Kale Nicol, Nixon Gaudet lead top performers at the WAAA U15 Showcase
The WAAA U15 Showcase has become a fixture on the Manitoba hockey calendar, bringing together every U15 AAA team in the province ahead of the late-February playoffs. This year’s event at Hockey for All Centre once again drew scouts from across the region, offering three games per team and a concentrated look at Manitoba’s top 2011-born talent.
The Brandon Wheat Kings extended their unbeaten run to 24-0, powered by underager Kale Nicol, who recorded 11 points on the weekend. Eastman (23-2-1-1) and Winnipeg Bruins Black (21-3-0-1) also went 3-0, combining for a 39-8 goal differential.
There were no shortage of standout performances, from Nicol’s record-setting pace to the dynamic rush creation of Nixon Gaudet, the all-situations reliability of Koen Braunberger, and the emerging offensive tools of several underage defenders.
Here’s a closer look at the event’s top performers.
Kale Nicol, C, Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA
Kale Nicol dominated at this showcase. The underager dictated pace, possession, and scoring chances, forcing opponents to structure their entire defensive approach around him, and even then, containment rarely worked.
What separates Nicol isn’t just speed or skill, but how far ahead of the play he operates. He reads pressure early, manipulates defenders with his feet and timing, and consistently makes the right decision before most players recognize the option. In transition, his power and pace were overwhelming, cutting through multiple layers and drawing penalties with speed.
From the showcase:
The game flows through him naturally. In transition, his power and pace are overwhelming. He cut through multiple layers with explosive crossovers, drew penalties with speed, and created repeated high-danger looks off the rush.
Nicol also engages in all three zones, blocking shots on the penalty kill, finishing checks, and supporting defensively. The completeness of his game elevates his projection. He’s already a player you build around and an early favourite for first overall in the 2027 WHL Draft.
Nixon Gaudet, C, Eastman Selects U15 AAA
Nixon Gaudet was a constant problem, never allowing opponents to breathe. He recorded five goals and ten points in three games, helping Eastman go 3-0 while outscoring opponents 21-5. His first step is explosive, and once he finds space, the rush tilts immediately in his favour.
From the showcase:
He creates separation almost instantly, and what makes it so difficult to handle is that his hands and vision keep up with his feet. Defenders can’t simply back off. He’ll beat them wide, cut inside, or slip a pass through pressure without breaking stride.
His puck security stood out. He rarely lost possession, even under pressure, and showed patience to manipulate defenders before attacking seams. Gaudet projects as a high-end rush creator, with a ceiling tied to how his game holds up physically against stronger competition.
Koen Braunberger, C, Winnipeg Bruins Black U15 AAA
Koen Braunberger drove the Bruins, recording 11 points in three games as the team went 3-0 with an 18-3 goal differential. Trusted in all situations, he plays a patient, tactical game built around reading lanes and manipulating defenders rather than forcing plays.
From the showcase:
He cut around a defender with control, weaved through traffic, and instantly snapped a cross-ice pass for a goal, no extra touches, no hesitation. On the penalty kill, he beat defenders to pucks, forced turnovers, and turned pressure into offence with quick slot feeds.
His reach, mobility, and work rate showed in draws, disrupting lanes, and leaning on opponents along the boards. The foundation is already that of a dependable middle-six centre, with projection rising if he consistently taps into offensive confidence.
Tyler McCallum, C, Winnipeg Bruins Gold U15 AAA
Tyler McCallum plays with an imposing combination of size, strength, and speed. He’s effective in all situations, particularly on the forecheck, where his physicality forces rushed decisions and creates turnovers.
From the showcase:
His strength along the walls and in traffic consistently showed, as he absorbed contact, protected pucks, and still found ways to create offence. In transition, he was difficult to contain, using confident edgework and above-average handling for his size to beat defenders one-on-one.
He closes quickly on the rush, finishes checks, and shows poise on the powerplay, getting shots through traffic and distributing under pressure. McCallum projects as a physically driven WHL forward with versatility down the middle or on the wing.
Reed Sherry, C/W, Eastman Selects U15 AAA
Reed Sherry combines size, strength, and straight-line speed to consistently create advantages. He generates momentum through the neutral zone, forcing defenders to react.
From the showcase:
One rush stood out where he built instant speed through the neutral zone, blew past the defender wide, and calmly went to the backhand to score. That ability to translate power into offence showed up again on a penalty shot he earned by burning another defender with speed.
Around the net, he works walls effectively, holds his ground in traffic, and drives entries himself. His WHL floor is clear, built on pace and physical impact, with upside tied to his ability to become more dynamic with the puck.
Drew Simpson, RD, Winnipeg Thrashers Blue U15 AAA
One of the most advanced 2012-born defenders at the showcase, Drew Simpson handled top-pair minutes in all situations, including powerplay quarterbacking and penalty-kill work, without ever looking out of place. His offensive instincts stood out, sneaking behind traffic for back-door opportunities and delivering smart bank passes that spring teammates for breakaways.
Simpson’s mobility and poise are his most noticeable attributes. He shows fluid lateral movement, smooth transitions through all three zones, and confident puck-carrying through pressure. At times, he overcommitted offensively, leaving gaps behind, but his skating base allows him to recover efficiently. With refinement in his decision-making, Simpson projects as a high-end, offensive-minded WHL defenceman capable of handling top minutes.
Sullivan Taylor, C, Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA
Sullivan Taylor plays a hard, aggressive game that blends physicality with defensive responsibility. On the forecheck, he consistently pressures opponents, finishes checks decisively, and wins battles along the boards.
He demonstrates excellent anticipation in the defensive zone, closing lanes and disrupting plays with his stick. Offensively, Taylor contributes through simple, effective passes to the slot and support positioning rather than flash plays. His size, edge, and commitment allow him to be relied on in all situations. He projects as a dependable bottom-six WHL centre capable of handling defensive assignments, forechecking pressure, and special-teams work in high-intensity scenarios.
Carter Cunningham, LW, Winnipeg Bruins Black U15 AAA
Carter Cunningham’s combination of size, separation speed, and strength was immediately noticeable. He relentlessly drives the forecheck, often winning puck battles 1v2 or 1v3, and is confident handling the puck under pressure.
Offensively, he showed improvements from earlier in the season, executing quick passes off the wall, cutting through defenders, and working effectively in net-front areas on the powerplay. His heavy off-rush shot and ability to manipulate defenders in stride make him a legitimate scoring threat. With continued refinement of his puck skills and decision-making, Cunningham projects as a power-forward with multi-situational WHL upside.
Jace Woloski, RD, Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA
Jace Woloski thrives in physical, intelligent rush defence. He uses his size and timing effectively to close gaps, finish checks, and block shots, making it difficult for opponents to break through.
Offensively, Woloski is patient and methodical, demonstrating a strong point shot and clean first passes that relieve pressure efficiently. He’s beginning to show comfort moving pucks through transition, though his offensive game is not yet as polished as his defensive work. The combination of defensive reliability, physical dominance, and emerging offensive skills gives him projection as a shutdown WHL defenceman capable of contributing on special teams.
Wyatt Cochrane, RD, Yellowhead Chiefs U15 AAA
A 2012-born defenceman, Wyatt Cochrane logged heavy minutes and showed the raw tools to be a top-tier prospect. His size, strength, and mobility make him effective at defending the rush, while his lateral agility and reach allow him to neutralize opposing attackers.
Cochrane is active on the blueline in transition and on the powerplay, showing a heavy shot and confidence in moving the puck forward. He occasionally overcommits offensively, leaving space behind, but his toolkit is undeniable. With refinement in decision-making and increased versatility beyond shooting, he projects as a two-way, minute-eating WHL defenceman with high potential.
Jaxson Cullen, RW, Southwest Cougars U15 AAA
Jaxson Cullen drove the Cougars’ offence, recording seven points in three games. He combines size, handling ability, and a strong short-side shot to create dangerous opportunities off the rush. He consistently finds ways to generate offence, whether that's off the wall, through cross-ice feeds on the powerplay, or creative entries through traffic. Beyond scoring, Cullen demonstrates leadership and competitiveness, engaged in battles along the boards and in puck support. His combination of size, skill, and hockey sense projects him as a potential middle-six WHL forward capable of driving play and creating high-danger opportunities for teammates. He could be a riser on our board.
Ryder Olford, F, Eastman Selects U15 AAA
Ryder Olford consistently finds soft ice and demonstrates advanced spatial awareness. He positions himself effectively around the net and on the powerplay, delivering accurate tap passes and exploiting defensive lapses. Despite being undersized, he plays confidently, attacking defenders wide before cutting inside and scoring with precision. His edgework, agility, and speed make him difficult to contain, and he thrives in breakaway situations. Olford’s combination of speed, IQ, and scoring touch gives him a versatile offensive toolkit, with potential to translate successfully to higher levels as his frame and strength develop.
Will Preston, RD, Brandon Wheat Kings U15 AAA
Will Preston creates time and space on the blueline through controlled edgework and calm handling under pressure. His first passes are clean, efficiently transitioning the puck out of danger, and his low point shots generate traffic and rebound chances. He operates comfortably on the powerplay and shows emerging confidence moving pucks through tight spaces. His mobility, poise, and vision make him an effective contributor in both offensive and defensive situations. With continued development, Preston projects as a capable, puck-moving WHL defenceman with the ability to drive play while maintaining reliability in his own zone.
Kingston Catcheway, C, Parkland Rangers U15 AAA
Kingston Catcheway drove the Rangers’ offence with speed and separation that forced defenders to retreat. He consistently generates breakaways and scoring opportunities, threading passes to teammates and scoring himself. He displayed early poise and timing on game-winning plays and scored through calculated entries, showing both vision and scoring touch. With a blend of pace, hockey sense, and scoring ability, Catcheway projects as a speed-driven WHL forward capable of creating offence both individually and for linemates.
Carter Hope, RW, Winnipeg Bruins Black U15 AAA
Carter Hope’s shot is his defining feature, lethal from distance or in tight spaces. He’s particularly effective on the powerplay, moving into the high slot and scoring with accuracy. He shows fearlessness absorbing contact and driving play through traffic, while maintaining speed and composure in transition. With additional playmaking development, Hope projects as a goal scoring WHL forward capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
Braedan Gilbertson, LD, Eastman Selects U15 AAA
Braedan Gilbertson plays a safe, defensive game, defending the rush with active feet and a strong stick. He relies on positioning and anticipation rather than physicality alone to keep attackers outside. When moving pucks from behind the net, he separates cleanly and delivers reliable first passes. Physical engagement shows up in bursts, but he can play too soft around his crease at times. His skating, decision-making, and low-risk style make him a dependable WHL defenceman with potential to handle hard minutes without exposing the team.
Alex Dyrland, W, Winnipeg Thrashers Blue U15 AAA
Alex Dyrland shows poise and control, using size and reach to handle traffic and drive controlled entries. At his best, he can take over shifts through strength and composure. Consistency remains the next step, particularly in battles and puck recovery. With sustained engagement, his skill set and hockey sense project him as a middle-six WHL forward capable of creating offence while maintaining strong two-way responsibility.
Bryson Calder, LD, Eastman Selects U15 AAA
Bryson Calder combines mobility with an aggressive shutdown presence. He defends the rush physically, stepping into attackers with clean hits and using his stick to disrupt plays. He works hard along the walls, engages in board battles, and maintains poise at the blue line with the puck. Calder’s pace, physicality, and defensive awareness give him the profile of a WHL defenceman who can be trusted in tough minutes while occasionally contributing offensively.
Rhett Legaarden, C, Parkland Rangers U15 AAA
Rhett Legaarden is reliable in defensive draws, penalty-kill assignments, and matchup situations. He separates quickly from pressure and drives controlled entries with speed and precision. Offensively, he shows flashes of creativity through stride dekes, quick passes, and slot feeds. His combination of defensive awareness, size, and speed projects him as a dependable third-line centre in the WHL with the ability to contribute on both ends of the ice.
Blake Meier, LD, Winnipeg Wild Red U15 AAA
Blake Meier is an effective rush defender, using positioning, stick work, and physicality to break up plays and close lanes. He delivers punishing hits and recovers well despite average footspeed. He moves pucks simply and efficiently out of danger, showing good reads and confidence in transition. Meier projects as a WHL shutdown defender, capable of playing tough minutes while contributing to the team’s transition game.
