BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – With more than 80 junior prospects in the first-ever Saskatchewan Hockey Classic in Saskatoon for the next six days, there is no shortage of talent to watch. Our Insiders Panel of coaches, managers and broadcasters in the SMAAAHL has put together the Top 10 players to watch.
Evan Hutcheon (Estevan, goalie): Goaltender of the month in the SMAAAHL.
Analysis: “He has kept (Estevan) in games at times (this season),” said a coach. Hutcheon can win this tournament for the Bears.
Bracken LaRocque (Grande Peace Storm, goalie): Saskatoon Blades fourth-round draft pick will have lots of eyes on him.
Analysis: LaRocque had a sparkling save percentage at U15AAA last season. He will need to be Grande Prairie’s best player against several highly-skilled offensive players in the tournament.
Jacob Tait (Tisdale, forward): Forward of the month in the SMAAAHL. Averaging almost two points per game.
Analysis: “A gifted offensive player and their team’s offence runs through him,” said an opposing coach.
Eric Grandberg (Saskatoon, defenceman): Third in the league for scoring among defencemen.
Analysis: “The Blazers’ captain is a consummate leader. The December 23rd Blazers’ game against the Contacts marked his 137th consecutive game as a Blazer from the start of the 2023-24 season. He’s never missed a game! Recently committed to the Melfort Mustangs, Grandberg sits 3rd in defenceman scoring in the SMAAAHL with 34 points (12G, 22A),” explained one insider.
Madex Kabrud (Saskatoon, goalie): Only one regulation-time loss in last nine games.
Analysis: “He’s put up a pristine 1.75 GAA and a .945 save percentage over eight starts (entering Dec. 23). He has the third-lowest GAA (2.19) in the SMAAAHL and leads the league with a .921 save percentage,” stated an insider.
Liam Myhre (Prince Albert, defenceman): The Prince Albert Raiders draft choice is second on the Mintos in scoring.
Analysis: “He is a smooth skating defenceman, who sees the ice very well and is a key on the power play. He is an exciting player to watch,” said one insider.
Seth Hooper (Eastman, forward): Second in scoring for the Manitoba representative.
Analysis: “Good hands and nice quick release; uses his size well to protect pucks,” commented a coach.
Boston Schmidt (Estevan, forward): The Kelowna Rockets prospect is key to Estevan’s offence.
Analysis: “When he’s skating not many players in the league can keep up to him,” stated a coach. “He has found his goal scoring touch as well and plays against other top lines in the league.”
Gunner Moore (Estevan, forward): 49 points in 27 games – fourth in the league in scoring.
Analysis: When Moore is playing well, Estevan plays well.
Jackson Dunn (Tisdale, goalie): Second-round pick of Kindersley in the SJHL, with a .915 save percentage.
Analysis: “Keeps Tisdale is some games and is a calming presence in the net for them” said a head coach.
Photo credits: Wanda Harron Photography; Brayden Elliott
