Jack Brayman, RJ Celebrini lead standouts from Kings of Spring Nashville showcase
NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Kings of Spring Nashville is one of the premier events on the Super AAA spring calendar for 2012-born players, drawing a field that included programs from Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, and across North America. For players entering their Bantam Major season, it is one of the better opportunities to make an impression on evaluators, and this year delivered.
The Bolts arrived at Championship Monday having scored 50 goals in seven games, and the Everest Elites were the first team to test them, pushing the game to overtime before Egor Karpovtsev delivered the winner in a 5-4 finish. Jack Brayman headlined the Bolts with a staggering 13 goals and 26 points in eight games, while Tristan Reynolds led the entire tournament in scoring with 11 goals and 32 points for Everest, including three points in the final.
The semifinals were equally compelling, with the East Coast Kings pushing the Bolts before falling 5-2, and the Wolfpack JDT dropping a hard-luck 1-0 decision to Everest with a called-off goal that could have changed everything.
Here is our breakdown of the standouts from the tournament.
Jack Brayman, LW, Bolts
Jack Brayman had a remarkable stat line for any player at this event. But beyond the scoring totals, it was how he generated offence that stood out. From rush attacks to small-area skill, Brayman consistently looked like one of the tournament’s most dangerous players.
From his standout performance during the tournament:
His crossover power generated separation quickly, and he paired it with a change-of-pace ability that made him difficult to time defensively. In one game where he officially scored once, he still forced a cutback under pressure, found a cross-ice pass to reset possession, deked through a rush defender, and dropped a pass into the high slot. Most of the offence flowed through him.
Though undersized, Brayman is strong through his base and difficult to knock off pucks. The handling skill is high-end, the release is dangerous from limited space, and the playmaking complements both. With pace, skill, and a clear ability to drive offence, he looked like one of the spring’s top performers.
RJ Celebrini, C, Everest Elite
RJ Celebrini stood out through pace, energy, and transition play. A strong skater who consistently pushed the game forward, he created pressure through mobility and effort while showing the ability to attack defenders with confidence. Whether supporting possession or driving entries himself, he regularly helped tilt play toward the offensive zone.
His offensive upside showed most clearly through his puck movement and shot, particularly when given time and space to create. Though there is room for more consistency at even strength, Celebrini impacted games in a variety of ways, bringing intelligence, work rate, and enough skill to make him an intriguing player to follow moving forward.
Tristan Reynolds, C, Everest Elite
Leading the tournament in points, Tristan Reynolds consistently found ways to impact play. The offence stood out, but his influence stretched far beyond the scoresheet, especially in difficult moments.
From his standout performance during the tournament:
With a minute left in a semifinal protecting a 1-0 lead, Reynolds was double-shifted. He got roughly ten seconds on the bench before hopping back over the boards. Reynolds won faceoffs, managed pucks late, changed pace through the cycle to create seams, and forced a turnover on the forecheck before slipping a backhand pass into space. One of his best sequences came after winning a draw, spinning off the opposing centre, and firing a shot off the post from the slot, a chance he created entirely himself.
The physical tools support the intelligence. Reynolds is big, strong, and an efficient skater with enough speed to separate through the neutral zone. More than anything, though, this tournament highlighted how much responsibility coaches entrusted him with every situation. Early on, he looks like a player worth following closely for the 2028 OHL Draft.
Weston Thibodeau, D, Bolts
The Bolts rolled through the tournament undefeated, and Weston Thibodeau played a major role in stabilizing the back end while still contributing offensively. One of the event’s more complete defenders, he consistently impacted the game in transition and defended rushes effectively.
Thibodeau’s skating stood out immediately, and it shaped nearly everything he did in this game. His lateral mobility is excellent, his crossover power generates strong top-end speed, and he covers ice in a way that made him a factor in all three zones. Offensively, he showed poise and creativity from the blue line, including one sequence where he slipped the puck through a forward’s legs and cut around him to maintain possession under pressure.
On the smaller side for a defender, Thibodeau compensates with mobility and poise. His two-way game translated in every situation here, and alongside Breaker Seidenberg, he helped form one of the tournament’s strongest defence cores.
Breaker Seidenberg, D, Bolts
At his size, Breaker Seidenberg moves far better than expected. A powerful skater with strong mobility and change-of-pace ability, he consistently pushed play forward and looked dangerous joining the rush. Whether activating into space, beating pressure wide, or quarterbacking the power play, Seidenberg brought a level of offensive involvement few defenders at this event could match.
Beyond the puck game, Seidenberg played with strength and confidence. He defended rushes physically, held his ground well along the wall, and paired his mobility with a heavy shot that consistently threatened from range. With size, skating, and offensive instincts already translating, he looked like one of the more complete defenders at the event and a player with significant upside moving forward.
Killian Wall, D, East Coast Kings
Killian Wall quietly looked like one of the event’s most effective defenders, consistently driving transition and helping move play in the right direction. A strong skater with excellent lateral mobility, he handled pressure well, escaped trouble cleanly, and regularly connected on difficult breakout plays. Whether carrying pucks himself or distributing from the back end, he gave East Coast a steady transition presence.
Offensively, Wall supported the attack with confidence, activating often and showing flashes of power-play quarterbacking ability through smart puck movement and deception. Defensively, he combined mobility with awareness, blocking shots and disrupting plays without forcing mistakes. At times, execution wavered, but the toolkit and impact were difficult to ignore. He consistently looked like a defender you wanted on the ice.
Jack Leibowitz, C, East Coast Kings
Much of East Coast’s game ran through Jack Leibowitz. Their top centre and one of their most dependable players, he consistently impacted play through smart positioning, quick processing, and strong three-zone habits. Defensively responsible with an active stick, he regularly supported possession and put himself in positions to disrupt play before it developed.
Leibowitz also brought offensive value through puck movement and interior support. A fluid skater with strong crossovers, he played with composure and consistently made the smart play, whether supporting the cycle or creating opportunities through quick distribution. The complete profile and trustworthiness of his game made him stand out as a foundational centre.
Seven Xie, D, First Class BC
Mobility defined Seven Xie’s tournament. Few players moved as effortlessly or dynamically, with his skating consistently creating advantages in transition and allowing him to push play forward. Dangerous off his edges and confident attacking space, Xie repeatedly stood out through his ability to change pace and move pucks into dangerous areas.
The skating was the foundation, but the offensive instincts stood out as well. Xie showed strong playmaking vision from both the rush and the blue line, activated effectively, and consistently looked to create rather than simply maintain possession. Defensive strength remains an area for growth, but the combination of mobility and puck skill made him one of the more exciting defenders at the event.
Joshua Pomeroy, D, First Class BC
Joshua Pomeroy turned in one of the strongest performances among defenders, combining size, mobility, and poise into a highly effective transition game. A fluid skater with strong edges and lateral movement, he consistently beat pressure and created clean exits, whether through sharp puck movement or carrying play himself.
The puck game stood out throughout the event. Pomeroy looked comfortable under pressure, patient in possession, and dangerous activating from the blue line. Whether facilitating breakouts or creating from the offensive zone, he consistently found ways to move the play forward. With his combination of size, skating, and puck-moving ability, he looked like a highly intriguing player for the 2027 WHL Draft.
Alexis Ouimet, C, Wolfpack JDT
One of Wolfpack’s most impactful forwards, Alexis Ouimet, consistently pushed play with confidence and pace. Strong on his stick and quick through transition, he created space through cutbacks and handled pressure well, regularly finding ways to keep possession alive and move the puck into dangerous areas.
What stood out most was Ouimet’s processing speed and playmaking ability. He moved pucks quickly, recognized passing lanes others missed, and consistently helped drive offence without overhandling. Combining speed, strength, and vision, he quietly looked like one of the more effective forwards at the event.
Ryan Graves, RW, Bolts
Ryan Graves brings a fast, creative, and highly mobile offensive profile that consistently shows itself in transition. A smaller winger who thrives off pace changes and lateral movement, he uses cutbacks, handling skill, and vision to manipulate defenders and open passing or shooting lanes. His ability to both finish and distribute off the rush makes him a dual-threat presence, especially when paired in support roles where he can attack space rather than initiate contact. While undersized, his pace, puck skill, and processing give him legitimate offensive upside as a dynamic complementary forward.
Mason Elemont, RW, East Coast Kings
Mason Elemont plays a powerful, straight-line game built on strength through his stride and heavy legs in motion. He generates offence off the rush through speed and force, consistently pushing through pressure with momentum and using cutbacks to extend plays. There is legitimate transition value in his game, particularly when he is attacking with speed, and he already shows flashes of being able to create off both puck carries and quick distribution. Expanding his impact in the cycle will be key, but the physical tools and rush game already give him a strong foundation.
Liam Tep, LW/C, East Coast Kings
With size and a developing offensive toolkit, Liam Tep's game is built around mobility and flashes of skill. He can move pucks effectively, support plays through the middle, and shows occasional scoring touch with both passing and shooting options. His skating allows him to stay involved in transition sequences, and he has the size and frame to become more physically engaged as he matures. At this stage, the consistency of his involvement in puck battles and transition driving will determine how far his skill set translates.
Enrik Marcotte, RW, Wolfpack JDT
Enrik Marcotte plays with constant energy and physical edge, bringing an aggressive, disruptive presence shift to shift. He closes space quickly, finishes checks, and consistently pressures opponents into mistakes, while also showing legitimate offensive flashes through strong crossovers and rush creation. His ability to combine physical intensity with puck skill makes him a difficult player to handle, particularly in transition. As his decision-making continues to refine, his blend of pace, power, and aggression gives him clear value as a versatile depth forward.
Charles Paquin, LW, Wolfpack JDT
Charles Paquin offers a strong blend of size, skill, and pace that allows him to influence play in multiple areas of the ice. He moves well for his frame, uses cutbacks and lateral movement to escape pressure, and shows a clear ability to make plays through the middle of the ice. Offensively, he can distribute effectively and has the awareness to slow the game down when needed, particularly in structured offensive zone play. With continued consistency and more assertive puck involvement, his upside as a skilled power forward remains intriguing.
Michael Sima, LW, Everest Elite
A power forward, Michael Sima, brings energy, strength, and a clear physical identity to his shifts. He plays through contact, drives the wall, and consistently establishes himself as a difficult player to move off the puck. His skating power allows him to generate momentum through contact, and he shows flashes of offensive ability when attacking with speed or working off his strength in tight areas. The foundation of a potential power forward is present, with his physical game already translating in a meaningful way.
Sebastian Erat, RW, Everest Elite
Sebastian Erat has a solid frame and an increasingly refined offensive game. He handles the puck confidently, makes composed reads in the offensive zone, and shows the ability to attack off the rush with both passing and shooting options. His puck protection habits and awareness allow him to maintain possession under pressure, and he can extend plays through smart support positioning. As his game continues to mature, his combination of skill and structure gives him projectable middle-six upside.
Asher Rogachevsky, RW, First Class BC
Asher Rogachevsky's game is defined by pace manipulation and creativity off the rush. He consistently changes speed to create separation, uses skilled handling to attack defenders one-on-one, and has a dangerous shooting profile that allows him to score in motion. His playmaking vision complements his shooting ability, giving him clear dual-threat upside when he is on the puck. To reach his full potential, increasing his off-puck engagement and consistency will be important, but the offensive ceiling is among the highest in this group.
Will Sudbury, D, MN Blades Maroon
Mobile and transition-driven, Will Sudbury consistently pushes play forward with pace and control. He retrieves pucks cleanly, escapes pressure with lateral movement, and can activate into the rush or distribute effectively from the point. Defensively, he shows solid gap control and enough mobility to defend rushes effectively, while his puck-moving ability makes him a constant outlet for breakout transitions. He projects as a modern puck-moving defenceman who can drive possession and contribute in all three zones.
Colton Clark, LW, MN Blades Maroon
A dangerous offensive winger, Colton Clark, has the speed, shot, and confidence to create consistent scoring chances. He attacks off the rush with pace, can beat defenders wide, and has a quick, powerful release that makes him a legitimate threat in space. His ability to generate offence independently stood out, particularly in transition, where he can turn small openings into scoring opportunities. With his combination of speed and scoring ability, he already shows clear traits of a player capable of producing at higher levels.