offensive D.
Aiden Foster (LW, L, 6’2″, 184, Prince George Cougars, 02/25/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Credit to Foster, through a very lacklustre first two periods by his team he was the only one who seemed to come to play. He was noticeable due to his willingness to get involved physically in all areas of the ice and pushback which created several minor skirmishes. He would also engage verbally in a way that was effective. He has good size (6’2′) and is a good skater that can get around the ice well. He can shoot the puck well and is more than willing to be a netfront presence. He was reliable on the walls in the DZ making plays to get pucks out either by pass or chip.
Kayden Lemire (RW, R, 6’3″, 192, Prince George Cougars, 01/27/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Lemire is a big player that moves quite well. He does have some offensive tools/instincts as he has good puckskills, can shoot the puck hard, but most impressive was willing to go to the netfront as a young player. He was often first on the FC and would also second effort pursue pucks. He has the upside to be a very good power forward at the RW position.
Jett Lajoie (LW, R, 6’0″, 180, Prince George Cougars, 02/05/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Lajoie, was basically invisible through the first two periods. There was no battle to speak of, was not skating and was never first on the FC. Something must have been said between periods as he and the rest of the key players showed up in the third. He began to display the areas that would justify his nine points through 7 games. His first shift in the third he was immediately noticeable as he would use his speed both with the puck and without getting into open ice. He was a big part their third goal as he was a netfront presence causing major headaches for the D as he battled for position right on top of the paint. He was more than willing to battle on the boards for pucks and rotate with or without the puck and go the the net. He is a very good skater that handles pucks well and has a good release. He can make things happen when he’s on.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images