CK Prospects Report: Dresden Jr Kings

The Chatham-Kent Prospect Report will look at players from local hockey programs, after viewings this season. Players to be reviewed must be 1997 birth year of younger.

This report is from a second viewing of the Dresden Jr Kings, this time facing the Blenheim Blades, October 9, 2014.

Kyle Dawson – 1998 – Florence – A pleasant surprise, Dawson, was called up for the contest. After not receiving much ice early in the game, Dawson saw more shifts later in the game, to the point where he played more than many veterans. Why? Work ethic. Dawson kept his feet moving, and showed skill with the puck on his stick, benefitting from a rich lacrosse pedigree. In fact, his hands, including in tight situations, were superior to most of his older peers on the ice. Not the biggest player, Dawson’s soft hands got him two points, including his first Junior C goal the following night. A good but not great skater, Dawson will need to work on this area to progress up the hockey ladder. He could be a Junior C regular now, and will become more effective as his nerves settle and he becomes more willing to engage with opposing players in the dirty areas. Kyle Dawson has the hands, and a strong work ethic, and will be a top 1998 player to watch in the league next season.

Justin Delgado – 1997 – West Lorne – After receiving a rave review for his season opening performance in our Prospect Report, Delgado went scoreless over the next month, but did create offence this weekend. An agile player, Delgado uses his skating skills to open up space, and separate himself from defenders. Why he hasn’t scored more since the season opener is a bit of a mystery. He’s a rookie, still learning the league, but was noticeable every time he stepped on the ice. Simply put, Delgado needs to make the same impact each night, and find consistency at the Junior level. All the tools are there, it will just take time. Adding meat to his frame could help the diminutive forward create offence not just in open space, but from all areas on the ice.

Steven Funk – 1997 – Chatham – Skill-wise, Funk was one of the best defensemen on the ice Friday. He scored a goal in the first period, jumping in to find a puck in the slot. Funk is a puck moving defender who uses his skating to create space for himself. At times, under pressure of Blenheim’s forward corps, Funk could have benefitted from making a simple play up the boards or glass to avoid trouble. Funk played in all situations, and showed why he’ll be a continued player to watch this year. Sometimes on the blueline, a simple decision is the right one, and as Funk gains more experience at the Junior level, we expect he’ll find a balance between creating offense, and making safe plays.

Kain Hopkins – 1997 – Moraviantown – Although the numbers aren’t there yet, Hopkins still shows as an offensive defenseman. He moved the puck more quickly than his earlier showing, and kept his head up to find options on the breakout and in transition. Hopkins reads as a player who will contend for an immediate Junior B call up next season. For now, Hopkins needs to put pucks on net when he gets the chance, and use his six-foot-one frame to become a physical presence. He showed improved composure and decision making from game one, which comes with experience. Now that he has settled in, Hopkins needs to use his powerplay time, and offensive skills to become a difference maker.

Ross Krieger – 1998 – Pain Court – We’ve been told we should tone down our love for Krieger before a Junior B team scoops him up. Sorry, this kid can play, and makes everyone around him better in the process. He isn’t just one of the elite 16-year-olds in the league, or rookies, when you watch Krieger’s on ice vision, and the impact he makes playing against much older competition, it becomes obvious he’s one of the elite players in the league…period. Krieger defines hockey sense. He sees the ice well, making crisp passes, and is able to create offence in tight, much like he did for Dresden’s second goal, flashing his puck possession and playmaking skills. Krieger took every important faceoff for the Kings, in both ends, and played in every situation. Scoring at a point per game, he’s doing it all. Sorry Kings fans…Krieger’s presence will be a one season and done performance.

Nate Sabourin – 1997 – Chatham – Sabourin saw such limited time it was difficult to assess his play. In the shifts he did see, Sabourin showed good speed, and was persistent in pursuit. From his high school and minor hockey days, Sabourin was known as an intelligent player, with good leadership skills, and upstanding character. Historically a defenseman, Sabourin played shifts at forward Friday. His skating and work ethic suggest, if given more responsibility, Sabourin would respond well. If he gets the opportunity, Sabourin will prove to be a valuable player at the Junior C level. In our opinion, he’s currently being under-utilized.

Will Tetzlaff – 1997 – Dresden – Not a player we reviewed in our first Dresden Kings viewing, Tetzlaff didn’t immediately stand out with flashy plays. That doesn’t however, mean Tetzlaff isn’t an effective player. In fact, he showed himself Friday to be a tireless worker, who used his stick and skating abilities to separate his opposition from the puck. While he won’t dazzle with the puck, he makes wise decisions, and uses stick positioning to take away lanes, making the Dresden product an ideal penalty killer and shut down match up. He creates turnovers, which in turn create offense. A prototypical defensive forward, Tetzlaff made smart plays getting the puck deep and accurately identified his targets on the backcheck. As a testament to his reliability on the ice, Tetzlaff played the final minute for Dresden in the 2-2 game.