The Flyers Junior Hockey Prospect Report (Mar. 7

Welcome to the final regular season edition of The Flyers Junior Hockey Prospect Report!

This edition for the 2024-2025 season covers the period that was in the WHL, QMJHL, and OHL from Friday March 7^th – Sunday March 23^rd.

WHL (Western Hockey League)

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

SEASON	GP	W	L	OTL	SO	SH	SAV	GAA	SAV%
2024-2025	40	22	15	3	1	1316	1202	2.93	.913

(Mar. 7) The Brandon Wheat Kings visited the Lethbridge Hurricanes with Carson Bjarnason getting the start in goal. In the first period, it was all Hurricanes with Lethbridge storming Bjarnason’s goal by outshooting Brandon 15-5. After the Hurricanes took the lead, the lone bright spot for the period would be a shorthanded goal by Caleb Hadland for his 22^nd of the season to tie the game 1-1 at 12:34. But the Hurricanes would add goals at even strength and the powerplay to take a 3-1 lead. That would end up being all the scoring in the game as Bjarnason would stop all 19 shots he faced in the remaining two periods as the Lethbridge Hurricanes defeated the Brandon Wheat Kings 3-1. Bjarnson took the loss and allowed 3 goals on 34 shots (33 saves). Bjarnason was named the Third Star of the game for his efforts. Brandon also clinched a spot in the WHL Playoffs.

(Mar. 9) The road trip continued for the Brandon Wheat Kings as they faced the Calgary Hitmen with Carson Bjarnason backing up Ethan Eskit in goal. The Hitmen would score the only goal of the opening period while shorthanded to take a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Calgary would score twice to extend their lead to 3-0 on 26 shots. In the third period, Nicholas Johnson scored his 15^th of the season at 14:23 to get the Wheat Kings on the board; but the Hitmen would score a second goal while shorthanded into the empty net as the Hitmen defeated the Wheat Kings 4-1.

(Mar. 12) The Brandon Wheat Kings returned home to take on the Saskatoon Blades with Carson Bjarnason starting in net. Brandon would strike first to take a 1-0 lead at 10:36 as Luke Shipley scored his 15^th of the season. In the second period, Marcus Nguyen would score a hat-trick for his 33^rd of the season to counter two Saskatoon goals as the Wheat Kings would take a 4-2 lead after forty minutes. In the third period, Caleb Hadland would ice the victory for Brandon with an empty net goal as the Wheat Kings ended their losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Saskatoon Blades. Bjarnason allowed 2 goals on 30 shots (28 saves) for the win. Bjarnason was named the Third Star of the game.

(Mar. 14) Carson Bjarnason would get the start in goal once again as the Brandon Wheat Kings visited the Moose Jaw Warriors. Caleb Hadland continued to stay hot as the Wheat Kings opened the scoring only 1:35 in with his 24^th of the season. In the second period, Hadland would score shorthanded with another early bird special only 43 seconds in to extend Brandon’s lead to 2-0. The Warriors would get on the board with a powerplay goal to make it 2-1 heading into the third period. In the final period, Jordan Gavin would score his 21^st at 9:44 and Luke Shipley would add an empty-netter to secure a 4-1 victory for the Brandon Wheat Kings over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Bjarnason only allowed 1 goal in the win and stopped 32 of 33 shots. Bjarnason was named the Second Star of the game.

(Mar. 15) The Brandon Wheat Kings would visit the Moose Jaw Warriors for the second half of a back-to-back with Carson Bjarnason starting once again. Roger McQueen (his 9^th at 0:57) and Marcus Nguyen (his 34^th on the PP at 3:53) would give the Wheat Kings a quick 2-0 lead out of the gate. The Warriors would storm back to tie the game 2-2, but Brandon would restore their lead with Matteo Michels 19^th of the season on the powerplay at 19:01 to lead 3-2. In the second period, Moose Jaw would score the only two goals of the period to take a 4-3 lead. In the third period, Luke Shipley scored his 17^th of the season at 14:46 to tie the game 4-4 and force overtime. In the extra frame, Nolan Flamand would score the winner for his 23^rd of the season as the Brandon Wheat Kings defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 5-4 in overtime. Bjarnason allowed 4 goals on 34 shots (30 saves) in the win.

(Mar. 19) The Brandon Wheat Kings returned home after their one-game road trip to host the Saskatoon Blades with Carson Bjarnason starting in goal. After a scoreless first period that saw the Blades outshoot the Wheat Kings 12-9, Saskatoon would open the scoring at 8:15 of the second period to take a 1-0 lead. In the third period, Saskatoon would extend their lead to 2-0 before Luke Shipley scored his 18^th of the season at 11:47 to make it a 2-1 game. Unfortunately that would be as close as Brandon would get as the Blades would add an empty-netter to hand the Brandon Wheat Kings a 3-1 loss. Bjarnason took the loss and allowed 2 goals on 26 shots (24 saves).

(Mar. 21) Carson Bjarnason got the start as the Brandon Wheat Kings hosted the Regina Pats. Jaxon Jacobson got the Wheat Kings on the board for a 1-0 lead with his 15^th of the season only 1:31 in. In the second period, Brandon would extend their lead to 3-0 thanks to two goals by Joby Baumuller (his 17^th and 18^th of the season) only 43 seconds apart. The Pats would get on the board at 11:17, but Marcus Nguyen would score his 35^th of the season on the powerplay at 17:58 to make it a 4-1 lead. In the third period, the Wheat Kings would score three goals after the Pats got one early through Luke Shipley (his 19^th at 9:45), Nguyen’s second of the game (10:35), and Matteo Michels (his 20^th while shorthanded at 15:04) made it 7-2. The Pats would score a late powerplay goal but Brandon looked good as they began to gear up for the postseason with an impressive 7-3 win over the Regina. Bjarnason was credited with the win and allowed 3 goals on 36 shots (33 saves).

(Mar. 22) Ethan Eskit would get the start in goal over Carson Bjarnason as the Brandon Wheat Kings visited the Regina Pats. Neither side would score in the opening two periods as the Wheat Kings outshot the Pats 18-15 through forty minutes. The deadlock would finally be broken 1:05 into the third period as Luke Shipley scored a powerplay goal for his 20^th of the season to make it 1-0. Carter Klippenstein would extend the lead to 2-0 at 5:04 to add some insurance for Brandon. An empty net goal by Nicholas Johnson (his 16^th) at 17:57 would be followed up by an absolute gem of a goal by Roger McQueen (his 10^th at 18:15) to propel the Wheat Kings to a 4-0 shutout victory.

***The Brandon Wheat Kings will be on the road in Round One of the WHL Playoffs as they will play the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

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

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2024-2025	66	6	27	33	-7	173	81

(Mar. 7) The Portland Winterhawks began their three games in three nights weekend by hosting the Seattle Thunderbirds. Rivalry Night would not start well for Portland as they fell behind 3-0 before Ryder Thompson scored his 9^th of the season at 15:38 to make it 3-1. In the second period, Seattle would get that goal back only 59 seconds in to retake a three-goal lead to make it 4-1. After the Thunderbirds extended their lead to 5-1 early in the third period, Diego Buttazzoni would score his 34^th of the season at 8:20 to make it 5-2. There would be no letup for the Thunderbirds though as they scored twice more to thump the Portland Winterhawks by a score of 7-2. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a -2 rating, and 2 SOG.

(Mar. 8) The Portland Winterhawks visited the Seattle Thunderbirds looking to exact revenge for their lopsided loss. In the first period, Seattle would open the scoring to take a 1-0 lead with a powerplay goal at 10:27. David Hoy (his 2^nd at 16:58) and Ryan Miller (his 14^th on the PP at 19:31) would give Portland a 2-1 lead after twenty minutes. After a scoreless second period, Kyle Chyzowski would add an insurance marker for his 40^th of the season and Alex Weiermair would add his 19^th into an empty net as the Portland Winterhawks defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, an even rating, and 8 SOG.

(Mar. 9) The Portland Winterhawks closed out their three games in three nights by hosting the powerhouse Everett Silvertips. Despite being outshot 15-10, the Winterhawks would take a 2-0 lead in the opening period with shorthanded goals by Tyson Jugnauth (his 13^th while at 7:43) and Josh Zakreski (his 34^th at 9:19). Special teams would continue to rule the roost in the second period as the Silvertips would score twice on the powerplay to even up the score 2-2. After no scoring in the third period, the game would still not be decided in the extra frame. In the shootout, Jugnauth and Alex Weiermair would score on both of their shots as the Porland Winterhawks defeated the Everett Silvertips 3-2 in a shootout. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a +1 rating, and 1 SOG.

(Mar. 14) The Portland Winterhawks returned to action as they visited the Everett Silvertips. After falling behind 1-0, the Portland Winterhawks tied the game 1-1 as Carter Sotheran’s wrist shot evaded bodies in front for his 5^th of the season at 3:00. Everett though would respond with two even strength goals to take a 3-1 lead. In the second period, the Silvertips would take a 4-1 lead about halfway through but Diego Buttazzoni would score a powerplay goal for his 35^th of the season at 14:09 to make it 4-2. In the third period, Josh Zakreski would also score his 35^th of the season at 18:19 to make it 4-3 but an empty net goal would sink the comeback as the Everett Silvertips defeated the Portland Winterhawks 5-3. Sotheran finished the game with 1 goal, an even rating, and 3 SOG.

Top-shelf Suds! pic.twitter.com/Hc3jdFw9pm
— x – Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) March 15, 2025

Video courtesy of the Portland Winterhawks

(Mar. 15) Playing their second of three straight games, the Portland Winterhawks hosted the Seattle Thunderbirds. In the opening period there would be no scoring although Portland doubled up Seattle in shots 16-8. In the second period, the Thunderbirds would take a 1-0 lead only 52 seconds in but goals by Alex Weiermair (his 20^th at 13:15), Reed Brown (his 6^th at 15:18), Josh Zakreski (his 36^th while shorthanded at 17:18), and Hudson Darby (his 7^th at 19:59) made it 4-1 for the Winterhawks. In the third period, Zakreski would score his second goal of the game on the powerplay and David Hoy would add his 3^rd of the season as the Portland Winterhawks defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 6-1. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a +2 rating, and 4 SOG.

(Mar. 16) The Portland Winterhawks finished up their third game in three nights as they hosted the Vancouver Giants. In the first period, Portland would take a 1-0 lead through Diego Buttazzoni’s 36^th of the season at 8:53. After Vancouver tied the game in the second period, Alex Weiermair scored his 21^st of the season while shorthanded at 7:28 to make it 2-1. Kyle Chyzowski would add an insurance goal with his 41^st of the season at 14:37 to make it 3-1 after forty minutes. In the third period, the Giants would claw the lead back to 3-2 but Carter Sotheran would score his 6^th into the empty net as the Portland Winterhawks would defeat the Vancouver Giants 4-2. Sotheran finished the game with 1 goal, a +4 rating, and 3 SOG.

(Mar. 21) The Portland Winterhawks hosted the Tri-City Americans. In the opening period, Tri-City would open the scoring at 17:00 to take a 1-0 lead. In the second period, former Prince George Cougar Carter MacAdams would double the Americans lead to 2-0 at 1:26. In the third period while trailing 3-0, the Winterhawks would finally get on the board with quick strike goals by Diego Buttazzoni (his 37^th at 9:19) and Ryan Miller (his 15^th at 10:10) to make it a 3-2 deficit. Tri-City would score an empty net goal at 19:27 to kill the comeback though as the Americans defeated the Winterhawks 4-2. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, an even rating, 2 SOG, and 2 PIMs (Unsportsmanlike Conduct).

(Mar. 22) In their regular season finale the Portland Winterhawks visited the Seattle Thunderbirds. In the first period, the Thunderbirds would score twice including while shorthanded to take a 2-0 lead but Josh Zakreski would score his 38^th of the season on the powerplay at 15:57 to make it 2-1. In the second period Seattle would score only 32 seconds in to make it 3-1, but Portland would respond with quick goals by Ryan Miller (his 16^th at 2:15) and Diego Buttazzoni (his 38^th at 3:10) to tie the game 3-3. The Thunderbirds would score twice in the remainder of the frame including on the powerplay though to turn it into a 5-3 game. In the third period, Zakreski would score his second of the game at 18:36 but the comeback effort would come too late as the Portland Winterhawks fell 5-4 to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Carter Sotheran finished the game with no points, a -1 rating, 7 SOG, and 14 PIMs (including a 10-minute game misconduct).

***The Portland Winterhawks will begin Round One of the WHL Playoffs on the road as they take on the Prince George Cougars.

QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)

Spencer Gill #15 (D) – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2024-2025	51	6	29	35	+30	127	56

(Mar. 9) The Rimouski Oceanic hosted the Charlottetown Islanders. The Islanders would open the scoring at 3:27 with a powerplay goal, but the Oceanic would respond with goals by Thomas Belzil (his 2^nd at 4:55) and a powerplay goal by Mathieu Cataford (his 16^th at 9:03) to take a 2-1 lead. In the second period, Cataford would strike for his second of the game at 8:32 to increase Rimouski’s lead to 3-1. In the third period, Anthony Pare would score his 4^th at 11:14 and Cataford would complete his hat-trick with a powerplay goal at 13:56 as the Rimouski Oceanic defeated the Charlottetown Islanders 5-1. Spencer Gill did not play due to injury.

(Mar. 12) The Rimouski Oceanic were back in action as they hosted the Sherbrooke Phoenix. In the opening frame, powerplay goals by Eriks Mateiko (his 24^th at 11:00) and Jack Martin (his 7^th at 12:34) countered a shorthanded goal by the Phoenix as Rimouski took a 2-1 lead. In the second period, it was Sherbrooke’s turn to score twice on the powerplay with the Oceanic getting a goal from Connor Sturgeon’s 1^st of the season at 14:17 ended the frame tied up 3-3. In the third period, Jonathan Fauchon scored his 44^th of the season at 4:03 and Anthony Gaudet scored his 1^st 1:15 later to pace the Oceanic to a 5-4 victory over the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Spencer Gill did not dress once again.

(Mar. 15) The Rimouski Oceanic visited Gatineau to take on the Olympiques with Spencer Gill continuing to be out with injury. In the opening period, Rimouski would take a 2-0 lead through Pier-Olivier Roy’s 2^nd of the season on the PP at 16:25 and Maxime Coursol’s 22^nd of the season at 18:47. In the second period, Gatineau would get on the board early to make it 2-1, but Anthony Gaudet would score his 2^nd of the season at 11:32 to make it a 3-1 advantage for the Oceanic. In the third period, Dominic Pilote (his 11^th) and Jonathan Fauchon (his 45^th) would put the game away as the Rimouski Oceanic defeated the Gatineau Olympiques 5-1.

(Mar. 16) The Rimouski Oceanic visited Shawinigan to take on the Cataractes still without the services of Spencer Gill. Connor Sturgeon got the Oceanic on the board with his 2^nd of the season only 3:44 in. But the Cataractes would respond with two goals by Louis-Philippe Fontaine to take a 2-1 lead. In the second period, Shawinigan would add a powerplay goal and an even strength goal to open up their lead to 4-1. In the third period, the Cataractes would score another three goals (including a shorthanded goal) to make it seven unanswered goals to open up a massive 7-1 lead. A Mathieu Cataford goal at 12:20 for his 19^th of the season would solely be a consolation goal as the Rimouski Oceanic got thumped 7-2 by the Shawinigan Cataractes.

(Mar. 21 and 22) The Rimouski Oceanic would end their regular season with a home and home series versus the Quebec Remparts. Unfortunately, it was announced that Spencer Gill’s season (including the playoffs) is likely over as Gill will be undergoing surgery and will be out for 10-12 weeks. In a statement, the Oceanic reiterated that they do not want to rush Gill back to action. Both games versus the Remparts ended with the Oceanic winning both games by an identical 5-1 scoreline.

***The Rimouski Oceanic will be hosting the Charlottetown Islanders in Round One of the QMJHL Playoffs.

OHL (Ontario Hockey League)

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

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2023-2024	52	11	29	40	+37	188	36

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

SEASON	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	S	PIM
2023-2024	50	25	57	82	+46	148	22

(Mar. 7) The London Knights took to the ice and hosted the Kingston Frontenacs with Denver Barkey not available due to injury. In the opening period, Sam O’Reilly would open the scoring at 9:45 with his 23^rd of the season only for the Frontenacs to tie the game up 1-1 23 seconds later. In the second period, O’Reilly would assist on both Easton Cowan and Landon Sim’s 27 goals of the season as the Knights would take a 3-1 lead. Kingston would score the only goal of the third period late but could not tie the game as the London Knights defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 3-2. Oliver Bonk finished the game with no points, an even rating, and 2 SOG.

(Mar. 9) The London Knights took to the road as they visited the Sarnia Sting for a Sunday matinee. London would take a 2-0 lead in the opening period thanks to Noah Read’s 9^th of the season 19 seconds in and Rene Van Bommel’s 4^th at 17:38. In the second period, the wheels completely fell off for the Sting as London erupted for six goals including two for Van Bommel (to complete a hat-trick), a pair by Sam O’Reilly, Kasper Halttunen (his 16^th), and Blake Montgomery (his 22^nd) to make it 8-0. In the third period, O’Reilly would complete a hat-trick as well to make it 26 goals on the season as the Sarnia Sting got crushed 9-0 by the London Knights. Oliver Bonk finished the game with no points, a +2 rating, and 3 SOG. Denver Barkey continued to be out with a shoulder injury.

(Mar. 11) In a battle of Flyers prospects, the London Knights hosted the visiting Guelph Storm. After falling behind 1-0, London would tie the game on the powerplay with Sam O’Reilly getting his 27^th of the season. Oliver Bonk grabbed an assist on the play and was involved in a scrum after the goal as well. In the second period, Sam Dickenson would score a pair for his 27^th of the season along with Logan Hawery’s 8^th and Kasper Halttunen’s 17^th to make it a 5-1 London lead. In the third period, Guelph would score a powerplay marker to make it 5-2 and pulled the goaltender early to try to get even closer. Evan Van Gorp scored in an empty net at 15:21 and both sides would score in the final minutes as the London Knights dominated the Guelph Storm 7-3. Bonk finished the game with 2 assists, a +1 rating, 3 SOG, and 4 PIMs.

Sam O'Reilly scoring first for the Knights after a Corey Perry lineup read 😉 @EdmontonOilers | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/nxiSgRzpAA
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) March 11, 2025