Game played on 11/29/2024.
The 2004s
Jozef Viliam Kmec (D, R, 6’2″, 205, Prince George Cougars, 01/02/2004)
Grade: A
Comments: Viliam was excellent for the Cougars in their game against the Rebels, recording an assist in the 3-2 loss. On his power-play assist, he moved the puck D-to-D to Carels at the offensive line, who scored. The Vegas Golden Knights-signed prospect showcased a strong two-way game. Defensively, he stepped up effectively in the neutral zone, intercepting multiple errant passes. He gapped up well against the rush, consistently stealing pucks through physical play or stick checks. Viliam positioned himself effectively during puck battles, taking away his opponent’s stick while keeping his own free to move the puck. When he controlled the puck in the defensive zone, he demonstrated the ability to cut to open space or rush it up the ice himself. On multiple occasions, he made smart passes under pressure, exhibiting a calm and confident demeanor with the puck. Offensively, Viliam walked the blue line with his head up, displaying quick hands and feet. He consistently got pucks through to the net from the point, adding to his team’s offensive pressure. As it stands, Viliam is arguably the top 2004-born defender in the WHL this season and appears poised to transition to the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights next season.
Koehn Ziemmer (C, R, 6’1″, 203, Prince George Cougars, 12/08/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: Koehn was the LA Kings’ third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and is back in the WHL for his overage season after missing most of last year due to injury. He is one of the more skilled players in the WHL, showcasing his talent with creative passing, such as a backhand pass from down low in the zone to the middle of the ice for a scoring chance. His speed also stood out, as he consistently won races to loose pucks and exploded up the ice with the puck on his stick. Additionally, Koehn impressed with his physical play, delivering several hard hits. However, we noted that his effort level was not as high as expected, as he failed to hustle back on defense on a few occasions. Look for Koehn to step into the AHL with the Ontario Reign next season.
Borya Valis (LW, R, 6’1″, 196, Prince George Cougars, 04/01/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Borya is a massive forward in his first full season with the Cougars after joining the team halfway through last season from the Pats. In this game, he recorded an assist by sprinting up the right wall with the puck, drawing the defender toward him, and then hitting Paraschek in the slot for a one-timer into the back of the net. Borya is a big, physical forward who carried the puck effectively through contact to get to the front of the net. He identified and attacked open lanes both with and without the puck, showcasing strong skating for his size. However, despite his physicality, we noted that Borya struggled to win puck battles down low in the zone and failed to force turnovers when defending the breakout. In this game, he played a more skill-oriented style, firing seven shots on goal. He appears to be a player who would find more success in a top-six role at the NCAA level.