Swift Current at Edmonton Jan 6

Game Report

Jan 7, 2012

WHL Regular Season Game

Home Team: Edmonton Oil Kings

Away Team: Swift Current Broncos

Prospects Breakdown:

EDM#2 Cody Corbett Aggressive defenseman who always looked to push the pace of the game. Was a very physical presence all game long. A good skater, who uses his edges very well to get away from forecheckers and quickly change directions. Makes very good first passes to start the attack, but had the tendency to try to force plays that are not there. Reads the game very well, particularly in the offensive zone. Good recognition of when to jump into plays and keep the puck

in. Defensively, very strong along the walls. Likes to get involved and try to make a difference. Angles off opponents well. Reads the play at an above average level. Little late to get sticks in lanes to take away passes many times.

EDM#8 Griffin Reinhart Big defenseman whose game with the puck has really improved since the start of the season. Earlier in the year, went glass and out most of the time. Tonight, really took his time to look at the options given to him, and made solid passes out of the zone. If the passes weren’t there, carried the puck and had a few good rushes end to end. Has a cannon of a slap shot, and gets shots off quickly. Makes quick plays and looks confident with the puck in any situation. A good skater given his size. Has no problems with keeping up with opponents in the corners. Defensively, very strong in his own end. Doesn’t just use his size, but his smarts too. Very good at pokechecking pucks away.

EDM#27 Curtis Lazar 2013  NHL Entry Draft eligible Forward who played a good all around game, but didn’t particularly stick out. His commitment to playing well defensively was clearly evident throughout the game. Strong along the boards, and plays a sneaky game. Likes to lift opponents’ sticks and take pucks away. Very good at it. A smart player who uses his teammates well, and takes what’s given to him. Offensively, his game was good, but not great. Good at cycling around the walls, but is missing that ability to find open areas and score goals, or vision to make great passes.

SC#21 Graham Black Speedy forward with good work ethic. Has a nose for the net and wants to play the game at a quick pace. Showed off good work ethic, but must become stronger to win battles more often. Has a good shot. Makes good decisions with the puck, but must be quicker when the puck is on his stick. Defensively, needs to improve in his own end. A few times took the wrong route to try to get to a loose puck along the boards. Reading the play must improve to become a more effective player.

SC#28 Coda Gordon Offensive minded forward with a very good shot. Scored the first goal of the game by skating onto a loose puck and just snapping it top corner. Very quick release. When he gets the puck around the slot, he does a good job to just get pucks on net without any hesitation. Mark Stone like in that sense. Work ethic is questionable. Goes into battles for pucks and does not look very comfortable doing so. Skating can be improved. Not particularly slow, but for his type of game to find holes and expose opposing teams, must gain an edge in speed to be successful.

SCOUT’S NOTES: Impressed with Edmonton. A very complete team in all ends of the ice. Really liked Griffin Reinhart’s game tonight. His play with the puck has really improved. Mark Pysyk played a solid game. Really brings a calming presence to the back end when he’s on the ice in all zones.

FINAL SCORE: 5-3 Edmonton