Shaw Notebook: October

Every season, scouts from Future Considerations spend countless hours in rinks across the world in an effort to gather information on the next wave of NHL talent coming down the pipe. BCHL-based Brandon Shaw is no different.

Here is Shaw’s notebook from the month of October.

Jonny Tychonick, D, Penticton Vees, 5-11, 165 03-03-2000
Penticton 3 @ Merritt 2 OT (BCHL), Oct. 13, 2017

Tychonick was a big player in the Vees last minute comeback to beat the Merritt Centennials in overtime. He saw ice time in all situations and was the key member on the blue line. Tychonick scored two late goals with under five minutes to play in the 3rd period, pushing the Vees to overtime to help them remain undefeated on the season. Tychonick is an impressive two-way defenseman with elite mobility and impressive stick skill. Throughout the game, Tychonick could move with ease up the ice passed multiple defenders due to his edges and quickness in transition. He carries speed well and can generate a push off his edges giving him an advantage to dart either way. Tychonick reads the play extremely well being able to breakout multiple plays on the rush and transition quickly, putting the Vees in odd man rush opportunities entering the Centennials zone. Tychonick’s greatest asset is his vision and hockey IQ as he reads the play. As he receives pucks at the blue line anything is a possibility for him when he pairs his skating ability with his hockey IQ.

Slava Demin, D, Wenatchee Wild, 6-1 187, 04-04-2000
Merritt 3 @ Wenatchee 2 (BCHL), Oct. 14, 2017

Demin is the backbone of the Wild’s D core. Although he did not manage to get on the scoreboard, he creates a lot of momentum on both sides of the puck in any situation for the Wild. Demin has been a standout in certain games and in others he just fits in. Against Merritt, Demin had flashes of being both dominant and average. This is due to his very calm demeanor while playing the game. At times, coaches must need to check Demins pulse to ensure that he was still breathing. This is a great asset while skating up ice and running the power play as you never know what Demin is going to do with his great skating ability, high hockey IQ, and efficient puck movement. However when battles and puck races happen, it would be nice to see Demin have some more urgency and emotion in his game. Demin also possesses a strong accurate shot that can beat many goalies from the blue line, but also places pucks very well for his forwards to get sticks on the puck to create multiple scoring chances. Demin’s skating ability is very efficient and fluid not just for his size, but in comparison to all players of any size. His edge work and transition is very strong, not losing any speed or strength because of his great knee bend and extensions on strides.

Powell Connor, D, Chilliwack Chiefs, 6-1, 179, 05-04-2000
Chilliwack 4 v. Merritt 2 (BCHL), Oct. 18, 2017

Connor was a large part of the Chiefs win on both sides of the puck. He chipped in on the offense getting on the scoreboard with one assist to help kickoff the offense in the second period for the chiefs off of a point shot. Connor is in his second season in the BCHL and he sees a lot of ice time in all situations. He is an unorthodox skater but he does possess speed and quickness. Connor gets in position well and moves with ease even though unorthodox. His aggression and compete is through the roof and it can both hinder and accelerate his game. Connor comes out of battles with the puck often, or he separates his man from the puck but on the other side of it he will sometimes run out of position to get into a battle or make a hit putting his teammates in unfavorable situations. He moves the puck both in the breakout and in transition with purpose and confidence, and with more experience his decision-making will only get stronger. Connor shoots the puck very well both with a heaviness and accuracy to it. His assist came off a point shot that the goalie could not handle because of its weight and it was placed in the right spot to produce extra opportunities for his forwards. This was seen at multiple points throughout the game.

Austin Chorney, D, Salmon Arm Silverbacks, 6-1 215, 05-23-2000
Merrit 5 v. Salmon Arm 4 OT, Oct. 21, 2017

Chorney is an intriguing prospect as he has many tools and is yet still very raw and unpolished. He did not produce any points in the loss to Merritt in OT but is a vital part to the back end and any success Salmon Arm has. Chorney is a cookie-cutter skater in a very technically sound skater. He has full extensions all the time with a good toe flick producing extra power and his stride efficiency and frequency is above average even for good skaters. Both his forward skating stride and backwards are very technically sound and this helps him throughout the game because he is very powerful with a very strong low base. This base helps him establish and create body position both with and without the puck, giving himself more time to make an intelligent play. His edges are strong and he is fairly quick in transition as he has a good first step out of transition and loves to jump into the play. His aggressive style of offensive play is something that both helps and hinders his game. Creating odd man rushes for both teams jumping in the play and pinching off the blue line often. Chorney’s strongest tool is his skating; his next would be his puck-moving ability. He moves the puck with ease, snapping it up the ice and in the offensive zone. He looks off his passes well and passes off his back foot are strong. His defensive game is also an asset and everything comes a bit easier because of his skating ability.