Game played on 12/15/2024.
Noah Kosick (C, L, 5’9″, 145, Calgary Hitmen, 08/18/2008, Michigan)
Grade: B-
Comments: Kosic looked a bit better in this one. Largely his skating in terms of acceleration, stride, and pivots/roll offs projected more so around average. The 2008 born forward flashed elements of more senses relating to play anticipation, offensive instincts/awareness, and playmaking ability than last game. He showed good awareness, and situational awareness to his advantage and generated a dangerous chance for at 18:09 in the third period. The Hitmen forward displayed a slightly above average shot with good power, and selection. The usual compete level was here too with some mild play disruption, and notable hustle in defensive and offensive transition. Issues around puck handling and pass receptions in this one.
Linden Burrett (D, R, 6’1″, 180, Calgary Hitmen, 02/06/2006)
Grade: C
Comments: Burrett remained in the process of adjusting to the WHL. His play demonstrated that of a physically orientated defensive defender. His game was highlighted by some defensive senses, physicality, and about average puck skills. In defensive transition Burrett showed capable but aggressive gap control with the ability to close space quickly, and kill momentum with solid physicality. In defensive zone play Burrett showed high frequency scanning, and some defensive awareness, and pressure awareness. His physicality stood out for its deceptively efficient form, as it rarely interrupted Burrett’s momentum, good muscle mass, and frequency. In offensive transition the rookie defender showed basic passing skills with short passes, and confident decision making. Around average shot mechanics with an ok release, but poor selection and leverage. We look forward to growth in terms of offensive instincts, play creation, and hockey IQ. Growth in skating would also be beneficial as increases to power and acceleration would compliment the 2006 born defenders game even more.
Brandon Gorzynski (C, L, 6’2″, 187, Calgary Hitmen, 03/12/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Gorzynski had a solid game for the Calgary Hitmen. He played that of a playmakers game with a forecheck aptitude. His game was highlighted by notable puck skills, compete, and senses. In defensive transition the 2007 born forward showed capable forechecking pressure with a solid pace of play, defensive pressure exertion, and hustle. In defensive zone play this pressure was similar but exerted through lateral angles of attack as a high forward. This displayed some defensive awareness. In offensive transition was where the American born Gorzynski shined, as he showed quality offensive awareness, positioning that always made himself an option, and once again solid pace of play. The breakout was often jump started by a short pass or passing play from Gorzynski, which showed some aptitude of offensive instincts, option ID, and rush instincts. Overall he demonstrated he had above average play reading, but at points struggled with anticipation as he was seen cheating plays then forced to turn around due to a turnover. Displayed above average puck handling as well. In zone Gorzynski also showed capable route creation as he had a nose for the net, and decent situational awareness. We look forward to growth in his offensive deception, shooting (posture, weight transfer, and power), and more capable physicality (muscle mass, and body leverage.
Eric Johnston (D, L, 6’0″, 190, Swift Current Broncos, 02/18/2004)
Grade: B-
Comments: Johnston had a decent game for the Swift Current Broncos, all things considered. Johnston displayed the tool kit of the prototypical defensive defender. His game was highlighted by high level physicality, some puck skills, and a notable compete level. Physicality was the backbone of Johnston’s play in this one. In defensive transition the 2004 born defender showed some stable gap control with decent space management, a stick that takes away some lanes, and physicality that simply killed rush plays. This physicality is exemplified by an aggression based outward push form, while furthered significantly by quality muscle mass, and implemented with high frequency. This frequency was sometimes at the cost of his play reading. In defensive transition though Johnston showed good risk mitigation/management through this physicality. It’s when pressure shifted to defensive zone play that some of the cracks started to show. Primarily Johnstons defensive scans are infrequent which posed problems for play reading, anticipation,and aggression, which resulted in some positioning problems. These positioning issues resulted in below average risk assessment and spacial awareness which allowed for high danger chances against to be generated. High amount of play scrambles in the Swift Current slot. However its not all growth areas, as Johnston showed quality board play, through good body positioning, angling, and muscle mass, and was an asset there. Additionally the Bronco’s defender showed some grit through his willingness to shot block. In offensive transition the overager showed some capable passing ability through his puck placement and accuracy, but did have a tendency to pass/skate into pressure. In the offensive zone Johnston proved to be a capable facilitator with some basic vision. Throughout the night Johnston did show a slightly above average compete level defined by his notable intensity, and play disruption ability. Around WHL average skating in most regards (posture, stride, acceleration). We look forward to improvements in senses (hockey IQ, play reading, and creativity), and skating to bring Johnston’s game to the next level.
Josh McGregor (D, L, 6’1″, 175, Swift Current Broncos, 06/07/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Mcgregor was a stable presence for the Swift Current blueline. The Broncos rookie showed some tools of a two way defender with a touch of an offensive mind. The defenders game was highlighted by some quality senses, inconsistent but ok physicality and solid transitional play. Overall Mcgregor had a slightly above average compete level with quality discipline, engagement, and positional responsibility. In defensive transition his gap control was a bit inconsistent, but demonstrated solid lane awareness, poise, and stick/body positioning. He was a bit prone to transition and zone manipulation in this one. Mcgregor showed some physicality and grit with some willingness/acknowledgement of shot lanes and repeatedly shot blocked. He served as more of a slot presence and this demonstrated some positioning aptitude. In offensive transition Mcgregor showed some breakout vision, but puck skills were an issue in this one, through poor accuracy, handling, and some delayed option identification. Away from puck the 2007 born defender showed some offensive instincts as the trailer, and an occasional activation. This hints at some hidden playmaking and offensive upside for the young defender. In the offensive zone Mcgregor had a average shot with ok power and leverage, but limited weight transfer, and poorer shot selection. We look forward to growth in terms of more physical consistency, and further improvements in puck skills and passing.
Jace McFaul (D, R, 5’9″, 160, Swift Current Broncos, 03/03/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Mcfaul had some decent moments in this one. He played the game as more of a transitional two way defender. His game was highlighted by quality puck skills, some decent transitional play, and some hints of physicality. In defensive transition the 2007 born defender showed relatively decent conservative gap control that maintained space, often took the stick away, and showed some effective transition scans/aggression when needed. In the defensive zone he played a bit more passive, but as the game went on showed some hints of physicality (clean hitting form, physicality in board play, and some isolation). In the defensive zone he struggled in close quarter fast moving plays, which showed some poor positioning (space awareness), defensive awareness, and risk awareness. This shortcoming was best exemplified by his overcommitment on Calgary’s third goal. In offensive transition was where Mcfaul was the largest asset as he displayed some quality puck skills, and puck management through decent transitional vision, option identification that generated a quick transition for Swift Current. Additionally the defender showed some notable puck handling/plays under pressure that allowed the Broncos to retain possession via his notable body positioning and quick decision making. In offensive zone play Mcfaul served more as a support piece, and rarely drove pace of play, displayed offensive play reads, or offensive creativity. Mcfaul often resorted to basic D-D passes more than anything. He showed around average shooting mechanics with a stiffer release but some leverage and weight transfer aptitude. Around average skating with a upright posture he showed an ok stride with some decent depth, and backwards crossover integration, but overall limited acceleration and power. We look forward to growth in skating, senses, and more consistency around compete level (motor, intensity, battles).
Parker Rondeau (RW, L, 6’0″, 172, Swift Current Broncos, 06/15/2007)
Grade: C
Comments: Rondeau had a limited showing in this one. He showed some compete and soft skill hinting at elements of a playmaker. His game was highlighted by some puck skills, and compete that made him somewhat effective in transition play. In both offensive and defensive transition the 2007 born forward showed some compete level via a good amount of hustle that generated some pressure exertion. This was further exemplified by some transitional position and lane awareness in transition, that was particularly noticeable through his backcheck involvement. In offensive transition the Bronco’s forward showed some decent puck management that manifested itself through flashes of good handling mechanics, and quality short passing. We look forward to growth in his skating as he displayed below average ankle flection that generated a poor depth, some busy feet, limited extension and a choppy stride recovery. This harmed his pace of play and ability to reinvolve himself if he was too far out of the play. We also look forward to growth in his senses in terms of his offensive creativity as he loses himself in plays sometimes, defensive awareness (limited play support and passes into pressure), and physicality.
Ty Coupland (RW, R, 5’10”, 166, Swift Current Broncos, 05/06/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Coupland is a stable and consistent presence for the Swift Current Broncos forward core. Coupland showed the skillset of a playmaker with a touch of a two way forward. He played an active role on the forecheck and the back check, which showed capable angles of attack, a good motor, and lane awareness. In addition on the backcheck Coupland provided adequate play disruption mixed with body leverage that allowed for some opportunities of puck stripping, and generated offensive transitions from. Overall Coupland’s skating looked relatively solid in this one as well due to his non-problematic stride, quality acceleration, agility, and power. These skating factors led to increased deception in the forwards game as he implemented some changes of pace, and was better able to display his quality play anticipation. In offensive transition Coupland showed quality puck skills in his handling, elements of vision, and play creation. This meant anytime the Broncos forward was on the ice, chance generation was a possibility. Through solid offensive instincts, awareness, and vision he was a playmaking threat for the Broncos all game. We look forward to growth in his physicality, (effectiveness, efficiency, and muscle mass), and improvements to his overall spatial awareness.
Sawyer Dingman (LW, L, 6’2″, 215, Swift Current Broncos, 05/11/2008)
Grade: C
Comments: Dingman had a limited ice time game. He had the toolkit of a two way forward. His game was highlighted by some basic senses, and physicality fundamentals. Overall his positioning was quite responsible, and demonstrated that he knew where to go. This positioning combined with some lane awareness and a somewhat active stick showed that he had some basic defensive instincts and awareness. As an 2008 born forward Dingman has plenty of time to refine these skills. He also showed some basic physicality with a quality frame, and some willingness to engage in board play and block lanes. This hinted at some underlying grit. We look forward to growth in his game generally, but particularly his skating as he has a significantly upright posture, which generated a choppy stride, limited extension, and needed more crossover integration. Additionally in faceoffs Dingman often attempted to win draws clean with little success, and the inclusion of more leverage or physicality would help.
Jaxen Gauchier (RW, L, 6’0″, 166, Swift Current Broncos, 06/21/2007)
Grade: Limited Viewing
Comments: Really a nothing performance in limited ice time from Gauchier in this one. He showed some hints of a power forward. He had moments of physicality, and kept up with the pace of play ok.In defensive transition he showed some compete level with his role on the forecheck, energy, and a semi-active stick. In the defensive zone he showed limited defensive awareness, but had some lane awareness. His physicality was ok, with good form, and ok hit absorption. He also displayed some basic passing skill in this one and served as an ok breakout asset. We look forward to growth and consistency in his skating (stride, stride recovery, and acceleration/power), and senses.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
