Welcome back to the eleventh weekly installment of the Flyers Junior Hockey Prospect Recap.
December is here and that means that the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships are right around the corner! This year’s tournament will take place in the Czech Republic; poetically ironic since the Flyers 2019-2020 season started with a game in Prague. The eyes of the hockey world will be watching as the game’s top prospects will compete on the international stage, looking to bring glory to their respective countries and improve their individual 2020 draft rankings.
As always, keep an eye on www.brotherlypuck.com for all news and notes related to any Flyers prospects that will be participating in the tournament as well as articles previewing the teams and top players taking part in the competition.
Some of the Flyers related storylines from the Junior Hockey universe that are that we will be following up on in this week’s edition include:
Will Egor Serdyuk get back into the lineup after missing the last 4 games for the Victoriaville Tigres due to a lower body injury?
Will Jay O’Brien’s Penticton Vees rebound from a disappointing week in which they lost to the BCHL leading Coquitlam Express and the Chilliwack Chiefs?
Can Wyatte Wylie continue his point per game pace for the U.S. Division leading Everett Silvertips?
This weeks edition covers the week that was in the CHL and the BCHL from Tuesday November 26th – Sunday December 1st.
WHL (Western Hockey League)
Wyatte Wylie #29 (D) – Everett Silvertips (WHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2019-2020 | 24 | 7 | 15 | 22 | +7 | 90 | 21 |
- On Wednesday night the Everett Silvertips hosted the Spokane Chiefs. Silvertips goaltender Dustin Wolf stopped all 26 shots that he faced as Everett won the game by a score of 4-0. Wolf picked up his 4th shutout of the season and got goal support via the powerplay as Everett converted on 2 of 4 powerplay opportunities in the game. Wyatte Wylie was held off the scoresheet in this contest and finished the game with an even rating, 4 shots on goal, and 4 penalty minutes. At 19:54 of the second period, Wylie picked up a double minor for high sticking.
- The Everett Silvertips hosted the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday night. Although Everett scored the first goal of the game 1:05 in, Seattle goaltender Roddy Ross kept his team alive until the Thunderbirds took the lead at 13:58 of the third period to win the game by a score of 2-1. Wyatte Wylie was held to no points in the game and finished with an even rating and 5 shots on goal.
The Everett Silvertips continue to be on top of the U.S. Division with 35 points from 24 games. Everett are tied with the Kamloops Blazers for the number 1 seed in the Western Conference but have 3 games in hand. Wyatte Wylie is 5th among defenceman in WHL scoring.
Egor Zamula #9 (D) – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2019-2020 | 25 | 6 | 19 | 25 | +22 | 67 | 14 |
- On Friday night, the Calgary Hitmen faced off at home against the Regina Pats. Despite allowing the opening goal and ending the period with a 1-0 deficit, the Hitmen turned the game around in the final two periods. The Hitmen outshot the Pats 20-8 in the second period; scoring 2 goals and adding 2 more in the third period en route to a convincing 4-1 win. Egor Zamula registered 2 special teams assists in this contest. Zamula’s first assist came while the Hitmen were shorthanded to tie the game 1-1 at 13:10 of the second period. Zamula’s second period came via the powerplay at 16:12 of the third period to finish the scoring in the game. In addition to the 2 assists, Zamula finished the game with a +3 rating and 4 shots on goal.
- Saturday night saw the Calgary Hitmen take the highway north to visit the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Hitman had a very good opening period, matching the Oil Kings in shots with 11 and scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission. Unfortunately, Edmonton woke up in the second period scoring 3 goals to tie the game at 3-3 after 40 minutes of play. The Oil Kings continued their momentum in the third period with two more goals to defeat Calgary by a score of 5-4. Egor Zamula did not register a point in the contest, and was a -1 with 4 minutes in penalties. Zamula was given a 2 minute minor penalty for holding at 2:44 of the first period, and was further penalized with another 2 minute minor for roughing at 2:56 of the second period.
- On Sunday night, the Calgary hitmen welcomed the visiting Red Deer Rebels to the Saddledome. The Hitmen opened the scoring in the first period through Carson Focht who nabbed his 15th goal of the season. The Hitmen took a 2-0 lead early in the third period and looked on their way to victory, but the Rebels scored twice before the end of regulation to force overtime. Red Deer completed the comeback and scored the winner at 2:13 of overtime to win the game by a score of 3-2. Egor Zamula was held off the scoresheet and finished the game with a +1 rating, 3 shots on goal, and 2 PIMs. Zamula sat in the sin bin for 2 minutes with a hooking penalty at 10:02 in the opening period.
The Calgary Hitmen have 29 points from 22 games played. They continue to hold the first playoff wildcard spot and are in 4th place in the Central Division. They are 6 points ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings who occupy the second wildcard spot and 4 points behind the Medicine Hat Tigers for 3rd in the division.
Roddy Ross #1 (G) – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
| SEASON | GP | W | L | SO | MINS | SH | SAV | GAA | SAV% |
| 2019-2020 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 1122 | 668 | 609 | 3.15 | 0.912 |
- On Wednesday night the Victoria Royals visited the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Royals clung to the final wildcard spot; ahead of Seattle by 6 points prior to puck drop. Roddy Ross got the start for Seattle, and allowed 3 goals on 33 shots (33 saves) in the 4-2 loss. All of Victoria’s goals came at even strength as the Royals went 0 for 3 on the powerplay. Seattle got outshot in the game by a margin of 34-26 and could not capitalize on their lone powerplay opportunity of the game.
- On Saturday night, Roddy Ross once again got the call as the Seattle Thunderbirds travelled to Everett to face the first place Silvertips. Everett opened the scoring only 1:05 into the game and it looked like it might be a long night for Seattle and their goal scoring woes. Although outshot in the first two periods, Seattle went into the third period tied 1-1. Outshooting the Silvertips 20-6 in the third period, Seattle took advantage of a strong performance from Ross and scored the winning goal at 13:58 to win the game by a score of 2-1. Roddy Ross was awarded the First Star of the game in the win; making 32 saves on 33 shots and only allowing one goal.
The Seattle Thunderbirds still face an uphill battle to make the playoffs. With 19 points in 24 games, Seattle fell further behind the Victoria Royals for the final wildcard spot. Victoria is 8 points ahead of Seattle and the Thunderbirds have 1 game in hand.
OHL (Ontario Hockey League)
Mason Millman #12 (D) – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2019-2020 Saginaw Spirit | 26 | 5 | 9 | 14 | +3 | 47 | 20 |
- On Wednesday night, the Saginaw Spirit travelled within the state of Michigan to face the Flint Firebirds. Mason Millman registered 3 assists including one on the game winning goal as Saginaw won the game by a score of 8-3. Two of Millman’s assists came on the powerplay while the other assist came at even strength. In addition to the 3 assists, Millman had a +5 rating and took 1 shot on goal. Millman was named as the game’s First Star and now has a positive +/- for the first time this season. It must be said that Millman’s play has improved drastically from a rocky start, and he has evolved into the competent contributor that made him a 4th round selection by the Flyers at 103rd overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
- Friday night had the Saginaw Spirit travel into Ontario to face the Guelph Storm. Both teams found the back of the net in the first period, but Guelph struck three times in the second period to open up a 4-2 lead. Guelph added two more goals in the third period and defeated Saginaw by a score of 6-2. Mason Millman was held off the scoreboard and finished the game with a -1 rating, 4 shots on goal, and 2 PIMs. Millman picked up a minor penalty for hooking at 15:38 of the third period.
- On Saturday night, Saginaw continued their road trip visiting Owen Sound to face off against the Attack. Holding a 37-29 shots on goal advantage in the game, Saginaw battled back from a 4-2 deficit to score twice in the game’s final 2:45 to tie the game 4-4 at the end of regulation. 58 seconds into overtime, it was the Attack that would take the victory with the winning goal coming courtesy of Barrett Kirwin. Mason Millman was held scoreless, had an even rating, no shots on goal, and 2 minutes in penalties thanks to a slashing minor at 14:43 of the second period.
The Saginaw Spirit continue to sit in 3rd place in the West Division and dropped to 6th in the Western Conference. They currently are in a playoff spot and have 31 points from 26 games played.
QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
Egor Serdyuk #18 (RW) – Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | S | PIM |
| 2019-2020 Victoriaville Tigres | 18 | 8 | 5 | 13 | -9 | 37 | 10 |
- Thursday night saw the Victoriaville Tigres travel to Quebec City to face off against the Remparts. Despite being outshot by a 30-19 margin and being without the services of Egor Serdyuk for the fifth straight game, the Tigres broke a 3-3 tie at 14:39 of the third period to defeat the Remparts by a score of 4-3. Victoriaville went 1 for 2 on the powerplay and picked up a valuable two points as they continue to try to distance themselves from the basement of the Western Conference. Serdyuk’s recovery has been progressing slowly; but according to French language newspaper La Nouvelle Union, Serdyuk has a chance to get into the lineup on Saturday and can now be considered day to day.
- On Saturday night, the Victoriaville Tigres travelled to Drummondville to face the Voltigeurs. After being upraded to day to day earlier in the week, Egor Serdyuk did not dress for the Tigres for the sixth straight contest. After a scoreless first period, Drummondville scored twice in the second to hold a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. Victoriaville scored a consolation goal while on the powerplay with 29 seconds remaining to break the shutout bid and lost the game 2-1. Serdyuk was optimistic that he would suit up in this game, but it looks as though he will return next week barring any further setbacks in attempting to return from his lower body injury.
The Victoriaville Tigres remain in 7th position in the Western Conference with 23 points from 29 games. They are 5 points back of Blainville-Boisbriand for the last playoff spot with the Armada having 2 games in hand.
BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League)
Jay O’Brien #9 (RW) – Penticton Vees (BCHL)
| SEASON | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2019-2020 Penticton Vees | 31 | 15 | 30 | 45 | 41 |
- On Wednesday night, the Penticton Vees looked to snap their two game losing streak against the Prince George Spruce Kings. With a 10-6 shot advantage in the opening period, Penticton went into the first intermission trailing 1-0. Both teams traded goals in the second period with Prince George up 2-1 going into the third. The floodgates opened up in the third as 5 goals were scored. Jay O’Brien garnered an assist on Penticton’s third goal to tie the game 3-3, however it was Prince George that would do the rest of the scoring to win the game by a score of 5-3. The Vees outshot the Spruce Kings by a 34-21 margin, but could not score with the man advantage going 0 for 3 in the game. The Penticton Vees have now lost 3 games in a row.
- Friday night had the Penticton Vees look to break their three game losing streak, as they entered the first game of a home and home set against the Merritt Centennials. Penticton finally got it’s powerplay working again, as they went 2 for 6 with the man advantage. Their special teams play as well as the 52 shots on goal that they peppered on the Centennials goal helped the Vees to end their losing streak by winning the game 4-1. Jay O’Brien was held off the scoresheet in this game.
- On Saturday night, the Penticton Vees played the Merritt Centennials in the second half of their back to back set. The Vees continued their dominance of the Centennials, outshooting them in every period of the game to a total of 45-20. Vees goaltender Yaniv Perets stopped all 20 shots that he faced, and Jay O’Brien notched 2 even strength assists as Penticton won the game by a score of 5-0. For O’Brien the assists were his 29th and 30th of the season. He also picked up a minor penalty for slashing at 5:54 of the second period.
After this week, the Penticton Vees remain on top of the Interior Division with 47 points from 32 games. With the loss to Coquitlam the Vees remain 2nd in the entire BCHL and are 5 points behind the Coquitlam Express.
After this week, Jay O’Brien now has 46 points in 32 games for a 1.44 points per game average. He remains second in BCHL scoring, 13 points behind Kent Johnson of the Trail Smoke Eaters.
***
Hope you enjoyed this early November edition of the Flyers Junior Hockey Prospect Recap.
Feel free to leave any comments or feedback via twitter or at www.brotherlypuck.com .
Until next time from BrotherlyPuck.com,
I remain,
Manny Benevides
brotherlypuck.com 