Game played on 10/17/2024.
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone was in attendance at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB on October 17, as the Oil Kings hosted the Saskatoon Blades in WHL action. The visitors came away with a convincing 6-2 win. Our scout focused on players who are eligible for the 2025 and 2026 NHL drafts, as well as over-aged players. The over-aged players are of significant interest to NCAA programs, given the likely changes to NCAA eligibility rules that would allow CHL players to compete in the NCAA. Each player listed below has been given a grade based solely on their performance in this game. Scout: Nick Earle
Josh Mori (D, L, 5’11”, 175, Edmonton Oil Kings, 03/27/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Josh was one of the few bright spots in this game for the Oil Kings. The ’04 defender played a steady game and managed to record a secondary assist. With the puck on his stick, Josh consistently had his head up and made smart breakout passes or transitioned the puck up the ice himself. He rarely turned the puck over when rushing and used his edges to change directions quickly to avoid defenders. In the offensive zone, he walked the line with his head up and was able to get shots through to the net. Defensively, Josh controlled the gap well and consistently stepped up to force turnovers or dump-ins. On one penalty kill, he intercepted an errant centering pass and cleared the zone. He also blocked at least one shot, a testament to his positioning. Listed at 5’11’ and 175 lbs, Josh projects as a player who could stand out at a smaller to mid-sized Division 1 school. He would work well with an offensively inclined partner, as he has the positioning and defensive skills to cover for a teammate while also having the ability to push the play up the ice himself.
Blake Fiddler (D, R, 6’4″, 210, Edmonton Oil Kings, 07/09/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: This was a tougher game for Fiddler, as he struggled at times to handle passes and cleanly control loose pucks behind his own net. He had a few turnovers deep in his zone, leading to scoring chances against, and hopefully, those will decrease as the season progresses. Blake’s skating is elite, allowing him to join the rush at will at this level of play. However, he is a bit over-reliant on rushing with the puck at this point and needs to focus more on making head-man passes, as at the NHL level, he won’t be able to deke through the neutral zone as easily. In the offensive zone, Blake demonstrated his dexterity at the blue line, using his edges to create space and get passes through to his teammates, as well as shots on goal. A defenseman can play at virtually any level if they can make a good first pass out of the zone, and Blake must work to improve this aspect of his game.
Marshall Finnie (RW, R, 6’2″, 191, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/02/2004)
Grade: A-
Comments: Finnie scored his first of the season in this game. On the power play, Holinka’s shot was not cleanly handled by the Blades’ goaltender, and Marshall picked the puck out of the air with his stick and batted it in. The ’04 forward played a responsible two-way game and made an impact with his physicality. A standout play came when a Blades forward carried the puck in front of his own net, and Marshall stepped up, delivering a big hit that knocked the net off its pegs. Marshall’s effort was evident on both sides of the puck, as he consistently won puck battles deep in the offensive zone. He also attacked seams when carrying the puck and was able to withstand contact while protecting it. Defensively, Marshall had an active stick in the neutral zone, knocking away passes. He also battled for pucks when killing penalties, and on one play, he won a battle to clear the zone. Marshall took a game-high 24 faceoffs, winning 15 of them. The 6’2′ forward could find success at a smaller to mid-sized Division 1 school, where he could play a bottom-six role, as he has the size, physicality, and skill to succeed in this environment.
Rylen Roersma (LW, L, 5’11”, 189, Edmonton Oil Kings, 07/25/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Roersma is now with the Oil Kings for his overage season, after playing over 200 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Despite not recording a point in this game, Rylen registered a game-high six shots on goal and hit the crossbar with a long shot from near the top of the offensive zone. Throughout the game, Rylen was quick to loose pucks and made smart passes to his teammates. He rushed the puck effectively and was able to carry it into the offensive zone both at even strength and on the power play. At times, Rylen drove hard to the net with the puck and played physically on both ends of the ice. Defensively, he forced several turnovers and was effective overall. Of Edmonton’s three overage players, Rylen has the best credentials, having recorded 58 points last season for the Wheat Kings and 128 career WHL points. As he has scored just once on 17 shots this season, it may take a change in puck luck for him to find offensive success. At this point, it remains unclear which type of program would best suit Rylen’s abilities.
Joshua Albert Lee (D, R, 5’7″, 139, Edmonton Oil Kings, 01/10/2008)
Grade: C+
Comments: Listed at just 5’7′ and 140 pounds, Josh is one of the smallest players in the WHL at this time. The ’08 defender plays the game with his head up and is able to effectively activate off the line with the puck. On one play, he deked a defender to create space at the line and fired a pass to an open teammate for a shot on goal. On another, he carried the puck into the offensive zone and made a smart drop pass to a trailing teammate. Due to his lack of size, Josh was pushed around at times and tended to play quite far back when defending the rush. That being said, he generally kept the rush to the outside and wasn’t overly exposed on the defensive side of the puck. Josh is a player with a great deal of skill and creativity, but until he adds size and strength, his effectiveness at this level will be limited.
Lucas Sawchyn (C, R, 5’9″, 174, Edmonton Oil Kings, 02/27/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Lukas is, first and foremost, an intelligent player who made several strong passes to teammates in scoring areas. On one play, he made a backhand pass from down low in the zone to the middle of the ice for a scoring chance. On another, he rushed up the right wall with the puck on his stick and moved it to the middle of the ice for another opportunity. Lukas generally positioned himself effectively away from the puck to get open for his teammates. His acceleration stood out, allowing him to pull away from defenders and create space for himself. Currently, Lukas has recorded 4 points in 8 games, but given his average size, he will need to increase his production if he hopes to be selected come June.
Jordan Martin (D, R, 6’1″, 190, Saskatoon Blades, 01/08/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Jordan scored his first career WHL goal in this contest, one-timing a Molendyk pass from behind the net at the right faceoff dot as he snuck in off the line. He showed skill with the puck, making accurate passes to his teammates, including a standout backhanded D-to-D pass to the weak side of the ice. In the offensive zone, he consistently got his shots through to the net from the blue line but needs to be cautious with his pinches, as his skating is currently a growth area. If Jordan can continue to improve his skating, he could become a strong player in this league.
Brayden Klimpke (D, L, 5’10”, 156, Saskatoon Blades, 10/08/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Brayden is in the midst of his first full season in the WHL and currently has 5 points in 11 games from the back end. In this game, he earned an assist by following the rush deep into the offensive zone and delivering a hit behind the net that forced a turnover. As the puck made its way back to the line, Brayden controlled a bouncing puck and quickly passed it to Molendyk from the middle of the ice to the right side of the slot for the goal. Brayden protected the puck well with soft hands and was able to carry it with his head up, making intelligent passes. As best evidenced by his assist, Brayden activated well into the offense and showcased skill and offensive instincts. As a late birthday, Brayden will get a full season under his belt in the WHL before his draft year and could garner attention for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Brandon Lisowsky (C, L, 5’9″, 179, Saskatoon Blades, 04/13/2004)
Grade: B+
Comments: Brandon scored the final goal in this contest, beating an Edmonton defender up the ice in a foot race as he turned Riche’s 1-on-1 rush into a 2-on-1 and one-timed the centering feed. As a shorter and stockier player, Brandon was able to attack high-traffic areas and create chances in tight. On the defensive side, he forechecked aggressively, making it difficult for opposing defensemen to move the puck. Brandon’s stride is a bit choppy, but once he gets going, he has good speed, as evidenced by his goal. Overall, Brandon is a skilled and physically solid forward who will garner significant attention from NCAA Division 1 schools. Given his choppy stride and success in traffic, Brandon would be better suited to a school with an NHL-sized rink rather than an Olympic-sized one. That being said, Brandon is one of the few overaged players in the CHL who could succeed at a major Division 1 program.
Zachery Olsen (C, R, 6’1″, 190, Saskatoon Blades, 03/16/2008)
Grade: A-
Comments: Of the 2008-born players, Zach was by far the most impressive, as he seemed to impact the game nearly every shift. On his goal, Zach attacked the middle lane and received a pass from Calvert, who was skating up the left wall. He spread his legs and dropped his shoulder to power past Parker Alcos (an NHL draft pick) and beat the goaltender to the blocker side. As a bigger player, Zach was able to win pucks down low and forecheck effectively. He was also strong in open ice, using his speed to transition the puck up the ice. He made a slick indirect pass in transition, banking the puck off the side wall onto the tape of a teammate, showcasing his soft touch. Due to his size, speed, and skill, Zach is sure to garner significant consideration for the 2026 NHL Draft, as he has the ability to play both a power and finesse game.
Grayden Siepmann (D, R, 5’10”, 185, Saskatoon Blades, 05/26/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Grayden had a strong game for the Blades, impacting the game both offensively and defensively. Defensively, he controlled the gap well when defending the rush and battled for pucks in the corner. Offensively, he rushed the puck effectively and entered the offensive zone with ease, a testament to his acceleration. A standout play came in the dying seconds of the second period when Grayden sprinted up the right wall and fired a low shot to the goaltender’s far pad, creating a juicy rebound, but no one was able to put it home. His only blemish came on Edmonton’s second goal when he got caught in no man’s land, unsure whether to cover the net-front man or the player with the puck down low, which led to the pass getting through for an easy tap-in. As it stands, Grayden is a sturdy and quick defender who could find success at a smaller to mid-sized Division 1 school.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images