Played on Jan 4, 2026
Game Played in Memorial Coliseum
Cruz Chase (G, L, 6’0″, 178, Portland Winterhawks, 10/16/2007)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Cruz was solid in net even though he did not get the win in this game. Listed at 5’11’, Cruz is a smaller goalie who plays a very active and aggressive style that remains compact and controlled. His post-to-post movement is efficient, while his ability to make the extra save is athletic and explosive. Cruz also helps his team break the puck out, either by stopping it for his defensemen or making simple, effective passes to help exit the zone. He would likely want the first goal back on the breakaway, but stopping 25 of 29 shots, there was not much he could do on the other three goals. Overall, a solid performance and deserving of a few extra starts while Ondrej Stebetak is away at World Juniors.
Jordan Duguay (C, L, 5’10”, 177, Portland Winterhawks, 02/16/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Jordan, playing on the top line with Miller and Weiermair, really completes the line with his hardworking style and speed. He is at his best when moving his feet and finding soft spots to receive the puck in the offensive zone. Jordan has a knack for getting open and being at the net right as shots are released from the point. Off the rush, he uses his speed through the middle of the ice before dishing the puck and crashing the net. Once in the offensive zone, his feet never stop moving as he consistently creates motion and space. With a goal and an assist tonight, Jordan’s style of play is a great fit alongside skilled players who like to dish the puck.
Griffin Darby (D, L, 6’0″, 172, Portland Winterhawks, 09/26/2008)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Griffin Darby is an excellent skating defenseman for the Portland Winterhawks. His skating stands out in transition as he can quickly pivot to join the rush or close gaps when defending. This comes from his ability to ride his edges while gaining speed in either direction. Most notable tonight were his defensive decisions while closing gaps. With an active stick and ability to funnel opponents toward the boards, Griffin broke up many neutral zone plays. His highlight of the game came as he surfed across the red line, accepted a Wenatchee forward, and at his defensive blue line closed with a perfectly timed hit, creating a turnover and potentially the hit of the game.
Nathan Brown (F, L, 5’11”, 165, Portland Winterhawks, 02/27/2006, St. Cloud)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Nathan Brown is adapting his style of game well in his first season in the WHL. His game is built around his speed and tenacity for the puck. With a quick first three steps and great straight-line speed, Nathan always seems to be involved in the play when he is on the ice. His relentlessness on the backcheck takes away time and space from opponents, and with a smart stick he can create turnovers throughout the neutral zone. His game excels on the forecheck as he forces the opposition into rushed and pressured plays.
Alex Weiermair (C, R, 6’1″, 191, Portland Winterhawks, 05/10/2005, Denver)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Alex is a good-sized center and a true offensive weapon with the puck on his stick. He sees the ice extremely well and can make that extra-special play offensively to create Grade A scoring chances for his team. This comes from his puck protection skills in tight areas and his hands. Alex understands pressure in tight and can manipulate opponents before dangling them out of their skates. He is a responsible center who understands the importance of both ends of the ice, but is truly a gifted puck handler. With two assists tonight, Alex walked his opponent on one with a textbook toe drag and pulled two opponents to him on the other. Very special offensive plays that many players cannot execute at this level.
Josh Toll (D, L, 6’0″, 163, Wenatchee Wild, 01/05/2007, St. Thomas)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Josh is a well-balanced defenseman who excels in his skating and ability to break the puck out for the Wenatchee Wild. His skating is defined by excellent edge work and smooth transitions that give him deceptive speed. He has an effortless stride. With the puck, his head is always up as he scans for his best outlet. If the pass is not available, Josh creates a lane with his feet or uses subtle fakes to move defenders. He completed multiple long stretch passes, springing forwards into the offensive zone. Defensively, he is not overly physical, instead using an active stick to take away lanes and separate opponents from the puck. Josh capitalized on an opportunity in overtime, scoring the game-winning goal with a well-placed shot from the high slot. Overall, he shows strong offensive awareness and a solid defensive foundation.
Boston Tait (D, L, 6’1″, 182, Wenatchee Wild, 04/13/2009)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: This underager has the size, ability, and awareness that give him a very high ceiling as he continues to grow into his body and game. Boston is a consistent defenseman who focuses on the right details to allow himself to succeed. He has a strong, active defensive stick and uses his feet well to close time and space through the neutral and defensive zones. He understands pressure from opposing forecheckers and makes smart, simple plays with the puck. Boston is also very intelligent without the puck, showing good timing jumping down from the blue line. He could have had one or two goals tonight if teammates had recognized his backdoor positioning. Overall, the 16-year-old played a steady, reliable game, finishing with an assist but a -2 rating.
Alexandre Andre (C, L, 5’9″, 174, Wenatchee Wild, 05/18/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Andre is one of those players who consistently finds ways to be a net positive for his team. He was rewarded tonight with his first WHL goal off a one-timed slot shot-a textbook hockey play that was a product of his overall game. He is strong on the forecheck and extremely hardworking in the offensive zone corners. Andre creates space for himself and makes simple, smart plays with the puck. He is a defensively reliable forward who takes pride in his assignments and winning his battles. Late in the game, Andre saw penalty-killing time where he made multiple effort-based blocked shots to prevent the Winterhawks from taking the lead. A true glue player who sacrifices in all areas of the ice and was rewarded tonight.
Grady Wedman (C, L, 5’9″, 161, Wenatchee Wild, 09/18/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Grady is one of those players who becomes increasingly noticeable when the puck is on his stick. He is not an elite skater but has no issues getting around the ice. He possesses very good hands and a heavy shot that he finds ways to use effectively. Grady excels at zone entries, either slowing the play to take space or dropping his shoulder and driving wide while surveying his options. He showed his hands early when he walked an opposing defenseman, cut into space, and ripped a shot that beat the goalie but rang off the post. His assist came off another controlled zone entry where he dictated play before dishing the puck. Fine-tuning his skating stride would only benefit his game and increase his stock for scouts and teams.
Caelan Joudrey (C, R, 6’4″, 181, Wenatchee Wild, 01/17/2008, Quinnipiac)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Caelan is a large centerman who is an absolute workhorse and shows a willingness to do the dirty work many players shy away from. He is relentless on the forecheck, constantly creating disruptions and eventual turnovers as he never gives up on a play. At 6’4′, his reach and size benefit his ability to pressure opponents. A perfect example came on the overtime winner, where Caelan created the offensive zone turnover that eventually led to the game-winning goal. Another impressive part of his game is his willingness to take punishment in front of the net. He is the net-front presence on the power play, where few can move him, though many try to make it uncomfortable. This does not deter him, as he consistently drove the net and screened the Winterhawks’ goalie all game long.
Rui Han (F, L, 6’0″, 176, Wenatchee Wild, 02/23/2007, Yale)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Rui has strong skating ability and offensive instincts that blend well with his power-forward style. He has good edges and can slip in and out of traffic, while also possessing strong puck protection skills that make him difficult to knock off the puck. He is a strong kid and it shows in his play. In corners and along the half wall, Rui consistently finds ways to escape with possession and explode out of pressure with three powerful strides to create space. Rui recorded an assist on Alexandre Andre’s first WHL goal, working out of the corner and quickly moving the puck to his linemate for a quick bang-bang finish. He knew what he was doing with the puck before he received it.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images