With the 2016-17 bantam hockey season just starting, head bantam scout Brayden Sullivan (Follow on Twitter @SullyDraftGeek) has decided to start a series on Dub Network. Every two weeks several draft reports will be posted on highly touted players in the WHL bantam draft. This will give fans a way to get a decent understanding of local players before they become mainstream, as well as a gateway for players and parents to understand what they do right and what they can work on. Also, bantam draft rankings will be out soon. This week’s player reports are on Noah Boyko, Seth Jarvis, Kieran Raymond, Johnny Jenkinson and Matthew Savoie.
Scouting Reports:
F Noah Boyko (Fort Saskatchewan Rangers)
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 155 pounds
YOB: 2002 (Eligible for 2017 Bantam Draft)
3G-1A-4PTS
Rank: Unavailable
Boyko is a really slippery player and often dominates when he is on the ice. He has a combination of being a heavily agile player who’s very good on his edges with quick hands. He uses this to move exceptionally well with the puck below the top of the circles and has a knack for taking the puck off the wall into the slot and unloading a high wrist-shot. A player who I would describe as more off a sharpshooter, Boyko proved that he can pick a corner from anywhere within 20 feet of the net with his hat trick performance against PAC Saints. A bigger-bodied player, Noah isn’t much of a physical asset on the ice but definitely uses it well to shield the puck. Currently, I would describe him as more of a shoot-first player (which he rightfully should be with a deadly wrist-shot he has). Something I would like to see Noah work on is his playmaking abilities when he has the puck deep in the offensive zone, as well as being a bit more physical along the wall. Nonetheless, Boyko should be regarded as an upper-echelon player in this year’s bantam draft. Brayden Sullivan
F Seth Jarvis (Rink Hockey Academy)
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 144 pounds
YOB: 2002 (Eligible for 2017 Bantam Draft)
8G-4A-12Pts
Rank: Unavailable
Coming off of an impressive showcase this past weekend, Jarvis led the tournament in scoring with eight goals and four assists for 12 points in just four games. Another shoot-first type of player, Jarvis has a deadly wrist-shot that he utilizes well when in tight on the goalie. A dynamic offensive presence on the ice, Seth loves the receive the puck and move up ice with it, while skating around his opponents as if they were pylons. He has a very solid top speed and often breaks away from defenders once he has a step on them. Jarvis is a player I personally like because of his explosiveness once he has the puck, and his creative style of play when entering the zone. While he usually shoots the puck when he has the opportunity, when Jarvis does move the puck it often leads to a scoring chance. Brayden Sullivan
D Kieran Raymond (Sherwood Park United Cycle Flyers)
Height: —
Weight: —
YOB: 2002 (Eligible for 2017 Bantam Draft)
1G-3A-4Pts
Rank: Unavailable
The best way I can describe Raymond’s game is that he plays a two-way game with a heavy, physical side to it. He can be utilized at any stage of the game (even strength, PK, PP), and is a player who possesses a heavy shoulder and is often laying a player out at the opponent’s blue line. Outside of that I think he brings a lot of offensive talent to his team, and when he isn’t focused on the big hit he is much more reliable defensively and a huge asset offensively. He’s a confident player when he controls the puck and isn’t afraid to take it up ice if he doesn’t see another option. His play in the corners is very good, often winning one-on-one battles effortlessly and making an outlet pass to his wingers. All in all, I think Kieran is a solid leader for Sherwood Park and can often change the momentum of a game with a single hit. The only thing I would like to see with Raymond is more of what he did against MLAC, where he was effective with his hits and a major asset offensively and on special teams. Brayden Sullivan
D Johnny Jenkinson (SSAC Southgate Lions)
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 150 pounds
YOB: 2002 (Eligible for 2017 Bantam Draft)
0G-1A-1Pts
Rank: Unavailable
A smaller left-handed defender for SSAC, Johnny is heavily utilized in all aspects of the game and has been a cornerstone player for his team through the very early stages of the season. He’s also a calming presence on the back end who reads the ice well and makes smart decisions with the puck. For me, the mental side of his game overpowers opponents, as he consistently makes smart pinches on the wall. In the offensive zone he often runs the play from the points and uses his exceptional lateral movement to find passing and shooting lanes. Defensively, he reads the play well and has great awareness of where opponents are. When given space with the puck in his own zone, he has the confidence and awareness to just take it. A knock on his game is that he at times gets caught holding on to the puck for a moment too long and gets stripped of it, and he sometimes gets caught trying to do too much with his rushes. All in all, he’s best when he keeps his game smart and simple. Brayden Sullivan
F Matthew Savoie (St. Albert Gregg Distributors Sabres)
Height: —
Weight: —
YOB: 2004 (Eligible for 2019 Bantam Draft)
1G-2A-3Pts
Rank: Unavailable
Savoie isn’t like most players his age. Instead, he’s playing at a higher level then all other 2004s and is not only keeping up, but is at times dominating the game. He’s a complete player in the sense that there isn’t a lot he does wrong. A smaller centre who is very shifty when attacking, he often creates scoring chances as soon as the puck enters the zone. He creates a lot of his points with either hard work in the corners or by showcasing exceptional playmaking abilities. He likes to play at an uptempo pace and loves to create turnovers when that pace becomes disrupted. At times he’s creative and will pull off a toe drag at the opponent’s blue line, which I have not seen him get caught on yet. The big thing in his game that I find puts him above most players his age is that he knows exactly what he is going to do with the puck moments before receiving it and will never get caught hesitating on a play. He shows great poise and is no doubt a frontrunner in his draft class. Going forward I would like to see him get bigger and see where his game goes as he gets even more comfortable around older players. Brayden Sullivan
