Played on Mar 4, 2025
Western Hockey League
Game Played in Art Hauser Centre
Scout: Liam Chisholm
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the WHL matchup between the Regina Pats and the Prince Albert Raiders on March 04, 2025. This was a physical and high-paced contest between two teams at opposite ends of the standings. After a strong first couple periods by the Raiders, they headed into the third period leading 3-0. But it was shots from the point that got through traffic and banged in the net from right in front that got the Pats back in it and forced a shoot-out. Ultimately, the Raiders secured the win after being the only side to score in the shootout, winning the game 4-3.
Max Hildebrand (G, L, 6’1″, 188, Prince Albert Raiders, 06/29/2004, Bemidji State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Hildebrand was solid throughout the game, displaying quick lateral movement to deny one-timers. He played aggressively at the top of his crease on point shots, tracking the puck well and limiting rebounds. Against speedy attackers, he held strong angles and didn’t allow second chances in tight. In the shootout, he was flawless, stopping all three shooters. The goals he allowed in regulation were tough to fault—two were deflected point shots, and on the third, he made the initial save on a one-timer, but the rebound was buried by an uncovered opponent.
Lukas Dragicevic (D, R, 6’1″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 04/25/2005)
Game Rating
B+
Dragicevic’s game is marked by his confidence and creativity on offense. He excels at creating scoring opportunities through his ability to deke around defenders and find open teammates with precise passes. His skating allows him to quickly move up the ice and catch opponents off guard, as evidenced by his hard shot that found the post. Defensively, he demonstrates a strong sense of anticipation and positioning, allowing him to stay in front of opponents and intercept plays. He also shows the physicality to separate from the puck and break up scoring chances.
1 Viewing
Comments: Dragicevich made an immediate impact, starting the game with a crisp breakout pass right up the middle to set up a partial breakaway. He was strong under pressure in his own zone, keeping his feet moving to protect the puck. Offensively, he showcased excellent movement at the blue line, shifting directions to open up lanes and create chances. He also displayed physicality with a massive hit in his own corner. His slap shot from the point was heavy, and his toughness was on full display when he blocked a shot with his face, immediately getting back up to stay in the game.
Justice Christensen (D, R, 5’9″, 195, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/30/2005)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Christensen played a smart, steady game on the back end. He intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and executed a give-and-go with a teammate, receiving the puck back in his skates, kicking it to his stick, and finishing with a goal. Defensively, he kept fast forwards to the outside and finished his checks with authority. With the puck, he displayed composure, skating it out of his zone when needed without forcing plays.
Brayden Dube (RW, R, 5’10”, 176, Prince Albert Raiders, 09/22/2005, Bemidji State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Dube controlled the puck well along the blue line, evading pressure and making smart passes to teammates down low. His hustle was evident as he beat out an icing call on a missed pass. Offensively, he demonstrated a deceptive release, dragging the puck around defenders to get shots off in 1-on-1 situations.
Niall Crocker (RW, R, 6’4″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/31/2004, Ohio State)
Game Rating
B-
The player demonstrated solid all-around skills throughout the game. They consistently showed high engagement in their own zone and were active on both offense and defense. On offense, they displayed quick thinking and agility, as seen in their ability to steal the puck and create a scoring chance. They also displayed strong defensive commitment, tracking down opponents and making plays to break up passes. The player’s speed and determination were evident in various situations, such as a foot race in the offensive zone where they set up a teammate for a goal.
1 Viewing
Comments: Crocker showed impressive hand-eye coordination, batting in a midair rebound off the glass for a goal. His hockey IQ was evident as he skated into the middle, drawing defenders before slipping the puck into open space for a teammate to skate onto.
Tomas Mrsic (C, L, 5’11”, 170, Prince Albert Raiders, 02/26/2006)
Game Rating
B+
Mrsic showcased impressive playmaking skills in various situations. He demonstrated the ability to thread passes through defenders with accuracy, as seen during a 3-on-1 break where he set up a teammate for a goal. His composure under pressure allowed him to maintain possession of the puck while navigating through tight spaces. When given space, Mrsic was able to quickly release shots on goal, showcasing his ability to generate scoring chances.
1 Viewing
Comments: Mrsic’s speed and vision stood out. He quickly gained the offensive zone and had the awareness to hold up and wait for teammates to join the play. His acceleration allowed him to beat defenders to loose pucks, leading to a quality shot from the slot. He was particularly effective on odd-man rushes, setting up a teammate who snuck behind the defense for a prime scoring chance. His ability to find the trailer entering the zone created multiple one-timer opportunities. He sealed his strong performance by scoring the lone goal in the shootout with a quick snapshot over the blocker.
Rilen Kovacevic (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, Prince Albert Raiders, 08/02/2004)
Game Rating
A-
The player’s skillset is characterized by their agility and control on the ice. They possess quick acceleration and smooth hands, allowing them to navigate through tight spaces and create scoring opportunities. Their puck skills are also noteworthy, as they can threaten the opponent from various positions. Defensively, the player demonstrates a high level of awareness, often anticipating plays and intercepting passes. They exhibit excellent speed and agility, using these attributes to outmaneuver opponents and create chances for their team. Additionally, they show tenacity on the penalty kill, harassing puck carriers and creating scoring opportunities through their stick work.
1 Viewing
Comments: A dynamic offensive player, Kovacevic consistently beat the first defender with his smooth hands and showed the ability to drive the net with speed. His elite skill allowed him to identify lanes and create space for himself and teammates. He had a highlight-reel end-to-end rush, weaving through the defense before getting a quality shot on goal. On the powerplay, he made a bold cross-slot pass through multiple sticks, setting up a dangerous opportunity.
Reese Hamilton (D, L, 6’0″, 174, Regina Pats, 03/26/2007)
Game Rating
B+
Reese Hamilton showcased his strong puck control, allowing him to maintain possession in tight spaces and transition smoothly up the ice. His vision on the ice is impressive, enabling him to read the situation effectively and make informed decisions. While he appeared slightly off at times, missing some plays that typically fall into place, Hamilton still demonstrated good physicality in his own corners and maintained aggression. His skating ability was evident throughout the game, particularly when carrying the puck out of his own zone with confidence and making clean outlet passes to his wingers. Hamilton’s passing skills were also notable, demonstrating a quick ability to identify options and execute stretch passes to create scoring opportunities. He displayed excellent one-touch passing, including a crisp pass from the point that opened up play in the offensive zone.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hamilton displayed excellent gap control, taking away time and space from attacking forwards in transition. He excels in defensive battles with strong positioning and well-timed stick checks. However, against faster opponents, he could improve his angling by forcing them toward the boards rather than allowing them to take the middle of the ice. He made several key defensive plays, including an interception in his own zone that led to a quick breakout. He also showed solid transition play, identifying a lane and carrying the puck up ice. His impact was crucial late in the game, as he fired a hard one-timer through traffic that led to the game-tying goal. Hamilton has lots of skill but still seems to be a raw player with lots of growth remaining, with more confidence in his game, he can be a great #1 defenseman in the WHL.
Keets Fawcett (LW, L, 5’10”, 167, Regina Pats, 02/23/2006)
Game Rating
B
Keets Fawcett is a skilled player with several notable attributes. One of his strongest assets is his accurate and powerful wrist shot, which he demonstrated on a power play by scoring a goal from the top of the circle. He also shows good vision and agility in moving the puck forward, often supporting breakouts and maintaining possession. Fawcett’s defensive skills are equally impressive, particularly in his positioning and stick handling. He demonstrates good awareness in his own end, actively deflecting passes and maintaining control of the zone. Overall, Fawcett is a well-rounded player with a solid foundation in both offense and defense.
1 Viewing
Comments: Fawcett showed good shooting versatility, adjusting his release angle to get pucks through defenders attempting to block his shots. While his accuracy remained strong, he lacked some power behind his shot. He was a bit too casual carrying the puck into the offensive zone at times, leading to a costly turnover just after crossing the blue line. However, he made up for it with strong effort in puck battles, working hard to keep possession after a missed pinch by his defenseman. He was especially effective in tight areas, using sharp turns and quick stops in the corners to evade defenders—though at times, he overhandled the puck.
Connor Bear (C, L, 5’9″, 170, Regina Pats, 06/11/2007)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Bear played a strong defensive game, supporting his defensemen well and using an active stick to break up plays in his own end. His strength was evident, as he was able to knock players off the puck and maintain possession through contact.
Caden Brown (RW, R, 5’11”, 195, Regina Pats, 03/22/2005)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Viewed on TV
Comments: Brown stood out with his speed and work ethic. His relentless effort helped him recover loose pucks and cover for pinching defensemen, preventing counterattacks. He won multiple puck races on dump-ins, putting pressure on the opposition. Defensively, he showed great hustle by catching up to a rushing opponent, getting tight, and cleanly stripping the puck away.
Matt Paranych (D, L, 5’8″, 157, Regina Pats, 04/23/2007)
Game Rating
C+
Paranych demonstrated solid vision and agility on the ice, consistently carrying the puck out of his own zone with poise. His ability to dump the puck over the red line effectively showcased his comfort level with dump-and-chase plays. However, there was room for improvement in terms of controlled zone entries, as he occasionally struggled to generate movement into open space. In the offensive zone, Paranych utilized his speed to create scoring opportunities, often circling around the top and releasing pucks to forward teammates. He also displayed a strong shot from the high slot, demonstrating confidence in his ability to make plays from a distance.
1 Viewing
Comments: A strong powerplay quarterback, Paranych controlled the puck well at the blue line and distributed it effectively. He faked a pass across before stepping into the high slot for a shot. Defensively, he was well-positioned on a 2-on-1, taking away the passing option while closing in on the puck carrier.
Cameron Kuzma (C, L, 6’2″, 192, Regina Pats, 07/17/2008)
Game Rating
C+
Cameron Kuzma boasts impressive size, utilizing it effectively up the middle of the ice. He excels at defending his own zone, disrupting opponent’s scoring opportunities before they can develop. Kuzma is an energetic backchecker, consistently cutting off passing lanes and taking the puck carrier out of play, allowing his defensemen to focus on the puck handler. His speed allows him to quickly transition from defense to offense, making a crucial steal in the neutral zone that set up a scoring chance. With his aggressive forechecking, Kuzma creates turnovers and capitalizes on them with strong passing skills, showcasing his well-rounded skillset.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kuzma created a dangerous scoring opportunity on a 3-on-1, carrying the puck into the zone and firing a quick shot short side to try and catch the goalie cheating. He was an aggressive forechecker, staying close to opposing defensemen and using his quick stick to create turnovers.
Ephram McNutt (D, R, 6’0″, 183, Regina Pats, 05/04/2005)
Game Rating
B-
McNutt displayed a thoughtful approach to playing offense, often taking control of the puck at the blue line and making deliberate decisions. He demonstrated a strong understanding of his surroundings, allowing him to make intelligent passes and avoid turnovers. His shooting ability was on full display, particularly with his slapshot which showcased power and accuracy. His leadership skills were also evident in his ability to read plays and execute them effectively. McNutt’s vision and passing range helped him set up teammates for scoring opportunities, showcasing his overall hockey IQ.
1 Viewing
Comments: McNutt had a significant offensive impact from the blue line, generating two goals by getting pucks through traffic—one of which was tipped for a goal, while the other resulted in a rebound being buried. He also made a smart pinch in overtime to keep the puck in the offensive zone, leading to a scoring chance in front of the net.
Julien Maze (RW, L, 5’8″, 165, Regina Pats, 12/07/2007)
Game Rating
B
Julien Maze showcased his agility and quickness on the ice, making impressive plays in various situations. He expertly sidestepped a defender with ease, demonstrating good footwork and reaction time. When he gained speed, he pulled away from opponents with a burst of acceleration, showcasing his ability to make a strong impact on the attack.
1 Viewing
Comments: Maze was heavily involved in offensive chances. On a 3-on-2 rush, he cut across the middle, stopped to wait for the trailer, and set up a dangerous scoring chance. However, he took an undisciplined holding penalty while his team was on the powerplay and down by a goal late in the game. He redeemed himself by scoring the game-tying goal in the final minute, pouncing on a rebound in front of the net.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images