Played on Feb 16, 2026
Game Played in Brandt Centre
Kolten Bridgeman (D, R, 6’5″, 219, Regina Pats, 10/28/2006)
Game Rating
B
Kolten Bridgeman showcased his physical presence and skillset in tonight’s game. His size and strength allowed him to deliver impactful hits, particularly on Edmonton’s fourth goal. When carrying the puck, Kolten demonstrated a strong stride, moving quickly and efficiently down the ice. He also displayed agility, using fakes to blow past opponents. However, Kolten struggled to balance his emotional play with discipline. A roughing penalty after the whistle and a lapse in judgment on the chasing hit were notable drawbacks. Despite these moments, Kolten’s effort was evident, and he played a key role in several Regina possessions. Finding a better balance between passion and control will be crucial for him moving forward.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kolten continues to show himself as a mobile defenseman who handles breakouts efficiently, manages corner battles with size and strength, and provides physical momentum when needed. Although he finished minus-two, his overall game did not reflect that rating. Aside from one instance where he was caught flat-footed on a neutral-zone turnover that led to a breakaway, he was defensively sound. His size and strength make it difficult for skilled forwards to beat him cleanly, and when he stays balanced without overcommitting, his skating and fluidity for a big defenseman really stand out. He also showed added offensive instinct along the blue line, activating into open ice to create confusion that led to a Pats goal, even if he didn’t earn an assist. He maintained strong emotional control while still playing his physical style.
Reese Hamilton (D, L, 6’0″, 178, Regina Pats, 03/26/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Hamilton is a dynamic defenseman who excels at moving his feet and controlling the pace of play. He effectively closes gaps and uses angles to separate himself from opponents in tight spaces. When retrieving pucks, he efficiently exits the zone with possession, using his speed to transition quickly. This allows him to create separation in the neutral zone and maintain control as he carries the puck across the blue line.
1 Viewing
Comments: Reese is an especially gifted skater, and it elevates nearly every part of his game. He trusts his skating and uses it to maintain a strong, consistent gap. His stride is fluid with excellent edge control, particularly on pivots, and his east-west movement allows him to maintain speed without losing balance. He reads attacking rushes well and anticipates limited options effectively. His assist came on a perfectly executed set play off a faceoff, skating down the wall and finding Maddox Schultz to complete the sequence. Finishing plus-one in a 7-6 game, Reese demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively while handling defensive responsibilities with composure.
Keets Fawcett (LW, L, 5’11”, 171, Regina Pats, 02/23/2006, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
A
1 Viewing
Comments: Keets Fawcett is a workhorse with high-end offensive skill, and his effort stands out before you even get to the offense. He is relentless on the forecheck and backcheck, consistently first on pucks, finishing hits, and winning battles. Tracking hard through the middle, he takes away passing lanes and looks to create turnovers. Offensively, everything clicked for him in this game. He wanted the puck in all situations, circling the offensive zone and managing body positioning extremely well while handling the puck. With a goal and three assists, he was a true difference-maker. While some nights simply go a player’s way, his effort level and execution made this performance well deserved.
Liam Pue (RW, R, 6’1″, 164, Regina Pats, 02/16/2010)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Liam Pue is an offensively gifted player with explosive speed and an even more dangerous shot. He is a constant threat with or without the puck, and when given space, his shot is both powerful and accurate. He understands the game and does not cheat offensively, though his defensive play is still developing and leans more on effort than structure. His goal highlighted his ability to change a game in a single moment, capitalizing on a neutral-zone turnover and finishing a mini breakaway with a smooth forehand-backhand move. Add in his low-glove shootout goal, and he played a key role in securing the extra point. Despite finishing minus-one and still having defensive areas to clean up, his offensive impact is undeniable and will always drive his value.
Ellis Mieyette (C, L, 6’0″, 167, Regina Pats, 10/25/2006, Lindenwood)
Game Rating
B+
Ellis Mieyette showcased his skills as a shifty and quick forward who excels in high-tempo games. He demonstrated composure under pressure by protecting the puck effectively down low and managing possession. His ability to scan and make controlled plays while being defended stood out, particularly in the game’s most crucial period. Mieyette’s speed and agility allowed him to quickly change direction and create scoring opportunities. He was a key contributor in the third period, recording a goal and an assist that led to the game-winning power-play goal. His movement without the puck was also impressive, as he constantly looked for seams to exploit. Overall, Mieyette’s skills were well-suited to his team’s ‘pond hockey’ style of play.
1 Viewing
Comments: Ellis blends speed, puck control, and vision extremely well, and when you add in his defensive reliability, it’s easy to see why he stood out. Playing alongside some of the younger Pats players, he looked every bit like a smart 200-foot centerman. A key defensive moment came when he broke up a backdoor pass intended for a wide-open Broncos player, staying with his assignment rather than puck-watching and making a controlled, timely play. Offensively, he capitalizes on opportunities with either smart distribution or individual effort. On a neutral-zone turnover, he quickly found Liam Pue streaking through and delivered a clean pass for a breakaway goal. It was simple, decisive, and showed zero hesitation.
Matt Paranych (D, L, 5’8″, 157, Regina Pats, 04/23/2007, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Matt Paranych is an undersized defenseman who plays with speed, hockey IQ, and tenacity. He excels on breakouts, using his feet and vision to move the puck efficiently into the offensive zone. His skating is shifty and agile, relying on subtle fakes to bait opponents before exposing them when they commit. Along with his skating comes strong vision. Under pressure, he made a confident backhanded cross-ice pass on a breakout that wasn’t risky but showed a great read of the situation and awareness of the open man. While his size is an easy critique, he may have had the most hits in this game. He finished checks consistently and competed hard in board battles, showing that his lack of size does not limit his willingness to engage.
Colton Alain (D, R, 6’4″, 195, Swift Current Broncos, 05/10/2007)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Colton is a lengthy defenseman whose primary role is to shut down opponents. He skates well for his size but lacks high-end quickness, relying instead on reach and strength to create advantages. He works hard in the corners, uses his body effectively, and protects the net front with consistency, limiting screening opportunities. His biggest challenges arise against smaller, quicker forwards with time and space. Continued development in his foot speed and angle control, particularly in corner situations, will help round out his defensive effectiveness.
Hyde Davidson (D, L, 6’2″, 173, Swift Current Broncos, 01/23/2006)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hyde is a good-sized defenseman with a balanced, composed stride. His active hands allow him to adapt to pressure effectively, keeping them away from his body and ready to react. While he won’t regularly lead coast-to-coast rushes, he excels as a puck mover who supports the play and joins when appropriate. Paired with Colton Alain, they form a defensively reliable combination with size and mobility, even if this was not their strongest overall game. Hyde reads defensive lanes well, plays tough in front of his net, and moves pucks efficiently. He also saw time quarterbacking the power play, showing trust from the coaching staff.
Trae Johnson (LW, L, 6’0″, 176, Swift Current Broncos, 05/03/2005)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Trae Johnson plays the game with veteran awareness and simplicity. His defensive positioning is strong, and he is active with his stick and pressure, consistently reading and removing opponents’ options. Offensively, he makes subtle but effective plays, such as using the boards to create controlled entries that function more like passes than dumps. These small details maintain possession and often go unnoticed despite their value. With a goal and a well-timed backdoor power-play assist, Trae combined defensive leadership with timely offense.
Parker Rondeau (RW, L, 6’0″, 172, Swift Current Broncos, 06/15/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Parker showed flashes of strong playmaking ability early in the game. His skating stride remains his biggest limitation, but he compensates with good hands, reach, and body positioning. He prefers a give-and-go style, keeping teammates close to move the puck quickly around defenders. His assist came on a strong rush where he drove the net and delivered a clever backdoor pass that led to a rebound goal. As the game tightened and pace increased, his noticeability decreased. Continued improvement in his stride will elevate his game significantly, as the vision and skill are evident.
Hudson Darby (RW, R, 6’0″, 177, Swift Current Broncos, 12/01/2006, Ferris State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hudson plays a mature 200-foot game built around smart, simple hockey. Offensively, he operates around the net with strong drives, effective screens, and tip opportunities. He may not provide highlight-reel skill, but he consistently outworks opponents. Defensively, he backchecks responsibly, keeps players in front of him, and avoids overcommitting, limiting odd-man rushes when serving as F3. He did get caught with his head down in the neutral zone and was lined up for a heavy hit, but overall he remains a straightforward, dependable forward who finds offense through net-front presence.
Stepan Kuryachenkov (C, L, 5’10”, 147, Swift Current Broncos, 07/16/2008)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Stepan showed a clear desire to win, making extra efforts across all three zones. With strong hockey IQ, an explosive stride, and a puck-control style, his greatest strength in this game was his compete level. He created turnovers on the forecheck by finishing hits and maintaining strong stick positioning. Along the walls and in the corners, he worked intelligently to retrieve pucks and slip past defenders. He thrives on puck recovery and finding options, which translated well to his power-play time. While he possesses solid hands and offensive instincts, this performance highlighted his ability to blend skill with a grinding, hard-nosed style and a willingness to attack the net.
Easton Laplante (D, R, 5’11”, 192, Swift Current Broncos, 06/03/2008)
Game Rating
B-
Easton LaPlante is a driven defenseman who makes up for his relatively small size with intense competition and determination. He excels in one-on-one battles, using his effort to separate himself from larger opponents and retrieve pucks. Strong body positioning and hand pinning allow him to outmuscle opponents, making him effective at defending the puck off the rush.
1 Viewing
Comments: Easton displayed a strong compete level and delivered timely defensive plays. He has a solid first few strides that allow him to accelerate effectively and understands his positioning well as an off-side defenseman. This awareness enables him to join the rush when appropriate. A standout moment came when he recovered from a poor pinch by his partner and played a 2-on-1 perfectly with a well-timed active stick, showing poise under pressure. Later, he broke up a breakaway through sheer effort and determination. Overall, it was a steady defensive game with flashes of strong hockey sense.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images