WHL Feature: Portland @ Calgary Recap
TSR Features | 20 Oct 2009
Here is a feature by TSR’s newest contributor, Scott McDougall. Scott is an avid WHL follower, and often frequents Calgary Hitmen games at the Saddledome. Here is the first of Scott’s features for TSR. Hope you enjoy!
Yesterday afternoon in Calgary, the #1 ranked team in the CHL played host to an up and coming Portland Winterhawks team that was off to a great 8-4-0-0 start. The Winterhawks were in the midst of their longest road trip of the season of which this game was the fourth of seven. In a tightly contested game, the Hitmen completed a comeback from a 3-0 deficit when Los Angeles Kings prospect Brandon Kozun scored with just under 40 seconds left to play in regulation to sneak out a 6-5 win in front of 7000+ fans in the Saddledome.
PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS
D BRETT PONICH | 1991 | 6’7” | 225LBS | 13GP 1G 4A 5P -6 15PIM
NHL: 2009 STL (2/48)
It looks to be a bit of a rough start to the season for the Portland captain and tonight was no different. Ponich played tough minutes against Calgary’s top scorers, but seemed to struggle all game against the Calgary forecheck. He didn’t effectively use his size advantage. Probably a game he’d like to forget as he had a few costly turnovers and didn’t contribute much offensively. -2 on the night.
LW NINO NIEDERREITER | 1992 | 6’2” | 203LBS | 13GP 6G 8A 14P +3 14PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
Niederreiter was Portland’s best player yesterday. He scored a couple nice goals. The first was a one-timer on the PP on a nice pass from Troy Rutkowski, while the second showed his quick release as he got his wrist shot off through some traffic. He started the game with some poor defensive play in his own end resulting in a couple good Calgary scoring chances, but got stronger defensively as the game progressed. He was very strong on his feet, while possessing both good speed and size. Combined with his intelligence for the game and it is easy to see why he should be an early pick in June. Look for him to stand out on the Swiss team at the World Juniors.
LD TROY RUTKOWSKI | 1992 | 6’1” | 219LBS | 13GP 5G 12A 17P +5 23PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
Rutkowski is an offensive defenseman that showed great fortitude in anchoring the Winterhawks PP. He was able to identify weaknesses in the defense and made several great plays to take advantage of them both in regards to generating scoring chances and maintaining possession of the puck in the offensive zone. Physically, Rutkowski proved to be a bit of an enigma. He tries to play physical and he’s got decent size, but he was run over a few times by the older, stronger Calgary forwards as he attempted to play the body. He was also caught running around trying to make the big hit instead of breaking up the play, resulting in some opposition scoring chances.
Troy also had some playing time on the PK in which he effectively closed shooting lanes and blocked shots. He has the physical tools to be good player at next level, but needs to improve his skating and make smarter plays defensively. He lacked some toughness for a guy of his size, but his game is his offensive skill and he did make some smart passes. He has an average shot, but this will come along once he is stronger. He received a lot of ice-time and ended up with a pair of assists.
LW BRAD ROSS | 1992 | 6’1” | 173LBS | 13GP 6G 6A 12P +5 35PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
A member of Canada’s U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial team this past summer, Brad has been off to a good start to the season. The younger brother of Phoenix Coyote 1st rounder Nick Ross was able to generate scoring chances against Calgary with his great speed, easily beating NHL prospects such as Kris Foucault in foot races throughout the game. He also showed glimpses of being a surly competitor (he’s currently among the WHL leaders in minor penalties) as he wasn’t afraid to mix things up with larger competitors he felt were taking liberties with him. Brad possesses both great top-end speed and excellent agility allowing him to get a jump on defenders during both breakouts and turnovers. He is definitely dangerous on the rush, but he sometimes looks to shy away from the corners and caused turnovers when pressured in his own end. Like most young players, he needs to bulk up.
C RYAN JOHANSEN | 1992 | 6’3” | 188LBS | 13GP 6G 6A 12P +3 11PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
Ryan is having a great start to the season. He played a lunch-bucket game. He simply wanted the puck more than anyone else and was able to strip defenders of loose pucks and then get the puck to his skilled linemates (Niederreiter and Ross). He complimented the other two very well and was able to keep up with them on the rush. He definitely looked his best when digging in the corners and at loose pucks in the slot area. Scored a goal and had a couple assists, both times by winning puck battles and giving the puck to his linemates.
RD TAYLOR ARONSON | 1991 | 6’1” | 196LBS | 13GP 0G 6A 6P +2 15PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
Taylor made a few smart plays down low when Calgary was intensely pressuring him. Was partnered with Rutkowski and saw lots of ice-time. More defensively responsible than his partner and while lacking the offensive flair of Rutkowski, he is capable in the offensive end and showed the ability to make a good outlet pass. He played a good all-around game.
LW JACOB BERGLUND | 1991 | 6’1” | 199LBS | 13GP 1G 2A 3P +1 6PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
Another late 1991 birthday, Berglund is excellent in his own end. He was Portland’s top PK forward. He was able to cover shooting lanes well, was strong on his skates and proved extremely tough to knock off the puck. His physical maturity allowed him to effectively hold onto the puck long enough to be sure he could clear the zone. Berglund did not show much offensive flair, but he took the puck hard to the net and generated a couple scoring chances with hard work. He could prove to be a useful defensive forward in the pros.
RW TY RATTIE | 1993 | 6’0” | 170LBS | 7GP 2G 2A 4P -1 4PIM
NHL: 2011 Eligible
The 2nd overall pick in the WHL Bantam Draft in 2008, Ty is very small, but completely willing to go to battle. He was absolutely crushed near the goal line in the second period and got right back up fighting for the puck like nothing happened. His willingness to go to the tough areas put him in some scoring situations. He seemed to have a knack for knowing where the puck is going before it gets there. Scored a wraparound goal and added an assist in front of friends and family (he’s from nearby Airdrie, AB). He kept his man in check in the defensive zone and showed good hands. His skill set reminds me a bit of another Airdrie product, Zach Bochyuk. He finished with a goal and an assist in the game.
D JOE MORROW| 1992 | 6’0” | 197LBS | 12GP 1G 9A 10P +16 15PIM
NHL: 2011 Eligible
Joe Morrow was very impressive. He is very cool and collected in his own zone, which can be attested to by his +16 in only 12 games so far this season. He was partnered with another young defenseman in Daniel Johnston and they looked very comfortable playing as the third pairing for the Winterhawks. Calm with the puck as well as in the corner, Morrow displayed very good skating ability, hockey sense and the ability to QB the PP. Was very good in transition and while not overly big or strong, used smart angles to cut off opposing rushes and separate the opposition from the puck. He almost always made the safe play. Morrow and Rattie should make the 2011 draft interesting for Winterhawks fans.
D DANIEL JOHNSTON | 1992 | 6’0” | 192LBS | 10GP 0G 7A 7P +13 6PIM
NHL: 2011 Eligible
Another late 1992 birthday like Morrow, Daniel Johnston showed a willingness to stand up to Cody Beach who is 5 inches taller than him when Beach hammered Morrow’s head into the boards. A quiet night for him as he and Morrow didn’t allow many scoring chances or need to spend too much time in their own end.
Other notes: Neither Seth Swenson or Gaspar Kopitar played. Swenson took part in the pre-game warm-up.
CALGARY HITMEN
D MICHAEL STONE | 1990 | 6’4” | 207LBS | 11GP 3G 5A 8P -3 14PIM
NHL: 2008 PHO (3/69)
Michael showed the talent that made him a 3rd round pick of the Coyotes. He is the vocal leader of the Hitmen. He possesses great size and strength. He has a fantastic shot, although the shots are often blocked. Despite not getting any points, he had a solid game (even hit a post). He had several good hits and made smart safe plays in his own end. A good end to end rush towards the end of the 1st period. Good all-around game.
D MATT MacKENZIE | 1991 | 6’2” | 198LBS | 11GP 1G 10A 11P +6 6PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
Matt Mackenzie played a similar type game in the offensive zone as Rutkowski. He doesn’t always use his size, but it is apparent that he needs to get stronger. He has a good frame, but needs to fill out some more to take advantage of it. His shot is very weak, but that should also improve once he puts on some muscle. He possesses good offensive awareness and he made a few smart pinches to keep the puck in the offensive zone. He used screens effectively when shooting on net providing his teammates with rebound oppurtunities. His skating needs a lot of work, especially his transition and acceleration but he has enough tools that some NHL team will be excited at the thought of developing this raw prospect. Matt had three assists in the game.
RW CODY BEACH | 1992 | 6’5” | 184LBS | 6GP 0G 2A 2P +2 18PIM
NHL: 2010 Eligible
Cody, the younger brother of Chicago draft pick Kyle Beach played a power-forward game. He was skating decently for his size and was banging bodies early on. He wasn’t very noticeable late in the game.
Other notes: Austin Madaisky wasn’t in the Calgary lineup. Peter Kosterman and Jaynen Rissling both played well and will be discussed in more detail later this month.
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Tags: Brad Ross, Brett Ponich, Cody Beach, Daniel Johnston, Jacob Berglund, Joe Morrow, Matt Mackenzie, Michael Stone, Nino Niederreiter, Ryan Johansen, Taylor Aronson, Troy Rutkowski, Ty Rattie
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