And the Rest

Just some short takes on some of the guys on the rest of my list while I'm at the hotel waiting to head down to the Bell Centre...

Tommi Kivisto, Red Deer

Strengths: Outstanding skater. Good skill level, and a hard shot. Was a fierce, hard-hitting player last season in Finland.

Weaknesses: The hockey sense here is seriously lacking. Never adjusted to the WHL this season and got worse as the season went.

Summary: Went from looking like a certain first-rounder, to continually sliding as the season went. Just never adjusted to the WHL. People who saw him last season are scratching they're heads. Where is the aggressive two-way guy from last season? Will draw a lot of late round interest because of the hope he rediscovers last season's form.
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Adam Hughesman, Tri-City

Strengths: Good shooting touch.

Weaknesses: Skating is rough. Not sure there's a lot of hockey sense. One dimensional. Bad second half.

Summary: Is not really a 7 round interest for me. Skating seemed to regress a bit this year. He's got a nice shot, but just doesn't get himself into position to use it much.
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Hayden Rintoul, Kootenay

Strengths: Some untapped offensive upside. Decent skater. Good improvement this season.

Weaknesses: Tweener size. Struggles against forechecking and the physical game.

Summary: Probable camp invite if he doesn't go. Worth watching next year as a possible 2nd year draft.
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Giffen Nyren, Kamloops

Strengths: Lots of skill and puck rushing ability. Good skater. Thinks the game pretty well.

Weaknesses: Seems to be still learning his new position. Backward stride and pivots need to improve. Overall d-zone game isn't great.

Summary: I'd argue a bit to grab this guy with a late pick...or at least push for a camp invite. His transition to defence has been a pretty good one, so there's a chance he could improve his d-zone play yet.
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Mark Isherwood, Medicine Hat

Strengths: Smart and has good two-way ability. Produces points from the back end. Willing to drop the gloves. Good mobility.

Weaknesses: Another older player, again may be limited upside. Smallish.

Summary: Same story as Nyren, but overall game is more advanced than Nyren's. This is a guy I'd argue strongly for a late pick or camp invite.
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Brandon Herrod, Prince Albert

Strengths: Good smarts, competes. Pretty good skater. Surprisingly effective in heavy traffic and against bigger opponents. One of the youngest players in the draft.

Weaknesses: Somewhat smallish. Skating only slightly above average. Not as much improvement this season as I hoped.

Summary: A guy I really liked last season, but just had a hard time noticing this season. Good character guy and worth a very late pick or camp invite. Could still be quite a bit of upside since he's one of the youngest players in this draft crop.
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Chase Schaber, Calgary

Strengths: Lots of hidden offensive ability. Competes despite being undersized.

Weaknesses: So-so skater. Smallish and has underachieved so far in his WHL career.

Summary: If you saw him at the U-17 last season, you know this guy has a lot of raw ability and could turn into quite a scorer yet. Kind of got stuck in 3rd/4th line duty on that deep Calgary team, so he could break out if he moves up to the 2nd line next year. Good low-risk, potentially high-reward late pick player.
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Dalibor Bortnak, Kamloops

Strengths: Very good size, big frame. Good work ethic. Competes hard and will battle physically.

Weaknesses: No hands. Needs to get much, much stronger to be effective physically.

Summary: I wish I could graft Stepan Novotny's hands onto this guy's body and heart - that would be a real prospect. Bortnak was a scorer back in Slovakia, so there could be some hidden scoring potential here. More of a next year follow than an invite in my mind.
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Evan Bloodoff, Kelowna

Strengths: Excellent skater. Competes. Good on the forecheck.

Weaknesses: Limited skill level. Not much of a passing touch. Not going to get much bigger.

Summary: Thought he'd produce a little bit more this year, but he competed physically better than I expected. I think both him and his brother are worthy rookie camp invites.
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Cameron Abney, Everett

Strengths: Huge frame. Excellent fighter. Actually pretty decent skater. Can throw some big hits.

Weaknesses: Has trouble contributing to the game with the gloves on. Hasn't shown much ability to do anything but fight yet.

Summary: Never a bad idea to bring a 6-4 guy who can drop the gloves to your rookie camp. At least he'll stir things up.
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Tayler Jordan, Portland

Strengths: Another huge frame and tough fighter. Showed some rare intriguing flashes of well-rounded ability.

Weaknessess: Generally has not shown much skill.

Summary: Same as Abney...although I give Jordan the slight nod just on a couple fleeting glimpses of skill I saw this year.
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Willie Coetzee, Red Deer

Strengths: Smart and pretty decent skill level. Competes. Not afraid to mix it up with bigger opponents.

Weaknesses: Smallish and probably just a good junior player.

Summary: I think someone will draft this guy, but I'd only offer a camp invite. Don't dislike this player, just other players I'd rather roll the dice on.
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Jeremy Boyer, Seattle

Strengths: Good creativity and skill level.

Weaknesses: Can't skate, soft, and smallish. The unfortunate three strikes combination.

Summary: But he is going to be a very good junior player.
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Luke Walker, Portland

Strengths: Really competes. Gets the most out of his limited skill level. Improved skating.

Weaknesses: Hands are only okay. Doesn't see the ice real well offensively.

Summary: One of the most improved 2nd-year eligibles in the Dub this year. Not sure he's worth a late pick, but I'd really argue to give this guy a camp invite.
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Neil Manning, Vancouver

Strengths: Good puck ability. Good point production from the back end.

Weaknesses: Average skater at best. Smallish. Slow release on his shot. Just not enough jump in his game.

Summary: A very good junior blueliner, but I have a hard time getting excited about his pro possibility. But NHL teams like drafting from winning teams, so there are very likely to be some clubs much higher on Manning than I am.
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Tyler Maxwell, Everett

Strengths: Good shooting touch. Smart.

Weaknesses: Very, very small. Not much of a skater. Doesn't really like contact.

Summary: Another three strikes player, but he can shoot the puck pretty well. Should get an invite if not a late pick.
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Tyler Halliday, Prince George

Strengths: Good fighter. Has a little bit of skill.

Weaknesses: Only average size for a tough guy. Not much upside.

Summary: Another "if you need/want a fighter" guy in your rookie camp.

2009 Index of Scouting Reports

Here's a table with links to the reports on players in my area. Grades (in the reports) are on the 20-to-80 scale.

This table will be updated as I add reports.

1	Brayden Schenn	C-L	22-Aug-91	6-0.0/198	Brandon WHL
2	Evander Kane	LW/C-L	02-Aug-91	6-1.25/176	Vancouver WHL
3	Jared Cowen	D-L	25-Jan91	6-5.25/220	Spokane WHL
4	Carter Ashton	RW-L	01-Apr-91	6-2.5/205	Lethbridge WHL
5	Scott Glennie	RW-R	22-Feb-91	6-1.25/177	Brandon WHL
6	Landon Ferraro	C-R	08-Aug-91	5-11.25/165	Red Deer WHL
7	Dylan Olsen	D-L	03-Jan-91	6-2.25/206	Camrose AJHL
8	Cody Eakin	C-L	25-May-91	5-11.25/176	Swift Current WHL
9	Ryan Button	D-L	26-Mar-91	6-0.25/185	Prince Albert WHL
10	Levko Koper	LW-L	05-Oct-90	6-0.0/180	Spokane WHL
11	Curtis McKenzie	RW-L	21-Feb-91	6-1.5/192	Penticton BCHL
12	Stefan Elliott	D-R	30-Jan-91	6-0.5/180	Saskatoon WHL
13	Linden Vey	RW-R	17-Jul-91	5-11.25/176	Medicine Hat WHL
14	Jimmy Bubnick	RW-R	19-Jan-91	6-2.0/194	Kamloops WHL
15	Nathan Lieuwen	G-L	08-Aug-91	6-5.0/180	Kootenay WHL
16	Tomas Vincour	C/RW-R	19-Nov-90	6-2.0/203	Edmonton WHL
17	Byron Froese	C-R	12-Mar-91	5-11.0/191	Everett WHL
18	Tyson Barrie	D-R	26-Jul-91	5-10.25/190	Kelowna WHL
19	Brayden McNabb	D-L	21-Jan-91	6-3.75/200	Kootenay WHL
20	Ryan Howse	LW-L	06-Jul-91	5-10.75/195	Chilliwack WHL
21	Brennan Yadlowski	D-R	17-Jun-91	6-0.5/174	Lethbridge WHL
22	Justin Dowling	LW-L	01-Oct-90	5-9.5/182	Swift Current WHL
23	Mitchell Callahan	RW-R	17-Aug-91	5-11/175	Kelowna WHL
24	Spencer Bennett	LW-L	31-Oct-90	6-3/185	Surrey BCHL
25	Brett Ponich	D-L	22-Feb-91	6-5.75/204	Portland WHL
26	Wes McLeod	D-L	30-Sep-90	6-1/185	Prince George BCHL
27	Garrett Mitchell	RW-R	09-Feb-91	5-10.0/180	Regina WHL
28	Kris Foucault	LW-L	12-Dec-90	6-0.5/202	Calgary WHL
29	Stefan Ulmer	D-R	01-Dec-90	5-9.0/160	Spokane WHL
30	Collin Bowman	D-R	13-Jun-91	6-2.25/200	Kelowna WHL
31	Cass Mappin	LW-L	19-Dec-90	6-0.0/186	Red Deer WHL
32	Stepan Novotny	RW-R	21-Sep-90	6-1.5/190	Kelowna WHL
33	Brodie Melnychuck	D-L	13-May-1991	6-3.5/196	Brandon WHL
34	Alexandre Peck	G-L	28-Oct-90	6-4/185	Victoria BCHL
35	Andrej Kudrna	LW-L	11-May-91	6-2.25/203	Vancouver WHL
36	Kellan Tochkin	RW-R	15-Feb-91	5-9.0/176	Everett WHL
37	Burke Gallimore	RW-R	08-Jan-91	5-11.5/195	Saskatoon WHL
38	Brenden Dillon	D-L	13-Nov-90	6-2.25/202	Seattle WHL
39	Sena Acolatse	D/RW-R	28-Nov-90	5-10.75/209	Seattle WHL
40	Mark Isherwood	D-R	31-Jan-89	5-11.5/186	Medicine Hat WHL
41	Giffen Nyren	D-L	18-Apr-89	6-0.25/185	Kamloops WHL
42	Tommi Kivisto	D-L	07-Jun-91	6-1.25/195	Red Deer WHL
43	Brandon Herrod	RW-R	11-Sep-91	5-11.5/176	Prince Albert WHL
44	Adam Hughesman	LW-L	28-Feb-91	5-10.5/185	Tri-City WHL
45	Hayden Rintoul	D-L	02-Feb-91	6-0.0/181	Kootenay WHL
46	Chase Schaber	C-L	03-Jan-91	5-10.5/180	Calgary WHL
47	Dalibor Bortnak	C-L	17-Feb-91	6-3.5/185	Kamloops WHL
48	Cory Kane	LW-L	15-Sep-90	6-3/190	Vernon BCHL
49	Evan Bloodoff	LW-L	21-Nov-90	5-11.0/190	Kelowna WHL
50	Brandon Kozun	RW-R	08-Mar-90	5-7.75/162	Calgary WHL
51	Willie Coetzee	RW-R	07-Nov-90	5-9.5/186	Red Deer WHL
52	Tayler Jordan	LW-R	08-Feb-90	6-6/195	Portland WHL
53	Cameron Abney	RW-R	23-May-91	6-4/192	Everett WHL
54	Jeremy Boyer	C-R	28-Sep-90	5-9.75/153	Seattle WHL
55	Luke Walker	RW-R	19-Feb-90	6-0/174	Portland WHL
56	Matthew MacKay	C-R	27-Nov-90	5-11/174	Moose Jaw WHL
57	Neil Manning	D-L	12-May-91	5-11.0/175	Vancouver WHL
58	Tyler Maxwell	C-L	13-Apr-91	5-8.0/174	Everett WHL
59	Tyler Halliday	RW-R	11-Mar-89	6-1/184	Prince George WHL
nv	Corban Knight	RW-R	10-Sep-90	6-1/180	Okotoks AJHL

Acolatse, Sena - D - Seattle WHL

Sena Acolatse / Seattle Thunderbirds WHL

D/RW-R / 5-10.75, 209 / 28-Nov-90

Skating: 45 / Skill: 40 / Sense: 40 / Compete: 40 / Tough: 70

Strengths: Rugged and a very good fighter. Tremendous strength for a 5-11 player.

Weaknesses: No improvement over last three seasons.

Here's a case of a (late birthdate) guy who looks like a decent prospect at 16, but drops because by the time his draft year rolls around, he's the same player he was that first season. It's even arguable he took a step backward this season, but getting shuffled to forward didn't help. Two seasons ago I thought there was a little puck upside, but it just hasn't come through (yet). You have to hope this guy is a late bloomer, but I would question that, given he physically already looks like he's in his mid-20s.

Still draws interest for his toughness and fighting ability. He's one of the toughest guys in the Dub, and that's got to be worth a look for NHL teams, even with the smallish (well, short at least) size.

Summary: Lack of improvement in his game means he's probably a what-you-see player. Don't know if there's any aspect of his game in its current state that suggests a pro player - but for one: that's the fighting ability. Probably wouldn't argue at all for this player unless I completely missed out on getting a fighter in before the last pick.

Draft Day: I don't know if this guy will be on anybody's list, I would think the fighting ability would be worth some interest. But flip a coin on whether he'll go at all.

Dillon, Brenden - D - Seattle WHL

Brenden Dillon / Seattle Thunderbirds WHL

D-L / 6-2.25, 202 / 13-Nov-90

Skating: 50 / Skill: 35 / Sense: 50 / Compete: 60 / Tough: 50

Strengths: Good upper body strength. Competes. Reasonably solid in his own end.

Weaknesses: Limited overall upside. Not much skill level.

Skating improved quite a bit this season, but still only average skater at best. Not a lot of puck skill. Sometimes shows a good first pass, but it's too frequently erratic.

Best qualities are good size and strength and a consistently high effort level. Uses the body effectively. Usually reliable in the d-zone, but does wander at times. Just isn't physically aggressive enough to draw much interest for me as a prospect - I prefer stay-at-home prospects who have at least some toughness. A supposedly big, rugged blueliner better drop the gloves more than twice in a whole season if you ask me.

Summary: This is a very good junior stay-at-home d-man, but that's all I see. I would argue for a camp invite on this guy, but it wouldn't matter - he's going to get drafted.

Draft Day: I'll be awfully surprised if he lives up to Central's mid-term ranking and goes in the early rounds. He'll slot closer to their Final ranking. Likely be a mid- or late-rounder.

Gallimore, Burke - RW - Saskatoon WHL

Burke Gallimore / Saskatoon Blades WHL

RW-R / 5-11.5, 195 / 08-Jan-91

Skating: 45 / Skill: 50 / Sense: 50 / Compete: 40 / Tough: 30

Strengths: Overall decent skill level. Consistent, if not especially passionate, effort level.

Weaknesses: Very soft. Probably not going to get much bigger.

This guy just didn't do anything worthwhile every time I saw him. There was some good production from this guy this season, so I know there must be some nice puck ability there. But I have to see it with my own eyes, and I just didn't.

Average skater at best. Seemed to be on cruise all the time and didn't do any of the dirty work. Seems to have no physical game at all.

Summary: This is a problem player for me. I just can't get on board with this guy - he was very bland in every viewing I had of him. I acknowledge he's almost certainly going way higher than I have him.

Draft Day: The Combine invite should mean he's no worse than mid-rounder...5th round or so.

Kudrna, Andrej - LW - Vancouver WHL

Andrej Kudrna / Vancouver Giants WHL

LW-L / 6-2.25, 203 / 11-May-91

Skating: 50 / Skill: 60 / Sense: 50 / Compete: 30 / Tough: 35

Strengths: Quick hands and good overall hand skill. Good size.

Weaknesses: Effort level is often pretty low. Is still very much a raw talent.

Deceptive speed and some lateral quickness, but overall skating isn't great. Some pretty good scoring and playmaking ability. Has good vision and a decent passing touch.

Doesn't play with any fire most of the time. Won't go battle in the corners at all. Only physical part of his game is that he will battle for position out in front of the net. Just does not seem to have a passion for the game. Don Hay had to try motivating him by healthy scratching him a few times this season.

Summary: There's some good raw ability here to go with a nice sized frame. But it would be hard for me to spend even a late round pick unless every other player I had any interest in were gone.

Draft Day: He'll probably go late if at all.

Tochkin, Kellan - RW - Everett WHL

Kellan Tochkin / Everett Silvertips WHL

RW-R / 5-9.0, 176 / 15-Feb-91

Skating: 40 / Skill: 55 / Sense: 60 / Compete: 35 / Tough: 35

Strengths: Excellent vision and creativity.

Weaknesses: Small, and plays small. Rough skater, especially for his size.

Lots of playmaking ability and real nice passing touch. Tends to be a perimetre player. Skating is not at all what it needs to be for a player this size to become much of a pro prospect.

Summary: This is going to be a outstanding junior player, but the size and skating combination is just too much of a problem. Barely misses being a last round interest for me, but I might advise a camp invite.

Draft Day: Decent enough chance he is a late pick. He'll be a camp invite at worst.