Game played 1/25/2025.
General Game Notes: Success on the powerplay was the difference in this game as the visiting Vancouver Giants had four powerplay goals to the hometown Kelowna Rockets two, enroute to a 6-4 victory for the visitors. Leading the way for the Giants was the ever dangerous defensemen Mazden Leslie with two goals and one assist while a more confident Hayden Paupanekis scored twice and also added an assist for the Rockets.
Hayden Paupanekis (C, R, 6’4″, 200, Kelowna Rockets, 02/04/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Paupanekis is an emerging force at the center position, showcasing a growing confidence that is evident in both his offensive and defensive play. His size and agility make him a formidable presence in the offensive zone, where he excels at cycling the puck and exploiting seams in the defense. He will also pursue pucks hard as he displayed on his second goal of the night where he aggressively went after a Vancouver defenseman near the wall at the offensive blueline, successfully stripping him of the puck before cutting to the middle and firing a precise wrist shot from the tops of the circles, that found the back of the net. His strong stick work and mobility also enhance his defensive capabilities, allowing him to effectively manage down-low coverage and disrupt opposing plays. Overall, Paupanekis is evolving into a well-rounded player with the potential to become a key contributor at both ends of the ice at the next level.
Jacob Henderson (D, R, 6’0″, 180, Kelowna Rockets, 03/13/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Henderson continues to impress as a young defenseman born in 2008, showcasing a steady and evolving skill set that makes him a solid contributor on a nightly basis. He is a sound, steady puck mover who makes the easy play when it is needed. His strong skating ability allows him to maintain excellent body positioning when defending. Henderson thrives in the physical aspects of the game, demonstrating tenacity and resilience in the defensive zone, particularly along the boards and in net-front battles where he is hard on opponents and does not care who it is. His willingness to engage in physical play was evident as he engaged in spirited bout with a Vancouver forward, highlighting his competitive nature and ability to push back against aggressive opponents. Overall, Henderson’s blend of skating, and physicality positions him as a formidable presence on the blue line, with a bright future ahead.
Colton Alain (D, R, 6’4″, 195, Vancouver Giants, 05/10/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Alain is a dependable and steady defensive defenseman who consistently plays a safe and reliable game. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches, he effectively utilizes his size to disrupt opposing players and maintain strong body position in the defensive zone. While his skating skills are solid, he does exhibit a slight lack of quickness, which can limit his ability to close gaps quickly. He handles the puck quite well and has a sound understanding of defensive zone responsibilities and can make effective first passes. On this particular night, he logged a respectable 14 minutes and 50 seconds of ice time. Defensively Alain excels at getting under sticks in net front battles on blue line shot attempts and employs an effective stick-on-puck technique while pursuing players, making him a valuable asset in maintaining defensive integrity.
Ryan Lin (D, R, 5’11”, 170, Vancouver Giants, 04/18/2008)
Grade: A
Comments: Lin is an elite, 2008 two-way talent defensemen whose high-end hockey IQ and offensive instincts set him apart on the ice. With an impressive 26 minutes and 21 seconds of ice time on this night, he is already a key player relied upon heavily by his coaching staff. His skating ability is high end, allowing him to smoothly transition from defense to offense and effectively navigate through the neutral zone. Lin consistently showcases his playmaking skills, whether executing crisp first passes or driving the attack himself. He won 54% of his battles, further highlighting his competitive nature and determination in puck battles. His adept use of give-and-go tactics demonstrates his strong understanding of spacing and movement, as he effectively outmaneuvers defenders using his speed and smarts while on the attack. Defensively, Lin is not shy about engaging physically, demonstrating solid down-low coverage and showing the ability to push back against larger opponents. His offensive prowess is highlighted by his impressive puck handling at the blue line, where on one particular occasion he cut off a puck around the wall at the blueline and with pressure on him he quickly spun off shifted to his backhand, and walked the line then released a shot through traffic with precision…leaving the would be defender behind. Additionally, his role on both the top power-play and penalty kill units showcases his versatility and trust from the coaching staff. With his combination of skill, physicality, and poise under pressure, Lin is a player who can impact the game at both ends of the rink.
Ty Halaburda (LW, R, 5’11”, 190, Vancouver Giants, 04/22/2005)
Grade: A-
Comments: Halaburda showcases an impressive overall skill set that makes him a valuable contributor to Vancouver’s top line as well as top power play and second unit penalty kill. As a solid and strong skater, he possesses both good top-end speed and the ability to maintain puck possession under pressure, making him difficult to knock off the puck. His advanced puck skills and sharp offensive instincts allow him to be a dual threat; he can effectively set up teammates as a playmaker or take matters into his own hands as a shooter. Notably, Halaburda’s willingness to battle in front of the net was highlighted by a power-play goal he scored by asserting himself in that area. Defensively, he demonstrates a strong understanding of positioning and utilizes his stick effectively to disrupt plays, showcasing his well-rounded game. Overall, Halaburda is a promising talent with the potential to impact both ends of the ice at the next level.
Cameron Schmidt (RW, R, 5’7″, 161, Vancouver Giants, 01/19/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Schmidt continues to showcase an elite offensive skill set that sets him apart from his peers. His high-end skating ability was on full display, allowing him to effectively drive the offense through the neutral zone with impressive speed. In the offensive zone, his amazing lateral mobility, where he can maintain speed, creates ample space for himself, where he can either unleash a hard quick-release wrist shot or draw defenders in to set up his teammates with precision passes. A highly intense player, Schmidt thrives on physical engagement, using it to fuel his performance. His willingness to push back physically and verbally against opponents exemplifies his competitive nature; this was particularly evident when he barreled through two defensemen, absorbing a high hit that knocked his helmet askew, yet he remained undeterred in his pursuit of the attack, while not retaliating. Schmidt’s combination of skill, intensity, and resilience makes him a valuable asset on the ice and will be a factor at the next level.
Jakob Oreskovic (C, L, 6’1″, 185, Vancouver Giants, 01/10/2007)
Grade: C
Comments: Oreskovic is a 6-foot-1 forward with a strong overall skill set, showcasing good hands and the ability to make plays with his head up, particularly in the offensive zone where he can effectively use these skills to operate below the hash marks. Despite his solid skill level, he tends to underutilize his effective skating ability, often shying away from initiating the forecheck and finishing checks with more physicality. This tendency to let his linemates carry the load raises concerns about his involvement in the game. While he undoubtedly possesses the potential to elevate his play, Oreskovic often leaves me wanting more in terms of engagement and assertiveness on the ice.
Mazden Leslie (D, R, 6’0″, 201, Vancouver Giants, 04/15/2005)
Grade: A
Comments: Leslie is an exceptional offensive defenseman whose two way game is definitely making progress. His skating ability is very good, featuring impressive acceleration that allows him to evade forecheckers with ease. As a playmaker, he demonstrates excellent poise and decision-making, skillfully weighing the options to either shoot or pass, highlighted by his heavy one-timer goal on the power play. In the defensive zone, his hockey IQ and vision are evident where he effectively used the middle 10-foot bump pass, to facilitate seamless breakouts. His improved body positioning down low defensively is evident along with use of his stick taking away passing lanes. Leading his team with an impressive 27 minutes and 51 seconds of ice time, Leslie not only contributed five shots on goal but also excelled in puck battles, winning a respectable 56%. Needless to say, he is a key contributor on the number one power-play unit, but he is also a leader on the top penalty killing unit. His combination of offensive skill and improved defensive awareness makes him worthy of a second look for being a contributor at the pro level.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images