I thought I would share my opinion and give the Rockets players a grade at the half way point of the season. The Rockets hit the 36 game mark against Prince Albert Friday night. If you disagree with the grade, tell me why, and share your thoughts below. This is just one broadcasters opinion.
Colin Long: The teams MVP in the first half. Long has far exceeded any ones expectations, maybe even his own? Long has been consistent from day one, and is rarely held off the score sheet. Grade: A+
Jamie Benn: Benn was the biggest addition to the Rockets this season, and a trade wasn’t even needed. Benn has proved he can score at the next level, after scoring 42 times in the BCHL. Benn is a big time player, and rises to the occasion when the game is in the line. Grade: A
Tyson Barrie: Is he the best 16 year-old defenseman in the WHL? We knew he was gifted offensively, but to contribute like he has is a huge bonus. While the majority of his points have been on power play, his defensive play is often times overlooked. Grade: A –
Cody Almond: After a November he’d like to forget, last years leading scorer is looking forward to a solid second half. If he again takes off after Christmas, like he did in 2006-2007, the Rockets will get the secondary scoring they desperately need to compete down the stretch and into the playoffs: Grade: C+
Brandon McMillan: After getting off to a solid start, many fans anticipated the second year forward to put up big numbers offensively. Despite cooling off considerably, McMillan is just 17 and has loads of potential. Grade: B-
Brady Leavold: At times a game breaker, at times an agitator, no one can play a variety of roles better than Leavold. While GM Bruce Hamilton wants him to play with more grit, you can’t complain about his willingness to get involved, both physically and on the score sheet. Grade: B-
Kyle St. Denis: Despite being small in stature, St. Denis is going to put up big numbers, but not in his rookie season. Until he was injured, St. Denis saw significant power play time, and racked up points with the extra man. Let’s hope the concussion he suffered won’t be a huge step backwards for the talented player. Grade: B-
Luke Schenn: Still regarded as the Rockets best all around defenseman, Schenn is a stabilizing force on a young defensive core. A good shooter and passer, Schenn is world class. Grade: B+
Tyler Myers: Myers has made some huge strides in his second season in the WHL. Myers physical play has improved, and the 6’7 defenseman is now using his bullet from the blue line. NHL scouts are salivating over his potentially. Grade: B+
Matt Brusiciano: Despite missing the first 22 games with a concussion to start the season, Brusicano provides a big body up front. Finding ice time for the 18 year-old may be tough, as younger 17 year-old forwards push him from behind. Grade: C-
Collin Bowman: Despite not being blessed with tremendous foot speed, Bowman has been a pleasant surprise as a 16 year-old d-man. He may be the reincarnation of Brett Palin? Grade: B+
Evan Bloodoff: His upbeat personality makes him a great team guy, and is arguably the fastest skater on the team. The 17 year-old has a great wrist shot, when he uses it, and loves the physical play. I like him Grade: B+
Jesse Paradis: The 16 year-old has seen spot duty, but now appears to be turning the corner in his development as a player. J.P played some of his best hockey prior to the Christmas break, which caught the eye of the coaches. His work ethic and upbeat attitude make him a nice addition. Grade: C+
Lucas Bloodoff: The older Bloodoff brother started slow, was hot for a 3 week stretch where everything he touched found it’s way into the back of the net, and now he’s struggling to get quality chances on goal. A big body, Lucas as to play like it, and erase the tag of being a streaky player. Grade: C+
James McEwan: No one knows his role better than the Rockets captain. McEwan never plays outside of his own limits, and is as tough as nails. He’ll defend a teammate, and wears his heart on his sleeve. I’d like to see him a little more vocal, but has a huge challenge guiding a very young team. Grade: B+
Dylan Hood: An excellent skater and puck handler, Hood is fighting to be in the lineup on a talent team, top heavy with skilled players in the 17 and 18 year old age group. Hoody can be an effective penalty killer, but needs to show more consistency. Grade: C-
Myles MacRae: We always knew MacRae was a solid defensive forward, but he keeps teasing us with his offensive flare in the pre-season. The 19 year old needs to be a key contributor every night as the oldest forward outside of James McEwan. Grade: C-
Tyson Dowzak: If it wasn’t for Colin Long’s Jekyll to Hyde transformation, Dowzak would be my pick for most improved player. Don’t look at his numbers offensive, but check out his plus/minus. Dowzak is now the Rockets top defensive defenseman. Grade: B+
Riley McIntosh: If McIntosh can translate how he passes the puck in practice, and takes that into a game, he can be a solid d-man in the WHL. That said, the emergence of Barrie and Bowman has to be a wake up call for a 17 year old d-man who needs to play with more intensity. Grade: C-
Kyle Verdino: Just 16, Verdino is waiting in the wings to see a regular shift on the Rockets defensive core. But when your playing behind this group of d-men, patience is truly a virtue. While he's seen time at both forward and defense, Rockets fans will be able to appreciate his skill from the back end in the coming years. Grade: C+
Milan Kytnar: I think the Rockets would agree that they expected more offensive flare from Kytnar. Despite the lack of production, Kytnar has gotten involved physically and has been solid at the face off circle. Grade: C+
Kristofer Westblom: The veteran goaltender has had the majority of starts this season yet hasn’t taken the bull by the horns as the team’s number one goaltender. There is no middle ground with Westblom. Westy is either a game breaker, or just mediocre. The coaching staff would like to see him steal more games. As an overage he has too. Grade: B-
Torrie Jung: I have to hand it to Jung for being patient, while the coaching staff gives Westblom every opportunity to be ‘the guy’. Jung knows his time will come, and is taking a professional approach to the situation. Jung can look no further than Derek Yeomans, who played behind Kelly Guard for two seasons before getting his shot as a 19 and 20 year-old. Grade: B-
Colin Joe: After a terrific start, inconsistencies have crepted back in his game. Joe finds himself playing a secondary role to the big four – Schenn, Barrie, Myers and Dowzak. As a 19 year-old veteran, that’s bad news. Grade: C-
The Coach: Ryan Huska has shown this season that he was more than just an adequate replacement when Jeff Truitt headed to the pro's. The young, energetic Huska may be just what the doctor ordered for a young team? Huska is regarded as one of the best up and coming coaches, with some even suggesting he could be the Western Conference nominee for coach of the year. To say the team has exceeded expectations is an understatement. Coach Huska has a lot to do with that. Grade: A-
6 comments:
Wow, enough with the same old same old about Leavold. This guy cant do anything right in your eyes and every post you make or comment on the radio is about Hamilton wanting more grit. Man, does Bruce really say that over and over to you? I doubt it. Brady has done a great job on the top line, its not a 2-man line. The team took off when Brady, Benn and Long got put together yet God forbid Brady do anything but play gritty. Please let it go, you are a broken record with this guy.
How is Evan graded that much higher than Hood? They play the exact game, except Evan hasnt seen a corner in months. Dylan throws his body around and has caused havoc for defensemen. Evan's plyaed ok, but no way has he been that much better. Almost reminds me of Roger Snow's mosey love. He is tiny so must get hardest working forward every night. Evan is getting off easy.
Have you seen Jung play this year? His grade is at best a C and considering the shootouts, a D.
Hey Ryan, thanks for the input.
It provides great debate when evaluating the players.
Don't get me wrong in my thoughts about Leo. I say nothing negative about him, but only state what Hamilton wants to see from him. I was surprised when the GM was concerned that he was focusing too much on his offensive game. But he has to play with an edge and battle for pucks in the corners to make the Long-Benn-Leavold line solid. Since he's been acquired, how good has that line been? Very good, and Leavold's contribution shouldn't be lost in the shuffle.
He was a great pick up from the Broncos, and I think he is a better overage player than many give him credit for. If you are getting the impression I don't like him, you are totally wrong. I stated that Leo can do something no one else can do, agitate and score. Leavold is not one demensional. Brady got the 4th best grading I gave out.
No one in my grading system will get a failing grade, including the goaltenders.
If Jung played more often, guaranteed he'd be more consistent.If you want to go by numbers alone, Jung's stats are better than Westy's. Both players have done a great job considering both are legitimate #1's. Sharing the duties has been hard on both of them, but I graded them high for accepting the situation, not publically grumbling about it.
I don't think Tyler Myers merits a B+. Though he has lots of potential, he is the only Rockets defender with a negative +/- (-11) and he isn't much of an offensive threat yet. Of the "Big 4" Dowzak (+/- +15), Schenn (+/- +10) and Barrie (+/- +6) play against the opposition's top lines as much as Myers and seem more reliable defensively (less likely to blunder).
Publicly grading players is a risky business. I dont think you are out of line with any of your grades or comments. The Rockets at the x-mas break are a much better team than they were at the same time last season. The coaching staff deserves alot of credit for this dramatic improvement. Huska has done a great job opening up the offense and Finley has done wonders in the development of the D. Dowzaks play has been remarkable, he has been an absolute rock on the back end and is playing with great poise.
When I was a kid we used to have to get bring our report cards home to have them signed by our parents and then return them to school(I always dreaded that).I hope the team is happy with their first half efforts and I wish them continued success in second half.
My grading is just one persons opinion. It's like the female that four guys see on the street corner. Everyone of the guys will have a different opinion on how good looking she is.
I see these players both home and away, so I graded them more on what they've brought to the ice so far this season, and their ability to provide a role with the team.
Is James McEwan an oustanding offensive player? Obviously not. But does he play to his strengths? Yes.
I want to clearly state that what ever grade I gave these players, I do not dislike any of them. All 23 guys deserve a pat on the back for contributing to the teams success in the first half. They've been a pleasure to be around, and a pleasure to call games for.
WHL Mid-Season Review:
Defensively, the Rockets have seen great improvement from last season. Luke Schenn, who is eligible for the NHL Entry Draft in June, has been a rock on the blue line. He and fellow defensive defenseman Tysen Dowzak are a combined +25 this season. 16-year-old rookie Tyson Barrie has provided an offensive spark from the point, and currently leads all rookie rearguards with 25 points this season, while NHL draft-eligible rearguard Tyler Myers has also taken on greater responsibility.
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