Profiling one draft eligible player from each team of the WHL DivisionOver the next few days (more likely weeks), this column will be devoted to running down the various divisions of the VJHL. Starting today with the WHL Division, I will profile the development of one draft eligible prospect per team in the division who has caught my eye in the first few games or so of the current season. To kick things off, we’ll start with the Regina Pats and Joe Thornton - their second most important player behind New York Rangers’ blue chipper Milan Hejduk . Likely to be drafted based on his sheer size as a giant towering over his peers both physically and as measured by skill, Thornton looks to have the makings of a prototypical #1 centerman. Although very early, there are legitimate concerns with Thornton as a prospect due to his more meagre totals so far this season with the Pats, where he has only contributed with three assists through his first six games. As the season progresses, fair or not, it’ll be hard not to compare Thornton with Hejduk despite the positional difference. In spite of the worries about his level of competition, Thornton will undoubtedly be a first round selection come draft time. Not only is he absolutely massive (6-4”, 220), but he has the strength to handle the rigors of the pro game. He also has a pair of soft hands, allowing to create nice plays in small spaces. Did I mention he was also huge? He’s huge. He remains a physically imposing player, and possesses a physically dominant game; at times. He can be tough to dislodge from a given spot in the offensive zone, but only about half the time evident by his 21 hits delivered to 15 hits taken. Playing on the Kamloops Blazers top line with a pair of Buffalo Sabres prospects in Patrik Elias and Michal Handzus, Marian Hossa is off to a blazing start (pun intended). He has begun to find his name on the score sheet with impressive frequency, having scored a pair of goals while adding seven assists in his first eight games. His offensive prowess has earned him top power play time and he has responded to that carrot with a goal and two helpers with the man advantage. He has an impressively quick release on his snap shot, and he has a knack for getting himself into a good position to cause some damage seen by his team-leading 49 shots on goal. On the downside, there are two primary areas for concern. First is his astronomical shot total. His shooting percentage is an awful 4.08%, indicating that on most nights his shot selection is limited. The second area for concern is his continued lack of assertiveness. With 18 hits delivered compared to the 26 he’s taken, “Hoss” can disappear some nights when the tempo picks up and the bodies begin to fly. I want to see more commitment from Hossa in his overall two-way game to prove to me that he is capable of being a driver in addition to a finisher. Continuing with the Euro theme of players carving up the J, we come to Red Deer winger Kristian Huselius. Unlike Thornton and Hossa, who many expected to be point producers, the Rebels have to be pleased with the goal-scoring prowess of their young Swede. Through eight games, the left winger has lit the lamp four times and added five points. With 33 shots on goal and a 12.12 shooting percentage, it’s not out the realm of possibility that Huselius maintains these totals for the duration of the year. Huselius has a nice blend of offensive talent mixed in with a commitment to the defensive side of the game. Not that he is a big brute who can’t skate, and causes havoc in the corners, like in past generations, but that he is competent at puck retrieval and is a good enough skater to control the puck on his own if need be. Huselius has roughly average size, packing 184 pounds on a 6-2” figure. Besides his durability, skating would be Huselius’ best attribute. He looks to have enough wheel power to keep up with most skilled forwards in the pro ranks, making his game even more attractive. Take everything written above about Joe Thornton and make it around 5% sunnier and we will have a nice approximation of what Patrick Marleau brings to the ice. On most game nights so far, he has been the best player on an exciting Seattle squad. His impressive point total, in addition to owning a big tool box of skills, Marleau has many a scout chomping at the bit to file scouting reports about his game. With four goals and nine points in the Thunderbirds’ first eight games, Marleau looks to be taking his game to another level. What Marleau brings to the ice is a level of intensity combined with talent that delights coaches, scouts and fans alike. He has a plus shot and likes to use it (3rd most SOG with 36). His speed is also about average in comparison to the rest of his draft class making him a weapon on the penalty kill and whenever there is a loose puck. Despite his high energy game, he still has very soft and nimble hands. Marleau brings his skills together with plus hockey IQ. He plays a patient game in his own zoneand his game processing, skill set, and strength are all ready for the next challenge. He may need some more seasoning in the VJHL, but he should be able to take on a second line role as well as work on both special teams units in the pro ranks in short order. I’ll admit, I was tempted to leave this space blank. Not because the final team in the WHL Division doesn’t have a draftee worthy of speaking about, but rather that he’s a goalie, and well I’m really not too sure how to grade one as such. That would have been both lazy and unfair, so we’ll talk a little about Brandon’s Roberto Luongo, instead. “Bobby Lou” as he’s known to teammates is generally the player I refer to as “Exhibit A” when it comes to reasons why not to judge teenagers too early in any given season based only on their statistical production (I know, I know, seems hypocritical given that’s all this article is doing). At first glance, the Wheat Kings netminder has a meh win-loss record at 4-3-1. But upon further review, his 1.11 goals against average is exceptional. Combine that total with his gaudy .956 save percentage, and you have to wonder how the hell this guy has three losses. A traditional butterfly-style goalie that reacts well to shots and keeps rebounds to a bare minimum, Luongo has the natural size (6-3”, 217lbs) and talent to excel in the butterfly-style. His game doesn't depend on one's pure athleticism as much as one's focus on responsible positioning and quick reflexes. That being said, Luongo is quite athletic and, while rarely caught out of position, is able to make those quick lateral movements along the ice, or extend his upper body to make the necessary saves.
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7/3/2023 06:04:22 am
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