While the U15 Defense and Goalies are mostly returning players, the forward group had some new additions from years past. It might have taken them a while to find their stride but they did at the right time of the season and seem poised to take another step.
Whenever this group plays, they are usually the underdog--but it would be a mistake to underestimate this crew. When they outwork the other team, they can play with anybody!
Porter B - forward
NHL Comparables - JT Miller, Tyler Bertuzzi
Porter is regularly one of the hardest workers on the ice. He can kill penalties, play the PP, and solidify any line he plays on. His work down low is unmatched by other teams and he chips in with big goals at the right times. His return to health has been a big boost for this team.
Carter G - forward
NHL Comparables - Tom Wilson, Matthew Tkachuk
Carter has been a welcome addition to our team, on the ice and in the room. His size alone makes the rest of the team play "bigger" and Carter has skill and a shot to match his size. On a team that has overcome adversity all year, Carter is the poster boy after an accident last summer could have cut his hockey career short.
Simon J - forward
NHL Comparable - Josh Anderson, Dylen Cousins
Simon is a workhorse. He can play in all situations and his speed as he cuts to the outside is rarely matched. He works extremely hard in practice to get better and it's paying off. When we need a shift to change the momentum, Simon is our guy. He is one of the adopted leaders of the group.
Brayden P - forward
NHL Comparables - Jonathan Marchesseau, Mitch Marner
Brayden has had to adapt his game this year, becoming a playmaker this group sorely needed. While he still gets his cookies, his value to the team is playmaking and hockey IQ. Paired with his cousins, the PP has been a newly added weapon to our arsenal in big games. He uses grit, determination and skill to win puck battles against bigger players.
Ian M - forward
NHL Comparables - Brayden Schenn, Bobby McMann
Ian has played centre and wing for our group and does it with a smile and a desire to be the best he can on any given shift. Nicknamed "Dillsy" by the group, he is our glue guy. Dillsy takes a licking and keeps on ticking, bouncing up from hits that would keep lesser players down.
Jake F - forward
NHL Comparables - Josh Anderson, JT Miller
Jake is another one of our "big" players (on a team not known for their size). He uses his size to win board battles and drive the net, scoring goals in the process. He has added penalty killing to his toolbox and defencemen must cringe when Jake is barreling down on them on the forecheck.
Owen M - forward
NHL Comparable - Jordan Eberle, Jesper Bratt
Owen has also had to adapt his game this year and he is figuring it out at the right time. His playmaking and vision is a great asset to any line he plays on and he has learned to use his body position to win his battles. While he might not have scored at the rate he is used to in the past, make no mistake on his value to our team.
Ethan S - centre
NHL Comparables: Steven Stamkos, Connor McDavid
Ethan is our offensive leader but has also become a very good defensive player too. He wins face-offs in all three zones and has an elite shot to score big goals. Goal scoring isn't the only asset to our team - Ethan has assisted on some of the nicest goals of the season. When he is humming, so is our team.
Jesse P - centre
NHL Comparable - Brayden Point, Sidney Crosby
Jesse is our Swiss Army Knife. He just about does it all (and would have played net down in Drayton in December if I had let him!) He makes his teammates better by distributing the puck and found another gear in the big games in the playoffs, scoring some huge goals. He checks all the boxes (speed, shot, passing, checking) and centres the cousins on the PP.
Affiliated Players - forwards: Aden M, Carter M, Oliver H, Connor B
Aden and Carter played a handful of games for our group and always brought something to the table (Aden scoring a big goal vs Goderich in Tara) and Carter doing what Carter does best--disrupt and annoy the other team!