Kamloops Blazers F Dylan Willick had a solid 2nd WHL season, doubling his goal production from his rookie year, potting 24 goals and 44 points in 72 games. >But the numbers don't tell the story for Willick. He's an excellent penalty killer and shot blocker who plays well in all three zones. Ranked 164th by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming NHL Draft, Willick discusses his season and his career and gives his thoughts on playing against number one ranked Ryan Nugent Hopkins.

Matt Dumba was selected 4th Overall by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. He landed close to home coming from the Calgary Bronks AAA program. Dumba joined Edge prep school, before getting a taste of what the WHL has to offer with 8 games, two being playoff match-up’s as a 15 year old. In 2010-2011 Dumba got full time ice with the Red Deer Rebels, and faired very well. Mathew also excelled at the World U17 Hockey Challenge, where he finished the tournament as the leading scorer, playing for team Pacific. Dumba put up more goals than assists this past season, not a very common feat by a defenceman. Dumba possesses great skating ability, the technique needs a little adjustment, but the overall package is very solid. He gets a quick jump, and is able to generate a good top speed, particularly when skating down the wings. He really looks like a forward when driving down the wing with the puck on his stick, and has a quick and accurate release on his wrist shot.

Dumba also has a solid point shot, which he is able to release fairly quickly. He moves the puck with respectable ability, and appears to choose the right times to take his shot. One of the biggest standout features about Mathew Dumba’s play is his physicality. He is a very punishing defenceman, who despite being listed at only 165lbs. Has thrown some huge hits on some bigger opponents. He is equally effective throwing hits in open ice and along the boards. However he will occasionally leave his feet, and regularly put himself out of defensive positioning in order to connect with some of these hits. To go along with his physical play, he has shown complete willingness to drop the gloves whenever necessary, and has shown very well against guys bigger and stronger than him. Dumba is already built solid, going into next season he will hopefully add to his frame, and get even stronger. Also his defensive play will need to improve, he jumps out of position either for a high risk play, or to deliver a hit too many times. Dumba will need to try and control this a little in favour of remaining a steady presence in his own zone while continuing to improve his offensive contributions. Expect to see Dumba’s role with the team increase greatly, and to be a leader and key contributor from the blueline. Mathew is a potential top 10 pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, and is a player we see a great deal of upside in.

There has been a surge of top end prospects recently making the long journey from Switzerland to the WHL. Names like Sven Baertschi and Nino Niederreiter stick out, and one of the rising prospects out of Switzerland and in the WHL this year is Kamloops's Tim Bozon (the son of former NHL'er Philippe Bozon). Born in Lugano, Switzerland, Bozon is a 6'1, left shooting forward who was selected 27th overall in the 2011 CHL Import Draft. He is scoring at a point per game pace so far in this WHL season and has consistently impressed HockeyProspect.com scouts. Bozon is a smart hockey player with good size and playmaking abilities.  Before coming to the WHL, Bozon suited up for the highly touted Lugano team in the Swiss under-20 league.

HP: How has your season in Kamloops gone so far?

TB: Well, I had a good start of the season. Every game I feel better on the ice. I'm adjusting to the North American hockey style. I know I can play better, I'm not playing at my highest level right now, but it's only the beginning of the season so I know it is coming.

HP: What has been the toughest adjustment so far from Switzerland to the WHL?

TB: Well, the biggest adjustment for sure is the smaller ice. For every Euro hockey player when they come here it's the smaller ice and the players being bigger and faster. You get less time to make a play. Outside of hockey, I feel great in the change and the organization because they trust me. For sure miss my family, but I can always call them.

HP: Did you talk to any other Swiss players before coming to the WHL:

TB: Sure, I talk a lot with Dave Sutter from Seattle. He is a good friend of mine and I played two years with him in Geneva. I talked a little bit with Sven Baertschi from Portland and Nino Niederreiter a little bit. But, I talk very often with Sutter and he told me good things about the league and gave me some good things to do here.

HP: How would you describe your style of play?

TB: I try to do my best every game. I work hard on the ice and off the ice. On the ice I have good skills. I like to control the game and the puck and be a playmaker. I think I am a good skater too. I just try to play my game every time and every shift. I try to get better in the defensive zone, but my style is more offensive.

HP: Are there any NHL players you like to model your game after?

TB: Well I like watching the new NHL prospects like Magnus Svensson Pääjärvi and Jordan Eberle.  In terms of NHL veterans, I like Ales Hemsky from Edmonton and learn from him by watching NHL games and highlights.

HP: Are you an Edmonton Oilers fan, or do you just see a lot them now that you're in Western Canada?

TB: Yeah, I'm an Oilers fan because I really like the players that play for them. But I also really like Datsyuk from the Red wings for example.

HP: What is your favorite part about playing in the WHL?

TB: It's really different. The hockey is different, I get more games here then I did in Switzerland. We have more fans. Like last year we played just in front of a 100 people but now it can be as much as 5,000. I really like that. It is like a professional league and I think it is a good fit for me.

HP: What are your goals for this season in the WHL?

TB: I am just trying to play good and hard every game. I know that there are a lot of games and sometimes I won't be successful, so just try to work hard in the moment and don't concentrate on the stats. For sure I like to score goals, but I got to work on each game.

HP: Have you had many thoughts about the draft?

TB: For sure. I think about that, but I don't want to think too much about the future before the present. I want to think about how I can be better on the ice and my team. The draft is coming later on.

HP: How come you decided to come from Europe to the WHL?

TB: Well a good example is Niederreiter. It just kind of worked like him, As a young person I played with the older guys so I saw a lot of him and then his success in the WHL and now in the NHL. I followed him a lot on the internet. This year was my opportunity to come over here as a 17 year old so I wanted to take the chance because it gives me a better chance to play one day in the NHL.

HP: What advice would you give a European player that is coming to play Major Junior hockey in Canada?

TB: For sure I'd say it's hard. It's far away in Canada so it's hard but I'm living my dream right now. For me it's incredible to play here because it's professional. You have to know it's your chance to prove that you are a good player and can play in the NHL. The real hockey is here and I want to get my chance.

MAREK TVRDON

Birthplace: Nitra, Slovakia
DOB: 1993 JAN. 31
Height/Weight: 6’2/212 lbs
Shoots: Right
Drafted by: Detroit Red Wings(2011, 4th round 115th overall)



Nitra, Slovakia native Mark Tvrdon has had a great season for the Vancouver Giants so far. The 6’2, 212 lbs left winger had his season cut short to only 12 games because of a shoulder surgery, but the big forward showed enough for the Red Wings to take him in the 4th round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and at this point, it looks like Detroit stole another player in the later rounds of the draft.

Tvrdon is an important player for the Giants. Playing on the top line with captain James Henry and Montreal Canadiens draft pick Brendan Gallagher, he brings much needed size to that line, but also a lot of skill to create one of the most dangerous lines in the WHL.

For his size, Tvrdon is deceptively good skater. He is very effective in retrieving pucks by quickly getting to loose pucks and using his body to win battles along the boards. He gets to point A to B in a hurry, and does well in corners with his quick turns. He is a real threat down low because he is so big, yet so shifty.

Tvrdon makes very good, quick decisions with the puck, rarely giving it away. He always has his head up on a rush or in the corners, locating his options and making the appropriate plays given the situation that is presented to him. His playmaking skills are so impressive that he plays the point on the first unit PP. However, he is definitely more of a scorer than a playmaker. He uses his big frame to get to the net and jam home rebounds, or use his underrated wrist shot off the half wall to score goals.

The “soft European” stereotype does not fit with Tvrdon. He battles as hard as anyone on the Giants while staying discipline, and is always willing to stick up for teammates in a scrum. He goes for loose pucks with great tenacity, and stands in front of the net as well as anybody in the league.

Marek Tvrdon is going to play a big role for Slovakia in the upcoming World Junior Tournament. He will be counted on to contribute often offensively, and play the bruising style as he has been doing all year with the Giants. One day, he will be in the NHL and be a tough forward to play against with his offensive skills and size.

Virtually every young boy that laces up his skates dreams of one day playing in the National Hockey League, but not all of them are lucky enough to play alongside a future first overall pick.

Perhaps that provides some explanation as to why Colton Sissons, 18, of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets appears poised to be selected early in the 2012 entry draft.

“I played some midget hockey with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins [in 2008-2009],” Sissons says. “We were linemates there and we became pretty close buddies. Coming from playing with him, I took away his work ethic; he works harder than anybody I ever came across. His work ethic is second to none, so I’ve really taken that in stride the last couple years in junior hockey and it’s starting to pay off just like it did for him.”

Scouts aren’t enamored with Sissons for the same reasons they fell in love with Nugent-Hopkins, but Sissons possesses some rare qualities for a junior player that could cause some scouts to fall in love with him.

Even if some aren’t convinced that Sissons will put up elite offensive numbers as a professional, HockeyProspect.com regards Sissons as among the best two-way forwards in the draft.

“Defensively, Sissons is one of, if not the best draft eligible forwards in his own end,” HP’s Western Canada Scout Charles An wrote in the HP January newsletter. “He makes very good reads and makes himself very useful in any situation. Not only does he read the plays well, but his intensity without the puck is what makes him one of the best two-way forwards in the WHL. He backchecks hard, plays a physical game and fearlessly blocks shots on a game-to-game basis.”

Sissons’ maturity and team-first attitude were key reasons why Kelowna named him team captain just a couple of weeks into the season.

“Coming into your 18-year-old year and being captain really shows the coaches have a lot of respect for you and they trust you to lead their team,” Sissons says. “I think that leadership aspect bumps me up that much more in the draft in some scouts’ eyes and it’s a big responsibility no doubt, but I’ve felt I’ve handled the pressure pretty well.”

Sissons emerged as a rookie last season when he posted 17 goals and 24 assists to go with an impressive plus-15 rating, but it’s his newfound scoring punch that has sent him rocketing (excuse the pun) up draft boards.

“I’ve been scoring a lot of goals this year which is a nice change of pace from last year,” Sissons says. “[I had a] much better start, so I’m feeling really confident this year, really strong that I’m producing for my team.”

Sissons has racked up 36 points (25 goals, 11 assists) for the third place Rockets, including 12 tallies on the power play.

“For the most part I’ve been stuck in front of the net,” Sissons explains. “That’s where I’ve made my office this year, if you want to call it that. I just get in front of the goalie’s eyes and bang home a couple rebounds. I’m not afraid of getting in the greasy areas and banging them home, so that’s where I score most of my power play goals.”

The NHL’s Central Scouting Service took notice of Sissons’ breakout season and ranked him 14^th amongst North American skater in the midterm rankings released earlier this month. HockeyProspect.com has Sissons ranked 15^th overall in their latest rankings released January 15^th.

“It’s always a nice feather in your cap when you get recognized for your hard work,” Sissons says. “But I’m just kind of taking it in stride, not letting the numbers get too much in my head. It’s definitely an added boost of confidence for me. I’m really happy about it and I’m just going to continue to work away and hopefully keep climbing up the rankings.”

Sissons stands at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds and plays a hardnosed power forward game that makes him a nightmare for opponents.

“I’ve got a bigger frame than some guys so I definitely use my size to an advantage,” Sissons says. “Physicality is a huge part of my game that really wears down the opposing defense so I’m always on the body and I’m always looking to finish my hits.”

He likens his style to Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler and Los Angeles’s Mike Richards, two players that Sissons admires specifically for their ability to play in all situations.

And like his idols, Sissons also possesses a high hockey IQ.

“To be honest I think it’s kind of a natural thing for some guys,” Sissons says. “I haven’t really been taught to see the ice the way I do, it’s just kind of a natural thing and I just see the play before it happens which really helps me make plays quicker and make smart plays with the puck in general.”

Sissons believes he’s still growing and admits that the weakest part of his game is his skating. But as you might expect from an 18-year-old captain, Sissons has been working tirelessly to improve in that area.

“I could work on my foot speed,” Sissons admits. “I’ve been working on it a lot this year with my coaches and I’ve been trying really hard to improve that… Mostly leg strength is where all your speed and agility comes from. So that’s a huge part of it, working on my leg strength and my explosiveness in my lower body for sure. That helps a lot with your quick starts and your crossovers, getting moving really quick.”

Sissons’ draft stock may continue to fluctuate this year depending on his continued offensive production, but there’s little doubt that a player with his unique abilities and character will hear his name called early in the 2012 draft.

“It’s a pretty big deal, but I’ve done a pretty good job of just kind of keeping it tucked away in the back of my mind for now and just going out and playing hockey and having some fun out there and not getting too stressed about it,” Sissons says. “When the draft comes it will be full frontal, right in front of my eyes, but for now I’m just playing the game and working hard every day.”

The Calgary Hitmen have been one of the hottest teams in all of the CHL over the past couple months and nobody has meant more to the team in that time than Jimmy Bubnick.

Bubnick has had a resurgence in his game reminding us as to why the Atlanta Thrashers drafted Bubnick in the 6th round back in 2009. As a '91 birth, Bubnick came into the season as an overager and was expected to have a strong campaign and be a key veteran for the Hitmen.

Over the course of the season, Bubnick has not only met those expectations, but exceeded them to the point that he has helped lead the team to a surprisingly successful season, he's also earned himself a real shot at playing pro hockey next year in the process. This is because the Thrashers opted not to offer Bubnick a contract, making him a free agent. Now that Bubnick's shown what he's capable of, he's earning a real hard look from NHL squads.

Bubnick has always been a threat to score with the puck on his stick. The biggest difference for him is the improved play without the puck this year. The combination of the hard work without the puck and the scoring ability with it have helped Bubnick to emerge as a leader for the Hitmen. The refinement in his game has been refreshing to see and his abilities along the wall, getting in shooting lanes to block shots, improved compete level, and added strength to hold off opponents have really gone a long ways to make this season so good for him.

The talented forward has a great frame and a pro-level shot.The size, strength, and skating combination that he comprises has always been intriguing and now that he's putting together the rest of his game, he just may get the chance to play pro hockey somewhere next season and possibly earn an invite to an NHL camp if he is able to sustain his high level of play for the duration of the season.

WHL’s Mike Winther, Tim Bozon, and Branden Troock added to event rosters

For Immediate Release
Wednesday January 18, 2012

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club and Home Hardware Stores Limited today announced that three players have been added to rosters for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played February 1 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.

Mike Winther of the Prince Albert Raiders, and Tim Bozon of the Kamloops Blazers have been added to the Team Cherry roster while Branden Troock of the Seattle Thunderbirds will suit up for Team Orr.  The three players replace Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, Jarrod Maidens of the Owen Sound Attack, and Matia Marcantuoni of the Kitchener Rangers who are all unable to participate due to injury.

Winther, an 18-year-old from Trochu, AB, is playing in his second WHL season with the Raiders.  The 5’11’’, 170lb forward was ranked 26^th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their recent midterm rankings.  In 45 games so far this season he has 39 points including a team-high 22 goals.

Bozon, a 17-year-old rookie from Lugano, Switzerland, is ranked 39^th by NHL Central Scouting.  At 6’1’’, 178lbs, the Blazers’ forward is tied for first among WHL rookies in scoring with 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points in 44 games.

Troock, a 17-year-old Edmonton, AB, native is playing in his first full WHL season with the Thunderbirds.  The big 6’3’’, 203lb power forward has 14 points in 34 games so far this season and was ranked 90^th by NHL Central Scouting in their midterm rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is supported by title sponsor Home Hardware for the 13^th straight year with associate sponsors Bank of Montreal, Subway, and CCM.

The game will be broadcast live to a national audience on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Quebec beginning at 7:00 pm Pacific and available online through Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 17^th annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL draft eligible players.  The two-day event also features a skills competition and three-on-three challenge taking place on Tuesday January 31, 2012.  Ticket packages are still available for the two-day event and can be purchased at http://www.selectyourtickets.com/prospects.php or by calling 250-762-5050.

For more information including rosters and historical stats please visit www.homehardwaretopprospectsgame.com

About Home Hardware Stores Limited

100% Canadian owned and operated, Home Hardware Stores Limited has a presence in every Canadian province and territory and is the country’s largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers, the cooperative now includes more than 1,080 stores, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual collective retail sales of more than $5 billion. Home Hardware’s independent Dealer-Owners, recognized by the North American Retail Hardware Association as Canada’s best-trained Dealer group, have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products, a world-class distribution system and draw upon the power of Home Hardware’s network to provide their local communities with top quality products and services at competitive prices.

It isn’t easy to stand out offensively on a team that led the Western Hockey League in goals by a whopping 18 and boasts two 2011 first-round draft picks, but Derrick Pouliot of the Portland Winterhawks proved to be a unique prospect even as a 16-year-old rookie.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Pouliot notched 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in his first WHL season and exploded for 59 (11 goals, 48 assists) this year, good for fourth in the league in scoring amongst defensemen and forcing every NHL team to take notice.

“This year I’ve had a lot more confidence,” Pouliot says. “I’ve been able to step into a bigger role on this team, maybe become a bit more of a leader. I’ve been sharpening up things in my game every day. Last year I learned what it took to play in this league and this year I was a little more prepared for it.”

Pouliot’s offensive ability has never been in question, but his defensive zone play has drawn criticism in the past.

Credit the Weyburn, Saskatchewan native for being well aware of his weaknesses, for Pouliot has spent his sophomore campaign paying close attention to his defensive play while still racking up points by the bundle.

“I know you have to be able to play in both ends of the rink,” Pouliot says. “It’s better this year, I’ve worked on finishing guys in the corners, closing on guys quick, being more intense, having more energy out there, making sure that I don’t give up any scoring chances against. I think I’ve improved a lot this year with that…I want that to be as good as my offensive game.”

Pouliot’s improved defense is the primary reason he’s held in such high regard by Hockey Prospect and why his draft stock has been on the rise.

"It's always nice to see a player improve any area of their game,” HP’s Mark Edwards says. “Derrick has done a good job improving his defensive game which only helps his cause as the draft approaches."

Pouliot drew rave reviews for his play in the CHL Top Prospects Game and has another opportunity to impress NHL scouts during the Winterhawks’ playoff run. Though Portland boasts such high scoring prospects as Sven Bartschi and Ty Rattie, Pouliot and Joe Morrow lead a potent two-way rearguard that was instrumental in propelling the Winterhawks to a third-place finish in the WHL’s Western Conference and may be the key to Portland’s playoff hopes.

The recent firsthand draft-year experience of Bartschi, Rattie and Morrow has had a calming influence on Pouliot, who has the advantage of knowledgeable predecessors over many of his competitors.

“Seeing those guys and asking them about it kind of prepares you for what you might go through,” Pouliot says. “I kind of know what to expect and it’s exciting, it’s exciting to hear them talk about it and it’s even more exciting to go through it.”

Even in a draft loaded with capable defenders, few possess the pure offensive talent of Pouliot. He already has a reputation for being a dynamic power play quarterback, strong skater and excellent puck mover and if his defensive game continues to improve, he could end up being the best of the bunch.