Game played on 1/5/2025.
Koy Funk (C, L, 6’2″, 195, Calgary Hitmen, 01/08/2008)
Grade: C
Comments: Not much of a showing in this one for Funk. He shows some early elements of a two way forward. His game was highlighted by some physicality, and positive transitional play aspects. In defensive transition the 2008 born forward showed some issues around skating, particularly a shorter choppier stride, some limited lower body flection, depth, and power generation (that led to limited acceleration). Funk had a bit of a stutter step in his first couple of strides. In transitional play the young Hitmen forward showed some fundamental physicality (overall stability, some growing muscle mass, and challenges for body positioning and leverage). Additionally Funk showed some good spatial awareness through his lane awareness, stick positioning, and hand eye. Not much of a compete level shown in this one but some efforts at play involvement, and positional responsibility. No notable puck skills displayed in this one but he needed more scans before passes, and that would have reduced giveaways. We look forward to growth in senses (play creation, scans, and more creativity (with routes, and plays).
Reese Hamilton (D, L, 6’0″, 174, Regina Pats, 03/26/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Hamilton played a solid game all things considered for the Regina Pats in this one. He looked more like a offensive defender in this one. His game was highlighted by quality skating, senses, and physicality. Clean skating fundamentals (stride, stride recovery, hints of agility, and decent acceleration) that his skating alone made him a rush asset anytime he jumped on the ice. Through this skating he showed some subtle lane manipulation which generated deep zone entries in offensive transition. He showed quality offensive instincts with some notable breakout activation, good play anticipation that allowed him to evade pressure and overall play development awareness that allowed him to shine with good positioning and play support. Notable puck skills, ok handling and some obvious pressure awareness. Not sure if he recognized all the passing/play lanes in this one especially in high pace, but the 2007 born defender showed some good active scanning. There were some issues around defensive transition where Hamilton showed some lapses in risk awareness, and spacial awareness that allowed higher quality chances against to be generated. He displayed good endurance in this one too. We look forward to improvements in his passing game (placement, lane awareness, and decision making), and defensive end play (defensive instincts, and risk management).
Zachary Pantelakis (LW, L, 5’10”, 165, Regina Pats, 10/18/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Pantelakis had an eventful game for the Pats in this one. He had the toolkit of a two way forward with a bit of playmaking ability. His game was highlighted by his quality puck skills, some skating ability, and hints of compete. He played on the forecheck, and generated a fair amount of turnovers due to his relentless motor and play disruption, and although he didn’t attack at the most effective angles he still proved to be a capable forechecker. This forechecking was mixed with his above average skating (bursts of acceleration, cleanish stride, depth and recovery) to be an even larger play disruptor and generally displayed his high level of play engagement as he threw himself into anything and everything. Pantelakis had capable play anticipation in this one as well as he was able to pick off some passes and generate quick chances off of them. Some hints of physicality especially around body positioning, and body leverage that made the 2007 born even more effective in battles. In offensive transition the Pats forward demonstrated some clear vision, short passing, and puck management, which generated quick zone entries and clean passing efforts. These clean passing efforts were best exemplified by his awareness and ability to tee up the second Regina goal. These puck skills hint at some more hidden offensive instincts and awareness that might develop as he matures as a player. In zone he furthered these puck skills and physicality elements by displaying favourable puck protection mechanics that included some quality control, puck angling, and physical absorption. In zone play the second year proved to be a capable net front presence and a low-high play facilitator as he regularly battled and made routinely simple but smart plays showing some poise in decision making. We look forward to improvements in shooting (ok weight transfer but showed some awkward release mechanics), and further improvements in balance that will bring even greater stability to his physical game.
Cohen Klassen (RW, L, 6’0″, 175, Regina Pats, 09/08/2008)
Grade: C+
Comments: A quiet night for Klassen. The 2008 born forward had some moments which revolved around his skating and senses. With his skating posture, acceleration, ok stride, and some hints of agility he got anywhere he needed to. In both zones he remained for the most part passive, which hinted at issues with compete, and pace, particularly around motor, intensity, and below average play engagement. In defensive zone play he remained largely as a high forward, and showed some lane awareness, and efforts to intercept passes (pass anticipation), which demonstrated some spacial awareness. Overall in all three zones the first year Pat also displayed some beneficial positioning, and allowed himself to be an option offensively. Quick decision making, and some hints of play facilitation. These offensive elements show that the 08′ born forward’s hockey IQ is on pace to develop, and take a jump next season.
Cameron Kuzma (C, L, 6’2″, 192, Regina Pats, 07/17/2008)
Grade: B-
Comments: Kuzma had a decent night. Much of his value comes from his two way play. This game was highlighted by his physicality, defensive senses, compete level, and some minor puck skills. In defensive transition his compete level really came out with his hustle, play involvement, and above average motor he was able to take away some space and disrupt the Hitmen’s breakout on the backcheck. In the defensive zone he showed good defensive instincts (habits, awareness, and some risk assessment) that made him a generally responsible player. He displayed quality positioning in this one. In all three zones he implemented strong physicality that demonstrated his frame, smart body positioning, and capable nature in board play. In offensive transition the 2008 born forward showed some rush instincts through quality positioning, puck handling, and pressure identification well in this one. More of a support piece on offense, as he rarely drove the pace of play, and displayed limited creativity or deception. We look forward to improvements in his offensive senses (angles of attack, offensive instincts, and offensive creativity). We also look forward to improvements in skating in regards to the rookies rigid stride, short extension, and below average acceleration and power expressed in this one. With improvements to those aforementioned elements it will round out Kuzma’s game and make him a threat in all three zones.
Zachary Lansard (RW, R, 5’11”, 175, Regina Pats, 07/29/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Lasard had a solid showing for the Pats in this one. He looked to have the toolkit of a playmaker in this one. His game was defined for his puck skills, compete, and some skating ability. From the start Lasard really showed a good compete level in this one with high level energy that formed a good pace to his play. He was particularly effective for space creation via stick handling. His puck skills stood out in this one as he had all around solid handling, and puck control mechanics that allowed for quick option ID and passing aptitude in offensive transition. This quick offensive transition then allowed better chance generation for both Lasard and his teammates. In instances where the Pats rookie held onto the puck he demonstrated above average pressure absorption, and offensive poise. Upon zone entry Lassard used his reach and clean bursts of acceleration to initiate some defender manipulation attempts, and although these attempts weren’t all successful they demonstrated that he had good offensive pace, instincts, and some creativity in his game with the puck. Around average shooting, where he displayed some ok accuracy and power, but often rushed his release point. Skating looked closer to around average in this one with an ok posture, short (but rapid) stride, some decent edgework, but some issues around power generation. This issue around power generation was caused by limited muscle mass which was also evident in his physicality. Growth in his physicality would be beneficial as he struggled rolling off hits, with exerting physical pressure, and had some limited effectiveness in this area.
Julien Maze (RW, L, 5’8″, 165, Regina Pats, 12/07/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Maze demonstrated an all around ok effort in this one. The 2007 born forward showed some ok senses, compete levels, and puck skills. No matter where he was on the ice he demonstrated notable hustle. This hustle was further complimented by his efforts in offensive transition to create lanes, and plays around him, which showed some offensive senses, instincts, and awareness. The compete level not only articled itself through his hustle but his overall energy throughout the game as well, and he contributed to the pace of play quite well, and demonstrated above average positioning in both offensive and defensive transition. Hints of puck skills throughout, particularly around his handling which brought stable and consistent offensive pressure, and Maze’s ability to implement strong puck protection mechanics. We look forward to growth in terms of his pressure awareness, play reading, and skating. There were minor issues around puck receptions in this one too which if fixed could bring another level to his rush instincts, and playmaking game.
Photo Credit: Logo Courtesy of The Regina Pats