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Post by habmeister on Sept 22, 2007 12:47:33 GMT -5
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Post by montreal on Sept 22, 2007 17:18:12 GMT -5
You forgot Cameron Cepek from the Oilkings
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 22, 2007 17:31:02 GMT -5
You forgot Cameron Cepek from the Oilkings I actually got to see him play last Thursday at the Oil Kings season opener. A big win against a Maxwell-less Kootenay Ice with the winner scored with 1.2 seconds left on the clock. Cepek seems bigger than I first imagined (his draft weight was around 165 I believe) and he skates well and has decent puck handling and passing skills for sure. Pretty good mobility including lateral movement so he is able to keep with his men alright down low and in his zone. Nothing really remarkable though. Given all our prospect depth on D these days, he has a lot of folks ahead of him on the depth chart. |
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Post by seventeen on Sept 22, 2007 23:24:16 GMT -5
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Post by chief6 on Sept 24, 2007 23:37:05 GMT -5
Considering I was expecting both guys to look like they'd just been cut and spent half their day on a plane to Calgary, Ryan White played a great game tonight.
Ben Maxwell was mostly invisible (I actually had to ask if he'd been on the ice midway through the third period), though a part of that is probably due to the terrible team he plays with.
But White was nothing short of spectacular. Unlike Maxwell, he's got the luxury of playing with a really good team (Hitmen were ranked second in the CHL pre-season rankings), and even on a night like tonight, when he's playing really well, he's not the best guy on the ice. Good for the team, and maybe even good for him, since he doesn't have to carry the load.
White's defensive game has definitely progressed since I saw him at the end of last season, and he's playing with his size now. He's one of the biggest guys on the ice, and really used it to his advantage tonight.
I was also impressed by his creativity out there. At times he was downright Kovalevian. It ws good to see. And with any luck, Maxwell will perform a little better the next time I see him.
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Post by chief6 on Oct 28, 2007 19:46:34 GMT -5
Quickly, I saw Edmonton play in Calgary this afternoon. When he's on, Ryan White is playing a different game out there. He scored a goal early in the second period on an absolute laser of a shot. He also did some great work along the boards to set up Karl Alzner's goal late in the game.
This was my first look at Cameron Cepek, and it was really like watching two different players between the second and third periods. In the second, Cepek was physically involved, and playing with a real edge. But it was not all that effective. In the third period, he took control of the edge he was playing with and really played a good period.
I didn't think much of his skating ability so far as speed and agility are concerned. But he does move well laterally, and he was able to stay with guys down low. His puck-handling skills were above average, I thought. He seemed a little too eager to pass the puck at times, but always gained control of it in the zone without any fanfare, and held the blue line well whenever he needed to.
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Post by seventeen on Nov 1, 2007 23:32:40 GMT -5
Edmonton over Everett tonight 4-1. Cepek with one assist and a +3 rating.
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Post by habmeister on Nov 8, 2007 1:54:12 GMT -5
update ben maxwell 11 pts in 11 games, i don't know about you guys, but i really hope its just that he's on a really bad team. the guy taken 1 pick after him is in the nhl and living with cam neely.
ryan white is still not on the 1st page of scoring leaders in the whl, sitting at 23rd overall
19GP 8G 21PTS i'm not overly impressed with him scoring 8 goals, but he is still looking like a great pick for the round he was chosen.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Nov 15, 2007 0:00:17 GMT -5
Cepek with a big game tonight in a losing cause. Two goals, one a slapper on the PP that deflected off a defenseman's leg slightly, but it was a solid low blast. The second was a wrister top shelf just after the end of a PP. He must be back in the coach's good books as he was on the starting lineup, played every PP and lots of the PK as well. The Oil Kings dressed 6 D but played the whole game mainly with 5 guys so he saw lots of ice time. His skating was solid again tonight and I think he is more defensively aware than I have seen in the past, taking the body a lot to rub out guys on the boards and also winning some scrums along the walls. Good game that earned him a second star and would have been first star if the Oil Kings would have hung on to win.
Kootenay are in town on Friday night but Maxwell is injured again so I likely will pass. They are back twice more after that, so hopefully he will be playing again soon.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Dec 8, 2007 12:46:55 GMT -5
Cepek with four assists in two losses this week, so he is having a decent year on a pretty ordinary team. The kid does move the puck well, plays the point on the PP and does like to get the puck on net. A tad skinny at 6'2" and maybe 185 or so as a 19 year old but he is making the most of this season...his contract season. His coach in Edmonton goes to him a lot and it really is funny seeing ex-tough minor pro guy Rocky Thompson in a suit coaching the D. The last time I saw him he had a blue mohawk, minus a few teeth, and was playing our Hamilton Bulldogs as part of the Road Runners.
Got a treat to watch the Spokane Chiefs on Tuesday as the top ranked WHL team and second in the CHL right now. They are fun to watch with fast skilled forwards and big hulking dmen (two are 6'5" and well over 200lbs including highly touted 2009 draftee 16 year old Jared Cowen....this kid looks good out there).
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 6, 2008 23:00:27 GMT -5
Went to the Hitmen-Oil Kings game today to see a prospect head to head battle between Cameron Cepek and Ryan White. Ryan's gets the nod as his team won 6-2 and he ended the night with a goal and two helpers, all coming in the last 5:47 of the game in fact. Cepek had an assist and two penalties, both which ended up being costly as Calgary scored on both PP's.
Cepek gets lots of ice time and looked much the same old, same old, but he has picked up a new habit that likely needs fixing. He now tends to slide to block shots. He did this four times during the game, and twice he went partially down. He did block the shot once using this, but also got out of position at least one of the other times. Cannot go to the well too many times with the same move, good scouting will take advantage of that. He does battle hard down low, but still needs to add some beef to that lanky frame if he expects to take his game to the next level. Still not sure if he will get a contract based on all the games I have seen, but he does play in all situations and is one of the team`s best defencemen (on a mediocre at best team)...including getting the nod on the starting lineup again.
White had a quiet game for the most part, but there are things about his game that are quite good to see. He is good in the faceoff circle, as he won a lot of faceoffs tonight. He also is a decent set up guy and has good vision on the ice. It is not the kind of playmaking skill that occurs on the fly and at top speed, but rather the methodical along the boards, behind the net kind of set up. His goal was scored on the fly and it was a nice one timer as he headed to the net on an odd man rush on the PP.
He also goes to the net and battles along the walls, so he is not scared to go into the tough to go places. For a 19 year old, that is good to see.
His skating is not bad, but he is not blazing by any means. He does skate a bit hunched over, buts gets there decently enough. His two way play is his bread and butter and he is aware of his responsibilities in both ends, which keeps coaches happy. He also is quite into the game, talking to the refs a lot which comes along with the À on his jersey.
Edit: That is 9 points in the last 11 points for defender Cameron Cepek. Pretty good.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 13, 2008 15:32:05 GMT -5
The Battle of Alberta, WHL style, is on Sportsnet this afternoon as part of their Calgary-Edmonton double header today (WHL and NHL). Game times vary depending on which Sportsnet, but it is live on SN West at 3:00 MT.
White versus Cepek again, this time in White's barn. They are back here in Edmonton again next Friday night (I likely will be in attendance), so they are building a little rivarly with all these games against each other.
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Post by habmeister on Jan 13, 2008 18:16:20 GMT -5
The Battle of Alberta, WHL style, is on Sportsnet this afternoon as part of their Calgary-Edmonton double header today (WHL and NHL). Game times vary depending on which Sportsnet, but it is live on SN West at 3:00 MT. White versus Cepek again, this time in White's barn. They are back here in Edmonton again next Friday night (I likely will be in attendance), so they are building a little rivarly with all these games against each other. yep i'm watchin! canucks vs blues are on too, i've went back and forth twice and as usual i find the dub better. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 13, 2008 20:17:21 GMT -5
I know it is tape delayed in other parts, so I won`t give away too much. Ryan White does get 1g 1a and second star. Cameron Cepek gets no points but gets into a scrap at the 0:03 mark of the first!!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 31, 2008 1:01:00 GMT -5
Watched a bit of Ryan's game last night on Shaw TV around the Habs game and he scored on his first shift and also forechecking hard, making a big hit, and later getting the puck in front of the net 36 seconds in to set the tone for the game. The Hitmen beat the Ice 5-1 and that was White's only point. Another solid, workman like effort from what I saw.
The two teams moved to Cranbrook and played the second half of a home and home tonight and it was all White...he had five points including 2g 3a in a big 6-3 win. With the Hitmen signing TJ Galiardi, he has moved to the second line to provide a more balanced attack to go along with their incredible defensive depth and balance. He does not get the offensive spotlight as much this season, but gets to play in all key roles. This is his biggest outburst after being on a one point per game pace to date.
Cepek is out for 2-4 weeks with an injury and Maxwell is still week to week with that thigh that has had him out since October if you can believe that. The team is hopeful he will be back in February. Three Kootenay Ice visits to Rexall this season and no Ben Maxwell for any of the games (the first as a result of the Habs camp, the last two with injury).
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Post by seventeen on Jan 31, 2008 1:47:48 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 3, 2008 0:56:04 GMT -5
White gets a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win tonight. Monster weekend all around with 8 points in two games.
Maxwell has a goal in a 5-4 SO loss tonight. First point in his second game back, although he did score the game winner in the SO last night. He is also wearing the A for his team. I hope to get down to Red Deer in two weeks to see his game there now that I know he is back from injury at long last.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 6, 2008 22:18:21 GMT -5
White's performance does not go unnoticed as he was the WHL and CHL player of the week. They noted his 5g and 5a for 10 pts in 4 games. However, his last two games and the 8 points in those two likely tipped the scale. Ryan is also now 14 in league scoring.
Chapeau!
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 17, 2008 18:36:37 GMT -5
Went down to Red Deer and saw Ben Maxwell and the Kootenay Ice last night. This was my first chance to see Ben live this year as he has not played in any of the games in Edmonton this season. It has been a frustrating season for him for sure, so I was hoping to get a good view of his play since returning from that long thigh injury.
The game itself featured 12 goals and 151 pim, so a busy night for the scorekeepers. The Ice won the game 8-4 and they totally dominated the rather hapless Rebels. Ben only recorded one assist in the game but I think overall he had a very good game. He was the most dynamic and skilled guy out there for Kootenay and saw a lot of ice time in the first two periods. When the game got rough, the Ice coach shortened his bench and only put out his checkers and energy guys and kept his skilled guys safe and sound in the third.
The one thing you notice about Ben is his puck handling skills. He is a good stick handler and seems very adept even in tight spaces. He is strong on the puck as well, although he is not a big bruiser by any means. I didn't see him flattened or fall once last night. He also has really good vision on the ice, and sees his linemates and passes well. You can really see his good hockey sense when he is out on the ice. You just can't teach that, players either have it or they don't.
The coach now uses him on the point on the PP as the team's quarteback, so he got to see the puck a whole lot last night. Ben has above average speed and skating and had one really nice play where he rushed down the ice, split the D and went wide left with a guy hanging all over him to feed a nice little drop pass back to his trailer...who then missed the net!!
Good game overall for #19.
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Post by Yossarian on Feb 17, 2008 18:43:36 GMT -5
Went down to Red Deer and saw Ben Maxwell and the Kootenay Ice last night. This was my first chance to see Ben live this year as he has not played in any of the games in Edmonton this season. It has been a frustrating season for him for sure, so I was hoping to get a good view of his play since returning from that long thigh injury. The game itself featured 12 goals and 151 pim, so a busy night for the scorekeepers. The Ice won the game 8-4 and they totally dominated the rather hapless Rebels. Ben only recorded one assist in the game but I think overall he had a very good game. He was the most dynamic and skilled guy out there for Kootenay and saw a lot of ice time in the first two periods. When the game got rough, the Ice coach shortened his bench and only put out his checkers and energy guys and kept his skilled guys safe and sound in the third. The one thing you notice about Ben is his puck handling skills. He is a good stick handler and seems very adept even in tight spaces. He is strong on the puck as well, although he is not a big bruiser by any means. I didn't see him flattened or fall once last night. He also has really good vision on the ice, and sees his linemates and passes well. You can really see his good hockey sense when he is out on the ice. You just can't teach that, players either have it or they don't. The coach now uses him on the point on the PP as the team's quarteback, so he got to see the puck a whole lot last night. Ben has above average speed and skating and had one really nice play where he rushed down the ice, split the D and went wide left with a guy hanging all over him to feed a nice little drop pass back to his trailer...who then missed the net!! Good game overall for #19. Thanks for the update. I've heard him compared to Modano, in terms of his hands and skating. Would you agree? |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 17, 2008 19:06:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. I've heard him compared to Modano, in terms of his hands and skating. Would you agree? He is a strong skater, not really flashy fast because he is quite smooth and can reach his top speed relatively quickly. His hands and stick skills are his best asset for sure. He is not as big as Modano by any means, but if he could grow and fill out a bit I think we will have a good one. I don't think he dominates games quite like Modano did in his prime. I have only been able to catch a few of his games over the last two years, mainly because he has missed a lot the last two seasons with injuries. I know Timmins and the Habs brass reported that they liked what they saw of him at camp last fall, so that was a chance to see him against men as opposed to fellow juniors. |
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Post by habmeister on Feb 20, 2008 19:51:41 GMT -5
Went down to Red Deer and saw Ben Maxwell and the Kootenay Ice last night. This was my first chance to see Ben live this year as he has not played in any of the games in Edmonton this season. It has been a frustrating season for him for sure, so I was hoping to get a good view of his play since returning from that long thigh injury. The game itself featured 12 goals and 151 pim, so a busy night for the scorekeepers. The Ice won the game 8-4 and they totally dominated the rather hapless Rebels. Ben only recorded one assist in the game but I think overall he had a very good game. He was the most dynamic and skilled guy out there for Kootenay and saw a lot of ice time in the first two periods. When the game got rough, the Ice coach shortened his bench and only put out his checkers and energy guys and kept his skilled guys safe and sound in the third. The one thing you notice about Ben is his puck handling skills. He is a good stick handler and seems very adept even in tight spaces. He is strong on the puck as well, although he is not a big bruiser by any means. I didn't see him flattened or fall once last night. He also has really good vision on the ice, and sees his linemates and passes well. You can really see his good hockey sense when he is out on the ice. You just can't teach that, players either have it or they don't. The coach now uses him on the point on the PP as the team's quarteback, so he got to see the puck a whole lot last night. Ben has above average speed and skating and had one really nice play where he rushed down the ice, split the D and went wide left with a guy hanging all over him to feed a nice little drop pass back to his trailer...who then missed the net!! Good game overall for #19. Thanks for the update. I've heard him compared to Modano, in terms of his hands and skating. Would you agree? not even close to the same dynamic speed as modano, more of a slick skater, silky, effortless, but i wouldn't say he has great speed. he also has a good low hard point shot on the pp, he was here last week, i didn't do a scouting report though as there were only a few things that i noticed, and really nothing new from last year. he didn't stand out against the giants, i kept my eye on him on every shift, and he is a top tier whl player, but as a scoring type to make the nhl on the top 2 lines you've got to bring something really special. between him and white i'd have to say white has a better shot because i could see him as a two way 3rd liner, ben i can't see being great two way, more of a passer type. i'm racking my brain to find a comparable player, as nwt said though very good hockey sense, smart player, just nothing that makes you go wow. i've also heard whisperings about his work ethic, with his skills he'll need to be a really hard working player and will have to learn how to play in his own end if he wants to even get a cup of coffee. i'm not always right with whl scouting, but i'm usually pretty good, having only seen him once this season though as i always say "you can't scout anyone in one game, you can see some skills, but there are intangibles like when the going gets tough, rough games, pressure, different styles, to see how he matches up and plays in different situations" another thing is he has been hurt a lot, so his development has stalled on that note, and when the going got tough in the game nwt was at he was on the bench, that isn't something i'd like either, this is the whl, you need to play in that kind of game. don't hold your breathe on him, shoulda taken the kid that went on the next pick. |
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Post by habmeister on Feb 21, 2008 14:07:14 GMT -5
saw cameron cepek play last night on the wrong end of a 7-0 drubbing by the giants. as has been usual this season left partway through the 3rd because it was just another giants blowout.
as nwt said above he's got a ton of players ahead of him on the depth chart. although what cameron brings is different than mcdonagh, fischer, subban, carle, he'll be more of a stay at home type. he skates very well, head up passer, good leader, tough/gritty, he was ready to go with any giant that wanted, wasn't looking for it, but wasn't backing down at all. liked the way he protected his goalies crease area during scrums, he is an older player, and in order to properly evaluate a prospect you have to see him from year to year to see if there is significant improvment, at this age it should be visible to a good scout.
i'd say he's a real longshot to become a force in the ahl, nevermind making the show, but with work ethic and smarts as a defensive d-man anything is possible, time will tell if he has it between the ears, as he does have good enough skating, he could be a bit bigger, but he isn't small by any means.
who really stood out for me on edmonton was vintour, i texted my buddy the agent halfway thru the 2nd and asked him how old he was, he said "draft year in 09, good isn't he?"(plays and has size like a 19 year old), i responded "wow, lock this kid up" he said "too late he has an agent 2 years ago and i don't speak czech". anyway nwt i'm sure you've seen this kid, but watch him closely, my buddy that goes with me to games finds it funny that when he was on the ice i wouldn't even watch the puck just him exclusively, wow this guy could be a future nhl star. keep an eye on him for me too nwt.
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Post by CrocRob on Feb 21, 2008 14:13:21 GMT -5
The last I saw Cepek play, I didn't think the Habs would even offer him a contract, let alone that he'd become anything more than an AHL plugger. Sounds like nothing much has changed.
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Post by habmeister on Feb 21, 2008 14:29:19 GMT -5
The last I saw Cepek play, I didn't think the Habs would even offer him a contract, let alone that he'd become anything more than an AHL plugger. Sounds like nothing much has changed. no not really, but an echl contract might be the way to go, you never know, players like him have made the jump to the nhl before. willie mitchel took 5 years or so to make it and look at him now. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 22, 2008 19:53:48 GMT -5
saw cameron cepek play last night on the wrong end of a 7-0 drubbing by the giants. as has been usual this season left partway through the 3rd because it was just another giants blowout. as nwt said above he's got a ton of players ahead of him on the depth chart. although what cameron brings is different than mcdonagh, fischer, subban, carle, he'll be more of a stay at home type. he skates very well, head up passer, good leader, tough/gritty, he was ready to go with any giant that wanted, wasn't looking for it, but wasn't backing down at all. liked the way he protected his goalies crease area during scrums, he is an older player, and in order to properly evaluate a prospect you have to see him from year to year to see if there is significant improvment, at this age it should be visible to a good scout. i'd say he's a real longshot to become a force in the ahl, nevermind making the show, but with work ethic and smarts as a defensive d-man anything is possible, time will tell if he has it between the ears, as he does have good enough skating, he could be a bit bigger, but he isn't small by any means. who really stood out for me on edmonton was vintour, i texted my buddy the agent halfway thru the 2nd and asked him how old he was, he said "draft year in 09, good isn't he?"(plays and has size like a 19 year old), i responded "wow, lock this kid up" he said "too late he has an agent 2 years ago and i don't speak czech". anyway nwt i'm sure you've seen this kid, but watch him closely, my buddy that goes with me to games finds it funny that when he was on the ice i wouldn't even watch the puck just him exclusively, wow this guy could be a future nhl star. keep an eye on him for me too nwt. Vincour is going to be a real good one. He was the top pick in the CHL European draft and is held in high regard for the 2009 draft. He has size, skating and skill all in a nice big package for a 16 year old. He sure holds his own against older players in every game I have seen of his this year. My eye is already on this kid big time. I actually thought he was playing better than Figren early in the season, although the WJC was a big coming out party for the much older and more experienced Figren. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Feb 22, 2008 23:54:56 GMT -5
Cepek and the Oil Kings doing much better tonight in Prince George. He has one assist and is +2 in a 5-0 game in the third.
Maxwell had two goals including the OT winner in a 4-3 win tonight. Calgary was off.
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Post by Yossarian on Mar 1, 2008 20:42:51 GMT -5
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Post by seventeen on Mar 2, 2008 0:28:57 GMT -5
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Post by habmeister on Mar 18, 2008 23:59:13 GMT -5
Final regular season statistics: you really have to wonder when a junior is a year older and has less points or ppg. Ryan White is 24th in league scoring 2007-08 68GP 28G 44A 72PTS 98PIMs 2006-07 72GP 34G 55A 89PTS 97PIMs Ben Maxwell 2007-08 31GP 9G 18A 27PTS 26PIMs 2006-07 39GP 19G 34A 53PTS 42PIMS Cameron Cepek career is done, i expect/hope there is an echl assignment in it for him 2007-08 58GP 7G 18A 25PTS 119PIMS 2006-07 49GP 1G 8A 9PTS 87PIMS WHL Top scorers: whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=top_scorersRyan White-Calgary Hitmen ranked #4 in WHL and #6 in CHL (yes the dub has 4 of the top 6 spots  ) takes on the Moose Jaw Warriors who finished 8th in the Eastern Conference and were only 11 points behind the Ryan White's #1 team. Ben Maxwell's Kootenay Ice match up against the Memorial Cup finalists from last season Medicine Hat Tigers. only 1 point separates the two teams, and i'd expect Ben to join the Bulldogs as soon as the Ice are out of the playoffs. Which could be very soon as the Hat finished higher and might have the toughest building in the WHL to visit. |
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) takes on the Moose Jaw Warriors who finished 8th in the Eastern Conference and were only 11 points behind the Ryan White's #1 team.