Played on Feb 18, 2026
Game Played in Langley Events Centre
Scout: Bill Maguire
General Game Notes: Initially the game look like it was going to be a runaway with Team East jumping out to a 3-0 lead, but that was not the case as it ended up going to overtime as Team East prevailed 5-4 over Team West. Scorers for Team East were Landon Amrhein, Zac Olsen, Giorgos Pantelas, Liam Ruck and Daxon Rudolph with the OT winner. Team West was led by Carson Carels with four assists with goals coming from Tyus Sparks with two, Brodie Gillespie and JP Hurlbert.
Daxon Rudolph (D, R, 6’3″, 206, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/06/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Rudolph is a poised, mature defenseman who brings a reliable all-around game to the back end – a strong skater who reads plays well, recovers for pucks, and consistently makes a clean first pass. He uses his mobility to carry the puck through the neutral zone when space presents itself and can navigate traffic to sustain possession. At the offensive blue line he’s evasive, creates seams, and routinely gets shots through to the net. His hockey IQ and situational awareness were highlighted in overtime when he made an excellent read by getting in behind the defense and finished on a breakaway for the game-winner; overall he displays notable poise with the puck and the skill set to impact both breakout and transition play.
Liam Ruck (RW, R, 6’0″, 177, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/21/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Liam Ruck is a hard-working right winger with several key strengths. He possesses excellent edge work, allowing him to win and sustain battles on the ice. His speed and quickness enable him to drive possession and support both offensively and defensively. In tight areas, he demonstrates reliable puck skills and creativity, often creating scoring opportunities. Defensively, he is dependable, using smart stops-and-starts to close lanes and maintain coverage.
1 Viewing
Comments: Liam Ruck is a high-end offensive talent with high end offensive IQ – an excellent skater and puck-handler who consistently makes plays in tight spaces. He has a quick release and finishes chances cleanly, shown when he deftly took a puck from his backhand to forehand on a cross-crease feed and deposited the puck in the net under pressure. Known for scoring, he also showed calm and poise with possession, Ruck plays with his head up, displays outstanding vision, and repeatedly finds soft spots in the offensive zone. He keeps his feet moving with the puck, making him difficult to defend on the walls and in battles, and his overall quickness and playmaking instincts project him as a primary offensive driver at the next level.
Cooper Williams (C, L, 6’1″, 166, Saskatoon Blades, 02/18/2008, North Dakota)
Game Rating
B+
Cooper Williams is a talented young player who showcases impressive skills on the ice. He excels at skating with ease, complemented by exceptional puck handling abilities that allow him to manipulate the puck with precision. His playmaking skills are particularly noteworthy, as he is able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates through clever passing and positioning. As a point man on the power play unit, Williams consistently demonstrated strong compete levels, particularly in front of the net where he secured crucial pucks and created chaos for opposing goalies. However, there were instances where his tendency to hold onto the puck for extended periods led to difficulties in maintaining possession.
1 Viewing
Comments: Williams is a well-rounded offensive threat who combines a legitimate scorer mentality with very good vision and puck skills, making him dangerous dual threat as a scorer and a playmaker; in this game his playmaking stood out as he set up two goals with primary assists – a slick one-touch cross-crease pass for a tap-in by linemate Olsen, and a beautiful cross-ice seam feed on the power play that led to a finish by Pantelas – showing poise under pressure, strong passing accuracy, and the hockey IQ to create high-quality chances for teammates.
Beckett Hamilton (RW, R, 5’11”, 177, Red Deer Rebels, 03/28/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Beckett Hamilton is a hard-working two-way forward who brings a strong physical presence to every shift. He’s an effective skater with good top-end speed, allowing him to win battles in the corners and down low with his strength and determination. His defensive-zone technique is solid, and he rarely gets beat by opponents. On offense, Hamilton shows good instincts and puck protection, often creating opportunities for himself and teammates through his engagement and outworking of opponents.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hamilton is a high-impact, pace-driven forward whose high end straight-line and transitional speed, combined with excellent mobility and poise, allow him to skilfully navigate traffic and consistently create time and space in the offensive zone. He reads plays patiently, times his entries and roaming intelligently, and shows advanced puck skills-stickhandling and passing under pressure-that let him wait for the right play rather than forcing chances, thus opening passing lanes; a prime example came when he drifted across the offensive zone and delivered a perfect rink-wide backhand feed that initiated a slick sequence leading to an East team goal. Overall, Hamilton is a dangerous attacking threat whose combination of speed, vision and composure projects well at higher levels.
Markus Ruck (C, L, 6’0″, 167, Medicine Hat Tigers, 02/21/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Markus Ruck is known for his strong hockey IQ and positional awareness, making him a reliable two-way center. He excels in both defensive and offensive roles, consistently reading play around him and finding open teammates with his excellent vision. On the ice, he’s a good skater with average top-end speed, but could improve his overall quickness. In key situations, he plays a crucial role as a setup man, providing playmaking value to his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Markus Ruck is an elite playmaking forward with excellent puck skills and outstanding on-ice vision – he consistently knows where teammates and lanes are, protects the puck in tight, uses good feet in tight spaces to create separation, and simply makes plays at a high rate. In this game he added an two assists, notably a slick one-handed backhand tap pass across the crease to his brother Liam for the finish, highlighting his creativity and timing in traffic, and an ability to make plays when you think there is nothing. He’s at his best in the gritty areas along the boards and behind the goal line, winning battles and unlocking chances from low and dirty ice. Adding even half a step to his quickness and top speed would noticeably elevate an already high-level, highly effective game.
Giorgos Pantelas (D, R, 6’2″, 216, Brandon Wheat Kings, 04/24/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Pantelas is a big-bodied, reliable defenseman with clear upside who excels as a hard defender to beat – he clamps down in the neutral zone, consistently takes away space, and in the defensive end shows excellent play in tight areas, maintaining strong body position and using a long wingspan to disrupt plays. With the puck, he handles well – not flashy but makes steady and composed plays – routinely makes the right reads, delivers a clean first pass, and keeps outlet play simple and effective. He also showed he has some offensive abilities, where he dove down on the weak side on the power play and finished nicely top shelf for a goal. His skating is solid, but improving his quickness and top-end speed would elevate his game even more and assist an already high upside.
JP Hurlbert (C, R, 6’0″, 187, Kamloops Blazers, 04/01/2008, Michigan)
Game Rating
A-
Hurlbert’s skillset is characterized by elite offensive instincts, smooth puck skills, and excellent agility on the ice. They excel at moving the puck quickly to teammates, creating plays, and finding open space in the opponent’s zone. Their ability to navigate traffic and make smart reads allows them to capitalize on stretch passes and find open ice. While they show reliable defensive zone awareness, there is room for improvement in areas such as puck retrievals and stopping play.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hurlbert is an offensively gifted, high-energy forward who impacts the game with elite puck skills, vision and relentless compete; he consistently wheels through the offensive zone, finds seams and makes decisive, creative plays – notably a lookaway cross-ice feed on the power play to Sparks for a one-timer goal and, take available ice moving quickly downhill off the blue-line toe-drag wrister to beat the goalie, albeit on a 5-on-3 – while also competing on battles on loose pucks and engaging physically. His skating and mobility are very good, he’s shifty with the puck (once dangling a very good defenseman to manufacture a semi-breakaway), he reads space well, and he releases shots and passes quickly under pressure. Although rare, on one occasion in the Neutral Zone, he did not recognize danger and made a turnover that created a solid offensive opportunity for the opposition. A constant energetic playmaker and creator, Hurlbert was easily one of the best players on the ice and projects as a multi-faceted offensive driver at the next level.
Carson Carels (D, L, 6’2″, 197, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008)
Game Rating
A
Carson Carels is a highly skilled and versatile defenseman with exceptional puck skills, vision, and mobility. He consistently controls the game, making sharp reads in transition and creating odd-man chances. Carels also excels physically, imposing himself down low and throwing heavy hits, while being attentive and disruptive on the penalty kill. His composed game IQ allows him to make the right plays under pressure, whether it’s an easy outlet pass or a more challenging breakout read. Carels’ ability to skate well in all directions, including backwards, makes him a strong defender at both ends of the ice. He is confident and assertive, using his body to win battles for position and creating scoring opportunities with his quick release. With further development in terms of quickness, Carels profiles as a reliable, two-way defenseman capable of handling top minutes.
1 Viewing
Comments: Carels continued in this game to assert himself as one of this year’s top prospects with a dominant, 200-foot performance – the best player on the ice – combining high-end offensive instincts with heavy, timely physicality. Defensively he’s willing to play a rugged game, finishing checks along the walls and in front of the net, staying disciplined in the neutral zone to disrupt one-on-one entries and routinely pushing back on opponents; on retrievals he’s evasive, able to spin free and immediately instigate the rush by carrying the puck or delivering a clean, up ice feed. He consistently makes strong reads on the offensive side, and times his notable weak-side jump ins to create an extra layer to the attack. His vision and passing skill were textbook on a highlight sequence where, just inside the blue line, he carried from one side to the other, dove down, and delivered a tape-to-tape backhand cross-ice pass for a one-timer goal by Sparks, finishing the game with four assists. Overall he drives the pace and is noticeable every shift – either creating offense or changing the game with his physical presence – projecting as a multi-tool pro with immediate impact potential.
Timofei Runtso (D, R, 6’2″, 187, Victoria Royals, 07/06/2007, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
B+
Runtso is a mobile and skilled defenseman who effectively contributed on both power play units and penalty kills. He possesses strong top-end speed that allows him to confidently move the puck across the blue line and find open teammates. Runtso’s poise with the puck also enables efficient puck-movement, making him a key player in creating scoring opportunities. Defensively, he strikes a balance between physicality and defensive prowess, utilizing his stick to control opponents. Notably, Runtso demonstrated playmaking ability with three assists, showcasing his impact on the team’s offense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Runtso, notable in this game, is a big mobile defenseman who uses strong skating and mobility to impact play at both ends of the ice; he displayed poise and confident puck skills and vision in this game, consistently activating with the puck through the neutral zone and on the offensive blue line allowing him to get pucks through traffic. He’s a steady presence in the defensive zone, showing sound body positioning, an active stick, and a willingness to finish on the body when needed. Overall he projects as a two-way defender who can drive play from the point while remaining reliable and physical in his own end.
Will Mclaughlin (F, R, 01/01/2004)
Game Rating
B+
McLaughlin is a well-rounded two-way defenseman with a high hockey IQ and good technical ability. He displays good speed and quickness, particularly in tight spaces, and is able to close gaps in the neutral zone effectively. His puck skills are strong, and he shows poise and confidence on offense, making him a reliable player at both ends of the ice. He has a solid skating stride, but there’s room for improvement in his speed and agility. McLaughlin’s battle rate has improved recently, and he uses body position smartly to impede opponents. His passing vision is strong, and he consistently reads the play well. While he may not be flashy, McLaughlin is a high-impact player with clear upside. His main area for improvement is refining his puck-battle technique, which affects his battle rate. With continued refinement, he has the potential to become an elite defenseman.
1 Viewing
Comments: McLaughlin is a deceptively high-level two-way defenseman whose standout trait is skating mobility and IQ – excellent edge work and quickness off the mark that allow him to evade pressure and create time and space; with the puck he consistently uses those attributes to either deliver a hard, flat playmaking pass or to drive the attack himself. He displays calm poise under pressure, often holding possession to find the best play, and is a clear weapon on the top power play where his mobility and timing produce consistent, dangerous shot opportunities to the net. His deception with the puck (e.g., a well-timed fake pass followed by a forehand pull and an immediate feet-driven breakout) makes him difficult to read, and his high offensive IQ is matched by reliable defensive play through the neutral and defensive zones – he reads plays well and defends effectively with an active stick. Overall, McLaughlin projects as a two-way offensive catalyst who can quarterback special teams and drive transition play while remaining responsible defensively.
Noah Kosick (C, L, 6’0″, 167, Seattle Thunderbirds, 08/18/2008, Michigan)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Kosick is a noticeable player whose high end straight-line speed and quickness consistently influence the flow of shifts; he’s shifty in tight with the puck, poses a constant attack threat thanks to excellent footwork, puck skills and quick hands, and creates high-danger chances even though in this game, he didn’t show up on the scoresheet. He competes physically-willing to engage in scrums and initiate contact-and plays with bite and urgency on both ends of the ice, illustrated by a heads-up diving play to break up a tap-in on a two-on-one and consistent, effective backchecking. Overall, Kosick projects as a dynamic, two-way player who can drive offense off the rush while bringing compete and physicality in his own zone.
Tyus Sparks (RW, R, 6’0″, 182, Vancouver Giants, 01/04/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Tyus Sparks is a well-rounded forward who excels on the ice due to his strong skating ability, puck skills, and competitive nature. He possesses a powerful stride that allows him to maintain top-end speed while also possessing explosive acceleration and agility in tight spaces. Sparks demonstrates good puck handling skills, including a heavy release and the ability to bury shots from various angles. His defensive game is equally impressive, as he protects pucks well and makes plays under pressure. He competes hard at the net, where he is a reliable finisher and screen/deflection threat. Sparks also shows a strong physical edge, but avoids being reckless, instead using his size to his advantage in battles for the puck. Overall, Sparks projects as a multi-role forward with significant upside, capable of contributing on both offense and defense. His ability to play effectively along the boards, make plays under pressure, and find quiet ice makes him a valuable asset to any team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Sparks is a player showed as a deadly shooter in this game but, he also has sneaky tools whereby he can play a heavy game. He consistently finds soft spots in the offensive zone to unleash a heavy, accurate one-timer or wrister (he finished this game with two goals off cross-ice one-timers). Beyond the shot, Sparks is an very good skater who handles traffic well, uses his edges and stride to create separation, and shows strong puck control and balance when engaged physically in traffic. He competes hard in high-danger areas, recovers pucks under pressure, and sustains momentum through contact, which makes him dangerous on entries and net-front plays. Overall he plays a heavy, multi-dimensional game: a go-to shooter who also brings mobility, board play, and willingness to battle, projecting as an effective scoring presence at higher levels.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images