Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects. It’s that time again–major junior hockey is back and we’re here to preview the new season for you. While teams have already played their first game in the QMJHL, things are set to start on September 19th in the WHL and on September 24th in the OHL. With that in mind, we will start our division previews out east, then go west, and finally finish in Ontario this year. You can check out our previous Top Shelf Prospects articles here.
WHL B.C. Division Preview
The Contenders (In order of how I predict they will finish)
Kelowna Rockets: The Rockets have put together another strong club, and will be looking for top spot in the division again. While Damon Severson has graduated to the pro ranks, they still have a top notch number one defender with Capitals prospect Madison Bowey taking over in that role. The rest of the Kelowna defence corps from last season is back to provide support. With seven returnees on the blueline, along with newcomer Lucas Johansen (brother of Ryan Johansen) the reputation as the CHL’s defence factory will be back in Kelowna this year. However the team’s highest rated 2015 NHL Draft prospect is centre Nick Merkley who was the WHL rookie of the year last year and could centre the top line. The Rockets have nine other returning forwards including Tyson Baillie, Rourke Chartier, Tyrell Goulbourne, Kris Schmidli, Cole Linaker, Austin Glover, and Predators prospect Justin Kirkland will provide the Rockets with the ability to roll over three scoring lines, and an energy unit. Their depth is something that most WHL teams can’t match and is the key to them winning the division. The goaltending is the big question with former backup Jackson Whistle getting the call after Jordon Cooke has graduated. Cooke was one of the best goalies in the WHL and Whistle has huge shoes to fill. If he can’t do so, expect the Rockets to be in the market for a goalie in December (or sooner).
Victoria Royals: The Royals are built on the foundations of strong goaltending and solid defence. In net they feature Coleman Vollrath who was part of a platoon with Patrik Polivka last season, but takes over as the undisputed number one this year. With a .928 save percentage in 34 games, Vollrath looks like he will be capable of taking on the added workload. The defence features Keegan Kanzig, a 6’7″ giant who is a Calgary Flames prospect, and stay at home defender Ryan Gagnon as the two key defensive defenceman. Meanwhile Joe Hicketts and Travis Brown are puck movers on the back end. Offence is the biggest question mark with this team as most of the biggest point getters from last season are gone. The Royals will rely on draft eligible Tyler Soy to take a big step forward, and provide points alongside veterans like Axel Blomqvist, Brandon Magee, Austin Carroll, and incoming import Kristian Ferletak.
Vancouver Giants: The Giants had a decent year last season, finally coming out of the doldrums that was the 2012-13 last place season. The big piece of the rebuild, 2013 first overall pick Tyler Benson joins the team this year, and all eyes will be on what the 16-year-old can deliver. Lucky for Benson though, he is joining a team that still has some good pieces, including leading goal scorer Jackson Houck and leading pointe getter Carter Popoff. While Dalton Thrower and Brett Kulak are gone on the blueline, its expected that Mason Geertsen, import Dmitri Osipov, and newcomer Clayton Kirichenko can take on bigger roles this season and lead the blue line. Upfront Benson, Popoff and Houck will be supported by Matt Bellerive, new import Vladimir Bobylev; and veterans Joel Hamilton and Dalton Sward. In goal the Giants have to get a better season out of Payton Lee if they are to take that next step forward.
Players To Watch
Cole Ully, Centre, Kamloops Blazers: A 2013 Draft pick of the Dallas Stars, Ully is the offensive catalyst for Kamloops, playing the role of playmaker on the top line, and putting up 72 points last season. His skating stride looks a bit awkward, but he still has decent speed, and the agility to slip around defenders. He has excellent vision and passing skills, as well as the puck poise and the protection skills to extend plays and wait for his teammates to get open. He is not afraid to play in traffic and will go to the net and score with his soft hands and good finishing ability. Is a hard worker, who despite being undersized, often wins battles along the boards. Is good on faceoffs and more than willing to backcheck and play a strong two-way game. This is likely his last season of Major Junior Hockey and should the Blazers decide to rebuild, is an excellent candidate to add offence to a contender at the deadline.
Matt Revel, Centre, Kamloops Blazers: Acquired from the Saskatoon Blades midway through last season, Revel picked up 6 goals and 20 points in 30 games with Kamloops. Revel is a dynamic skater, with very good speed, above average acceleration and great agility. He can fool defencemen off the rush with his ability to change speeds and when he drops his shoulder and drives to the outside can take them wide opening up the middle of the ice to pass to an onrushing teammate, or taking the puck to the net himself. He’s another good two-way player, and his point totals are expected to make a big jump this season.
Madison Bowey, Defence, Kelowna Rockets: A Washington Capitals second rounder in 2013, Bowey is the number one defenceman in Kelowna this year, carrying the torch for that defence factory. He put up 60 points last season and will be looking for more this year. Bowey’s game is defined by his great skating ability. His mobility is top notch, as he has very good top end speed, and acceleration; both in his forward and backwards skating. He has great pivots, excellent agility and very good edgework which allows him to cover a ton of ground out there. This skating ability allows Bowey to keep the play in front of him, as well to recover when he makes a mistake. Bowey is an excellent puck mover with the ability to rush the puck or to make a strong first pass. He has a cannon of a slap shot from the point, and this can be seen in the 21 goals he scored last season. He needs to learn to keep it low and on net at times though. His passing and vision are decent and he can be a threat as a powerplay quarterback. One thing that really took his game to the next level was increased patience and poise with the puck last year. He seemed to rush plays a lot less, taking the time to find the smart play and move the puck more efficiently with his passing. Add to his offensive game a strong defensive one as well, and you have the best defenceman in the division.
Mitchell Wheaton, Defence, Kelowna Rockets: Another defenceman out of the factory that is the Kelowna Rockets, Wheaton was a fifth round pick of the Red Wings. Wheaton has NHL ready size, and plays a defense first game. He is physical at the back end and uses his size to cut off many plays. He has strong positioning, good anticiption and solid defensive hockey sense. He needs to work on his skating though, especially his turning and pivots. He has potential if he can work on his quickness and footwork.
Marc McNulty, Defence, Prince George Cougars: A Detroit Red Wings draft pick, McNulty is a 6’6″ giant who patrols the blue line for Cougars. He put up 17 goals and 42 points last season. McNulty is a very good stickhandler, using his long reach to protect the puck. He makes good passes, whether it be an outlet out of the zone, or in quarterbacking the powerplay. Has a good slapshot, but it is actually his wrister that is most dangerous as it is strong, deadly accurate, and features a great release. He is starting to be more physically assertive in the defensive zone, but can still learn to be more dominant with his size. He also needs to have better positioning, and not to chase the puck as much as he does defensively. A potential trade target if the Cougars are not competitive in December.
Mason Geertsen, Defence, Vancouver Giants: A draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche. Geertsen is a solid physical defender who throws big hits. Mobile with a long stride and good agility, he covers the ice well and rubs forwards out of the play. Geertsen cuts down passing lanes and blocks shots well. He’s also known for being a good fighter, willing to stand up for teammates and to drop the gloves with the toughest guys in the WHL.
Jackson Houck, RW, Vancouver Giants: A fourth round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2013 NHL Draft, Houck led the Giants with 34 goals last season. Houck is how he just loves to hit. He is a torpedo on the forecheck and makes life miserable for defencemen skating back to retrieve dump-ins. Houck is a physical player who goes to the dirty areas of the ice and is always willing to battle for the puck. He also has some offensive skill. His wrist shot has decent power, but he has a quick release which really helps make it a lot more effective. He also is willing to battle in front of the net and can score in close. He has good stickhandling and puck protection skills along with decent passing ability. Well the Giants don’t want their top goal scorer fighting often, he has shown that he can drop the gloves and will stick up for teammates when necessary. In terms of skating, he needs a better first step and to improve his acceleration, but his edgework, agility and balance are good.
Axel Blomqvist, RW, Victoria Royals: Undrafted, he has signed an entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets last summer, but should be back in Victoria after Jets training camp. He has spent the summer playing with the Swedish National Junior team in Lake Placid as well as in the four nations, and is a candidate to play at the World Juniors. The 6’6″ forward had 43 points in 46 games last season. He uses his size well physically and is dominant down low on the cycle. Can make strong passes or take the puck to the net. Blomqvist has a good wrist shot and release. Overall, he needs to work on his skating though, and improving that would take his game to the next level.
Draft Eligible Players to Watch
Nick Merkley, Centre, Kelowna Rockets: Last season’s WHL rookie of the year, with 25 goals and 58 points in 65 games as a 16-year-old, Merkley is an excellent candidate to be a first round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. He is currently listed at 5’11” but if he can grow an inch or two this year, it would really help. Merkley isn’t afraid to go to the net, and to battle in the dirty areas of the ice, and his excellent balance, and good lower body strength is hard to knock off the puck. He’s got excellent offensive skills including superb vision and passing ability; a hard shot and good release; and high-end hockey IQ. Merkley is tenacious in the backcheck and uses his hockey IQ to anticipate plays and create turnovers. He has very good speed and gets the transition game going when he does steal pucks or intercept passes.
Jansen Harkins, Centre, Prince George Cougars: Harkins started slow for the Cougars last year, but really turned it on in the second half, and has played well in pre-season; this all bodes well as he heads into his draft year. Harkins is a good skater, with solid acceleration and top end speed. He also has decent balance, and a low centre of gravity, but could stand to add some muscle and core strength going forward. He has the vision and passing skills to be a playmaker, but also has the soft hands, and quick release on a powerful shot to score goals. A versatile player he can create off the rush and in the cycle game, equally. Harkins also plays a solid defensive game. Likely to be a late 1st round or early 2nd round pick at this point, he could move up and solidify a spot in the first round with a strong season.
Ty Edmonds, Goalie, Prince George Cougars: Earned the starters job as a rookie last season, playing in 55 games and putting up and .885 save percentage for the Cougars. It is expected that Edmonds should be able to improve on that number this year. At 6’2″ tall he has decent height, and plays the butterfly style. Comes out to challenge shooters and takes away the bottom of the net with good quick legs. He has a good glove hand as well. Edmonds must improve his rebound control, as well as his puck-tracking and post-to-post movements, if he wants to be one of the first goalies off the board in the 2015 NHL draft.
Tyler Soy, Centre, Victoria Royals: Soy put up 30 points as a 16-year-old rookie last season and is expected to do more this year. He has very good speed, and great acceleration. He can beat defenders wide and cut to the net. Is an excellent stickhandler who can make plays at top speed. Defenders must respect his speed to the outside, but if they back up too much, he is able to pull up and use the defender as a screen, while letting go an excellent wrist shot and quick release. He has good vision and passing skills and can play the role of playmaker on the cycle or off the rush. Is listed at 6’0″ 170 lbs and could stand to add more muscle on his frame, but already shows good balance and has decent strength on the puck that will only get better with that added muscle.
2016 Draft Eligible Player to Watch
Tyler Benson, Left Wing, Vancouver Giants: The first overall pick in the 2013 WHL Draft, Benson got in 7 games for the Giants last year and now joins the team full time. Benson is a dynamic player who could potentially compete to be a top pick in the 2016 NHL draft. He has the ability to make players around him better, showing the hockey sense to make the correct play, and the vision and passing skills to set up teammates. He also has outstanding stickhandling, the ability to finish in close, and a strong accurate wrist shot which will lead to him scoring a lot of goals in the WHL. Benson is not a speedster, but his skating speed and acceleration are above average, and his agility is extremely good. The sky is the limit in terms of offensive potential. Not surprisingly for a 16 year old, Benson will need to add muscle and work on his defensive game, but there is plenty of time for him to do those things.
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