Jason La Rose
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?
Three players from each of the six teams competing in Thunder Bay, Ont., have been identified as Players to Watch at the 2019 TELUS Cup.
Who made the list?
CALGARY
Garin Bjorklund athletic goaltender ... loves to compete … plays the puck well … challenges shooters … good leadership … tremendous teammate
Jayden Grubee big, strong centre … plays tough and physical … skates extremely well … hard to handle one-on-one … good on face-offs
Justin Ross leads on and off the ice … quick … excellent skills around the net … competes hard in battles … elusive playmaker
HALIFAX
Jacob Goobie plays with poise … solid rebound control … very good puck-handling skills … smart … bigger the game, better he plays
Matthew MacDonald exceptional skater … plays a 200-foot game … strong on the PK … aggressive on the forecheck … tracks the puck well
Mitchell McLeod loves to compete … goal scorer … can score off the rush or from dirty areas … strong skater … plays bigger than his size
MAGOG
Isaac Belliveau puck-moving defenceman … contributes at both ends of the ice … can skate puck out of trouble … strong on his skates
Justin Robidas great skater … tremendous hockey sense … loves to create offensively … plays a 200-foot game … good bloodlines
Tristan Roy power forward … uses size to his advantage … very good hands in tight … hard, accurate shot … loves to play physical
THUNDER BAY
Anthony Biniaris very smart with the puck … a minute-muncher … plays in all situations … makes a good first pass … sees the ice well
Mackenzie Sedgwick plays an honest game … deceptive speed … does things the right way … makes things happen … heart-and-soul player
Christian Veneruzzo plays bigger than his size … not afraid to get dirty … scores big goals … motor is always running … loves the front of the net
TISDALE
Cade Hayes pure goal scorer … very good wrist shot … leads by example … makes his teammates better … knows how to create chances
Landon Kosior makes a great first pass … quarterbacks the PP … not afraid to jump into the rush … smart with the puck … smooth skater
Jayden Wiens offensive catalyst … sees the ice very well … knows how to make plays… excels in all situations … strong on his skates
TORONTO
Jordan Broome puck-carrying defenceman … explosive speed … confident with the puck … makes smart decisions … very good shot
Joshua Currie strong two-way game … deadly on the PP … very quick feet … smooth stick-handling skills … plays tough and physical
Noah DeSantis very good shot-blocker … strong passer … has a big shot … specialist on the PK … doesn’t make mistakes defensively