Game played 11/23/2024.
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone viewed the WHL matchup between the Red Deer Rebels and the Victoria Royals on November 23, 2024. It was a back and forth game between the two sides with each team showing periods of strong play. After the Rebels got out to a 2-0 lead after the first, four goal were scored within five minutes towards the end of the second period and they went into the third tied 3-3. The scoring continued out of the intermission with Wilkie putting in the game winner for Red Deer just a minute and a half into the third and they put in a few more to win with a final score of 7-3.
Luke Vlooswyk (D, R, 6’5″, 200, Red Deer Rebels, 01/09/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Vlooswyk is one of Red Deer’s many big defenders. He showed great offensive abilities but will need to improve his defensive game to take his game to another level. Against the rush, he gives up a big gap off the wall which led to him getting beat to the outside. He is also at times too casual going back for pucks where if he hustled to pick up a dump in, he’d be able to find his teammates much easier without pressure than when the opposing team has a chance to forecheck. When he does get the puck though, he is very efficient. He made quick passes out of his zone, often to the winger but was also able to stretch the ice with passes into the neutral zone. He also wasn’t afraid to join the rush as the high man and when the puck came to him, he provided a dangerous shooting option from the high slot.
Hunter Mayo (D, R, 6’1″, 202, Red Deer Rebels, 05/07/2004)
Grade: B-
Comments: Mayo made a lot of highly intelligent plays this game. He was aggressive against stretch passes and was able to pick a few off, moving them back into the offensive zone to keep offensive pressure on the opposing team. He also sticks tight to puck carriers both on the rush and in his own zone, limiting any time or space with his active stick and quick reactions. He always seemed to just make the right play and is a smart, reliable defenseman. His stride looks like it takes a lot of effort but he manages to keep up with opposing players. With a more efficient stride, he can improve his offensive ability, especially when looking to rush the puck out of his own zone.
Matteo Fabrizi (D, L, 6’6″, 240, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/23/2005)
Grade: B
Comments: Fabrizi is a nice skater for his size and moves fluidly up the ice with the puck. From the point, he moves along the line well and his shots found their way through traffic to hit the net. He makes big and impactful hits all over the ice. Defending against a rush chance, he stepped up early, ahead of the blue line, and leveled a player right at the benches to stop the chance. Another big check came when he pinched against the breakout, watched the center collect an outlet pass and crushed him in the open ice. With his large frame, he showed off his ability to move the puck in tight areas when he received a pass in his feet. After kicking it up to his stick, he took a look at the net and made a perfect shot/pass that was deflected into the goal. Where Fabrizi can improve is in his odd-man rush plays. While defending a 2 on 1, he committed to the shooter which led to an easy pass in the slot for a dangerous chance against.
Matthew Gard (LW, L, 6’5″, 195, Red Deer Rebels, 04/07/2007)
Grade: B+
Comments: Gard is a big forward who plays a tough style of game. He finishes checks hard and also has the skill to get the puck to the net. He knows how to find his teammates through tight lanes when he has the puck in the offensive zone. When skating into the offensive zone, he takes the available space while dragging his defender out wide with him, then he chips a pass over to his linemate in the mid-ice for a good look at the net. He makes quick decisions, especially around the net. He had numerous shots on net from the slot after receiving passes in tight that he ripped with power. Gard scored a goal this game after driving the net hard off a face-off and found the rebound from a point shot. To go with his ability to play an impactful role in the offensive zone, he couples this with skill in his own end as well. He got down into his own sides corners and battled to win pucks and he could quickly transition the play with a pass out to his forwards.
Jaxon Fuder (LW, L, 6’0″, 165, Red Deer Rebels, 04/02/2006)
Grade: B+
Comments: Fuder doesn’t look his 6’0′ frame on the ice but he battles hard and showed off his ability to be quick and agile in traffic. He is the first to corners and isn’t afraid to take contact to make the smart play. Seeing how quickly he could jump on pucks or into lanes was impressive. Off a face-off, he jumped on a puck after the other team won the draw and ripped a shot. In his own zone, he saw the defenseman get ready for a shot and threw himself into the lane to get the block. His first step seemed to be elite this game. With his quick reactions, he also scored a goal after collecting a given away puck in the slot. He took a quick snapshot that beat the goalie before he could get set. At the end of the game, Fuder accepted a fight challenge and did well for himself against a stronger opponent.
Ollie Josephson (C, L, 6’0″, 179, Red Deer Rebels, 07/22/2006)
Grade: A-
Comments: Josephson, the Seattle Kraken prospect, showed his high skill level off this game. He moves around the ice so fluidly, like he’s not moving his feet, yet he continues to pick up speed and blow by defensemen. On the penalty kill, rather than icing it, he went for a skate and moved around two players before protecting on his backhand. As he drove the net and was about to get around the last man, he was taken down and drew a holding penalty to put his team back to even strength. Josephson is strong on his stick and even down low, players can’t knock the puck off of him. Along with this, he has a fantastic wrist shot. On one rush, he sniped a shot through the defender in front of him and off the crossbar. Later in the game, he made no mistake and pulled the puck in tight to shoot around the forward looking for a block and picked his corner from the top of the circle.
Cole Reschny (C, L, 5’11”, 183, Victoria Royals, 04/04/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Reschny has a great all-around play, making the game look easy, especially when skating with the puck. He quickly picks up speed as he skates out of his own zone and easily gains the offensive zone. His smooth strides help him skate into open ice, picking the best lane and attacking it immediately to get the defenders’ edge. He has great hands that help him slip through traffic. In his own end when he received a breakout pass, he made a slick deke on a pressuring player and quickly cut to the open ice. He also uses his hands to release quick shots that change the angle and release with power. He makes his way toward the net with a stride and then uses the defensemen’s sticks and legs as screens when he fires his shot. On the powerplay, Reschny controls the play. He doesn’t just stay in one spot to find teammates but rather skates freely along the outside and either makes a quick cut to the middle for a shot or fires a pass across the zone onto a teammate’s tape. Aside from his offensive capabilities, he does a great job of taking up space in the middle of the ice. He made some key poke checks as players looked to make a move in the middle and he isn’t afraid to get down in his own corners and make checks.
Keaton Verhoeff (D, R, 6’4″, 207, Victoria Royals, 06/19/2008)
Grade: B+
Comments: Verhoeff is a fun player to watch as he plays in every situation and you can see his desire to help his team win the game in every shift. In the offensive zone, he is quick to find his next play. Whether receiving a pass and immediately putting it on net, skating down low, or making a pass, there is no hesitation in his offensive abilities. Where he can improve is his overall skating. It’s not a smooth stride but is effective for him at this level. To take his game beyond where he is, improving his stride will make his playmaking ability easier for him. As mentioned, he plays in all situations. On the penalty kill, he does a great job of taking away time and space with his long reach and was able to get his body in front of shots. While short-handed, he picked up an assist after the rebound from his shot was put in by a crashing teammate. Verhoeff’s game will improve as he continues to play at this level and as he gets more comfortable, he should be able to slow the game down which will limit some mistakes.
Caleb Matthews (RW, R, 6’2″, 174, Victoria Royals, 06/04/2007)
Grade: B-
Comments: Matthews showed his ability to create offense on the rush when he started a 2 on 2 chance. As his defenseman started to close in on him at the blue line, he made a beautiful pass behind both defenders and onto his teammate’s tape where he was only able to get it, which led to a great chance right in front of the net. He picked up a goal for his team when he tipped a shot from the point in after battling in front, keeping his eyes on the play and found the shot coming through.
Logo Courtesy of The Red Deer Rebels