T.J. Podollan, Tyler Westman lead top 2012-born performers at UMH68 B.C. Showcase
Over the March 27th-29th weekend, Vernon, B.C., hosted the annual Up My Hockey event, showcasing 68 of the top 2012-born players across B.C. and Alberta, and led by Jason Podollan, a former NHL player who aims to teach the next generation what it’s like in a professional environment. The invitational event features several high-profile coaches and multiple developmental sessions, such as an off-ice workout and presentation, mindset development, goalie on-ice practice, full team practice, and an “off-ice secrets” presentation. The players are treated spectacularly, emulating a pro-environment that had parents raving.
Once the players got through the development portion, it was time to get the tournament underway. The 68 players were split into three teams: Black, Grey, Red, and Blue. Team Black went undefeated into the championship match, led by defenders Evan Bragg and Tyler Westman, and forwards Weston Haslbeck and Kingston Prenioslo. Team Grey managed to pull off the upset in the final, with forwards Hendrik Hesselgrave, Raylan Johnson, and Kristian Bowen leading the charge, and the hero, defenceman Isaac Zeeman. Red came home with the bronze medal, driven by the fleet-footed defenceman Seven Xie and Max Darlow, as well as TJ Podollan up front and Oakley Speckman between the pipes. Team Blue had horrible luck and finished at the bottom of the pile, plagued by injuries and travel delays. They missed their top forward, Jaxon Marchischuk, in the bronze-medal game, but still had Max Pellegrino and Brayden Bains up front with Ben Delege on the blueline.
With the experience and value gained from the players due to the environment of this event, it will become a staple for players who are trying to up their games in pursuit of greatness, as well as an important stop for scouts looking ahead to the next WHL draft.
Before we start, a few honourable mentions: Mason Hostyn and Ray Baran, both tournament all-stars. Max Holland was elite in the one game he played after arriving late due to flight cancellations and leaving early after getting injured. Dean Jones, Siwoo Song, Dane Player, Keenan Basran, Jaxxon Dueck, Diesel Bishop, and Callum Pearn also had strong camps. With an ode to March Madness, here are the top performers over the weekend.
Tyler Westman, LD, Team Black
Westman was one of the most noticeable players over the weekend, and not just for his size. His puck skills are incredibly advanced for his age, but not just in the way you'd think. He can pull it quickly side-to-side, yes, but the way he gains advantages by processing and manipulating the momentum of his opponents is truly next-level. He utilizes an open-hip technique to aid in his defending and his elusiveness with the puck. His shot has velocity to it when he has time to load up. He’s also a capable passer, as he keeps his head up looking for plays while he carries the puck. His head being up allows him to be poised, as he will draw defenders in and open passing lanes. His strong edge-work pairs with his elite hands to make him elusive and hard to pin down, especially when walking the offensive blue line. As his processing gets faster, his stock will rise as a 2027 WHL draft prospect.
Evan Bragg, RD, Team Black
Taking home a tournament all-star nod, Bragg controls the game from the back end. His poise is most evident on the breakout, as he has a variety of skills that make him difficult to forecheck. That includes his ability to spin off contact, his puck-skill to reposition the puck out of danger, and his crisp passes. Bragg is the type of player you want out in the last minute when defending the lead, as he makes safe plays and keeps the puck out of danger. That doesn’t mean he has no flash, though, as he shows the ability to skate the puck up ice, faking with his head and hands to make defenders bite before taking his open ice. The poise Bragg showed under pressure is sure to catch the attention of scouts in his upcoming draft year.
Weston Haslbeck, F, Team Black
Haslbeck was one of the main offensive weapons for his team over the weekend, utilizing speed, puck-skill, and deception to pull the rope in the right direction. Haslbeck can play off contact well, spinning away after drawing defenders towards him. He can also continue to play through contact, not letting stick checks or hooks and holds slow him down. As a passer, he can delay to open lanes or push the pace with his feet, forcing defenders to commit to him and draw them in before passing. He also displays the ability to look one way and pass another, adding even more confusion to opponents. His speed and aggressiveness directly got him a goal in one game, pressuring an opponent into coughing up the puck directly in front of their own net. The way he pushed the pace was impressive.
Kingston Prenioslo, F, Team Black
Prenioslo had an excellent weekend, being named a tournament all-star. He’s a great puck carrier, using his edges and body positioning to protect the puck, and his hands to beat opponents who pressure him. He had one game that saw him score a hat-trick, and one goal that stood above the other when he one-timed a puck while at top speed, having to adjust to an off-centered pass on the fly to connect well with it. His most dangerous tool is the way he passes, as he makes sure they’re crisp and accurate. He will hold on to the puck long enough to draw defenders in and open up passing lanes. His passing showed best off the rush, as he could elevate passes over opponents, draw them in, or just pass through them. Prenioslo sees the ice well off the rush, understanding how he has to move to open the seam between defenders and spring his teammates for odd-man rushes. His puck-skill was also good, allowing him to be comfortable with the puck on his stick and instead spend his time scanning the ice for his next pass.
Simon Misson, G, Team Black
Simon Misson had one of the best tournaments among the goaltenders, picking up a tournament-low 1.76 goals against average over four games. While a relatively shorter goaltender, listed at 5-foot-9 at the moment, Misson's responsible positioning and footwork allowed him to thrive. He's already a notable skater, with good edgework, and he displayed some strong push power on lateral movements across his crease. His tracking was his best asset, though, reading releases and continuing to follow the puck throughout the trajectory and even after it rebounds shot after shot. He was also quite comfortable in and around his posts, and exploding in and out of his butterfly while keeping form. All in all, Misson will no doubt be deserving of a look for the 2027 WHL draft next year, despite finding himself in AA this season.
Hendrik Hesselgrave, F, Team Grey
Hesselgrave made the tournament all-star team due to how he impacts every game with his feet. He flies around the ice and attacks the inside of the ice at every opportunity, using his good edges and puck-skill to evade opponents on his way to the slot. He explodes laterally, stopping and delaying in the offensive zone, and evades pressure by simply moving in a way that his opponents can’t. He can move explosively due to a low stance that gives his first step ample power. His handling of the puck allowed him to be aggressive off the rush and while cycling down-low. He has good range that pairs with his lateral mobility to escape opponents all over the ice. Hesselgrave was essential in how his team controlled the puck and won the transition game, which led to a tournament victory. A big summer of development will be essential for him, as upgrading his stride and hands could push him high up draft boards for the 2027 WHL draft.
Kristian Bowen, F, Team Grey
Bowen was one of the deadliest players en route to his squad's championship. His shot is heavy, and he can get it off from seemingly any angle. He shoots off of both feet, and can also pull-and-release the puck to get shots around defenders attempting to block. His puck-skills are also good, allowing him to hold the puck out away from his body and protect it, but also stick-handle in tight to his feet. Utilizing a deep, low stance while puck protecting is incredibly effective for him, as his edge-work allows him to spin around the offensive zone and keep danger away from his stick. Bowen worked well off the cycle this weekend, working the puck down low with his edges and hands, and doing a good job of sneaking into the slot amidst the chaos, putting himself in a good spot to utilize his shot. He will open his hips up to evade checks and shows the desire to attack the middle of the ice. The volume shooter will next set his sights on the 2027 WHL draft.
Raylan Johnson, F, Team Grey
The raw speed from Johnson is a sight to behold. He can straight up fly, and mixes in good puck skills to be a dangerous threat off the rush. He uses his hands and feet in combination to fake out defenders. Usually moving fast, his dekes leave the opponents with no room for error. One wrong move by a defender, and Johnson will take full advantage. He showed this several times, but one stuck out. He faked inside on the defender, who hesitated every so slightly, before toe-dragging back the other way and exploding past him. He will open his hips to give himself more options off the rush and use his edges to escape attackers. One shift early in the weekend displayed exactly that, when he circled the offensive zone looking for an option while keeping his hips open, before finding his lane to the slot and attacking with a high-danger shot. Johnson’s speed makes him dangerous on every shift.
Isaac Zeeman, LD, Team Grey
The hero! Zeeman scored twice in the championship game, both to tie it and to take the lead, both in the last ten minutes. His shot is hard and accurate, being able to blow it past the goaltender for the winning goal, and place it under his glove hand for the one to tie. His footwork is good, using his edges to spin off contact and evade opponents. He uses his long reach to both protect the puck and defend his own zone, managing to get his stick into opponents' space and disrupt their handling. He uses a deep, fully-extended stride to generate power and speed. He will use his edges to deceive opponents while carrying the puck, and will attack the open ice behind them once he makes them commit to going the direction he faked. His strength and power help him as a shutdown defender, as he wins puck battles and defends the neutral zone well with his feet. Zeeman’s stock is rising for the WHL draft.
Seven Xie, RD, Team Red
If you’re a fan of skating and skill, you’ll love Xie. He has elite edge-work, staying perfectly balanced at all times. He has the talent to evade opponents, as he can put the puck through or around them. He spins off contact and pressure, and will regroup instead of dumping the puck away, opting instead to find open lanes to skate through. Xie has already learned the value of small touches when handling the puck, as he will tap the puck forward and then hover his stick near it, not on it, to prevent stick checks from making him lose control. This is a skill rarely found at this age. Able to make smart plays under pressure, Xie is very good at walking the offensive blue line, showing poise under pressure. He collected many points this weekend by escaping pressure and getting the puck on net, through traffic. He opens his hips while carrying the puck, allowing him to see more of the ice and aiding in his overall elusiveness. A tournament all-star, Xie is a possession and transition monster that directly contributes to his team's wins.
Max Darlow, RD, Team Red
The rangey puck-transporter was able to make his mark on the weekend with his feet. He does a great job carrying the puck, using a strong stride and good edge-work to skate through open lanes, and protecting the puck with how he positions his body between himself and opponents. Darlow does a great job using the space he creates with his body positioning to attack off the rush, using good puck-skill to enter the offensive zone often and with ease. His handling of the puck was a strength, as he was able to evade forechecks by moving the puck out of danger and using his good feet to escape through the empty space. His hands also help him off the rush, as he can position the puck away from stick-checks and power through the gaps to enter the offensive zone. Darlow is a well-rounded two-way defender with an excitingly high floor due to his physical traits and how he uses them.
TJ Podollan, F, Team Red
Podollan was hands down the smartest player on the ice on every shift. The way he processes the game is efficient and beautiful to see. He doesn’t feel pressure, looking for passing lanes constantly, even when players are in his face, about to hit him. He’s a gifted skater, perfectly balanced and able to absorb contact or escape from any play. He handles the puck effortlessly, attacking behind opponents and against their momentum. His pre-scans before he receives the puck allow him to seemingly make instant decisions. The speed of his decision-making is what allows him to be an elite play connector in the neutral zone, springing teammates for good rush chances with his crisp passes. Podollan has several advanced tools, as he plays off contact excellently by drawing pressure in before spinning back against his attacker's momentum. He shows the ability to release the puck off of either leg and shoot with accuracy and good velocity. The skating, processing, puck-control, passing, and shooting are all plus tools, making Podollan an elite prospect.
Oakley Speckman, G, Team Red
Speckman spent the weekend putting on a show. His electric display of athletic saves resulted in several highlight-reel stops. He made one particular save that displayed not only the athleticism, but also his awareness when he integrated to his post, tracked the play coming out of the corner, but was fully aware of the opponent on the other side of his crease. Anticipating the pass, he was loaded and ready to push the second that the puck came off the opponent's stick. He exploded laterally and stretched out to make the save. Speckman made saves like that all weekend long. His high athleticism is aided by good footwork that allows him to be in control in his crease, adjusting to angles quickly and efficiently. His flexibility is also a strength, able to stretch out and cover more net than opponents expect, resulting in more dramatic saves. Players on other teams were visually frustrated as Speckman was single-handedly responsible for denying their point totals.
Max Pellegrino, F, Team Blue
Pellegrino is everything you want in a hockey player. Coaches and fans will both love having him on their team. He was the most dangerous offensive player for his team, using his balanced skating stride to move up the ice with good pace. His puck skills are above average, allowing him to traverse the ice well and attack space wherever it may appear. His skill is on display in high-pressure situations, as he reacts quickly to deke through opponents. He passes well, making quick decisions and crisp passes. He’s shifty when he carries the puck, using his edges and hands to fake opponents. He makes accurate and crisp passes, seeing lanes through opponents and will sometimes delay and spin backwards to create space and allow the play to develop. He displayed his intelligence throughout the weekend, reading plays well both offensively and defensively. He had one great pick-off where he intercepted the breakout pass and attacked between the defenders for a grade “A” opportunity. One of the best parts of his game is his shot, specifically how quickly he can release the puck once he receives it. The feistiness of Pellegrino is what makes him so beloved, as he won’t get pushed around, stands up for his teammates, and clearly despises losing, which everyone loves to see.
Jaxon Marchischuk, F, Team Blue
Marchischuk spends his time on the ice proving that size matters not. He’s determined to be physical, no matter how much bigger his opponents are, and refuses to take abuse from anyone. While that's certainly fun to watch, he is also a skilled player, with high-end puck control and moves that he uses to slide through and around attackers. He will take the puck to open ice to unleash his best talent: his brain. The intelligence from Marchischuk is on display when he has a little bit of space. He scans the ice and reads the play well, knowing when the pass needs to be a quick strike or when he needs to delay and allow the play to develop. He will deceive opponents by looking one way and passing another, and if they bite really hard on the look-off, he also shows the ability to adapt and attack the open ice. His skating is also a strength, showing a balanced stride that aids his edge-work and allows him to spin off contact and remain stable on his feet. The only thing holding him back is his size, but he’s otherwise a top talent.
Brayden Bains, F, Team Blue
Bains isn’t fazed by his small stature, as he plays well off contact due to a balanced stride and good edges that keep him upright despite his size disadvantage. He is a playmaker with good hands, protecting the puck by moving it out of danger and positioning his body in the way of opponents' sticks. His passes are crisp, accurate, and smart. He displays his hockey intelligence with how he passes through seams and finds the sticks of his teammates through layers of traffic. The best part of his passing, and what allows him to generate so much offence, is his deception. He is constantly looking off passes, and can stare one way while delivering a perfect pass in the complete opposite direction. This deception is another example of how he thinks the game at a high level. Lastly, he does a good job of leading passes, laying them out into open space when he sees a teammate who has a step on the player covering them. This sets his team up for odd-man rushes and often high-danger opportunities. Bains dominated his league this year and could be an intriguing name for the 2027 WHL draft.
Ben Delege, LD, Team Blue
Delege covers so much ice with his feet. He’s a fantastic skater, using long, powerful strides driven from a deep stance that also allows him to have fantastic lateral mobility and range. His puck-skill keeps up to his feet, which results in Delege being a great puck-transporter as he can elude opposing forechecks and carry the puck both out of his own zone and across the offensive blue line into opposing territory. He uses the heel-to-heel technique often, using his open hips to escape opponents and keep himself open to the play. His feet allow him to defend almost the entire ice, being aggressive in the neutral zone to deny offence before it even fully develops. He uses his feet in lockstep with his intelligence to consistently pick off breakout passes and quickly turn them into offence. Delege also seems to despise dumping the puck in, preferring to double back and maintain possession while his team regroups. He’s able to do this as opponents just can’t seem to catch him. His footwork and range make him a name to keep an eye on throughout the upcoming season.