Game played on 2/8/2025.
General Game Notes: The visiting Americans 2004 centre Jake Sloan stole the show on this night scoring four goals, while linemate Savin Virk had four assists, enroute to a 4-2 victory over the hometown Kelowna Rockets. Lukas Matecha was very good in the Tri City net making 34 saves. This was the 10th loss in a row for the Rockets.
Austin Zemlak (D, L, 6’1″, 195, Tri-City Americans, 02/26/2005, Arizona State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Zemlak is a dependable defenseman whose steady presence on the ice often goes unnoticed amidst flashier players. He possesses good skating ability and mobility, enabling him to retrieve pucks efficiently and makes smart decisions under pressure. His keen awareness of the game allows him to consistently deliver effective first passes, facilitating transitions and offensive plays for his teammates. A versatile player, Zemlak contributes significantly on both the power play and penalty kill, showcasing his all-around skill set. His recent performance speaks volumes, as he logged an impressive 22 minutes and 34 seconds of ice time—second among defensemen on the team—while winning 70% of his puck battles. Zemlak’s reliability and solid fundamentals make him a crucial asset to any lineup, embodying the traits of a player who may not steal the spotlight but is indispensable to team success, thus he will be a defender that is counted on at the university level.
Jackson Smith (D, L, 6’3″, 195, Tri-City Americans, 05/07/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Smith is a standout prospect with an impressive combination of next-level skills and a commanding 6-foot-3 frame, positioning him for significant impact at the highest levels of the game. His elite skating ability is noted over 200 feet, particularly evident at the offensive blue line, where he maneuvers smoothly and quickly laterally, generating space for himself and creating shooting lanes. Smith excels in puck retrieval, reaching pucks rapidly and effortlessly leaving defenders behind in just a couple of strides. His puck skills and movement showcase a high level of poise, as he rarely makes careless plays with the puck; a notable highlight was a smooth catch-and-release shot off a pass coming across his body at the offensive blueline. He is very reliable, defending both one on one attack and down low on the defensive zone coverage. The combination of his excellent agility and having a very good stick contributes to the success. However, areas for improvement include his one-timer, which lacked power, and his decision-making below his own goal line, where he sometimes struggled to effectively manage pressure especially when forced to his backhand, leading to randomly throwing bouncing backhand passes. Despite starting with limited ice time—where he oddly only had one shift in the first nine minutes—he still finished with over 23 minutes on the ice while winning 55% of his battles. Overall, Smith possesses the foundation of a highly impactful player at the next level.
Jake Sloan (RW, R, 6’3″, 200, Tri-City Americans, 02/17/2004, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Sloan is an impressive 6’4′ forward who combines smooth skating with good top end speed, making him a formidable presence on the ice. During the game, he showcased his scoring ability by netting four goals, including one into an empty net, but what stood out was his quick shooting release that allows him to capitalize on scoring opportunities. His size does not hinder his agility; instead, he demonstrates a keen ability to find open spaces in high-traffic areas around the opponent’s net. Defensively, Sloan is reliable on the defensive zone coverage and, contributing effectively to both the top penalty kill and power play units. On this night, he was second in forward ice time logging just over 22 minutes, he also had nine takeaways and won an impressive 73% of his battles. With his combination of skill, size, and hockey sense, he is poised to be an impactful player at the university level.
Savin Virk (RW, R, 5’11”, 170, Tri-City Americans, 06/06/2007, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Virk is an impressive prospect with a well-rounded skill set and a strong 200-foot game that makes him a valuable asset on both ends of the ice. His work ethic is commendable, and he showcases good skating ability with decent top-end speed, allowing him to effectively navigate the rink. His puck skills are highlighted by his excellent hands and ability to execute slick passes, as demonstrated when he set up his center, Sloan, for a goal while maneuvering through the slot. Virk’s high hockey IQ stands out; he has a keen awareness of his surroundings in the offensive zone and consistently positions himself to support his teammates. Defensively, he is reliable on the defensive zone coverage stopping and starting using straight lines while demonstrating a strong commitment to backchecking, making him a complete player. With that, needless to say he is on both the top power play and penalty killing units. With his skill set and work ethic, Virk is poised to be an effective contributor at the University level.
Brandon Whynott (LW, L, 6’1″, 197, Tri-City Americans, 04/16/2004, Bowling Green)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Whynott is a very good prospect that should be successful at the university level. He showcased impressive skating ability with noteworthy top-end speed that allows him to navigate the ice effectively and drive the attack through the neutral zone, while being effective in tight with his mobility. His offensive prowess is evident in his scoring statistics, notching 50 points in 50 games, including 22 goals, which highlights his good hands and goal-scoring touch. Whynott’s hockey IQ stands out, as he consistently makes smart plays and exhibits strong awareness of his linemates’ positioning, often battling through traffic to create opportunities. Defensively, he demonstrates solid coverage and a willingness to engage in puck battles, as reflected in his 50% success rate during a game where he logged nearly 21 minutes—ranking fourth among forwards. Additionally, his versatility is showcased on the ice as he plays a crucial role on the top power play unit while also contributing to the penalty kill, underscoring his all-around game and commitment to team success.
Gavin Garland (C, R, 5’10”, 187, Tri-City Americans, 02/08/2006)
Game Rating
1 Viewing
Comments: Did not play
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
