Brody Antignani, Parker McMillan lead standouts from 2026 CSSHL U15 Prep Western Championships
PENTICTON, British Columbia – The CSSHL U15 Prep Western Championships have become a staple for future WHL stars. Connor Bedard, Dylan Guenther, Seth Jarvis, Zach Benson, Dylan Cozens, Logan Stankoven, and Jake Neighbours all used the playoffs as a springboard to WHL and NHL success, shining brightest when it mattered most.
This year's championship week was no different, delivering drama, upsets, and breakout performances that will echo into draft conversations for months. Elite Prospects was on site in Penticton to witness it all unfold.
In Division 1, seventh-seeded Calgary Edge School shocked the field. They knocked off top-seeded Northern Alberta Xtreme 4-3 in the semifinals, but couldn’t get past Calgary IHA, who beat them 4-2 in the final, completing one of the tournament's most improbable runs. Edge's championship push was powered by Brody Antignani, the first-line centre who drove every shift and reminded WHL scouts why he's one of the 2026 draft's elite talents. Calgary IHA's path was equally impressive, upsetting Yale Hockey Academy 5-1 in the quarter-finals before capturing the title.
Division 2 brought its own chaos. Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna survived a dramatic comeback against Okanagan Hockey Academy, rallying from 5-3 down with four minutes left to tie with 45 seconds remaining, then winning in a shootout to reach the final. They defeated Pilot Mound Academy 4-3 for the championship, despite Pilot Mound's Brock Vodden and Max Faulkner leading the entire tournament with 13 points in five games. It was a tournament defined by players stepping up when it mattered most.
These are the names that stood out in Penticton, the players who delivered their best performances on the biggest stage in CSSHL hockey.
Brody Antignani, C, Calgary Edge U15 Prep
Brody Antignani doesn't just drive offence; he is the offence. The first-line centre powered Calgary Edge's run, recording three goals and five points in five games while carrying the offensive load on every shift. His skill level is absurd, combining elite puck-handling with edge-work that allows him to spin away from pressure and manipulate defenders at will. The pace has continued to improve, and now he weaves through traffic on the rush, controls the slot, and creates high-danger opportunities seemingly whenever he wants.
What makes Antignani special is how his brain works faster than everyone else on the ice. He's a dual threat who scores himself while consistently setting up teammates with precise passes, whether behind the net, into the slot, or on breakaways. His intelligence shows up on both sides of the puck. Defensively, he understands time and space, angles effectively, and eliminates options. Offensively, he opens up lanes and threads passes before defenders realize what's happening. The vision and hand-eye coordination make him nearly impossible to defend.
The ceiling is limitless. Antignani combines skill, speed, and intelligence at a level that feels unfair for this age group. He maintains impact in transition and on the powerplay, moving the puck cleanly and efficiently while remaining engaged defensively. Every time he touches the puck, something happens. Calgary Edge doesn't get to the championship game without him, and he proved throughout the playoffs why he looks like a potential star in the making.
Parker McMillan, RW, Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep
What a talent, and what a player. The level of dominance Parker McMillan displays with the puck makes him appointment viewing. Despite being upset early in the playoff round, McMillan was still able to showcase what makes him special. His shot simply explodes off his stick. He has the speed and power to blow past any defender, with skill that makes him nearly impossible to stop. His playmaking has taken serious strides since the beginning of the season and has turned him into an all-around danger with the puck.
Wherever McMillan goes, the points follow. He had a historic CSSHL season, and exploded in the playoffs for 10 points in only three games played. His first game was an example of the utter dominance he is. He opened his weekend with two goals and five assists. There are players who go the whole season and can’t produce that much. His second goal in this game was a typical McMillan tally, as he pressured a defender, stripped him of the puck, and flew down the half-wall before using his elite shot to beat the goalie clean. He also demonstrated his play-making ability. Once the score got lopsided, he prioritized using his teammates, delivering four assists in the third period alone.
There’s been a lot said about McMillan. About how elite his toolkit is. But the most overlooked aspect of his game is how he initiates contact before receiving the puck. His contact skills are advanced, aided by his size, and are one of the reasons he’s such a puck-possession monster. Always positioning himself in the lanes of incoming attackers, he is able to keep the puck tucked safely away from his opponents. There's really not much left to write about McMillan. His feats have been well documented, and his talent on full display whenever he touches the ice. This is what a future star looks like.
Danel Ramazanov, W, Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep
Danel Ramazanov plays a different game than everyone else. In a league dominated by north-south hockey, he's east-west all the way, preferring to regroup and maintain possession rather than force bad plays. He refuses to dump the puck in, using terrific skating and elite puck skills to slice through defences and create offence on his own terms. Despite Northern Alberta Xtreme's early elimination, Ramazanov was impossible to blame, recording six points and three goals in four games while driving everything in transition.
His speed is relentless, turning neutral zone entries into scoring chances and slicing through defenders with ease. He shows remarkable anticipation, always finding space and reading plays several steps ahead. His shot is a weapon from anywhere, whether off the rush, in tight, or on the one-timer, and he takes it with confidence under pressure. Physically, he's surprisingly tough for his size, resisting attempts to dislodge him from the puck and delivering reverse hits to create space.
Ramazanov has become the clear driver for Northern Alberta Xtreme, and he's looking more and more like a potential star at the WHL level. His elite hands and processing stand out every shift, making plays that few others in this age group can even see. The layers to his game are impressive: deception, IQ, pace, and physicality all blend together. He dictates tempo, impacts every zone, and creates chaos with energy, skill, and intelligence. The east-west style might be unconventional, but it's devastatingly effective.
Liam Bordt, RW, Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep
If you're looking for aggressive, talented players, you’ve come to the right place. Liam Bordt is a complete package. He possesses top-end speed powered by a mechanically correct stride. His shot is high-end, with power and accuracy. His puck-skills allow him to make plays at high speed, and to add to it all, he’s mean. Old school hockey-heads would love the way he plays, but his talent also makes him desirable to the new wave of evaluators.
Bordt and his squad suffered an upset in the semifinal, but not from lack of effort on his part. He makes himself known on the ice, as he has a commanding presence aided by his physical tools. He uses his speed to put pressure on defenders, both with and without the puck. He can fly up the ice, making small moves to attack against a defender's momentum, or he will forecheck so hard that opponents will throw the puck away. He also uses his edges to deceive when skating the puck, as his low stance allows him to move laterally in either direction, and fake one way before moving the other. He had a breakaway chance in one game this weekend by exploding onto a loose puck and winning a race, separating away from the backcheck. His feet are electric.
For as much has been said about his skating, Bordt’s shot is his best tool. He pairs a quick, explosive release with deadly accuracy to be able to score from nearly anywhere in the offensive zone. One goal he scored displayed that, where he received the puck almost on the goal line, scanned for a good pass, decided he didn’t like his option and instead elevated a shot short-side. He also scored in another game from nearly the goal line after kicking the puck from his feet to his stick. Combine all these physical traits with how he scans the ice, and you have a high-end prospect who will likely be a first-round pick.
Nathan Johnson, RD, Rink HA Kelowna U15 Prep
If you love hockey, you’ll love Nathan Johnson. His skating is gorgeous. Watching his edgework and stride is simply hockey poetry. A perfectly balanced skater, he gets deep into his stride to generate power and speed. He moves fast without making his legs move fast, which displays just how much power he gets from one stride. His puck-skill is also a plus, as well as his passing ability. Johnson was a work-horse on the backend for his squad, and captained them to the division two title.
When you watch him, you’ll immediately be impressed by his feet, but it’s far from his only skill. He is able to handle the puck well, keeping it positioned safely away from opponents by using his body to protect it. He uses his body often, displaying good contact skills when he battles for pucks. He will engage in contact before arriving at a loose puck, putting himself in the lane of the opponent in order to guarantee he gets the puck first. An elite rush defender, Johnson uses his feet to keep close gaps and deny entry to his zone. He is seemingly impossible to get around, as he can pivot and keep up with any skater. His footwork pairs wonderfully with his passing and handling skill to make him an effective transition player.
Despite his low point totals, Johnson is also a skilled attacker and great with the puck. Once he gets it on his stick, you can see him constantly scanning for the best available play. He can fly up the ice, attacking against the momentum of his opponents, all while looking for an option to move the puck. Once he finds his play, he makes excellent passes that are crisp, accurate, and timed perfectly. He doesn’t force plays, and sets his teammates up with time and space. Alternatively, he’s quite fine holding onto the puck and attacking the net with it. There’s no player who boosted their stock more during the playoffs than Johnson did with his elite skating and effective two-way play.
Teagan Dernisky, C, Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep
Teagen Dernisky’s season came to an end in a quarter-final upset. Despite the loss, Dernisky was able to showcase his abilities in his three games during the playoffs. In his 39 total games between playoffs, tournaments, and regular season, he totalled a whopping 115 points. He uses his high pace and skill to constantly pressure opponents, and his high hockey-intelligence shows in how gets open and free in the offensive zone.
A fantastic skater, Dernisky is seemingly always in his deep stance that allows him to explode laterally and generate a ton of power with every step. His puck-skill is very high, able to make quick moves to beat opponents, and showing the ability to collect bad passes. His passes are smart and accurate, setting up teammates through lanes that opposing defenders don’t even realize are open. Dernisky is a well rounded, complete player. He has plus skills in nearly every category, setting him up as a top prospect.
Eli Vickers, LD, Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep
One of the most effortless skaters in this year's draft class, Eli Vickers can single-handedly turn a game around. He is the heartbeat of his squad, which showed in the playoffs. In their final game, which went to shootout, Vickers likely logged more than 40 minutes of ice time, doing everything in his power to win. Vickers is a transition monster, making smart plays and using his elite edges and high-end puck skill to evade attackers.
His skill is flashy, but he’s also a strong rush defender, using his feet to take away time-and-space from opponents, closing gaps quickly and denying entry into his zone. He achieves this, again, with his elite footwork. He shows a proficiency with the puck to attack against defenders momentum, spinning them around and creating space. He does this especially well on the offensive blue line. He is incredibly poised and shows an immense amount of his skill and vision when walking the blue line, and is an elite powerplay quarterback. He used his elite offensive toolkit to lead his team in points in both the regular season and the playoffs.
Kai Dingwall, C, Calgary IHA U15 Prep
Kai Dingwall is a leader who drives offence the only way he knows how: powerfully. He throws hits every chance he gets and uses his physicality even more once he has the puck on his stick. The power forward centre was the first-line centre for the championship-winning Calgary IHA, and this tournament may have put his stock through the roof. Though not overly dynamic, he's relied upon as a 200-foot centre who does everything well. He's intelligent defensively, powerful along the wall, and he was a large reason CIHA became the defensive force they were, allowing only eight goals against in five games while recording four goals and seven points in five games himself.
Dingwall generates chances in a straightforward way: he takes pucks to the net. He uses a wide stance when protecting the puck to keep opposing sticks away, and that stance allows him to spin on his inside edges quickly, adding to his puck protection ability. His powerful stride allows him to attack defenders with speed, and he does a great job along the wall, winning puck battles by using his strength to overpower and getting underneath opponents to put them off-balance. His shooting is a strength, releasing the puck off either foot, going either direction, and with the puck in a variety of positions. He drives transition effectively, supports teammates consistently, and shows determination in puck battles, on the forecheck, and in the defensive zone. Dingwall projects as a high-level, all-around centre with leadership qualities and a winner's mentality.
Brock Vodden, C, Pilot Mound Academy U15 Prep
Brock Vodden spent most of the regular season in the shadows, buried behind a difficult schedule that kept Pilot Mound defending more often than not. The Division 2 Playoffs changed that. Against competition more suited to his team's level, he erupted for a tournament leading 13 points in five games and showed exactly what kind of player he is when the moment calls for it. An explosive, relentless attacker, Vodden's first step is a genuine weapon. He's elusive on the wall, dangerous with the puck in tight, and carries a pull-and-release shot that goalies simply can't take for granted.
The questions around him are mechanical; his stride has some inefficiencies that cap his top-end speed for now, but the compete level, the skill, and the instincts are all there. He reads the ice well, finds soft areas, and makes plays that require both vision and execution. His team fell just short of a championship, but Vodden left no doubt about his individual ceiling. When it comes to the draft, it's a matter of when, not if.
Cohen Short, C, Okanagan Hockey Academy U15 Prep
The version of Cohen Short we were treated to in the playoffs is the version that will get him drafted and be an impact player at the next level. He is a very fast skater, which pairs beautifully with his aggressiveness to make him a demon on the forecheck and a nightmare for opponents. He is a quick puckhandler, and uses his skill and speed to constantly attack defenders, putting them on their heels.
Short’s squad came up a little… short, in the semifinal. They were unable to defend a two goal lead with four minutes remaining, and eventually fell in the shootout. Short was the driver of his team's offence, as he consistently would drive the puck into the offensive zone, and either power it to the net, or cut across the slot for a grade-A opportunity. Doing the latter, he was able to score in their last game. With the skating he displayed pairing with his puck-skill and his shot, Short is a legitimate prospect.
Artello Forestal, C, OHA Edmonton U15 Prep
Injuries kept Artello Forestal from building the regular season resume his talent deserved, but by the time the playoffs arrived, none of that context mattered. Even as Edmonton bowed out earlier than expected, Forestal was a problem every time he was on the ice. He is a dual-threat creator whose offensive instincts are matched by defensive detail that's rare at this level. He's a phenomenal skater with elite edge-work and the lateral explosiveness to punish any gap, and his puck skill runs just as deep as his feet suggest it should.
What elevates Forestal beyond a pure offensive prospect is how seriously he plays away from the puck. His stick work in the neutral zone, his engagement on the penalty kill, his ability to turn defensive stops into instant transition threats, it all points to a player with 200-foot upside, not just offensive flash. He couldn't carry Edmonton out of an early exit, but that's a team result. Individually, he looked every bit like a WHL-calibre star in the making. One team is going to be very happy on draft day.
William Thompson, C, North Shore Warriors U15 Prep
North Shore is a Division 2 club, but William Thompson plays like he belongs in Division 1, and WHL teams have noticed. The 6-foot captain averaged over 28 minutes of ice time per game (as per InStat Hockey), a number that tells you everything about how much his team leans on him. He's a powerful, complete centre who covers ice with a smooth, forceful stride and pairs it with legitimate skill: a heavy shot, clean passing, and the kind of dynamic posture that creates problems every time he touches the puck.
He doesn't take shortcuts with his game, either. Thompson is effective in all three zones, using his size and strength to win battles, break up plays, and protect pucks in traffic. The frame is already there, the compete is already there, and the skill is real. He looks like a first-round talent regardless of where he's playing.
Kobe Pellack, F, OHA Edmonton U15 Prep
Kobe Pellack has been building through the season, but the playoffs confirmed what his best showings already suggested; he's a riser, and his stock is peaking at exactly the right time. Six points in three games, with five of them coming as assists, tells the story of a player whose greatest strength isn't scoring, it's creation. He's an exceptionally confident puck-carrier with quick hands and the playmaking vision to put teammates in positions they can actually score from.
Off the rush especially, Pellack is difficult to contain. He attacks with pace, manipulates defenders, and consistently finds the play that breaks coverage open. His decision-making in his own end still has room to grow, and that will be an area to monitor as competition stiffens. But the offensive profile, elite handling, creativity, and a playmaking-first mentality, gives him one of the higher ceilings in the class. Round one interest is warranted.
Alexandre Montembeault, G, Calgary IHA U15 Prep
Calgary IHA’s run to the title was the story of the tournament and while their win can’t be described as anything but an all around team effort, goaltending was a decisive factor. Alexandre Montembeault was dialed in, stopping 34 of 36 in the final and 33 of 34 versus Parker McMillian’s heavily favored Yale squad. He stole more than one goal right off McMillian’s stick in that quarterfinal. This included a huge save in the splits to preserve their one goal lead early as the future top two pick sat alone in front of the net.
Montembeault was quick and well positioned for initial shots. He forced a lot of chances straight into his chest by getting aggressive and maintaining his angle. Follow up opportunities and chances in-tight caught him out of his net a couple times, but Montembeault gave everything he could to make the save anyways. He made a couple ridiculous stops in the full splits. Each push was made with all the power his legs could muster. This was truly a goalie on the top of his game, giving everything he could. Montembeault is undersized and needs to improve his technique, but he certainly put himself on scouts’ radars in this run.
Jett Evans, C, Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep
Jett Evans has been a real riser, and the playoffs proved why scouts are taking notice. The catalyst centre for Northern Alberta Xtreme tied for fourth in tournament scoring with nine points in four games, consistently all over the ice and impacting play in every zone. His pace is evident from the start, making things happen with skill and skating that few can match. His feet move quickly, and his hands keep up, allowing him to be aggressive along the boards and force opponents into difficult situations.
Evans is the kind of player you want when the lights are brightest. He combines physicality, creativity, and scoring ability into a complete package. Offensively, he's dangerous with the puck on his stick, using toe-drags to create space and showing vision and timing to find passing lanes. He sneaks into scoring areas with tight angles, retrieves pucks, and fires precise shots through traffic. Defensively, he's engaged and responsible, finishing checks on the backcheck, stealing pucks, and making safe passes to regain possession. He fights hard along the boards and wins battles consistently. The combination of playmaking vision, two-way responsibility, and clutch performances projects well. Evans has been a standout not just in the playoffs but also at the John Reid Memorial, and his complete game continues to elevate his stock.
Jacson Bradbeer, RD , Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep
Jacson Bradbeer was shouldered with a ton of responsibility in the playoffs, as the Yale blueline was weakened due to injury. He had no problem stepping up, defending well off the rush and using a combination of puck skill, passing, and good edge-work to effectively win his minutes. He is constantly scanning the ice, specifically before collecting the puck. This makes his decision-making look instant. He has the skill to deliver the puck at long range, or protect it and evade attackers with good edges and puck skills. His patience with the puck allows his teammates to regroup, giving him better options than if he forced the puck up ice. His poise on the offensive blueline aids his role as the top powerplay quarterback for his squad. Despite the upset in the quarter-final, Bradbeer used his tools to deliver a strong playoff performance
Ryson Barker, RD, Burnaby Winter Club U15 Prep
Coaches love Ryson Barker because he simply does his job. He’s a minute-munching defender that has the full trust of his coaches in all three zones. He plays a physical game, using his feet to close gaps and put his shoulder into opposing puck-carriers. He handles the puck well, using his skill to make simple moves that go against opponents' momentum, giving him time and space to make breakout passes. He protects the puck well with his body, keeping himself between his attackers and the puck. His positioning is also strong, as he never gets lost in his own zone. Barker doesn’t flash offensively like some of his peers, but still possesses the puck-skill to evade opponents and make solid breakout passes. His season came to an unfortunate end in the semifinal, but his season of work should warrant a draft pick.
Rylan Edwards, C, Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep
Rylan Edwards is the kind of player who makes an impact before you've had a chance to settle in. He plays at a consistently high pace, not just with his feet but with his processing, making quick decisions and moving the puck with purpose. A terrific skater with elite edgework, he uses deception to create separation and attacks the middle of the ice whether he has the puck or not. Eight points in four playoff games reflects what he brings every night: a dynamic, two-way forward who competes hard and drives play in all three zones. He's only getting better.
Max Faulkner, F, Pilot Mound Academy U15 Prep
Max Faulkner tied for the tournament scoring lead with 13 points in five games, and the production makes sense once you watch him. He's a classic puck transporter with a long, powerful stride and quick hands that allow him to make plays at full speed. He scans constantly, reading the ice before he receives the puck so his decisions come instantly. When the lane isn't there, he creates one, either by attacking the middle or by delaying to let the play develop around him. The hands are a legitimate plus tool, and his playmaking vision gives him real upside as a future WHL pick.
Ronan Gow, C, Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep
Ronan Gow captained his squad to quarter-final loss, but not from lack of effort. His most noticeable game was their last one, as Gow was flying around and playing physically, while also being a puck-transporter and putting forth a great defensive effort that culminated in a back-check that saved a breakaway. He's fast and aggressive, attacking anyone that comes near the puck. His footwork is solid, but his hands are what make him elusive. He has the skill to attack defenders one-on-one, and has a good shot, which rounds out his toolkit. Despite the disappointing playoffs, Gow put a good effort on tape.
Hayden Harvey, RD, OHA Edmonton U15 Prep
Hayden Harvey is a rare archetype at this level: an activation-driven defenceman with the skating to back it up. His edgework and stride are exceptional, allowing him to cover ground quickly, join the rush with purpose, and recover when plays break down. He's confident and creative with the puck, and his long reach makes him a difficult matchup when defending one-on-one. The decision-making still has room to grow, particularly around when to activate and when to manage, but that risk-taking is part of what makes him effective. Three points in three playoff games barely scratches the surface. His name should come up early on draft night.
Carter Jarvis, F, SAHA U15 Prep
Carter Jarvis is a shoot-first winger with the hands and shot to make that identity dangerous. His lateral quickness off the rush is a standout tool, making him difficult to read and even harder to contain in space. He also shows strong edgework in tight, staying balanced through contact and manipulating defenders with his footwork before getting off his shot. On the powerplay, he's effective at finding the seam and creating quick looks from the flank. There are still moments where he can simplify and get better results, but the offensive IQ and the shot are real. He has the tools to be a goal-scoring threat at the next level.
Ian Kim, F, OHA Edmonton U15 Prep
One of two underagers on this list, Ian Kim is already driving play for the top seed in the league, which tells you everything you need to know about his trajectory. He plays with fearlessness well beyond his age, competing physically, following through on checks, and never shying away from contact despite a smaller frame. His speed is a genuine weapon, and he uses it to get into every area of the rink with purpose. Versatile enough to play all three forward positions while contributing in all three zones, Kim is one of the most exciting prospects in the 2027 WHL Draft class. He looks better every time out.
Kristian Lima, RW, Burnaby Winter Club U15 Prep
Kristian Lima and his squad fell victim, like so many other teams this week, to an unstoppable Calgary IHA squad. Lima started the game physically. He’s a physical player, using his size to bowl over opponents. He gets aggressive and hits anyone he can find. It’s fun to watch. But that’s not the true strength in his game. Lima can shoot the puck. He can really rip it. His release is quick, giving goalies and defenders little time to react, and it is both powerful and accurate. He hit two posts in this low-scoring affair, both of them too fast for the goalie to react to. The deadly sniper is also a strong passer, and will put pucks on the tape of his teammates through tight windows, or can pass to open space and lay the puck out for his teammates to skate onto. Lima has all the makings of a WHL pick.
Mason Liebel, RW, Okanagan Hockey Academy U15 Prep
Mason Liebel’s play was impressive, and even more so when you consider his age. The 2027 WHL draft hopeful was a fixture on his team's top line and first powerplay unit. He earns that ice with a combination of skating, puck-handling, and pre-contact skills. His skating will come as no surprise to anyone from the Okanagan, as his father is a well renowned power skating coach. He is well balanced, allowing him to utilize his edges and become impossible to pin down. His feet return fully underneath him with every step, which allows his stride to extend fully and generate power. He is an adept puck-handler, which he pairs with his contact skills to protect the puck from opponents much bigger than him. Liebel also makes good decisions with the puck and is a good passer. His development over the summer will be exciting to watch as he levels up.
Nixon Mclean, C, Rink HA Kelowna U15 Prep
Nixon Mclean’s game is subtle. You may not notice him at first, but once you key in on him, you can begin to appreciate his talent. The top forward on the division two championship squad, Mclean is able to create offence with quick, smart passes. He’s not going to beat you with speed or skill, although he handles the puck well. No, he’s going to pick apart your defensive structure with smart passes, and has already learned that sometimes a two-foot pass can open up more space than a cross-ice one. He also shows good puck protection, as he’s strong on his edges and spins to keep his body between opponents and the puck, giving him space to make the plays he desires.
Easton Pitz, C, Rink HA Winnipeg U15 Prep
Easton Pitz is the engine behind everything RHA does offensively, and the playoffs were a strong reminder of that. He's their best puck mover, most dangerous handler, and primary transition driver, controlling the pace of play through smart cutbacks, quick slot feeds, and the ability to problem-solve under pressure. His skating gives him lateral explosiveness to create off the rush, and he pre-scans well enough that his decisions arrive before defenders can react. He's not a separation-speed player, but he compensates with his hands, his smarts, and a compete level that never fades. Six points in three games helped RHA punch into Division 1, and he was the reason why.
Rhys Parker, RD, Okanagan Hockey Academy U15 Prep
Rhys Parker spent the week showing the tools that make him a WHL prospect. He’s a powerful skater, allowing him to transport the puck on breakouts and zone entries. He is a strong passer, and consistently makes long range stretch passes out of his own zone. When carrying the puck, he uses deception in the neutral zone, faking passes to make the attackers hesitate and opening up better options for him. He showed his toolkit best on one play this week, where he won a puck battle in the corner, made a move to dangle the oncoming attacker and give himself space, before finding the seam and making a great breakout pass. Parker is a surefire WHL pick.
Landon Reschny, C, Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep
Landon Reschny is a coach's dream. The details he plays with are incredibly advanced for a player this age. He makes smart safe plays, but can also make advanced plays. His puck handling is strong, and works in tandem with his elite edge-work to make it nearly impossible to pin him down along the walls. He shows deception, able to fake defenders with his head, feet, or hands. He is constantly reading plays, on both sides of the puck, and staying one step ahead of his opponents. His balanced skating allows him to play off contact, spinning to put his attacker behind him. His ability to play through contact is exceptional, often allowing him to make a play while in danger of losing possession.
At some point during the week, his regular jersey was destroyed, forcing him into a different number. Several scouts spoke about how strong this “new player” was for his squad before realizing it was Reschny. He scored a highlight reel goal in one game this week while shorthanded. He stripped his opponent on the half wall and exploded down the right wing. He attacked the middle of the ice and created a one-on-one where he faked the toe-drag with his hands and feet, before he slipped the puck between the defender's legs to get himself a contested breakaway. Despite the defender on his back and clutching on to him to try and save face, Reschny was still able to dangle the goaltender and score before being driven into the net.
Jace Zemanek, G, Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep
Few goalies at this age exhibit the pure physical talents you see out of Jace Zemanek on a game by game basis. He’s a tremendously good skater and his edgework is a treat to watch. He navigates the cease with fluidity, quickness, and control that you’d be impressed to see from a seasoned WHL goaltender. Zemanek also catches the eye immediately with how freakishly mobile he is. He has a hyper-wide butterfly which helps him shut down the lower areas of the net with ease. Sometimes, instead of kicking out his legs to make a pad save he’ll simply drop into a somehow even wider butterfly. As an undersized, athletic goaltender, Zemanek should play more aggressively and that cost him in the quarter final, but in that game he stopped 31 of 33 shots and was outstanding. Zemanek will be one of the first couple of goaltenders off the board at the WHL Draft.
