Played on Jan 29, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Westoba Place
Scout: Liam Chisholm
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the WHL matchup between the Red Deer Rebels and the Brandon Wheat Kings on January 29, 2025 in Brandon, MB. Despite the score reading 7-2 in favour of Brandon, the game could have gone either way after the first two periods. Both sides had lots of sustained pressure opportunities and moments in the game where they were overwhelming the other sides defense, but the Wheat Kings made the most of their opportunities and with a dominant third period, came away with the big win.
Carson Bjarnason (G, L, 6’3″, 202, Brandon Wheat Kings, 06/23/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Bjarnason displayed resilience after allowing two early goals, shutting the door for the remainder of the game and finishing with 29 saves on 31 shots. He tracked pucks well through screens and reacted quickly to cross-ice passes, getting set before making the stop. His positioning was excellent, allowing him to control rebounds by directing them to the corners. While he has the quickness to make highlight-reel saves when needed, his ability to stay square and minimize desperation movements was a key part of his success.
Quinn Mantei (D, L, 6’0″, 181, Brandon Wheat Kings, 04/23/2005)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: A dynamic offensive defenseman, Mantei was highly engaged in both ends of the ice. He aggressively held the blue line, walking it confidently and protecting the puck when he was the last man back. His skating allowed him to carry the puck end-to-end with ease, often looking for teammates in motion to advance plays. One rush down the wall ended with a slick backhand pass to the slot, resulting in a goal and an assist for him. He also added a goal of his own, taking a low shot through traffic that found its way into the net. Mantei extended offensive possessions by dropping down the half-wall, showing no hesitation in staying low to generate more pressure.
Jaxon Jacobson (LW, L, 5’10”, 178, Brandon Wheat Kings, 12/11/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Jaxon Jacobson displayed impressive offensive skills as a center, showcasing quickness, shifty edges, and exceptional stickhandling abilities. He excelled at changing direction in 1-on-1 situations, finding open lanes for controlled zone entries. Jacobson demonstrated clever hands, reading defensemen’s movements to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. His speed allowed him to stay ahead of defenders, even when receiving passes behind his back or chasing after loose pucks in his own zone. Additionally, Jacobson displayed strong work ethic, hustling hard on delayed penalties to block shots and protect the net.
1 Viewing
Comments: Jacobson showcased high-end offensive instincts, scoring a highlight-reel goal by controlling a pass while facing the net and, in one motion, firing a perfectly placed shot top corner despite heavy defensive pressure. On the powerplay, he executed a smooth toe-drag around a defender before threading a backhand pass to the net-front for an easy tap-in by his teammate. His soft hands and ability to float into space made him a constant offensive threat. Defensively, he covered well in front of his own net, disrupting a pass before quickly transitioning the puck up ice.
Adam Belusko (D, L, 5’11”, 195, Brandon Wheat Kings, 04/12/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Belusko demonstrated strong defensive awareness and transition play. On a key recovery in his own zone, he positioned his body to completely shield the forechecker before making a quick D-to-D pass. His speed was evident as he skated the puck out, dumped it deep, and applied hard pressure on the forecheck, forcing a defensive scramble that led to a goal for his team.
Joby Baumuller (RW, R, 5’10”, 188, Brandon Wheat Kings, 07/19/2007)
Game Rating
B
Joby Baumuller showcased exceptional skillset in the offensive zone, consistently moving the puck with speed and precision. He demonstrated accuracy in his passing, finding teammates with ease and timing his shots perfectly. In a high-pressure situation with his team trailing by one goal in the final minutes of the game, Baumuller displayed poise and composure, expertly toe-dragging around a defender to create space before unleashing a powerful shot that narrowly missed the post. His fluid movements and quick thinking allowed him to capitalize on a loose puck in the slot, leaving defenders struggling to keep up with his pace.
1 Viewing
Comments: Baumuller is a skilled forward who navigates through traffic with smooth hands, allowing him to maintain possession as he crosses the blue line. He finishes his hits with authority, making his presence felt along the boards and in the corners. His speed helps him gain control of the offensive zone, but he could improve by scanning for open ice rather than consistently challenging defensemen 1-on-1.
Luke Shipley (D, R, 6’0″, 186, Brandon Wheat Kings, 08/08/2004, UMass Lowell)
Game Rating
B+
Lukas Shipley demonstrates exceptional skills as a playmaker from the point position. He excels at controlling the tempo of the game by identifying passing lanes and setting up his teammates with precise passes. His agility allows him to navigate the ice with ease, creating opportunities for quick releases and accurate passes. Shipley’s confidence with the puck is evident in his powerplay performances, where he takes full advantage of open spaces to deliver pinpoint passes. He is a skilled quarterback who can effectively read the game and make smart decisions under pressure, showcasing his ability to control the flow of play.
1 Viewing
Comments: Shipley was an offensive threat throughout the game, showcasing his shot and playmaking abilities. Trailing the play, he wired a perfectly placed wrist shot through traffic to the far-side post for a goal. As the powerplay quarterback, he moved fluidly along the blue line, drawing defenders out of position before distributing the puck into open ice for a quality scoring chance. He also contributed defensively, stepping up with key shot blocks while killing penalties.
Marcus Nguyen (RW, R, 5’11”, 183, Brandon Wheat Kings, 08/02/2004, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Rating
B
Marcus Nguyen is a force to be reckoned with on the ice, using his physicality and agility to create scoring opportunities in tight spaces. He excels at crashing the net and securing rebounds, showcasing his strength and determination. Along the boards, Nguyen demonstrates excellent puck protection skills, outmuscling opponents while maintaining possession. His willingness to deliver hits while forechecking also showcases his tenacity. When entering the zone with the puck, he navigates effectively, often reaching the hash marks before making a play or passing to an open teammate. His finishing ability, however, is still a work in progress as he consistently comes up short on scoring chances that arise from his aggressive driving and positioning.
1 Viewing
Comments: Nguyen’s speed and quick-release shot made him a dangerous offensive presence. He carried the puck from the corner around the circle before snapping off a quick shot on goal. A powerful skater, he attacked defenders aggressively, using his strength to maintain control under pressure. His goal came off a broken play, where he reacted instantly upon receiving the puck, ripping a hard snap shot as soon as it hit his tape.
Giorgos Pantelas (D, R, 6’3″, 200, Brandon Wheat Kings, 04/24/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Pantelas played a steady, intelligent game on the blue line. He held the line well and made composed passes up the ice. When given time and space, he displayed excellent vision, executing stretch passes and confidently joining the rush. However, under pressure, he played more conservatively. If he can bring the same poise in tight situations that he does when he has time, he has the potential to develop into a dynamic WHL defenseman.
Nolan Flamand (LW, L, 5’10”, 190, Brandon Wheat Kings, 01/12/2004)
Game Rating
B-
Nolan Flamand showcases his skills as a talented hockey player with impressive on-ice abilities. He has exceptional vision, allowing him to find open space and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Flamand’s agility enables him to quickly change direction and gain possession of the puck, often finding creative ways to beat opponents. His accuracy with one-timers is notable, as demonstrated by a beautifully placed shot from below the goal line that finds the back of the net. Additionally, Flamand’s determination and physicality allow him to outmuscle defenders and create scoring chances through sheer force and willpower. Overall, Flamand’s skills make him a valuable asset on the ice.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gavin showed strong offensive instincts and patience in his shot selection, taking what was available rather than forcing low-percentage attempts. When the shooting lane wasn’t ideal, he looked for sticks to create deflections. He battled hard in front of the net, ultimately getting his stick on a loose puck in tight and knocking it in for a goal.
Luke Vlooswyk (D, R, 6’5″, 200, Red Deer Rebels, 01/09/2007)
Game Rating
B
Vlooswyk’s playing style is characterized by his strong offensive skills, which include making efficient passes out of his zone and providing a threat on the rush. He has a good ability to stretch the ice with long passes into the neutral zone and can be a reliable source for his team when in possession.
1 Viewing
Comments: Vlooswyk demonstrated strong defensive awareness and puck-moving ability. Under pressure in his own zone, he skated the puck out cleanly before dumping it deep over the red line to relieve pressure. He was effective at holding the blue line and walking along it to find open shooting or passing lanes. On the penalty kill, he sacrificed his body to block a shot, showing his commitment defensively. His physicality was also a factor—when a speedy forward attempted to take the puck wide, he maintained a tight gap and delivered a well-timed hip check to shut the play down.
Doogan Pederson (D, L, 6’3″, 185, Red Deer Rebels, 06/27/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Pederson played with confidence and poise, especially when under pressure. He showed great awareness, cutting up the wall in his own zone to recover the puck before sending a sharp pass up ice. As the powerplay quarterback, he displayed strong vision, moving the puck efficiently and consistently getting his shots through traffic. He handled pressure well, skating through tight gaps and making controlled passes through the middle of the ice while keeping his head up. Defensively, he was sound in his gap control, limiting opponents’ time and space effectively against the rush.
Matthew Gard (LW, L, 6’5″, 195, Red Deer Rebels, 04/07/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Matthew Gard is a physically gifted player who brings power and speed to the ice. His ability to maintain possession of the puck while moving at high speeds is notable, as he skillfully navigates through checks and continues forward. On the penalty kill, Gard demonstrates strong pressure skills, quickly extracting the puck from his end when opportunities arise. In the offensive zone, Gard’s vision and passing skills are impressive, allowing him to set up teammates with precision passes. He makes smart decisions, especially around the net, and can create scoring chances through clever movement. Gard also excels in his own end, where he wins pucks and quickly transitions play to forwards.
1 Viewing
Comments: Gard played a strong two-way game, excelling in the middle of the ice where he took away time and space defensively. He favored a dump-and-chase approach when entering the offensive zone, using his speed to win puck races and set up scoring chances. His forechecking was relentless, forcing turnovers down low with his aggressive play. In front of the net, he showed quick hands, receiving a pass while screening and making rapid stickhandles to create a dangerous scoring chance. His transition game was also sharp, immediately moving the puck up ice upon retrieval, either by skating it out himself or making a quick outlet pass.
Samuel Drancak (C, L, 5’11”, 185, Red Deer Rebels, 02/04/2006)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Drancak showcased his playmaking ability and vision throughout the game. Entering the offensive zone, he used his reach to stretch his stick around a defender and delivered a perfect pass to a teammate on the far side of the crease, though the finish didn’t materialize. In transition, he made a decisive cut to the middle of the ice upon exiting his own zone, opening up space before dishing to a teammate who was able to generate an odd-man rush.
Nishaan Parmar (RW, R, 6’1″, 195, Red Deer Rebels, 06/03/2006)
Game Rating
C+
Parmar is a solid playmaking winger who utilizes his size to create space in tight areas. He is patient while waiting for defenders to apply pressure, often firing passes through small openings that catch his teammates off guard. When playing across the middle of the offensive zone, he tends to wait for the right moment to make his move, exploiting gaps created by defender movements or hesitations. In the corners, Parmar protects the puck well but can be more proactive in seeking out opportunities to initiate plays when the puck is not on his stick.
1 Viewing
Comments: Parmar made an impact on special teams, delivering a perfect cross-ice pass on the powerplay through the slot to set up a teammate’s goal. Defensively, he stayed engaged, working hard on the backcheck and using his stick effectively to disrupt a rush chance by getting into the passing lane.
Beckett Hamilton (F, R, 5’10”, 160, Red Deer Rebels, 03/28/2008)
Game Rating
B
Hamilton consistently demonstrates skill on the rush, making plays with the puck as he crosses over the blue line. He excels at finding open teammates with precise passes, such as a beautiful saucer pass that created a scoring chance. When in possession of the puck, Hamilton tends to look for opportunities to make the high-percentage passing play. To take his game to the next level, he needs to work on creating more space and getting into the middle of the ice, rather than consistently skating towards the boards.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hamilton showed excellent anticipation, intercepting a stretch pass before quickly transitioning back into the offensive zone and firing a hard backhand shot on goal. His backchecking was strong, highlighted by a play where he lifted an opponent’s stick just as they wound up for a shot, preventing a scoring chance. He also displayed quick hands and sharp reaction time—on a broken play in open ice, he pulled the puck in tight, maneuvered it quickly, and got off a quality shot.
Jhett Larson (C, L, 5’9″, 180, Red Deer Rebels, 02/03/2004, Alaska Fairbanks)
Game Rating
B
Jhett Larson’s speed and agility allow him to navigate the ice effectively as a small forward. He is adept at creating space through his footwork, using crossovers and quick changes of direction to reach open areas of the ice. Larson’s ability to read the game and make plays in transition is notable, as seen when he capitalized on a faceoff win by securing the puck and unleashing a precise wrist shot.
1 Viewing
Comments: Larson was a dynamic presence with his speed and offensive instincts. He used a quick burst to gain the offensive zone, shielding the puck well before using the defenseman as a screen to snipe a wrist shot top corner. He contributed defensively as well, blocking a hard point shot by getting down to take away the lane. His puck protection on an end-to-end rush was impressive, using his body to shield against poke checks. In tight situations, he displayed strong adaptability, adjusting his body position to get quick shots off when pucks rebounded or deflected his way.
