Category: Reports

 2025-19-09 Niagara 1 @ Brampton 4 (OHL)

Yermolenko’s defining trait is his hockey IQ. Every paths he takes in the crease seemed calculated and based on his reads. He consistently performed shoulder checks to identify threats in the zone, allowing him to plan his movements and arrive on angle without relying excessively on raw explosiveness. His glove hand was also impressive, catching pucks cleanly and without hesitation. That said, there are technical flaws in his game. His RVH seals are inconsistent, leaving gaps that shooters can exploit, which cost him a goal in this game. His T-pushes were also inefficient; rather than a clean, single push across the crease, he often used two smaller pushes, which slowed him down. Yermolenko’s intelligence will generate interest, but some of his mechanics could hold him back, as NHL teams place a premium on those skills. I’ll be following his development closely, as improvement in those areas could make him a more complete prospect.

 2025-26-09 Ottawa 2 @ North Bay 1 (OHL)

Fetterolf is a smaller goalie, but one who makes up for it with his overall fluidity while moving. His movements are crisp and decisive, whether skating on his feet or sliding in the butterfly. His speed in this viewing was above average, but he struggled with rebound control. Pucks often hit him hard, and he had difficulty absorbing them cleanly. He also tended to lose edge early and rely heavily on his butterfly. While this approach allowed him to seal the lower net effectively, it left him vulnerable on higher shots which is a particular concern given his smaller frame. Fetterolf will remain on my radar, but I’ll be looking for growth in his overall game to justify a mid-round projection in the 2026 draft.

 2025-26-09 Yaroslavl 1 @ Mamonty 2 (MHL)

Borichev is a powerful goalie with a commanding presence in the crease. His lower-body strength makes him one of the most explosive goalies in this draft class. His first pushes,whether standing or from the butterfly, are extremely strong, allowing him to set quickly for shooters. His puck tracking projects as potentially elite, as he rarely lost sight of the puck. In this viewing, he handled rebounds and loose pucks cleanly, avoiding chaotic or desperate movements. However, his mechanics on recoveries and post-save movements need refinement. His speed to regain square positioning, upper-body structure, and hand placement while moving or sliding were inconsistent. These mechanical issues can be addressed with development and shouldn’t hold him back too much, especially if his tracking and rebound control remain in the elite tier.

 2025-20-09 Tri-City 3 @ Seattle 6 (WHL)

Skenlicka is a goalie with a strong combination of size and speed. Using his 6-foot-4 frame to his advantage, he positions himself well and stays on angle with the puck. His speed is impressive for a goalie of his size. His pushes are crisp, and he transitions smoothly from RVH or butterfly into set positioning. That skill allows him to recover quickly after shots or broken plays in front of him. While his crease work was impressive overall, two concerns stood out. First, I felt he could have been more aggressive in his positioning. At times, he stayed too deep in the blue paint rather than challenging shooters. Given his size, squareness, and recovery ability, he has the tools to play more assertively. Second, he struggled with rebound control on low shots, leaving too many loose pucks in dangerous areas. To his credit, his strong tracking often allowed him to cover those rebounds quickly. With his size, technique, and speed, Skenlicka is one of the most intriguing goalie prospects for the 2026 draft.

 2025-12-09 Pelicans 5 @ Ilves U20 4 SO (U20 Finland)

Poletin is a technically sound goalie who relies on positioning more than raw speed. He consistently stays on angle when tracking plays in the defensive zone and on rushes. He manages rebounds effectively, which limits the need for difficult recoveries. While his post-shot recoveries are technically well-executed, he lacks the explosiveness that could elevate his overall game. One area of concern is his upper-body work. His butterfly is tight and his low-shot tracking is strong, but he struggles more on high shots, especially glove side. His left hand tends to sit low and away from his body at knee height, which slows his reaction time. Poletin has many of the technical strengths to make him an intriguing 2026 draft option, but to rise in the rankings he will need to show more quickness and refine his tracking on higher shots.

 2025-19-09 Gatineau 5 @ Val-d’Or 3 (QMJHL)

Shaiikov, a DY+1 goalie prospect, was a player I was eager to watch since his arrival in North America, and he did not disappoint. His speed immediately stood out. Quick on his feet, he covers ground well within his crease, and in this viewing his recovery skills looked elite. His quickness allowed him to reset his angles after the first shot with ease. Shaiikov is also a very active goalie who likes to challenge shooters. His feet and hands are constantly moving, whether he is upright or in the butterfly. However, that aggressiveness and constant activity sometimes left him vulnerable, as he occasionally lost control of his angles and seals, leading to goals against. In my opinion, with consistency this year, he could generate interest from NHL scouts. With his speed and quickness, he has the tools to be a candidate as an overager for the 2026 draft.

 2025-19-09 Dynamo Moscow 1 @ MHK Spartak 3 (MHL)

Selivanov is a goalie who blends strong technique with athleticism. He generates excellent power on his pushes, allowing him to arrive on angle and challenge shooters effectively. He rarely sets up late or off-balance. His positioning and puck tracking are both excellent, and he follows pucks into his body closely, making him very difficult to beat without a screen or lateral movement. However, I noticed a decline in focus and consistency when defensive-zone sequences dragged on and fatigue set in. At that point, Selivanov began giving up more dangerous rebounds and looked less sharp on recoveries. That being said, his overall skill set is nearly complete, and he should be considered among the early favorites to top preliminary goalie lists for the 2026 NHL Draft.

#61 LW Ethan Belchetz, Windsor Spitfires (OHL), 6’5” 226lbs, L, DOB 03.30.2008

Belchetz was a dominant physical and offensive presence in Windsor’s win over Niagara, leveraging his size and strength to control possession and create scoring chances. The 6’5” winger played with confidence and purpose, using his frame to protect the puck and dictate play down low.

Belchetz’s skating looked balanced and efficient but not explosive, he managed his pace well and used good turns along the boards to maintain possession and separate from defenders. His strong puck control allowed him to hold onto the puck in traffic and make solid, well-timed passes, including a crisp saucer pass through the slot to create a prime scoring chance. He was impactful on the power play, where his combination of size, puck skills, and shooting ability stood out. Positioned in and around the slot, he showcased a powerful and accurate wrist shot, capping off his performance with a highlight-reel goal, he got a perfect pass that sent him on a breakaway and he buried a beautiful wrist shot under the goalie’s blocker. Defensively, he showed good work down low and contributed to winning puck battles along the walls. His net-front presence added value on the power play, as he effectively screened the goalie and got rebounds. His physicality was evident all night. He leaned on defenders, played with strength, and didn’t shy away from contact. He continues to prove himself as a power forward with a complete offensive toolkit. His ability to combine size, skill, and finishing touch makes him a matchup problem for defenders. Belchetz’s performance against Niagara highlighted his strengths, net-front dominance, puck protection, and a lethal wrist shot. While his speed is average, his stride efficiency and hockey sense allow him to remain effective at both ends of the ice. With continued consistency and engagement, Belchetz projects as a top-six power forward capable of producing offence and setting the tone physically. Projects as a top 6 winger who can thrive on the power play as a net-front finisher

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7

Speed/Pace: 7 

Puck Skill: 7

Scoring Ability: 7.5 

Playmaking Ability: 7 

Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5

Character: 6

Physicality: 8

Defensive Play: 6

#25 LW Ryan Roobroeck, Niagara IceDogs (OHL), 6’4” 215lbs, L, DOB 09.25.2007

Roobroeck had a disappointing outing in Niagara’s loss to Windsor, struggling to make his usual offensive impact while showing flashes of skill on the power play. Despite his size and offensive tools, Roobroeck played a quieter, less assertive game than expected, failing to consistently use his frame or intensity to influence play. Early on, his forecheck lacked urgency, allowing Windsor’s defenders too much time to exit the zone cleanly. He was taken off the puck too easily along the boards, a surprising weakness for a player of his physical profile. However, his puck skill and vision were evident on the power play unit, where he displayed soft hands and excellent deception, faking with his eyes and body before threading crisp passes to teammates. These flashes of creativity were among his few bright moments offensively. Skating remained one of his reliable assets, he showed smooth crossovers and good balance when carrying the puck, but his overall pace and engagement level were inconsistent throughout the night. As the game progressed, he settled in defensively, showing better positioning and awareness, applying pressure on the backcheck and staying disciplined in his own zone. Still, the lack of urgency and physical push limited his overall impact. his performance against Windsor was below his typical standard, marked by a lack of urgency and physical engagement. While his hands, vision, and offensive IQ were apparent in spurts—particularly on the power play—his effort level and board play fell short of expectations. When fully engaged, Roobroeck has the tools to dominate shifts with his blend of size, skill, and scoring ability, but consistency remains the key to unlocking his top-tier potential. He projects as a top line power forward with high end offensive skills. 

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7

Speed/Pace: 6.5 

Puck Skill: 7.5

Scoring Ability: 7.5 

Playmaking Ability: 7  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5

Character: 5

Physicality: 5

Defensive Play: 6

#25 D Chase Reid, Soo Greyhounds (OHL), 6’2” 187lbs, DOB 12.30.2007

Reid delivered a confident two-way performance in the Greyhounds’ 5–2 win over Sarnia, showcasing both offensive initiative and strong transition play. He opened the scoring early, jumping into the play and finding space at the point. Though his shot lacked power and pace, it managed to sneak past the goalie, setting the tone for Sault Ste. Marie’s offence. Later in the game, he added an assist on the team’s second goal, continuing to drive play from the back end and displaying his ability to facilitate puck movement effectively. Reid’s poise and creativity were evident throughout. He executed a highlight-worthy behind-the-back pass in his own zone to fake out forecheckers, demonstrating both confidence and awareness under pressure. Acting as the power-play quarterback, he distributed the puck with precision, consistently keeping plays alive at the blue line and reading lanes effectively. His passing game was creative and he showed a deep toolbox. Defensively, Reid showed good hustle on the backcheck and a willingness to block shots, maintaining engagement on both sides of the puck. His skating looked smooth and balanced, marked by fluid transitions and quick pivots, allowing him to shift from defence to offence seamlessly. While he did take a penalty, his overall effort and energy level made a noticeable impact. His presence was consistently felt whenever he was on the ice. Reid stood out as a poised, mobile defenseman who played a key role in his team’s victory. His offensive instincts, puck-moving ability, and mobility give him the tools of a modern two-way blueliner. Acting as the power play quarterback and contributing to both goals early in the game reflects his growing confidence and leadership potential. While there’s room to strengthen his shot and add a more consistent physical edge, Reid continues to show excellent progression and composure for his age. Projected as a top-four two-way defenceman 

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7.5

Speed/Pace: 7.5 

Puck Skill: 7

Scoring Ability: 6.5 

Playmaking Ability: 7 

Hockey Sense/IQ: 7

Character: 7

Physicality: 6.5

Defensive Play: 7.5

September 21, 2025

Sarnia Sting 2 vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 5 (OHL)

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Z Morris

#16 D James Barr, Sarnia Sting (OHL), 6’1” 182lbs, R, DOB 06.01.2007

James Barr had an eventful game in Sarnia’s 5–2 loss to Sault Ste. Marie, showing flashes of offensive skill and composure, particularly on the power play, but also moments of defensive inconsistency that proved costly. Barr demonstrated solid puck-carrying ability throughout the night, moving the puck effectively through the neutral zone and often taking the initiative to start breakouts. His vision and outlet passing were standout traits, consistently finding teammates in motion to relieve pressure. On the 4-on-4, he showed a composed approach. He recognized when no options were available and smartly reset the play in his own zone instead of forcing a turnover. Offensively, Barr was heavily involved, particularly on the power play, where he acted as a key puck carrier and facilitator from the point. He showcased a good wrist shot that he wasn’t afraid to use, though at times he appeared too shot-heavy for a defenseman, opting for individual attempts rather than creating secondary passing plays. His deep bag of passes was on full display with cross-ice feeds, quick touch passes, and drop passes to open shooting lanes. Late in the game, he was deployed with the empty net, highlighting the coaching staff’s trust in his offensive instincts. Defensively, Barr’s play was mixed. While he showed good positional awareness and calm reads, he was easily bodied off the puck at times, struggling to handle pressure in his own end. A costly turnover in the defensive zone led directly to a dangerous scoring chance for the Greyhounds. Increasing core strength and physical engagement will be key to rounding out his game. Barr continues to establish himself as an offensively inclined, puck-moving defenseman with strong instincts and vision. His work on the power play stands out. He’s confident with the puck, makes crisp passes, and creates movement at the blue line. However, defensive lapses and a tendency to overcommit offensively remain areas for improvement. When he balances risk and control, he has the tools to be a reliable top-four defenseman capable of driving offence from the back end. Projected as an offensive top 6 defenceman.

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7

Speed/Pace: 7 

Puck Skill: 7

Scoring Ability: 7

Playmaking Ability: 7  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 7

Character: 6

Physicality: 6

Defensive Play: 7

September 21, 2025

Sarnia Sting 2 vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 5 (OHL)

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Z Morris

#14 C Jack Van Volsen, Sarnia Sting (OHL), 6’1” 175lbs, L, DOB 01.12.2006

Jack Van Volsen delivered a steady performance in Sarnia’s loss, showing his playmaking mindset, offensive awareness, and situational intelligence—especially during special teams play. Van Volsen’s pass-first instincts were evident early on, consistently looking to set up teammates rather than take the shot himself. His vision and anticipation enabled him to identify lanes and time his passes effectively. However, on one 2-on-1 opportunity, his decision to pass became a bit too telegraphed, allowing the defender to disrupt the play. On the power play, Van Volsen was deployed in a slot/net-front hybrid role, where he demonstrated excellent positioning and quick reactions. His patience paid off when a rebound landed right on his stick and he buried it for an easy tap-in goal. His quick one-touch release stood out in these situations, showing he can capitalize when given space near the crease. He also contributed well in the faceoff circle, displaying strong timing and stick strength to win possession for his team. His overall skating and pace allowed him to stay engaged in both directions, supporting breakouts and maintaining offensive zone pressure. While he wasn’t overly physical, he maintained inside positioning and competed responsibly off the puck. ack Van Volsen played a composed, intelligent two-way game highlighted by his vision and ability to execute plays within structure. His goal on the power play and strong faceoff performance showed his reliability in key situations. While adding more unpredictability to his passing and a stronger physical edge would elevate his overall impact, Van Volsen remains an effective, steady centreman with strong offensive instincts and poise. Projects as a middle-six playmaking centre.

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7

Speed/Pace: 7

Puck Skill: 6.5

Scoring Ability: 6.5

Playmaking Ability: 7  

Hockey Sense/IQ: 7

Character: 7

Physicality: 5 

Defensive Play: 6.5

September 21, 2025

Sarnia Sting 2 vs Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 5 (OHL)

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Z Morris

#71 LW Carson Andrew, Soo Greyhounds (OHL), 6’2” 196lbs, R, DOB 03.10.2008

Andrew put together a strong offensive showing in Sault Ste. win, showcasing his speed, shooting mentality, and puck retrieval skills. Playing with confidence and tempo, he was consistently involved in generating chances and applying pressure in the offensive zone. His shot-first mindset was evident throughout the game. He demonstrated a quick release and strong awareness of open shooting lanes, often finding pockets of space to get pucks on net. While his shot lacks high-end power, his release mechanics are crisp, allowing him to get pucks off in stride before defenders can close gaps. His hands in tight around the goalie also stood out. He handled rebounds and in-close situations with control, nearly capitalizing on a few choatic moments. Along the boards, he showed determination in puck retrieval, using his size effectively to recover pucks and extend possession. His crossovers and quick turns helped him maintain speed. On the power play, he was effective, driving toward the net, using his speed and size to create net-front traffic and screen the goalie. Though not overly physical, he competed hard and played within the team structure. As he matures, adding more strength and assertiveness in battles could make him more difficult to contain along the boards and around the crease. Andrew continues to develop as a speedy, offensive-minded winger with a natural shooting instinct and solid puck control. His quick release, ability to find open lanes, and effectiveness around the net make him a consistent scoring threat. While he could add more power to his shot and incorporate greater physical engagement, his offensive tools and skating base are strong for his age. Projects as a middle-six scoring winger. 

Skater Category Summarization

Skating: 7

Speed/Pace: 7 

Puck Skill: 7

Scoring Ability: 7 

Playmaking Ability: 6.5 

Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5

Character: 6

Physicality: 5

Defensive Play: 6.5