The 2004s.
Max Hildebrand (G, L, 6’1″, 188, Prince Albert Raiders, 06/29/2004, Bemidji State)
Comments: Current Role: Max Hildebrand is a starting goaltender for Prince Albert, anchoring his team with a technically sound, compact style. His calm demeanor and ability to read the game make him a reliable presence in net, while his quick feet and lateral mobility allow him to handle high-pressure situations effectively. Player Type: Hildebrand is a technically sharp, positionally aware goaltender who relies on his anticipation and lateral quickness to read the play and make saves. His compact stance and ability to control rebounds make him a strong option for a defensive-minded system. Strengths: Positioning and Anticipation: Hildebrand plays with a tight, compact stance and maintains excellent positioning at the top of his crease. His ability to read shooters and anticipate their intentions allows him to take away high-percentage scoring areas effectively. Lateral Mobility: His quick feet and smooth lateral movement enable him to make post-to-post saves look effortless. Glove Hand: Shots to his glove are consistently controlled, either staying in the glove or being directed safely out of harm’s way. Rebound Control: Hildebrand does a good job of controlling rebounds, directing them to low-danger areas or smothering the puck to stop play. Active Stick: His poke-checking ability is a consistent trait, effectively disrupting opponents’ attempts from below the goal line, in tight or on backdoor passing attempts. Mental Resilience: Hildebrand competes hard for his ice, maintaining composure under traffic and incidental contact in his crease. Weaknesses: Lateral Recovery Under Pressure: While his lateral movement is a strength, Hildebrand can occasionally be beaten cleanly when forced to move laterally and stay square to the puck, particularly on quick passing plays through the royal road. Reaction in Close: He can struggle to track and stop pucks when opponents create high-danger chances from inside the house, especially in scramble situations. Size for the Position: At 6’1′, Hildebrand is slightly below the prototypical size for a professional goaltender. This requires him to rely heavily on positioning and technique to cover the net effectively. Durability Over a Long Season: As he progresses to higher levels, Hildebrand will need to maintain his consistency and physical endurance over a full professional schedule. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: Max Hildebrand has the potential to develop into a dependable professional goaltender, particularly in a system that emphasizes structured defensive play. Opting for the NCAA would provide him with critical advantages: Strength and Conditioning: The NCAA’s emphasis on off-ice training would allow Hildebrand to improve his lower body strength and core stability, enhancing his ability to handle lateral movements and absorb contact in the crease. Refinement of Technique: With added time to develop, Hildebrand could further improve his lateral recovery and in-close reactions, improving his ability to handle high-danger chances consistently. Mental Development: The NCAA environment, with its fewer games and higher stakes, would provide Hildebrand with opportunities to refine his mental toughness and ability to handle pressure in critical moments. Physical Preparation: Facing older, stronger competition in the NCAA would help Hildebrand adapt to the physicality and pace of professional hockey, potentially addressing concerns about his size and durability. Development Time: The NCAA’s extended timeline for player development would give Hildebrand the chance to grow his game at a steady pace without the immediate pressures of the professional ranks. Conclusion: Hildebrand is a technically sound, athletic goaltender with strong positioning, excellent lateral mobility, and high-level anticipation. While he may be undersized and his lateral recovery under pressure present areas to watch, his compact style and mental toughness make him a strong candidate for NCAA success. By choosing the extended NCAA route, Hildebrand would gain the time and resources necessary to refine his weaknesses and enhance his strengths, positioning him as a dependable depth goaltender capable of thriving in structured defensive systems.
Niall Crocker (RW, R, 6’4″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 07/31/2004)
Comments: Current Role: Niall Crocker is a power forward for Prince Albert, contributing as a physical presence in all situations. He plays significant minutes on both the power play and penalty kill, using his size and strength to create space, win puck battles, and generate scoring opportunities around the net. Player Type: Crocker is a prototypical power forward with a physical, straightforward playing style. He thrives in net-front battles, along the boards, and in the cycle, using his size and strength to wear down opponents and create chances. With continued development, he has the potential to be a reliable physical and offensive presence at the professional level. Strengths: Size and Strength: At 6’4′ and 200 lbs, Crocker is difficult to move off the puck, particularly around the net. He excels in creating net-front traffic and winning battles along the boards. Physicality: Crocker plays with grit and engages physically on nearly every shift, hitting with authority and creating turnovers with his aggressive forecheck. His 1.1 hits per game highlight his willingness to impose his presence. Puck Protection: His ability to shield the puck and maintain possession in the cycle makes him a presence in the offensive zone, especially in creating opportunities off the perimeter and down low. Shooting: Crocker possesses a heavy wrist shot that challenges goaltenders, especially when given time and space. Versatility: Crocker’s presence on both the power play and penalty kill demonstrates his value in a variety of roles, showcasing his hockey IQ and work ethic. East-West Passing: While not his primary strength, Crocker can make effective lateral passes through the neutral zone, finding teammates in stride. Weaknesses: Skating Explosiveness: While his skating mechanics are solid, Crocker needs to improve his first and second-step explosiveness to enhance his ability to separate from defenders and drive play through the neutral zone. Puck Control in Tight: Crocker struggles to consistently create offense in traffic due to slower hand speed and less precise puck handling. Improving this area would allow him to capitalize more effectively on his size. Puck Management: Averaging eight giveaways per game, Crocker needs to improve his decision-making under pressure to limit turnovers. Battle Consistency: Winning only 49% of his 50/50 puck battles is not sufficient for a player of his size and style. Developing more consistent engagement in these situations is crucial. Passing Accuracy: An 85% pass completion rate is solid, but elevating this above 90% would enhance his overall offensive impact, particularly in transition and on the power play. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: Crocker has the size to develop into a middle-six NHL power forward who can contribute physically and offensively, especially in net-front and secondary scoring. Choosing the NCAA route would provide several developmental advantages: Strength and Conditioning: The NCAA’s focus on off-ice training would help Crocker add lower-body strength and explosiveness, addressing his skating deficiencies and improving his ability to win puck battles. While working with a dedicated NCAA strength coach we feel he could play at 220 lbs when he eventually turns pro. Skill Development: More practice time in the NCAA would allow Crocker to refine his puck control, hand speed, and playmaking, making him more effective in tight spaces and under pressure. Hockey IQ and Decision-Making: The NCAA’s higher practice-to-game ratio would provide Crocker with opportunities to improve his puck management, reducing turnovers and increasing his passing consistency. Adapting to Physical Play: Competing against older, more physically mature players in the NCAA would prepare Crocker for the physical demands of professional hockey, enhancing his ability to maximize his size advantage. Special Teams Growth: Additional time to refine his penalty-killing and power-play roles would help Crocker become a more versatile and complete player. Conclusion: Crocker is a physically gifted power forward with the size, strength, and grit to impact games at both ends of the ice. While his skating explosiveness, puck control, and battle consistency need improvement, his hockey IQ, shooting ability, and willingness to play in tough areas make him an intriguing prospect. By choosing the NCAA route, Crocker could address his developmental gaps while enhancing his physical tools and skill set, positioning himself as a reliable, hard-nosed forward capable of carving out an NHL role.
Krzysztof Macias (LW, L, 6’0″, 200, Prince Albert Raiders, 05/14/2004)
Comments: Current Role: Krzysztof Macias plays as a physical, shoot-first winger for Prince Albert. He contributes as a power forward who thrives on playing a direct and physical style of hockey. Macias logs significant power-play time but does not currently play on the penalty kill, focusing instead on generating offense through his strength and simple, hard-nosed approach. Player Type: Macias is a thickly built power forward who excels at creating space through physical play and driving to the net. He plays a straightforward offensive game, prioritizing shots and puck possession while leaning heavily on his strength and balance to win battles and create scoring chances. Strengths: Physicality: Macias averages 2.5 hard body checks per game, consistently engaging opponents with an aggressive, physical approach. His willingness to take the body disrupts opponents and creates turnovers. Skating Base and Balance: His deep knee bend and solid build provide excellent balance and power, allowing him to stay on his feet during physical battles and absorb contact effectively. Face-Off Success: Despite being primarily a winger, Macias wins 64% of his face-offs, showcasing his versatility on the dot when needed. Shooting: Macias has a hard, accurate shot that can beat goaltenders cleanly, even when they have a clear sightline. His shoot-first mentality (six shot attempts per game) ensures he is consistently creating offensive opportunities. Direct Offensive Game: Macias keeps his game simple, driving to the net and taking advantage of his balance and strength to create scoring chances. He does not over-handle the puck and gets it off his stick without stickhandling. Power-Play Contributor: Logging nearly four minutes per game on the power play, Macias uses his physicality and shooting ability to create space and generate chances for his team. Weaknesses: Puck Battles: Winning only 46% of his 50/50 puck battles is not sufficient for a player of his size, strength and style, particularly at the junior level. Greater consistency in using his strength and positioning is needed. Shot Selection and Blocking: With 1.54 shots blocked per game, Macias needs to improve his decision-making and find better shooting lanes to maximize his scoring potential. Passing Efficiency: Completing only 84% of his passes highlights a need for better puck management. For a forward with his style of play, hitting 90% would improve his ability to generate sustained offense. Puck Management: Averaging 4.7 giveaways per game shows his struggles with decision-making under pressure and puck protection in high-traffic areas. Lack of Penalty Killing Role: Macias is not currently utilized on the penalty kill, limiting his versatility. Developing defensive awareness and positioning could expand his role and value at the professional level. Shot Release: While Macias has a heavy shot, his release needs to be quicker to remain effective as he progresses to higher levels where time and space are limited. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: Krzysztof Macias has the potential to develop into a solid depth forward with a focus on physicality and offensive contributions. Choosing the NCAA route would provide critical advantages for his long-term development: Strength and Conditioning: The NCAA’s emphasis on off-ice training would help Macias refine his already impressive strength and improve his explosiveness, aiding both his skating, physical play and ability to win 50/50 puck battles. Skill Development: More practice time would allow Macias to address his puck management, passing accuracy, and shot release, refining his offensive toolkit for higher levels. Defensive Role Expansion: The environment of NCAA hockey would provide Macias opportunities to develop as a penalty killer, adding versatility to his game. Hockey IQ Refinement: With more time to study the game and develop his situational awareness, Macias could improve his shot selection and decision-making under pressure. Adaptability to Physical Play: Competing against older, stronger opponents in the NCAA would prepare Macias for the physicality and pace of professional hockey, allowing him to maximize his size advantage. Conclusion: Macias is a physical, shoot-first winger with the size, strength, and grit to be an impactful power forward. While his puck management, passing efficiency, and battle consistency need improvement, his physicality, shooting ability, and simple offensive approach make him a promising prospect. Transitioning to the NCAA would provide Macias with the tools and time to refine his game, positioning him for a successful career as a depth forward capable of excelling in physical, high-pressure situations.
John Babcock (D, L, 6’2″, 204, Regina Pats, 04/25/2004)
Comments: Current Role: John Babcock is a top-pairing, two-way defenseman for Regina, contributing in all situations with significant ice time on both the power play and penalty kill. His ability to control the pace of play, manage the puck, and effectively defend against rushes makes him a cornerstone of the team’s defensive corps. Player Type: Babcock is a poised, strong-skating, puck-moving defenseman with a powerful frame and above average game processing. His blend of size, skill, and two-way dependability allows him to excel in both offensive and defensive situations, with the potential to transition seamlessly to the professional level. Strengths: Shooting Ability: Babcock is a volume shooter, averaging seven shot attempts per game. He consistently finds lanes from the blue line and isn’t afraid to move into higher-danger areas to create better opportunities. His shot is heavy and dangerous, particularly when he has time to set up. Puck Management: Babcock demonstrates exceptional poise under pressure, using his skating and stickhandling to create space and make quick, effective decisions. His ability to scan the ice before receiving the puck ensures he is ready to execute the next play. Skating and Mobility: His skating ability allows him to retrieve pucks efficiently, evade forecheckers with subtle moves, and maintain tight gaps on the rush. His lateral quickness and reverse escapes are plus attributes. Defensive Play: Babcock uses his size and strength to win 61% of his 50/50 puck battles and clear opponents from scoring areas. His gap control and angling force opponents to the perimeter, where he effectively finishes plays. Hockey IQ and Awareness: Babcock plays at his own pace, reading the game well in all zones. His ability to anticipate plays defensively and make smart, accurate outlet passes (89% completion rate) ensures quick transitional play. Special Teams Contributions: He is a key player on both the power play and penalty kill, utilizing his vision and puck-moving skills in offensive situations and his physicality and positioning to disrupt opposing power plays. Weaknesses: Physical Consistency: While Babcock finishes his checks effectively, he averages only 0.39 hits per game, which is low for a player of his size and strength. A more consistent physical presence would make him harder to play against. Shooting Release: Though he has a heavy shot, his release can be slow, limiting its effectiveness. Quicker execution would make him a greater offensive threat from the blue line. Turnovers: Averaging seven giveaways per game, Babcock occasionally struggles with puck management under intense pressure, particularly in the grey areas. Blocked Shots: With 1.78 shots blocked per game, he needs to find shooting lanes more effectively to ensure his attempts reach the net consistently. This number is simply too high for professional hockey. Pace in Transition: While his poise is a strength, there are moments where Babcock’s slower pace allows opponents to close on him in transition. Speeding up his decision-making in these situations would enhance his overall impact. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: Babcock has the potential to develop into a depth defenseman in professional hockey with the ability to contribute at both ends of the ice. Opting for the NCAA pathway would provide critical advantages: Strength and Conditioning: The NCAA’s emphasis on off-ice training would help Babcock enhance his lower-body strength, explosiveness, and overall endurance, allowing him to maximize his mental tools. Skill Refinement: Increased practice time in the NCAA would allow Babcock to address his shot release, puck management, and ability to find lanes for cleaner shooting opportunities. Consistency Development: With an NCAA environment, Babcock could develop greater consistency in his physical play and overall game-to-game impact. Exposure to Varied Competition: Competing against older, stronger players in the NCAA would prepare Babcock for the physicality and speed of professional hockey. Role Expansion: The NCAA could provide opportunities to further explore his offensive ceiling while maintaining his defensive responsibilities, creating a more well-rounded skill set. Conclusion: Babcock is a physically imposing, intelligent defenseman with strong skating, shooting, and puck-moving abilities. While his puck management and physical engagement require more consistency, his size, skill, and awareness make him an intriguing prospect with professional upside. Transitioning to the NCAA for added development would provide Babcock with the resources and time needed to elevate his game, preparing him for a successful career as a reliable depth defenseman capable of contributing in all situations.
Tye Spencer (C, R, 5’7″, 150, Regina Pats, 06/27/2004)
Comments: Tye Spencer is a shifty, high-speed forward who generates offense through his agility, quick hands, and unpredictable release. Despite his lack of size and strength, Spencer competes hard in all zones, showing a willingness to engage physically, fight for space in front of the net, and battle along the boards. His offensive game revolves around a pass-first mindset, but he possesses a deceptive, quick release that makes him a dual threat when given time and space. Spencer’s hockey IQ is evident in his ability to process the game quickly, handle suboptimal passes in stride, and maintain fluidity in his movements. Defensively, Spencer is engaged and committed to the backcheck, often creating turnovers with his active stick and strong hands. However, his defensive zone play lacks consistency, particularly in positioning and support. While he challenges at the blue line, he can be prone to floating back into the zone rather than fully committing to his low support responsibilities. Role on Current Team Spencer currently plays as a middle-six forward, providing offensive spark and supporting special teams. His average ice time (18:41 per game) shows the coaching staff trusts him in various situations, including the power play (2:57) and penalty kill (1:51). His versatility and compete level make him a valuable contributor, but his face-off percentage (46%) and passing completion rate (83%) indicate areas for improvement. Strengths Offensive Skillset: Spencer’s quick release and soft first touch allow him to excel in transition and in tight spaces. His ability to process plays rapidly and create opportunities in the offensive zone are the key to his game. Compete Level: Despite his size, Spencer plays hard and does not shy away from physical areas of the ice. His willingness to fight for space and engage physically enhances his overall effectiveness. Neutral Zone Agility: His speed and agility in the neutral zone create opportunities both for himself and his linemates, making him a dangerous weapon on the rush. Active Stick: Strong hands and a quick stick lift allow him to create turnovers on the backcheck, showcasing his defensive instincts. Weaknesses Size and Strength: At 5’7′ and 150 lbs, Spencer lacks the physicality to consistently win 50/50 battles, reflected in his 46% success rate in puck battles. Defensive Zone Awareness: His defensive positioning can be inconsistent, and he often fails to provide low-zone support, leaving his team vulnerable during sustained pressure. Face-Off Proficiency: Winning just 46% of face-offs limits his ability to control possession in key moments. Decision-Making Under Pressure: While Spencer’s passing completion rate (83%) is serviceable, it needs improvement to match professional standards, particularly when under duress. NCAA Benefits for Development Transitioning to the NCAA after playing in the CHL would provide Spencer with critical tools to address his current deficiencies while further improving his strengths. The collegiate environment emphasizes: Strength and Conditioning: With additional time allocated to off-ice training, Spencer can significantly improve his strength, explosiveness, and overall physicality, making him more effective in puck battles and board play. Practice-to-Game Ratio: The NCAA’s higher practice-to-game ratio would give Spencer more opportunities to work on his defensive zone awareness, face-off technique, and passing precision in a structured environment. Tactical Refinement: Facing older, more physically mature competition will help him adapt to a more challenging style of play and prepare him for the demands of professional hockey. Time to Develop: The NCAA schedule allows players to mature physically and mentally over several years, which is crucial for an undersized forward like Spencer. Projection Spencer projects as a high-energy skilled forward at the professional level, capable of creating offensive opportunities with his speed and skill. For him to reach his potential, he must add strength, refine his defensive game, and improve his consistency in key areas like face-offs and passing. Opting for the NCAA pathway could maximize his development timeline, preparing him for the rigors of professional hockey and giving him the best chance to succeed at the next level.
Braxton Whitehead (RW, R, 5’11”, 164, Regina Pats, 06/09/2004, Arizona State)
Comments: Braxton Whitehead is a versatile forward who combines high-end hockey sense, strong offensive instincts, and work ethic. He plays a determined and tough game, blending skill and grit to be effective in all three zones. Whitehead excels at making quick decisions under pressure, utilizing his smooth hands and accurate release to create scoring chances both for himself and his teammates. His agility and ability to manipulate gaps make him a constant threat in transition, where he shows the poise to maintain possession and the creativity to beat defenders in open ice. Defensively, Whitehead’s active stick and willingness to sacrifice his body—whether blocking shots or battling for positioning—show a commitment to the team-first aspects of the game. He is effective on special teams, contributing to both the penalty kill (2:35 per game) and power play (2:29 per game), further highlighting his adaptability and reliability. Whitehead’s slight frame remains a limitation, but his athleticism and ability to absorb and bounce off contact allow him to compete effectively below the goal line and in front of the net. With a “Swiss Army Knife” style, Whitehead brings a diversity of tools to his game, making him an asset in various situations. Role on Current Team Whitehead serves as a top-six forward for Regina, tasked with generating offense and providing a calming presence on the power play. His role also includes significant penalty-kill minutes, showcasing his trustworthiness in defensive situations. Averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game, Whitehead is relied upon in all situations, making him a key contributor to his team. Strengths Hockey Sense: Whitehead reads the game well, finding soft spots in defensive coverage and making quick, intelligent plays under pressure. Offensive Versatility: Skilled puck carrier with smooth hands and an accurate shot that remains effective even when in motion. His willingness to go to the dirty areas and battle in front of the net is a key asset. Transition Game: Combines speed, agility, and gap manipulation to create odd-man rushes and offensive opportunities. Compete Level: Relentless in puck pursuit and unafraid to absorb contact to make plays. Shows high compete in all zones. Special Teams Impact: Effective on both the power play and penalty kill, with a good understanding of his responsibilities in each role. Weaknesses Strength and Physicality: At 165 lbs, Whitehead’s frame limits his ability to consistently win battles against larger opponents. Strength development is essential to his progression. Consistency with the Puck: While poised with possession, his passing accuracy (84%) and puck management (5 giveaways per game) need improvement for an opportunity at higher levels of play. Explosiveness: While quick and agile, adding explosiveness to his first few strides would make him even more effective in transition and net drives. NCAA Benefits for Development Playing NCAA hockey after his time in the CHL would provide Whitehead with the ideal environment to address his physical and technical needs while maximizing his potential: Strength and Conditioning: The collegiate schedule allows for more off-ice training, enabling Whitehead to add strength and explosiveness to his frame and his game. This development will enhance his ability to win battles and protect the puck effectively. Tactical Refinement: More practice time relative to games will help Whitehead refine his puck management and passing consistency, areas critical to transitioning successfully to professional hockey. Time to Mature: The NCAA schedule provides a structured yet flexible timeline for physical and mental growth, enabling him to close the gap between his skills and physical tools. High-Level Competition: Competing against older, stronger players in the NCAA will help Whitehead adjust to the physicality of professional hockey. Projection Whitehead projects as a depth forward with the versatility to contribute in all situations at the professional level. His ability to blend skill and grit, combined with his hockey IQ and adaptability, gives him a strong foundation for success. By leveraging the NCAA’s developmental advantages, Whitehead can add the strength, power and consistency needed to maximize his impact as a professional player.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images