Photo by: Andy Devlin
November 11th, 2023
Rogers Place/Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The Calgary Hitmen took care of business tonight against the Oil Kings, showing no mercy in a 10-2 win. Oil Kings were outmatched from the outset; however, they did make things interesting late in the first and early in the second before Calgary opened the floodgates.
Edmonton – Adam Jecho (C)
March 24, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Jecho looked really good tonight. He demonstrated a little more willingness to use his size to his advantage. This was particularly noticeable when he was protecting the puck while being chased by a forechecker. Jecho was part of both goals scored by the Oil Kings tonight, getting a goal and an assist. On his powerplay goal, Jecho did set up in his favourite spot right inside the top of the face-off circle, but I did notice that he was a little more mobile on this particular powerplay, getting his wicked shot off just between the faceoff circle and the blueline.
He also showed off his passing ability and creativity on his assist by getting around the defender in his own end and then making a headman pass to Skyler Bruce, who went in and scored. Jecho was also noticeable defensively tonight, supplying added defensive coverage in the slot and being the second man to help in the corner. My one criticism of Jecho tonight is that I would like to see him use his reach more. I loved how he would use it to pick his opponent’s pocket, but I know he can use it more often.
Calgary – Fraser Leonard (RHD)
June 22, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
One of the surprises of tonight’s game was Leonard, who struck me as a solid two-way defenseman. He made good head-man passes and was doing a good job at getting the puck up ice and out of his zone. I noticed him quite a bit on the penalty-kill, where he did an excellent job at keeping his man to the outside. He also was doing a good job at closing off passing lanes with his stick. I would like to see Leonard work more on his backward skating, where he looks a little slow on his gather step. Overall, I was quite happy with Leonards play tonight; he looked very solid defensively, not giving up many chances.
Edmonton – Ethan Mackenzie (LHD)
September 2, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligble)
MacKenzie continues to impress. Tonight he continued to show off his skating along with his offensive mind while also making good decisions around the ice. MacKenzie was making good decisions when jumping up into the play and showed that he knew when to make that choice. I also noticed that he was doing a good job at finding lanes where he could sneak into the offensive zone and get open for offensive chances. Defensively, I thought MacKenzie did a good job at closing his man off along the boards as well as showing the physical side of his game. He also made good shot selections. I felt that MacKenzie continued to show his potential as a solid, hard-working middle-6 defenseman at the next level.
Quick Notes
Calgary – Carter Yakemchuk (RHD)
September 29, 2005 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Yakemcuk was a player I was rather excited to see tonight but was left rather underwhelmed. He showed that he does have the capability to get up ice with his skating and his willingness to jump up into the play. He looked good defensively, but I do want to see more from his play based on the early hype surrounding him.
Edmonton – Gavin Hodnett (LW)
April 9, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
The thing about Gavin Hodnett is, for him to be on his game, he’s got to be moving. Tonight I saw times where he would get open ice, and he would be getting up the ice quickly. I want to see him create that open ice himself more rather than rely on his linemates to help open the ice for him. With the speed Hodnett has, I also want to see him get in on the forecheck and force the defensemen to make quicker decisions.
Calgary – Carson Wetsch (RW)
May 4, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Carson Wetsch got two goals tonight, both on the powerplay; on his second goal, he did a good job at serving as the bumper man and got his shot off quickly. I also found that he has a good burst of speed and is not afraid of being physical.
Edmonton – Jager Gugyelka (LHD)
January 11, 2007 (2025 NHL Draft Eligible)
Gugyelka got about two shifts per period tonight, and throughout them, he looked very good. There were some missed assignments that still need to be cleaned up, but I did find that he also did some good things defensively as well. One aspect of his game that I would like to see him improve is adding speed to both sides of his skating.