Don’t sleep on the Western Canada Hockey Exposure Camp…Yep, that’s the tweet.
12 evenly blended and just as hungry to impress teams will begin to hit the ice today at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut’ina Nation for the seventh straight year. A weekend showcase event, the camp will consist of both 2006 and ’07-born prospects from the western regions of Canada. Each will be looking to put their own individual touches on the camp. But the real jewel that is the WCHEC, is it’s importance to kids from lesser known programs, those who may be starved of playing time and to those who are just starting off on a journey in organised hockey. The WCHEC creates a pathway to gain exposure to the bigger programs, WHL scouts and other forms of front office staff; something that is more so available at selects camps around the western provinces.
Get Your Notepads And OBS Ready.
Now that the teams are in and the ice is booked, best I dig into who I’m excited to see over the weekend. A healthy mix of prospects that I expect to be atop of their respective age groups, and some that have the potential to surprise with added improvements.
Full list of teams available here.
Team #1 – Black
Will show well:
Jacob Goudreau – RW
2020/21 Team: St. Albert Sabres U15 AAA
No brainer here. Will most likely see limited action due to other commitments this weekend and the following week, but even in a small sample, the skill will be evident. A 200-foot player with a non-stop motor, Goudreau is a smooth mover who is a constant around the puck and is a shark in the offensive zone. Jacob is always looking to make physical plays and create offence for his team. First round talent, fun player to watch.
Camden McNaughton – RHD
2020/21 Team: GPAC Storm U15 AAA
Camden is a tough, no nonsense right shot defender, who for me, channels his-inner 28 year-old Shea Weber better than any other ’06 defenceman. Creates momentum for his team with great physical play through the defensive and neutral zones and has a bomb of a shot that can do some damage. Camden has a terrific feel for offensive zone spacing and often pops up in numerous spots in order to find good shooting and passing lanes. For a kid that’s six-feet-two and 180 pounds plus, he moves really well. Old school vibes, catches the eye.
Harrison Boldt – LW
2020/2021 Team: KC Squires U15 AAA
Heavy shot volume left winger with great predatory senses. Won’t necessarily drive his line this weekend, but he will be the focal point. Has a green light from the hashes to shoot, has the release and shot location to warrant so. Loves to cut off of his wing and drive lanes. Exciting offensive talent.
Surprise package:
Oskar Feldman – LHD
2020/21 Team: Calgary Royals U15 AAA
Made the jump from AA into U15 AAA with the Royals this season and had good results in a not so limited role on a deep blue-line. Lodged top-four minutes and showcased his size usage (6″3″/180lbs), decent speed and transition ability. He’ll likely show that he’s taken the blinkers off this summer and will look to build off what he learnt last season. Look for him to feature heavily in transition and impact the scoreboard with his smarts. Should be one of the better defenders for the weekend as he will see prominent minutes at even strength and on both special teams units.
Team #2 – Yellow
Will show well:
Ryder Stimson – RHD
2020/21 Team: SEAC Tigers U15 AAA
Will be squad Yellow’s Mr. Reliable. The Medicine Hat native will see heavy time lodged against opposing team’s top lines and will be tasked to be the key cog offensively from the back end. Doesn’t possess mutant speed or won’t blow anyone up in open ice, but he offers a mature style that is of a sound technical nature. Will cover a lot of ice and present offensively when required.
Hudson Smith – F
2020/21 Team: Sherwood Park Flyers U15 AAA
Much like Boldt, he’s a kid that just knows how to be dangerous in space. Big frame at six-feet-two and knows how to use it. Bullocks his way through the offensive zone to find good scoring areas. Decent release with ok accuracy. Loves to challenge defenders on the forecheck, shortening the ice for them. Displays a good active stick through the neutral zone and loves to find sneaky breakaways. Will score some goals and provide some versatility at the forward position.
Surprise package:
Jake McPherson – LHD
2020/21 Team: KC Squires U15 AAA
Haven’t heard Jake’s name kicked around much by other scouts. Puck moving defender who I think could really benefit from this tournament. Not an overly fast player for his size, but does know how to find ways to navigate through traffic and work pucks deep into the offensive zone. Smart in terms of knowing his limits and making good plays. Has a really good shot and his release off the rush is pretty neat. Great first pass out of his own end and fantastic in one-on-one situations. Doesn’t panic, does a lot of little things VERY well in his defensive details. I think he can drive some of that offence that perhaps Stimson cannot. Mini breakout time? Who knows, maybe?
Team #3 – Lime Green
Will show well:
Patani Mutambo – LHD
2020/21 Team: Calgary Royals U15 AAA
One of my favourite defenders in the ’06 class. Great upside. Everything he does well is all bred from his positioning and reading of the play, finding ways to close his gaps and create offence. Great first step acceleration and a clean stride make him very hard to dislodge from the puck. Had very good results offensively in limited minutes last season, but I feel he’s going to get some freedom this weekend and really let loose. Look for him to be zipping around everywhere, closing on pucks and looking to exploit any space given to him. Expect Mutambo to be a standout.
Justin Berezniuk – LHD
2020/21 Team: SSAC Lions U15 AAA
Offensively gifted defender with good vision and skill. Loves to activate off the rush and use his vision to push into space. Once in that space, he works really well at being as dangerous as he can within it. Has the skating to drive into good scoring areas and also knows how to control the tempo and angles of his entries to ensure quality possession. Thrives on the powerplay and boasts a fine understanding of how to work the blue-line, walls and corners when in space. Berezniuk has an eye candy release, with an appetite for picking corners. Will test the mettle of some defenders and goalies with his offensive skill-set.
Surprise package:
Tao Lory – F
2020/21 Team: Saskatoon Stallions U15 AA
The first 2007-born male to make the list. Lory was a good complementary piece to older studs McQueen and Wilkie (just to name two) last season in Saskatoon, but now it’s’ going to be his time to shine. Overall, he’s got a good skill toolkit with above average skating. He’s a player who can drive the dangerous areas and to add, possesses a good passing game and a decent shot release. He had some visible growing pains last season playing up a year, looking forward to how he’s developed over the previous months. Will be one of the team’s more noticeable forwards.
Team #4 – Pro Blue
Will show well:
Kyle Marsden – RHD
2020/21 Team: NAX U15 Prep
Mature defender who is off to play U18 level in Saskatchewan this fall. Fluid skater for a player of his size, loves to play at a good tempo out of his own end by way of foot but also has the skills to make long outlet passes from many skating bases and in limited space. Has a good feel for skating channels as a support in transition and muscles his frame into areas where he’s going to be disruptive. Marsden has good gap control and really likes to finish his checks with certainty; great hitter.
Carter Matthews – LHD
2020/21 Team: Calgary Bisons U15 AAA
Much like Marsden he’s a sizable kid that has a nose for offence, but Matthews has a weapon in the offensive zone Kyle does not; a booming shot. Carter often will rumble into the zone and step into bombs at the blue-line or will play east/west pitch and catch at blue-line until a lane is available for a shot. Good exponent at holding his line in the cycle, keeps his feet going and isn’t afraid to move the puck at pace from high to low. He’s a head up skater with a nose for making effective passing plays out of his own end. Defensively, he’s pretty tough to play against. Such a big wingspan to navigate and he’s got good lateral and backwards skating ability. Keen to see how much of his game has elevated, one of the better two-way defenders at camp.
Ryder Dembo – LW/RW
2020/21 Team: Calgary Flames U15 AAA
A slightish winger, Dembo has terrific 200-foot range and plays a great team orientated game. Thrives on being in the mix defensively hounding the puck carrier. Pass first type player who looks to push the puck up ice as quickly as possible, then looks to feed in behind the initial wave of attack. Does a great job of fighting through stick checks and bigger bodies to get to the slot area where he’s always looking to receive passes in order to find a shot. Good hands in close, can finish. I haven’t seen Ryder since November, so I’m excited to see what physical growth he’ had and how that can help him make more impact on the ice. Won’t make any highlight plays, simply will get point rewards through effort.
Surprise package:
Carter Ellsworth – C
2020/21 Team: Fort McMurray Junior Oil Barons U15 AA
The second 2007 born athlete on the list. Ellsworth is a diminutive dynamo with great scoring upside. In my last viewing of him, he was able to score a natural hat-trick and competently dominated against GP. Fluid skater and who really pops in transition with fantastic lane recognition and elusive puck skills. Very active in the offensive zone and is always grinding to find space. Has a good release and isn’t afraid to let it rip from just about anywhere. Fantastic passer with high-end vision and has a great vibe as to how to pass linemates open. Intrigued to see how he handles some bigger bodies at camp and if it may detract from his mindset.
Team #5 – Orange
Will show well:
Daniel Helary – RHD
2020/21 Team: Calgary Northstars U15 AAA
Love this player. Big kid with wheels. Once he gets open ice and he’s in stride, good luck stopping him. Has some really good skating patterns that help alleviate any major puck skill deficit. Really pushes the issue against opposition defenders by skating it right at them and forcing them on their heels; allowing for Helary to access good scoring locations. Does a really good job of using his six-feet-four and 170 pound frame defensively. Has good stick discipline and uses his angles in combination with that size to stifle potential entries and doesn’t dislike lining guys up behind his own net. Great communication skills on ice, natural leader. Heaps to like about Helary.
Casey Laevens – C
2020/21 Team: Spruce Grove Saints U15 AAA
Could very well be in the MVP discussion for the camp. Casey is a workhorse, leader and thrives on the competition being tough. Plays with a high energy tempo and sets a high standard for his team. Challenges the breakout with his forecheck and loves to shorten the ice. Has great hands in and around the goal and in tight spaces, as well as a very strong core and skating base. This makes Casey very elusive and hard to knock off the puck. Very good finisher who has a selfless attitude in terms of creating for others. Expect him to be one of the key playdrivers and accumulators.
Surprise package:
Austin Robinson – F
2020/21 Team: Saints Pro Hockey Academy U15
Dual-threat offensive weapon who could really put some points up if given exposure to someone like Laevens. He’s quick on loose pucks and drives to great spots offensively. Sneaky good shot and also loves to play in a cycle, using his feet and shot deception to find passing seams. Looks to get involved in the breakout and finds skating channels with regularity. I think he may put up a bunch of points this weekend.
Team #6 – White
Will show well:
Sammy Hynes – C
2020/21 Team: SEAC Tigers U15 AAA
Dominant scorer at this level and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Hynes total a silly amount of points. Brilliant north/south skater with individual talents, Hynes can stickhandle and skate through multiple layers of defence on his way to finding scoring chances. Builds off of the breakout and looks forward from there. Great finisher and loves to bring his linemates into the fold from the space that he creates.
Kole Duquette – LHD
2020/21 Team: Okotoks Oilers U15 AAA
Nimble puck moving defender who will be a constant in finding ways to contribute to the game speed and productivity of his team. Versatile style to his craft, moves the puck really well north/south but also is very content slowing the game down and advancing the play in a more patient, east/west manner. Loves to hold the line and uses his quick feet and subtle fakes through his hips and upper body to shake free off his assignments. Has a rather good shot and his ability to walk the line makes his point shot all the more dangerous.
Surprise package:
Keiran Keilly – RW/LW
2020/21 Team: Calgary Bisons U15 AAA
Low volume/high reward type player. Great vision on the half walls as a distributor and loves to bait defenders in order to find good passing seams. Plays below the goal-line well for a smaller player and has a knack of dropping pucks into dangerous areas. Can work his way into the greasier areas but is much more adept at shooting from a further range. I think he’s going to thrive on the powerplay at this camp and being a more prominent player outside of his club here, the bump in even strength minutes will see him have good scoring opportunities.
Team #7 – Purple
Will show well:
Kaleb Van Hoek – C
2020/21 Team: Sherwood Park Flyers U15 AAA
Big athletic centre who is just too hard to handle at times. He’s a brute on draws and dominates defenders in physical battles. Isn’t by any means a volume shooter, but he is able to drive into the dirty areas and get premium looks. Loves to work down low and look for players cutting into the slot. Kyle has a propensity of going into corners and winning his own pucks, adding value to his offensive team game.
Connor Kowalchuk – RW/C
2020/21 Team: Sherwood Park Flyers U15 AAA
Feisty winger who lives to get into the spirit of things. Will challenge just about anyone at any time. But he’s more than just a pest, Connor is a natural goal scorer who does a brilliant job of earning every inch of ice, managing the puck and firing good looks on net. He will work the corners and walls, look to extract pucks and uses his edges and quick first step when in possession to find softer spots in order to shoot or find a pass. Connor also does a great job of using that same physical determination in his defensive efforts.
Surprise package:
Keaton Cal – LHD
2020/21 Team: Eagles Academy U15
With the amount of shot generation and space Team Purple will create, offensive mixed Cal should see some reward. He’s going to be able to punch into those holes around the high/mid slot areas. Keaton is also a really nice offset to some of their heavier style players, meaning he will have the chances to dictate some game speed with his skating and offensive mindset.
Team #8 – Sky Blue
Will show well:
Rhyd Semeniuk – C
2020/21 Team: Fort Saskatchewan Rangers U15 AAA
Undersized a little but tough to play against, especially in the offensive zone. Has a habit of knowing where to best position himself to jump into loose pucks. Covers a lot of ground offensively hunting the puck and applies great pressure. Has some undervalued puck skills and is a tidy little finisher too. Gives the opposing team nothing in transition and does a really good job of smothering the neutral zone laterally. Won’t win a heap of puck battles but engages when fit and doesn’t let off. Skilled player who should be able to create enough offence for himself and others.
Aidan Veldman – LHD
2020/21 Team: Sherwood Park Flyers U15 AAA
Meets the eye test. Great on his edges and confident under duress. Backs his skills which I really like. He’s a versatile defender who you can rely upon to play a multitude of roles in varying situations. His edgework and speed make him a great asset on the powerplay, as someone who can bring pucks in deep and his range both laterally and up and down the ice allows for him to be an efficient penalty killer. Has a really nice shot when he’s able to work into good areas, something that I hope to see more from him this weekend. Will be super consistent and a fun one to watch.
Surprise package:
Jack Toogood – C
2020/21 Team: Beaumont Braves U15 AA
Versatile centre who has many strengths. Firstly, I love his compete and pressure over all three zones. Jack is a very active skater who is always trying to create turnovers and make his physical presence known. Secondly, his shot is really good. Quick release, good hand extension and his shot in stride is dandy. Thirdly, he has really good separation speed and puck protection in transition. Add these elements together, you have a kid that can impact the play defensively and has the skill to stretch the ice and finish off his solo efforts. Look for Jack to have a good weekend.
Team #9 – Sand
Will show well:
Ismail Abougouche – LHD
2020/21 Team: Fort Saskatchewan Rangers U15 AAA
If you know me, you know I love me some Abougouche! One of the smartest and calculated defenders in the entire region, Ismail has this uncanny ability to slow things down and manage games from the back end. His exit passing and quick decisions are high caliber. His skating isn’t high-end by any means, but it doesn’t stop him from being effective in reading channels and pushing the pace. Excels in the offensive zone where his patience on the puck and booming shot come to fruition. Abougouche has one of the higher ceilings of any prospect at camp. Expect it to shine through.
Ty Gordon – LW
2020/21 Team: St. Albert Sabres U15 AAA
Shoot first winger who is a perfect compliment to a line driving centre or winger. Works off the shoulder of the primary puck carrier and loathes the space (if any) given to him. Catches goalies off guard with his quick release and heavy shot. Shoots off multiple skating bases and is just as good in a flat stance as he is shooting off the rush. Isn’t afraid to go into the corners to fight for pucks and mix it up when required. Love his cross ice vision and ability to bait defenders with rapid foot movements and deception in his shot release. Look for Gordon to be right up there in the goal scorer column.
Ethan Mann – G
2020/21 Team: Airdrie Xtreme U15 AAA
The former 2020 SCAHL goalie of the year should take a good leap in his WHL Draft year. Doesn’t blow you away with size (not his fault), but will with his agility. Covers his crease and posts with relative ease and his vertical quickness is brilliant. Ethan is super confident with both blocker and glove and has great rebound control with his pads. Shows good patience and tends not to overplay shooters; he’s very calm in net. Like most goalies his age, more strength is required to absorb those heavier shots. Should be right around Liam Jackson’s level at camp, I like Mann alot.
Surprise package:
Lucas Knorr – C
2020/21 Team: OHA Edmonton Varsity U15
Highly skilled 2007-born centreman. Just five-feet-two inches tall (last known measurements) but his game packs a real punch. Brilliant distributor of the puck and great individual one-on-one skills. Displays a propensity to drive hard into the offensive zone, vacuums the defence down low and threads lasers into the very space he creates behind him to his supporting cast. He will at times struggle against the better stick defenders, but that will ease with more strength as he matures. I fancy him a lot this weekend to show what off-season improvements have done for his game. Expect to see some fast and effective puck movement when he’s feeling it.
Team #10 – Kelly Green
Will show well:
Braxton Patenaude – RHD
2020/21 Team: Fort Saskatchewan Rangers U15 AAA
Strong kid who excels is shutting down offence in his own zone by way of lateral movements and brute strength. Patenaude consistently cushions his gaps so he can spring into the space with his stick and body to jam forwards for space. What makes Patenaude that little bit special, is his ability to retrieve the very pucks he is able to separate and make effortless transitions up ice with them. There’s a simplicity and autonomous nature to his play that is very desirable when he’s engaged. He’ll earn his points with his transitions and acumen in making the good choices with the puck.
Cash Koch – LW/RW
2020/21 Team: Edge Prep U15
Energetic 2007-born forward who is a dual threat playing either wing. Has good transitional effectiveness in good volume, creative on the puck and very poised in his decisions. Pivots and uses his edges well to find avenues to turn defenders in order to access passing seams and shooting lanes. When in tight to the goalie, he has displayed good transitions from forehand to backhand and can elevate pucks from difficult areas. He works hard to track back defensively and deploys himself within a range that he can be of use once a defensive retrieval is made, Cash will likely be the mainstay of his team’s offense and main point contributor, a nice change from his depth role on a deep Edge prep team. Exciting prospect for the 2022 WHL Draft.
Surprise package:
Luke Vlooswyk – RHD
2020/21 Team: Calgary Bisons U15 AAA
Very raw, but has intriguing upside. Got some good minutes in a covid shortened season as an ’07. Skating needs to be developed, however, he does make good decisions on the puck and makes a variety of good passes from his own end. Great exponent of using the boards as a passing aid and he shows he’s able to distribute pucks with weighted control. Does a good job of controlling the offensive zone from the point and gets plenty of volume on net shot wise. I am hoping to see some growth in his game, and if that growth is evident, it’ll make for a good on ice product.
Team #11 – Maroon
Will show well:
Bowen Grycan – LW/RW
2020/21 Team: GPAC Storm U15 AAA
If you like shooting and even more shooting with a dose of flair, Grycan is your guy. Such a natural catalyst offensively, Grycan has legitimate top-nine upside at the WHL level simply due his possessions and the rate in which those occurrences result in positive offence. He has the speed and puck protection to go end-to-end and slam dunk it home and the way Bowen attacks is such a positive for linemates as he chews up a heap of (and quickly). Those who play around him must always be on alert for rebounds or subtle drop backs into open space. The lamps at Seven Chiefs will get a workout for sure.
Liam Jackson – G
2020/21 Team: Calgary Northstars U15 AAA
Underrated in most circles, Liam Jackson is firming as a good middle-round WHL Draft selection. Agile, aggressive and great angling. Great rebound control. It is all there. Playing on a smaller community team, I don’t think he has earned his respect from many agencies. If there is any criticism, I think he can struggle with heavy shots on his glove side at times, which can throw his timing out. But with more strength will come confidence in his glove. Don’t think much will get by him this weekend.
Kyler Streng – LHD
2020/21 Team: Notre Dame Hounds Prep
Will lead the rush for the Maroon outfit on defence. Is able to see lanes developing and uses his size and skating combination well to push into those holes. When in transition, Streng has good recognition of what plays are correct and what aren’t. He doesn’t push or force what isn’t there. Moves well laterally in all three zones, able to spread a defence and open up space for teammates. Shows good acumen in regard to his ability to be patient in waiting for shooting lanes to eventuate, good shooting technique too. Defensively he’s ok, uses his stick well and his feet allow for him to cover some errors, but he’s still very much acquiring his defensive tools and strength needed to cope with bigger bodies. It will be interesting to see how much maturity has crept into his game since last fall.
Surprise package:
Ethan Ebuenga – LW/RW
2020/21 Team: Stars Academy U14 Varsity
’07 born Ebuenga is an extremely strong and powerful athlete for his size. Super fast on pucks and fights his way through checks to get to them. Has high-end smarts and displays a great mental map of the offensive zone; knows where to be and when but also is able to lay pucks into areas with almost a sixth sense. Whilst he may not have a huge goal scoring ceiling, he does so much in the way of puck retention/retrievals and finds ways to make things happen in space and situations that aren’t always ideal. I think he’s going to relish playing with some older kids and will plug and play on almost every line. Weapon on the powerplay too, great half wall player with inside vision.
Annnnnnd to finish ….
Team #12 – Grey
Logan Kearley – RHD
2020/21 Team: Calgary Bisons U15 AAA
One of the more polished two-way defenders in Alberta, Kearley is a coach’s dream. Eats all the minutes you need him to and lives up to expectation. My favourite aspect of Kearley’s game has to be his calm demeanour and game management. He has such confidence in his abilities and it shows. The way he’s able to work in tight spaces and soak up pressure is stunning. Be it baiting a forecheck and escaping into space on the opposing side or rolling off a body when defending below his goal-line, nothing seems to fluster him. He works the blue-line well in the offensive zone and is calculated in his shot selection. Fantastic open ice passer. Defends the rush well with his solid gap control and disciplined stick techniques. Should be a strong weekend for him.
Carson Wright – F
2020/21 Team: Calgary Crusaders U15 Prep
Arguably the Hockey Super League’s most natural scorer, Wright lives and breathes offence. Once he’s in the offensive zone, he uses his edges and stickhandling to forge his way into areas where he can find a good release point. He picks corners, shoots through traffic and can deke a goalie out in his own crease; there’s no limit to his scoring. Trying to best some higher echelon AAA guys will be a good litmus test, but he’s going to have his own share of victories. Outside of his shot, just watch how good his ways of finding space and puck skills are.
SURPRISE PACKAGE ALERT!:
Owen Brees – RHD
2020/21 Team: NAX U15 Varsity
Breakout season is here for Brees. I don’t want to say much as I want you all to see for yourself, just how good he is going to be. Fitting that the last prospect I list (that I’m very joyed to watch this weekend) is on team #12 huh. *Chef’s kiss*
Thanks for reading my WCEHC preview.
It’s a long one, but a good one.
Like, share and discuss.