General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the Red Deer Rebels’ 3-1 home win over the Spokane Chiefs on January 10, 2024. This was an excellent game to view, as there were a number of draft-eligible players squaring off head-to-head. Red Deer’s Ollie Josephson played an excellent shutdown game and held Berkly Catton off the scoreboard. In net, Chase Wutzke (06) out-dueled Dawson Cowan (05+) to secure the win in goal.
| Chase Wutzke | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | L | G | 6’2″ | 160 | Red Deer Rebels | 2021 | Debden, SK | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: This was an excellent performance from Chase, who has claimed the Rebels’ crease. The ’06 netminder now has a .922 save percentage in 16 starts. Listed at 6’2′ tall and only 158 pounds, Chase has lots of room to fill out his frame despite already being an appropriate size for an NHL-level goaltender. Chase was able to position himself well to be square to initial shots and battled to see through traffic. He was quick to get into his butterfly position and kept his arms in tight to not let pucks squeak through. Chase controlled his rebounds well, and even difficult shots seemed to stick to him. His depth in the crease was appropriate throughout the game. On one specific play, the puck was behind the net, and thus, Chase held the left post. As the puck was passed up to the left faceoff dot, Chase didn’t aggressively push out but instead squared himself to the shot and made the save while not over-committing to the push out. His lateral movement was excellent, as he was able to push across his crease to take shots squarely in the chest. Chase didn’t make many battle saves in this contest, but that was more so due to his ability to make difficult saves look easy. Chase also played the puck well and made intelligent reads of the Chiefs’ forecheck. As it stands, there is an inherent risk in taking a CHL goaltender due to the lack of recent historical success, but Chase could be one to buck that trend. If this level of play continues, Chase could hear his name called in the top half of the draft.
| Derek Thurston | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | L | D | 6’0″ | 163 | Red Deer Rebels | 2021 | Delta, BC | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Derek displayed great backward acceleration, which he used to control the gap well defensively. At 6’1′ tall, he was able to use his length well to control the gap. Before getting to the puck, he would head-check to be able to move the puck up ice. He also positioned himself well off the puck to support the breakout. As evident by his 0 points in 21 games, Derek projects as a USports-level defenseman after his time in the WHL.
| Ollie Josephson | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 179 | Red Deer Rebels | 2021 | Victoria, BC | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: This was an excellent performance from Ollie, who held Berkly Catton off the board, killed penalties, and still managed to record the primary assist on Red Deer’s first goal. Despite being primarily a shutdown player, Ollie still sits second on the Rebels in scoring with 28 points in 40 games. The ’06 forward is an above-average straight-line skater, and his speed alone could propel him to the NHL ranks. Due to his speed and IQ, Ollie was able to get to loose pucks and force turnovers with an active stick. When on the forecheck, Ollie got on defensemen quickly and forced turnovers along the wall. On one specific play as F2, Ollie read that his teammate was chasing the defenseman behind the net, so he cut the defender off in the corner and forced the turnover. Ollie defended well through the neutral zone and was able to get his stick in lanes. The best depiction of his stick play was when he was killing a penalty. Ollie had the defenseman pinched in close to the line, and he identified that his opponent was going to blindly throw a pass to the middle. Ollie put his entire stick on the ice and disrupted the pass, which enabled him to clear the zone and change. Offensively, Ollie was able to push the pace of play with his feet and made intelligent and accurate passes with the puck. Ollie always put the puck in his teammates’ wheelhouses when they were looking for a one-timer and was able to hold onto the puck to take contact before passing around the defender. On his assist, Ollie quickly followed Larson up the ice after the latter forced a turnover just inside the Red Deer blue line. As Larson carried the puck up the right wall and into the offensive zone, the left defenseman closed the gap, and Larson dropped the puck to Ollie. Ollie continued forward, and as the right defender came across, he slid a backhand pass to Formanek at the net front for the goal. This was an impressive performance from Ollie, who is poised to play in the NHL as a defensive specialist. Due to his speed, skill, and IQ, he will be a menace for opposing power plays and top lines. As it stands, Ollie projects as a second or third round pick, but given the momentum he currently has, he could sneak his way into the first round. Ollie will most likely never be a first-line center, but he is someone who will log important minutes in the middle-six. Teams win with players like Ollie.
| Dawson Cowan | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | L | G | 6’1″ | 182 | Wenatchee Wild | 2021 | Warren, MB | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: At 6’1′ tall, Dawson is just tall enough to be considered an NHL-level goaltending prospect. In this contest, Dawson stopped 31 of the 34 shots he faced and now has a .907 save percentage in 23 games played. Throughout the game, he moved quickly laterally and tracked pucks well on a number of high-danger passing plays and dekes in tight. Dawson was also able to find the puck through traffic to be square to initial shots. His positioning and movements were aggressive, and his effort was noticeable as he battled to make saves. For the most part, he controlled his rebounds well and tracked pucks from behind the net to out front. At times, Dawson’s movements appeared a bit unbalanced, and he fell a few times making cross-ice pushes. This is something that he can continue to refine. Of the three goals that he allowed, Dawson should have stopped the final two. On the second goal, he appeared to be caught napping as a low-percentage shot from the outside off the rush beat him up top. On the third goal, Dawson turned the puck over behind his own net and then let in a wrap-around attempt as his stick was out of position. Overall, this was a strong showing from Dawson, but he was out-dueled by Chase Wuetzke (06), who stopped 24 of 25 shots. As he is a September 2005 birthday and is also on the shorter side, Dawson projects as a late-round NHL Draft pick this June.
| Mathis Preston | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | R | C | 5’11” | 166 | Spokane Chiefs | 2023 | Penticton, BC | 2008 |
Preston is 2008
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Mathis scored his second goal in three games with the Chiefs as an affiliated player. The ’08 sniper set up in ‘Ovechkin’s Office’ and one-timed a cross-ice pass on the power play to get the Chiefs on the board. Preston is most definitely skilled enough to play full-time at this level, and he will be one of the top ’08 scorers in the league next season, especially if he continues to slot on Catton’s wing. Throughout the contest, Mathis made accurate passes to teammates and calm and controlled passes when under pressure. He stick-handled the puck well and undressed a few Red Deer defenders with his smooth hands. On one specific zone entry on the power play, Mathis entered the puck into the zone and deked three Red Deer defenders before turning the puck over to the fourth. This was an impressive display of skill, but Mathis must move the puck quicker, as, despite the flair, this was a turnover. Mathis possesses an elite-level shot and a high degree of skill. He projects as a 2026 NHL Draft pick due in large part to his skill and release but must continue to refine his 200-foot game.
| William McIsaac | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 185 | Spokane Chiefs | 2021 | Vancouver, BC | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: As a 6’3′ tall, right-shot defender, Will will be given every chance to succeed. In this game, he closed the gap well defensively and was able to knock the puck away with his stick or take the body physically. Despite not being an overly skilled player, he did make some nice plays with the puck, such as moving it D-to-D. He also made a great bank pass off the end wall when under pressure, going behind his net with the puck as he drew pressure away from the puck so that his partner could break out unchallenged. Despite being a below-average straight-line skater for this level of play, Will changed directions well and overall moved well for his size. As it stands, Will is a potential late-round pick and is someone who projects as a shutdown defender at the pro level. If he can continue to improve his speed and play with the puck, he could one day skate in the NHL.
| Cohen Armstrong | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | R | RW | 5’11” | 170 | Spokane Chiefs | 2022 | West Vancouver, BC | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Coco is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play. Due to his speed, he was able to be disruptive on the forecheck. He displayed a strong effort and spacing in the defensive zone as well and was able to routinely help get the puck out of the zone. Moving forward, Coco can continue to improve his skill with the puck as well as his aggression and physicality in puck battles. He can also improve his balance, as at times he appeared out of control when skating.
| Berkly Catton | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | L | C | 5’10” | 162 | Spokane Chiefs | 2021 | Saskatoon, SK | 2006 | 2023-2024: A |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: This was a tough night for Berkly, who was held off the scoresheet due in large part to strong defensive play from Red Deer’s Ollie Josephson. Berkly did manage to put 5 shots on goal but was -1 and was an abysmal 3/19 in the faceoff dot. As Spokane is one of the weaker teams in the WHL, Berkly is required to carry a heavy load both offensively and defensively, and given his 62 points in 38 games, he has more than been up to the task. In tonight’s game, Berkly displayed strong edgework and a good first step in order to create space for himself. He also read the play quickly and was able to make tough plays look routine. On one specific play, Berkly received the puck on the PK in the neutral zone. As three defenders converged on him, he spun with the puck and threw it to the wall on the right side, which allowed a teammate to skate into the puck and have an open lane up ice. Berkly also made smart, short passes when rushing with the puck. He was especially strong at drawing defenders in towards himself in the offensive zone before passing to an open teammate. Berkly was routinely double-teamed by Red Deer defenders, and he was able to use this to his advantage at times. He routinely intercepted Red Deer passes or tipped them with his stick to break up the play, showcasing his IQ. Berkly did turn the puck over on Red Deer’s first goal, as he threw a soft pass back to Preston just inside the Red Deer zone, which was intercepted and taken the other way for a goal. Berkly’s creativity is a strong suit of his, but he must be careful in high-danger areas. Berkly is an average straight-line skater for this level of play, and this tool projects as average at the NHL level. Given his lack of game-breaking speed, smaller stature, and lack of success in the faceoff dot, a move to the wing may be required.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Nick Earle