The Flyers Junior Hockey Prospect Report (Nov. 15

Welcome to The Flyers Junior Hockey Prospect Report!

This 4^th edition for the 2023-2024 season covers the period that was in the CHL and BCHL from Wednesday November 15^th – Wednesday November 30^th.

WHL (Western Hockey League)

Carson Bjarnason #64 (G) – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

SEASON	GP	W	L	SO	MINS	SH	SAV	GAA	SAV%
2023-2024	18	8	10	1	1027	573	516	3.33	.901

(Nov. 17) The Brandon Wheat Kings hosted the Edmonton Oil Kings with Carson Bjarnason getting the star in goal. In the opening period, Brett Hyland was the trailer on the odd man rush and fired in a buzzer-beater for his 11^th of the season to give Brandon a 1-0 lead. In the second period, the Wheat Kings outshot the Oil Kings 18-10 but managed to put up a four-spot. At even strength Nate Danielson (4^th of the season at 5:08), Jayden Wiens (5^th of the season at 6:26), and Dominik Petr (8^th of the season at 15:13) paced the Wheat Kings to a 4-0 lead. Caleb Hadland added a powerplay goal (his 6^th at 17:41) to give Brandon a 5-0 lead after forty minutes. Edmonton would score twice early in the third period, but the Brandon Wheat Kings would defeat the Edmonton Oil Kings 5-2. Carson Bjarnason was credited with the win and allowed 2 goals on 30 shots (28 saves). Bjarnason was named the game’s Second Star.

(Nov. 18) Carson Bjarnason would get the start as the Brandon Wheat Kings hosted the Medicine Hat Tigers. In the first period, Medicine Hat opened the scoring but Nate Danielson scored his 5^th of the season 50 seconds later to tie the game 1-1. The Tigers would go to the dressing room up 2-1 with an even strength goal at 8:07. In the second period, Medicine Hat turned on the gas as they outshot Brandon 16-3. The Wheat Kings were fortunate to only allow one goal in the frame as Bjarnason kept his team in the game with a few big stops. Trailing 3-1 in the third period, Brandon would cut the deficit to 3-2 at 5:45 as Jayden Wiens scored his 6^th of the season but it would not be enough as the Wheat Kings fell to the Tigers. Bjarnason was tagged with the loss but had a strong game allowing 3 goals on 35 shots (32 saves).

Tonight's game folder has videos labelled

"Big Save Bjarnason vs MH"
"Big Save Bjarnason vs MH 2"
"Big Save Bjarnason vs MH 3"
"Big Save Bjarnason vs MH 4"
"Big Save Bjarnason vs MH 5"

Instead of picking one for the @WestobaCU Save of the Game, let's watch all 5. pic.twitter.com/AkOsHJaa0L
— Wheat City Walleye (@bdnwheatkings) November 19, 2023

Video courtesy of the Brandon Wheat Kings

(Nov. 22) The Brandon Wheat Kings travelled to face the Edmonton Oil Kings with Carson Bjarnason starting in goal. In the opening period, Brandon started out hot by scoring 4 goals on 8 shots and taking a 4-1 lead. Doing the damage for the Wheat Kings were two goals each for Nate Danielson (6^th and 7^th of the season) and Charlie Elick (2^nd and 3^rd of the season). Edmonton would score twice on the powerplay in the second period, however the Wheat Kings would get an insurance goal from Nolan Flamand’s 6^th of the season at 14:57 would ultimately give Brandon a 5-3 lead after forty minutes. In the final period, both sides could not find the back of the net as the Brandon Wheat Kings defeated the Edmonton Oil Kings 5-3. Bjarnason got tabbed with the win and allowed 3 goals on 30 shots (27 saves).

(Nov. 24) The Brandon Wheat Kings visited the Red Deer Rebels with Carson Bjarnason getting the night off. Goals were hard to come by as there was no scoring through forty minutes of play with the shots 16-15 in favor of the Rebels. In the third period, Red Deer finally got one past Ethan Eskit at 19:40 after a phenomenal game by both goaltenders. With the net empty, the Wheat Kings would allow a goal at 19:48 and ended up losing this game by a score of 2-0. Both goaltenders were well deserving of star honors as Eskit stopped 29 of 30 shots and was named the game’s First Star.

(Nov. 25) Carson Bjarnason returned in goal as the Brandon Wheat Kings visited the Medicine Hat Tigers. In the first period, the Tigers found themselves up 2-0 with a pair of powerplay goals midway through the frame. Nate Danielson would score a shorthanded goal for his 8^th of the season at 18:25 to make it a 2-1 game. In the second period, the Tigers would score three goals (one powerplay and two even strength) to chase Bjarnason from the game at 12:50. In the third period, Medicine Hat would score on Ethan Eskit at 15:10 and hand the Wheat Kings a 6-1 defeat. Bjarnason took the loss and allowed 5 goals on 20 shots (15 saves).

(Nov. 26) The road trip continued for the Brandon Wheat Kings as they visited Prince Albert to take on the Raiders. Ethan Eskit would get the start in this game as Carson Bjarnason would be the backup. In the first period, the Wheat Kings held a 9-8 shots advantage but neither side could manage to find the back of the net. In the second period, Jayden Wiens would score his 7^th of the season at 3:03 and score his 8^th on the powerplay at 16:36 to give Brandon a 2-0 lead. After the Raiders made it 2-1 in the third period, Dominik Petr would add some insurance with his 9^th goal of the season at 8:09 and give the Wheat Kings a 3-1 win.

Carter Sotheran #59 (D) – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2023-2024	21	5	7	12	+11	39	29

(Nov. 17) The Portland Winterhawks hosted the visiting Prince Albert Raiders. In the first period, the Raiders got on the board first to take a 1-0 lead only 4:06 in. Portland dominated the shots on goal throughout the game to the tune of 43-27 but Prince Albert goaltender Max Hildebrand was tremendous in this game. In the second period, Portland would tie the game 1-1 through Nicholas Johnson’s 5^th of the season at 8:20. Prince Albert retook the lead 2-1 at the 11:00 mark and Hildebrand would stop 42 of 43 shots to take First Star honors and lead the Raiders to a 2-1 win over the Winterhawks. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a +1 rating, and 1 SOG.

(Nov. 19) The homestand continued for the Portland Winterhawks as they hosted the Everett Silvertips. In the first period, Portland would take the lead with a powerplay goal by Jack O’Brien (his 6^th of the season) at 4:40. After Everett tied the game, the Winterhawks powerplay would strike again as Josh Davies 12^th of the season at 19:17 made it 2-1. Winterhawks goaltender Jan Spunar would leave the game due to injury and not return In the second period, Marcus Nguyen made it 3-1 1:49 in for his 7^th of the season. Carter Sotheran scored a wraparound goal for his 4^th of the season at 19:33 to give Portland a 4-1 lead. In the third period, Sotheran was at it again as he scored his second of the game with a slapshot from the point on the point on the power play to make it 5-1. The Silvertips would score three straight goals to cut the lead to 5-4, but Davies would score an empty net goal to secure the win for Portland by a score of 6-4. Sotheran finished the game with 2 goals, a +1 rating, and 3 SOG. He was named the game’s First Star.

Carter Sotheran. Big wrap guy 🌯 pic.twitter.com/i7GXps7pm3
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) November 20, 2023

Video is courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks

Have Anotheran! pic.twitter.com/bJUhjSI3sT
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) November 20, 2023

Video is courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks

(Nov. 22) The Portland Winterhawks hosted the Victoria Royals. Josh Davies opened the scoring with his 14^th of the season only 1:56 into the opening period. The Royals would tie the game 1-1 at 9:32 with a powerplay goal, but Diego Buttazzoni would put Portland ahead 2-1 with his 11^th of the season at 16:38. In the second period, Josh Davies scored his second of the game at 8:50 by swiping home a nice cross-ice feed from Gabe Klassen to make it 3-1. Victoria would score twice in the third period to tie the game 3-3 and extra time was needed to decide a winner. After a scoreless overtime, the Winterhawks would get shootout goals from James Stefan and Gabe Klassen to win the game 4-3 in round four of the shootout. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, an even rating, 2 SOG, and 2 PIMs.

(Nov. 24) The Portland Winterhawks headed north to visit the Everett Silvertips. In the opening period, Portland stormed out of the gate to take a 3-0 lead while outshooting Everett 14-11. Josh Davies stayed red hot with his 8^th goal in his last 6 games (16^th overall) at 9:47. Gabe Klassen scored a shorthanded marker for his 13^th of the season at 14:40, and James Stefan scored his 12^th with 9 seconds remaining in the period. The winds of change would blow though and reverse the tide of this game. In the second period, it was the Silvertips that put up three goals (two by way of the powerplay) on a 19-9 shots advantage to tie the game 3-3. In the third period a span of two goals in 41 seconds would sink Portland along with an empty-netter as the Silvertips roared back in this game to defeat the Winterhawks 6-3. Carter Sotheran did not register a point, had an even rating, no SOG, and 2 PIMs.

(Nov. 25) The Portland Winterhawks were back for some home cooking as they hosted the Saskatoon Blades. 21 seconds into the game, James Stefan would get Portland off on the right foot with his 13^th of the season. Both sides would trade goals with Stefan adding a second of the game as the game was tied 2-2 after twenty minutes. In the second period, Carter Sotheran saw his shot off the rush stopped but Gabe Klassen potted the rebound for his 14^th of the season only 25 seconds in. Saskatoon would tie the game once again with the game heading to the third period tied 3-3. In the third period, the Blades would take a 4-3 lead at 3:15, but Josh Davies 17^th of the season at 11:47 would make it 4-4 with regulation time not deciding the game. In overtime, the heroics would fall to Portland’s Jack O’Brien who scored his 7^th of the season 44 seconds in give the Winterhawks a 5-4 overtime win. Sotheran finished the game with 1 assist, a +1 rating, and 5 SOG.

2-for-2 on goals in the first minute of a period tonight! pic.twitter.com/iOGmQ5QSSu
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) November 26, 2023

Video courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks

(Nov. 26) The Portland Winterhawks hosted the Spokane Chiefs. In the opening period, the Chiefs would lead 1-0 but the Winterhawks would respond 23 seconds later as Ryan Miller scored his 1^st goal of the season to tie the game 1-1. Miller would nab a second goal at 17:51 to give Portland a 2-1 lead. In the second period, Spokane would outshoot Portland 11-8 but neither side was able to score. In the third period, Spokane scored twice in a 31 second span to take a 3-2 lead and added another two (including an empty-net goal) to defeat the Winterhawks 5-2. Portland’s powerplay was a major reason for the loss as they went 0 for 8 with the man advantage. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, an even rating, and 2 SOG.

QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)

Matteo Mann #76 (D) – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2023-2024	15	1	3	4	+4	6	25

(Nov. 16) The Saint John Sea Dogs hit the road as they visited Baie-Comeau to face the Drakkar. Despite being outshot 18-6, the Sea Dogs scored the only goal of the opening period as Eriks Mateiko scored a powerplay goal for his 9^th of the season at 12:56 to give Saint John a 1-0 lead. The Drakkar turned the tables in the second period as they tied the game 37 seconds in and the same goal scorer (Justin Gill) would give Baie-Comeau the 2-1 lead. Nicolas Bilodeau would tie the game 2-2 for Saint John with his 2^nd of the season at 15:47, but the Drakkar would retake the 3-2 lead before the end of the period. In the third period, Baie-Comeau would score three unanswered goals (two coming by way of the powerplay) as the Drakkar would defeat the Sea Dogs 6-2. Matteo Mann finished the game with no points, an even rating, and no shots on goal.

(Nov. 17) Continuing on the road, the Saint John Sea Dogs visited the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Matteo Mann did not dress for today’s game. The Sea Dogs opened the scoring only 2:15 in as Vince Elie scored his 9^th of the season. In the second period, Chicoutimi would take a 2-1 lead with goals at both even strength and the powerplay. In the third period, Saint John would tie the game 2-2 at 17:51 as Mathis Gauthier scored his 2^nd of the season to force overtime. In overtime, Elie would be the hero with his second goal of the game 37 seconds in as the Saint John Sea Dogs would defeat the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 3-2 in overtime.

(Nov. 19) The Saint John Sea Dogs continued their road trip as they visited the Rimouski Oceanic with Matteo Mann once again not in the lineup. Both teams traded goals in the opening period with the Sea Dogs Peter Reynolds scoring his 11^th of the season to tie the game 1-1. In the second period, the trading of goals continued with both sides scoring twice in alternating fashion. Saint John received an even strength goal from Eriks Mateiko (10^th) and a shorthanded goal from Vince Elie (11^th) to tie the game 3-3. In the third period, Peter Reynolds would score twice to complete the hat-trick and Pavel Simek would add an empty-netter to pace the Sea Dogs to a 6-3 win over the Oceanic.

(Nov. 25) The Saint John Sea Dogs returned home as they faced the visiting Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. This game would be a struggle offensively for the Sea Dogs as they would only manage 15 shots the entire game. In the opening period, the Huskies would take a 3-0 lead with three even strength goals to set the tone for the game. In the second period, Rouyn-Noranda would make it 4-0 only 1:22 into the period and that was all that was needed as the Sea Dogs were shutout by the Huskies. Matteo Mann returned to the lineup and finished the game with no points, a -1 rating, and 1 SOG.

(Nov. 26) The Saint John Sea Dogs hosted the Val-d’Or Foreurs at TD Station. In the opening period, a flip pass turned into a two-on-one that allowed Vince Elie to score his 12^th of the season to give Saint John a 1-0 lead at 19:42. In the second period, Eriks Mateiko would double the lead to 2-0 only 18 seconds in with his 11^th of the season. At 12:18, Pavel Simek would score on a shorthanded breakaway for his 11^th of the season to make it 3-0. With one second remaining, Peter Reynolds scored a powerplay goal for his 14^th of the season to finish off a tic-tac-toe play to make it 4-0. In the third period, Mateiko would score his second of the game on the powerplay 1:00 into the period and Nicolas Bilodeau would pot his 3^rd of the season at 12:05 to lead 5-0. Saint Johns goaltender Justin Robinson would stop all 21 shots he faced as the Sea Dogs shutout the Foreurs by a score of 5-0. Matteo Mann finished the game with no points, a +1 rating, and no SOG.

(Nov. 30) The Saint John Sea Dogs were back in action as they visited the Moncton Wildcats. In the opening period, Saint John found themselves up 2-0 with goals by Vince Elie (his 13^th at 1:30) and Peter Reynolds (his 15^th at 4:18). Moncton would get a goal back at 6:58, but the Sea Dogs would strike twice more with goals by Noah Rienhart (his 9^th at 8:23) and Eriks Mateiko (his 13^th at 14:11) to lead 4-1. In the second period, the Wildcats cut the deficit to 4-2 but Reynolds would score his second of the game on the powerplay at 8:00 to make it 5-2. In the third period the Wildcats would score 1:34 in with a powerplay goal as Matteo Mann was in the box for a check to the head, but Kency Pierre-Noel would get his 1^st of the season at 10:30 to make it 6-3. Mann would get an assist on Peter Reynolds’ hat-trick goal into the empty net, and the Saint John Sea Dogs defeated the Moncton Wildcats 7-4. Mann finished the game with 1 assist, a +1 rating, no SOG, and 2 PIMs.

OHL (Ontario Hockey League)

Oliver Bonk #59 (D) – London Knights (OHL)

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2023-2024	24	5	19	24	-2	54	14

Denver Barkey #86 (RW) – London Knights (OHL)

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2023-2024	24	13	20	33	+14	77	12

(Nov. 15) Midweek, the London Knights travelled to Guelph to take on the Storm. In the opening period, Denver Barkey went hard to the net and tapped in his 12^th of the season only 1:27 in. Later in the frame, Jackson Edward would get his 5^th of the season on the powerplay with an assist on Oliver Bonk to double the lead at 4:13. The Storm would get one back midway through the period but the Knights went to the room up 2-1. In the second period, Bonk would score his 2^nd goal of the season from the slot with the Knights on a powerplay to help London to a 3-1 lead at 8:32. Powerplays ruled the roost in the third period as Guelph would convert at 7:34, but both Bonk and Barkey would score their second goals of the game with the man advantage at 10:39 and 18:10 respectively to give London a 5-2 away win. Barkey finished the game with 2 goals, a +1 rating, and 7 SOG. Bonk ended up with 2 goals (including the GWG) and 1 assist for 3 points, an even rating, and 4 SOG. Oliver Bonk was named the game’s First Star.

Barks keeps puttin up points 🐶@NHLFlyers | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/fF9v4O4F19
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) November 16, 2023