The 2004s.
Max Graham (LW, L, 6’3″, 203, Kelowna Rockets, 05/21/2004)
Comments: Current Role: Max Graham is a top-nine forward and Captain for Kelowna who contributes in all three zones. His physicality, size, and improving offensive instincts allow him to play a key role in puck possession and transition. While he does not currently feature as a main contributor on the penalty kill, his skill set and active stick suggest he could evolve into a reliable two-way forward. Player Type: Graham is a 200-foot power forward with a developing offensive game and strong physical presence. He blends leadership, size, work ethic, and quick hands to create plays in tight areas. His upward trajectory and ability to adjust make him a legitimate professional prospect. Strengths: Physicality: Graham uses his 6’3′, 203-pound frame effectively, finishing checks with authority while maintaining balance. His physicality creates turnovers and disrupts opponents, making him a disruptive force in all three zones. Puck Protection: He is learning to use his length to shield the puck effectively, particularly in the cycle game. His ability to win 50/50 battles and protect possession is improving with experience. Net-Front Play: Graham has quick hands in tight areas and an understanding of how to position himself in the low slot. His goal against Vancouver, a one-timer from the slot, highlights his instincts and ability to find soft spots in coverage. Defensive Awareness: He generally maintains net-side positioning and uses his active stick effectively to disrupt passing lanes. His ability to start transitions from defensive plays adds value to his two-way game. Work Ethic and Intangibles: Graham’s willingness to engage physically, battle for loose pucks, and take on a leadership role on the ice make him a player who consistently influences games. Weaknesses: Puck Management: Graham recorded six giveaways in his game versus Vancouver, highlighting a need for continued improvement in decision-making and puck security under pressure. Offensive Production Consistency: While showing flashes of offensive upside, he needs to continue developing his playmaking and finishing to consistently produce at higher levels. Face-Off Proficiency: Winning only 4 of 10 face-offs shows an area where he could improve, particularly if he transitions into a center role professionally. His 2024/25 face-off winning percentage is 57%, but we feel continued improvement in the face-off circle is a needed skill. Explosiveness: While his stride is balanced and powerful, there is room to develop more explosiveness and first-step quickness to maximize his impact in transitions and puck retrievals. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: As a 5th-round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, Graham has clear professional potential, but he requires further development to reach his ceiling. Transitioning to the NCAA could provide significant benefits: Physical Development: The structured strength and conditioning programs in the NCAA would allow Graham to further develop his already imposing frame while adding explosiveness and agility. Additional strength would enhance his ability to dominate puck battles and net-front engagements. Refinement of Explosiveness: With the NCAA’s emphasis on speed and explosiveness training, Graham could improve his first-step quickness and overall mobility, adding another layer to his game. Skill Refinement: The higher practice-to-game ratio in NCAA hockey would allow Graham to focus on improving his puck management, decision-making, and offensive consistency, particularly in finishing and passing. Two-Way Role Expansion: Competing against older, stronger players in the NCAA would prepare Graham for professional-level physicality and give him the opportunity to expand his defensive game, including penalty-kill responsibilities. Special Teams Versatility: The NCAA would provide Graham with more opportunities to develop as a multi-role special teams player, increasing his versatility at the next level. Conclusion: Max Graham is a raw but intriguing power forward with the physical tools and work ethic to succeed at the professional level. His size, physicality, and improving offensive instincts make him a real project for the New Jersey Devils. However, refining his explosiveness, puck management, and consistency will be key to maximizing his potential. The NCAA’s development environment offers the perfect setting for Graham to polish his game, preparing him for a long and productive NHL career.
Michael Cicek (C, R, 6’1″, 189, Kelowna Rockets, 01/26/2004)
Comments: Current Role: Michael Cicek is a top-six center for Kelowna, contributing consistently at both even strength and special teams. His offensive skill set makes him a key player on the power play, where he operates effectively from the half wall. While he lacks a pronounced physical presence, his compete level and speed help him create offensive opportunities. Player Type: Cicek is a skilled playmaking center with speed, agility, and above-average puck skills. He is a fluid in game processer with vision, excelling at creating offensive chances for himself and his teammates. While not overly physical, he uses his size to drive the net and maintain possession. Strengths: Speed and Agility: Cicek’s explosive first step and lateral quickness make him dangerous in transition and in tight spaces. He consistently beats defenders to loose pucks and generates shots off his speed. Playmaking and Vision: A natural pass-first player, Cicek has the ability to read plays quickly and execute high-difficulty passes with precision. He is particularly effective on the power play, where his decision-making and puck movement elevate his unit’s production. Puck Skills: His first touch is smooth, allowing him to make quick adjustments with the puck under pressure. Net Drives: While not overly physical, Cicek uses his size and speed to drive to the net off the rush, creating high-danger chances. Shot Mechanics: His shot has good velocity and accuracy, and he showed an expanded one-timer shooting zone with a cross-body one-timer in the game against Vancouver that resulted in a power play goal. Weaknesses: Physicality and Defensive Play: Despite his size, Cicek does not demonstrate a noticeable physical presence and struggles with staying on the net side of the wall battles in the defensive zone, particularly down low. His lack of physical engagement limits his effectiveness in puck battles. Turnovers: With seven giveaways in the game against Vancouver, puck security is an area for improvement. His high-risk passing can sometimes lead to turnovers in transition. Face-Offs: Winning only 3 of 12 face-offs in this game highlights a need to improve in this critical area for a center. His 2024/25 face-off wining percentage is 51%. Balance of Offense: While a creative playmaker, Cicek can lean too heavily on passing, occasionally missing opportunities to utilize his shot more effectively. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: Michael Cicek has the tools to develop into a productive offensive center, but his overall game requires refinement for him to succeed professionally. Opting to play in the NCAA would offer significant advantages, including: Physical Development: NCAA programs emphasize off-ice strength training, which would help Cicek add muscle and develop a more physical edge to his game, allowing him to win more puck battles improving his presence down low defensively and make him a more valuable center for defensive zone face-offs. Face-Off Skills: The increased practice-to-game ratio in the NCAA would allow Cicek to dedicate more time to face-off techniques, improving his effectiveness in this critical area. Defensive Zone Play: The NCAA environment would provide a structured setting to work on his defensive positioning, particularly his down-low coverage. Offensive Role Expansion: Competing against older, stronger opponents in the NCAA would allow Cicek to refine his decision-making and balance his offense between passing and shooting, making him a more versatile threat. Conclusion: Michael Cicek is a fast, skilled, and creative center with the potential to become a productive playmaker at the professional level. To reach his ceiling, he must develop a stronger physical presence, improve his defensive play, and refine his puck management. The added NCAA pathway for development offers the ideal environment for Cicek to address these areas while maximizing his offensive potential, positioning him for a smoother transition to professional hockey.
Tyson Zimmer (RW, R, 6’0″, 195, Vancouver Giants, 09/05/2004)
Comments: Current Role: Tyson Zimmer is an impactful forward for Vancouver, serving as a versatile offensive contributor and seeing consistent power play time. While his strengths lie in his offensive zone play, Zimmer is also beginning to carve out a role on the penalty kill. His energy, work ethic, and developing two-way game make him a valuable piece for his team. Player Type: Zimmer is a high-energy, two-way forward who excels at using his skating, game processing and quick puck movement to create offensive opportunities. His combination of foot speed, playmaking ability, and an underrated shot makes him a balanced offensive threat with room to grow defensively. Strengths: Skating and Edge Work: Zimmer’s explosive stride and lateral mobility allow him to attack defenders with speed and agility. His ability to shift laterally and stay low in his crossovers makes him effective both in transition and on the forecheck. Shooting: Zimmer has a quick and deceptive release, particularly on his snap shot, which he can fire through screens or off defenders’ legs. He is also a viable one-time option on the power play due to his strong slap shot. Puck Skills: Zimmer’s smooth first touch enables him to make quick, accurate plays without overhandling the puck. He delivers flat, tape-to-tape passes and shows vision in tight spaces. Compete Level: Zimmer plays with intensity and a willingness to stand up for his teammates, as demonstrated by his fight against Kamloops. His energy and commitment are key traits that project well to higher levels of play. Versatility: Zimmer is effective in multiple roles, contributing on the power play and showing potential as a penalty killer. His high hockey IQ allows him to adjust to different situations and responsibilities. Weaknesses: Consistency in Physical Engagement: While Zimmer competes hard, he needs to improve his ability to consistently win puck battles and leverage his strength, particularly against bigger opponents. Defensive Play: Zimmer is still developing his attention to detail in the defensive zone. While he uses his feet and IQ effectively, he occasionally struggles with positioning and reads on the penalty kill. Offensive Production Consistency: With no shots on goal in his most recent game, Zimmer needs to assert himself offensively on a more consistent basis. Puck Management: His three giveaways against Kamloops highlight an area for improvement, as he sometimes forces plays that result in turnovers. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: Zimmer’s speed, work ethic, and offensive tools give him the potential to develop into a productive two-way winger at the professional level. Choosing the NCAA route would provide the following advantages: Physical Development: The NCAA’s emphasis on off-ice training would allow Zimmer to add strength and explosiveness, enabling him to win more puck battles and maintain possession under pressure. Defensive Refinement: With more practice time, Zimmer could focus on improving his defensive positioning, particularly on the penalty kill, to evolve into a reliable two-way forward. Special Teams Growth: The NCAA’s structured systems would give Zimmer additional opportunities to develop as a key contributor on both the power play and penalty kill. Skill Refinement: The NCAA’s practice-to-game ratio would allow Zimmer to continue refining his puck skills, particularly in managing turnovers and improving offensive consistency. Competing Against Older Players: Facing older, stronger competition in the NCAA would help Zimmer adjust to the physicality and speed of professional hockey, preparing him for the rigors of the pro game. Conclusion: Tyson Zimmer is a fast, high-energy forward with the skating and offensive tools to make an impact at the next level. His ability to create offense, combined with his willingness to compete in all areas of the ice, makes him an intriguing prospect. To reach his full potential, Zimmer must improve his physicality, puck management, and defensive consistency. The NCAA environment offers the ideal platform for Zimmer to refine his game and position himself for a successful professional career.
Connor Levis (RW, R, 6’1″, 190, Vancouver Giants, 10/05/2004)
Comments: Current Role: Connor Levis is a top-six forward and a critical contributor to Vancouver’s offensive attack. He has the ability to drive play and create scoring opportunities, he excels in both transition and offensive-zone play. While he is typically a key power-play presence, his versatility allows him to contribute effectively on the penalty kill as well. Player Type: Levis is a power forward with playmaking tendencies, combining size, speed, and skill to generate offense. His ability to protect the puck, create space, and distribute with precision makes him a dual-threat offensive player. Strengths: Puck Anticipation and Protection: Levis is highly effective along the boards, using his size and strength to win puck battles and create scoring opportunities with precise passes. His ability to turn contested situations into offensive chances is a standout skill. Zone Entries and Play Driving: With above-average straight-line speed and powerful strides, Levis is a zone-entry machine. He consistently pushes defenders back and transitions the puck into high-danger areas. Shooting Ability: Levis is a shooter with a heavy, accurate wrist shot and a slap shot that seems to explode off his stick. He is a constant scoring threat when carrying the puck into the offensive zone. Vision and Passing: His above-average vision allows him to anticipate the movement of teammates, delivering precise passes under pressure. He can operate in tight spaces and thrives in playmaking situations. Physicality and Tough-Area Play: While not overly physical by nature, Levis shows a willingness to engage in tough areas and uses his strength effectively. His six hits against Kamloops highlight his ability to disrupt opponents physically. Special Teams Contributions: Levis has demonstrated strong play on the penalty kill, using his reach and compete level to break up plays and clear pucks. Weaknesses: Consistency in Physical Engagement: While capable of physical play, Levis is not naturally inclined toward it, and his level of physical engagement can vary shift to shift. Off-Puck Awareness on Defense: He can become flat-footed in the defensive zone, occasionally losing track of his assignment. This is an area that requires improvement for him to excel as a reliable two-way player. Pace of Play: When Levis is not skating or keeping his feet moving, his effectiveness diminishes. Maintaining a consistent pace throughout games is essential for maximizing his impact. Turnovers: Four giveaways against Kamloops point to a need for better puck security, particularly in transition or under pressure. Projection and NCAA Pathway Benefits: Connor Levis has the tools to become a high-impact player at the professional level. While he already exhibits elite offensive skills, additional development is necessary to refine his overall game. Transitioning to the NCAA would provide significant benefits, including: Strength and Explosiveness Development: The NCAA’s focus on off-ice training would allow Levis to further develop his powerful skating stride and overall explosiveness, enhancing his ability to dominate physically and in transition. Refinement of Defensive Play: The NCAA’s practice-to-game ratio would offer ample opportunity to address his defensive awareness and positioning, ensuring he becomes a more reliable and complete player. Consistency in Physicality: Facing older, more physically mature opponents in the NCAA would push Levis to adopt a more consistent physical presence, rounding out his game. Skill and Puck Management: With additional practice time, Levis could work on minimizing turnovers and improving his puck security under pressure, solidifying his play-driving ability. Conclusion: Connor Levis is a dynamic forward with the size, speed, and skill set to be a productive professional. His elite shooting, playmaking, and ability to drive offense make him a top prospect, but consistency in his physical engagement, defensive awareness, and puck management are areas for growth. Choosing the NCAA path would provide the structured development environment necessary to maximize his potential and prepare him for the challenges of professional hockey.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images