ISS Hockey
Who will be looked upon in the dying minutes of a tie game? Who will be counted upon to provide leadership on the long road to a national title? Who will make the key pass? Score the big goal? Make the huge save?
International Scouting Services has selected three players from each of the six teams competing in Prince George, B.C., that it believes are players to watch at the 2017 TELUS Cup.
Who made the list?
CAPE BRETON WEST
Colten Ellis good butterfly goaltender … competes well … consistent in his movement … competes to see pucks … high-end anticipation … challenges at the top of his crease
Jacob Hudson smooth skater … good play-making ability … strong on his skates … hard to knock off the puck … good net-front presence … drives to the blue paint without hesitation
Avery Warner small but skilled … above-average skill set … motor that doesn’t stop … top-notch hockey IQ … sees the ice very well … knows where to be at both ends … good leader
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CARIBOO
Daine Dubois very skilled … loves to make things happen … good separation speed … very good in one-on-ones … thinks the game very well … always in the right place … loves to lead
Jeremy Gervais two-way defenceman … good offensive skills … high hockey IQ … good puck-moving ability … no fun to play against … quarterbacks the PP … loves to play big minutes
Ty Kolle impact player … always around the puck … plays with energy every shift … plays fearless … strong on the puck … good anticipation … no panic with the puck … plays smart
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LEDUC
Breydon Berthold two-way forward … quick hands and release … playmaker with good passing skills … always in the right place … drives hard to the net … never panics … tremendous work ethic
Tyler Schendel speedy offensive-minded player … great acceleration … playmaking forward … uses speed and skill to put defenders on their heels … patient with the puck … good in all zones
Jakin Smallwood an impact player … good puck skills … good stick-handler … very dangerous at top speed … likes to engage in physical play … hard to knock off the puck … smart player
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MISSISSAUGA
Elijah Gonsalves undersized play-maker … good vision and hands … gets open offensively … can make moves in stride … makes quick decisions with the puck … quick, powerful strides
Eric Mergelas solid two-way defender … good offensive skills … strong skater … creative player … can lead the break-out with confidence … good hands … makes a very good first pass
Christian Purboo strong in the butterfly … never quits on a shot … makes big, timely saves … tracks the puck well … good recovery … above-average skater … very vocal with teammates
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REGINA
Carson Denomie good size … strong on his skates … excellent edge work … has outside speed to beat defenders … likes to drive to the net … heavy, accurate shot … makes hard, crisp passes
Eric Pearce power forward with skill … pure goal scorer … good offensive upside … quick release … strong wrist shot … holds off defenders well … plays very well away from the puck
Lukas Sillinger smart and poised … good vision … always seems to put the puck into good spots … wins battles despite size … deceptive speed … carries the offensive load … makes good decisions
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SÉMINAIRE SAINT-FRANÇOIS
Olivier Crête-Belzile solid two-way defenceman … extremely smart player … good physical tools … gets stick in passing lanes … uses size and leverage to box out … hard to play against
Yan-Cedric Gaudreault plays well on both sides of the puck … good hands … defensively responsible … good on-ice vision … quick stick … likes to shoot the puck … effective at blocking shots
Jakob Pelletier highly-skilled forward … great vision … good work ethic … motor is always running … escapes hits with skating ability … can turn on a dime … plays with a competitive edge