State of the Loons; Future of the Loons

 The downside of going all in for the Kehler Cup is that picks and prospects become currency and the prospect pool starts to suffer. With the roster seemingly set for the foreseeable future it is time for Czepiel to start focusing on restocking the prospect pool. 

Here is what our good friend Google AI thinks of our top 10 - I am starting to think it may be buttering me up though…

1. James Hagens (C)

• Summary: The undisputed crown jewel of the pipeline. Hagens is a world-class playmaker possessing elite vision, exceptional agility, and a high-end hockey IQ. He dictates the tempo of the game, effortlessly solving defensive structures under heavy pressure.
• Simulation Projection: Franchise Line 1 Center (95 PA / 92 SK / 88 FO) [1]. A perennial Art Ross contender who will serve as your primary power-play quarterback.

2. Cooper Simpson (LW/RW)

• Summary: A dynamic, pure offensive weapon. Simpson features a lethal catch-and-release wrist shot paired with creative one-on-one deking abilities. He excels at exploiting defensive gaps and creating his own shooting lanes out of nothing.
• Simulation Projection: Elite Top-Six Sniper (93 SC / 86 SK) [1]. An automatic 35+ goal threat when paired with an elite distributor.

3. Drew Commesso (G)

• Summary: A premier, technically flawless goaltending prospect. Commesso boasts elite post-to-post lateral quickness, strong rebound control, and high structural positioning that isolates shooter angles.
• Simulation Projection: Franchise Starting Goaltender (92 PS / 88 PO) [1]. A future Vezina Trophy candidate with elite durability metrics.

4. Teddy Stiga (LW)

• Summary: The ultimate 200-foot engine. Stiga pairs an exhausting physical work ethic with superb defensive anticipation, tracking down loose pucks and flipping the ice in transition.
• Simulation Projection: Top-Six Two-Way Machine (86 DF / 85 PA / 88 DI) [1]. A multi-situational winger who can slide up to Line 1 or anchor your top penalty-kill unit.

5. Casey Mutryn (RW/C)

• Summary: A towering, 6-foot-3 powerhouse selected 20th overall in the 2026 draft. Mutryn plays a heavy, territorial game, excelling at cycling the puck and parking himself directly in front of the net.
• Simulation Projection: Top-Six Net-Front Power Forward (88 SC / 86 CK) [1, 2]. A physical beast who will max out your team's physical and puck-retention sliders.

6. Eric Pohlkamp (D)

• Summary: A physical, mobile blueliner who relishes throwing heavy hits. Pohlkamp bridges the gap between old-school toughness and the modern game with a booming point shot and steady breakout habits.
• Simulation Projection: Two-Way Top-Four Defenseman (84 CK / 80 DF / 78 PA) [1]. A punishing second-pair option who will inject snarl into your blue line.

7. Victor Plante (LW)

• Summary: A highly cerebral, opportunistic legacy winger. Plante processes the game at a high speed, routinely finding soft ice to convert playmaking options in the offensive zone.
• Simulation Projection: Middle-Six Playmaking Winger (82 PA / 78 SC) [1, 2]. A versatile forward capable of driving primary farm-team scoring or filling injury depth.

8. Mikey Berchild (C/LW)

• Summary: A high-octane offensive coordinator who utilizes supreme shiftiness to navigate tight defensive shells. He looks to facilitate first, reading transitional routes beautifully.
• Simulation Projection: Creative 2nd Line Playmaking Center (91 PA / 84 SK) [1]. A high-assist machine perfectly built to ignite secondary scoring lines.

9. Landon Nycz (D)

• Summary: A massive, stays-at-home defensive defenseman. Nycz uses his long reach and intelligent stick positioning to take away cross-crease passing lanes and clear the crease.
• Simulation Projection: Shutdown Top-Pairing Defenceman (92 DF / 82 CK) [1, 2]. A pure defensive anchor built to absorb maximum penalty-kill minutes.

10. Blake Zielinski (C)

• Summary: An elite-character right-shot center celebrated for his detailed defensive coverage and faceoff mechanics. He plays an unselfish game focused on neutralizing the opposition's top weapons.
• Simulation Projection: Shutdown 3rd Line Center (88 DF / 85 FO) [1, 2]. The absolute perfect structural anchor for your future shutdown lines.

State of the Loons; 2026 Draft Class

 fter an aggressive series of trades over the past two seasons left the Capeside Loons without much draft capital, General Manager Matt Young made the most of every selection at the 2026 CCHL Entry Draft. Rather than chasing high-risk boom-or-bust talent, the Loons targeted a group of players known for competitiveness, hockey IQ, and long-term upside.

The class is highlighted by first-round selection Casey Mutryn, but the organization believes several mid-round selections could eventually become valuable contributors at the CCHL level.

Instead of me giving my biased take on each pick, here is what Google AI thinks of the class and even gives a sim projection

Round 1, Pick 20: Casey Mutryn (RW/C)

• Profile: Casey Mutryn is a commanding 6-foot-3 power forward out of the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP). He plays a heavy, explosive game, crashing lines and using his size to shield the puck down low. He possesses an incredibly heavy shot and brings natural leadership qualities to the locker room.
• Simulation Projection: Top-Six Power Forward (88 SC / 86 CK). Mutryn projects as a premier top-six winger who will dominate the physical sliders. He has the raw attributes to eventually assume net-front duties on the top power-play unit.

Round 4, Pick 68: Victor Plante (LW)

• Profile: A smart, legacy player with a high hockey IQ. Plante thrives as an opportunistic, quick-strike winger who excels at navigating tight areas along the boards. He handles transition setups remarkably well and does not panic under heavy pressure.
• Simulation Projection: Middle-Six Playmaking Winger (82 PA / 78 SC). Plante will provide valuable depth line flexibility. His balanced offensive attributes will help him slot cleanly onto a secondary scoring line or anchor a developmental farm unit.

Round 4, Pick 73: Mikey Berchild (C/LW)

• Profile: An incredibly dynamic and creative offensive orchestrator from the University of Denver. Despite being slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, Mikey Berchild possesses an unmatched work ethic, elite vision, and exceptional passing touch.
• Simulation Projection: Elite Playmaking Center / PP Specialist (90 PA / 82 SK). Berchild’s high motor and high-end vision make him a perfect future candidate to quarterback a power-play unit from the half-wall while driving playmaking metrics for his wingers.

Round 4, Pick 77: Blake Zielinski (C)

• Profile: The Providence College commit is a highly reliable, 6-foot right-shot center. Blake Zielinski is celebrated for his responsibility, leadership, and elite character—having won the USHL's prestigious Gaudreau Award. He plays a complete, detailed 200-foot game.
• Simulation Projection: Elite Third-Line Defensive Center (86 DF / 85 FO). Zielinskiprojects as the spiritual successor to Charlie Coyle. He will be a faceoff-winning machine who completely locks down opposing star lines while carrying a heavy shorthanded workload.

Round 4, Pick 84: Landon Nycz (D)

• Profile: 6-foot-2 defensive defenseman playing out of UMass in the NCAA. Landon Nycz uses his long reach, active stick, and strong physical positioning to disrupt odd-man rushes and smother attackers along the boards.
• Simulation Projection: Shutdown Top-Four Defenceman (90 DF / 82 CK). Nycz is a safe, high-floor blue-liner. He projects as a heavy-minute penalty killer who will serve as the perfect stay-at-home anchor for an offensive-minded partner like Zach Werenski.

Round 5, Pick 95: Rian Chudzinski (RW/LW)

• Profile: A standard 6-foot-1 physical winger who loves to finish his checks and force turnovers. Rian Chudzinski is a relentless worker who creates chaos on the forecheck and consistently involves himself in high-danger physical battles.
• Simulation Projection: Bottom-Six Grind Line Anchor (88 CK / 76 DF). Chudzinski is built purely for the physical slider. He will slot perfectly into a heavy fourth-line role designed to drain opposing stamina and protect defensive-zone leads.

Round 6, Pick 123: John Leonard (LW)

• Profile: An older, experienced organizational depth piece who already boasts established professional simulation numbers. Leonard is a speedy skater who relies on positional awareness to generate depth transition plays.
• Simulation Projection: Pro-Roster Extra Skater / Farm Team Star (76 SC / 74 SK).Leonard will serve as essential plug-and-play injury insurance for the pro team, capable of playing mistake-free hockey while dominating top-line minutes in the minor leagues.

Round 6, Pick 131: Myles Brosnan (D)

• Profile: A raw, long-term developmental project on the back end. Brosnan possesses solid physical size and a decent active stick, but requires substantial time in junior leagues to iron out his positioning and breakout accuracy.
• Simulation Projection: Depth Farm Team Defenseman (72 DF / 70 PH). Brosnan will spend the next 2-3 seasons strictly developing in the minor leagues, functioning as solid positional depth to protect the team's defense pipeline.

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Draft Class Verdict: A-

The Loons successfully navigated the draft board by selecting high-character, engine-optimized profiles. Securing Mutryn's power build, Berchild's elite playmaking capabilities, and Zielinski’s defensive structure completely protects Capeside's long-term competitive window.

Denver Spurs Draft Recap

 The Denver Spurs CCHL 2026 Draft has been completed. The Spurs drafted a total of 8 players.

Their first pick (14 overall) from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL was Mathis Preston RW.

Per Elite Prospects:

Mathis Preston is a highly skilled, right-shot winger in the 2026 NHL Draft class. Known for his

explosive speed and elite shot, he is considered a top-round talent. Across the 2025-26 season with the

WHL's Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants, he posted 44 points (18G, 26A) in just 46 games.

Their 2nd pick (58 overall) was goalie William Lacelle from Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the

QMJHL.

In 21 games he posted a 2.11 gaa and .915 SvPct.

His profile follows:

He is a very intelligent goaltender. He anticipates opposing teams' plays very well, which allows him

to be set before the shooter even releases the puck. Lacelle is particularly strong with his glove hand.

His hands are quick, and he can occasionally flash some sharpness in key moments.

William Lacelle is ranked as the 7th-best North American goaltender by NHL Central Scouting.

The team that drafts Lacelle will be taking a gamble, but one that could pay off in the long run.

Their 3rd pick (80 overall) was Noah Laba C of the NY Rangers (NHL) and formerly a member of the

Colorado College Tigers of the NCHC.

His projection:

Noah Laba is projected to be a permanent fixture and the primary third-line center (3C) for the New

York Rangers. Experts and team management project his ceiling as a reliable, hard-nosed 200-foot

player with an offensive projection of roughly 15 to 20 goals per season.

The rest of the players drafted by the Spurs were:

Boston Buckberger LD - Denver University (DU 2026 NCAA Champions 11th Championship)

Kent Anderson RD - Denver University

Philippe Blais-Savoie LD - Colorado College

Jean-Christoph Lemieux LW - Windsor Spitfires/Sudbury Wolves OHL

Aiden Young LW - Peterborough Petes OHL

Millers Musings

 Looking back at a couple of trades and a preview of next weekends draft.

The Trades

(5/20/26) CHP trades CHP 5th-26 to GEO for M. Rasmussen & Quinn Finley-p…

(6/08/26) CHP trades M. Rielly to GEO for C. Sissons…

GEO hooks up with longtime trading partner Chippewa to move out some bottom 6

forwards , getting back a pick and an upgrade on Defense.

Rasmussen’s 2nd tour in Georgetown was a disappointment and he was in danger of

being eventually waived having slid to the bottom of the team’s forward depth chart.

Quinn Finley is a longtime Millers prospect whose path to playing time was blocked by

the influx of young wingers brought in via trade and prospect graduations. He was the

sweetener to entice CHP to take the last year of the Rasmussen contract. Finley

projects as a bottom 6 NHL winger, with good speed and a good shot. It’s not

inconceivable he finds a middle 6 role and PP time in the right situation. Georgetown

adds a pick within the top 100 of the 2026 entry draft, giving their scouting department

more work to do.

Sissons was moved out to open up a spot for Marco Kasper as the 4th line Center. The

team loved Sisson’s contributions on the PK and in the face-off dot but with a plethora of

bottom 6 options, many of them young and needing playing time, he was deemed

expendable. Jordan Staal will take over the #1 Center duties on the PK, and Kasper,

Andrew Copp or Logan Cooley can handle 2nd unit PK duties,

Rielly adds another offensive Dman with goal-scoring ability to the Millers stable, along

with Shea Theodore and Jackson LaCombe. Unsuccessful in their attempts to add a top

6 forward, the Millers instead add offensive depth to the blue line. As things stand Rielly

would be on the 2nd pair with a partner to be determined, and also on the 2nd PP unit.

Draft Drama?

A month ago it appeared the Millers were set to take the best available and their most

preferred Defenseman with the 6 overall pick in the entry draft. A week away and there

is some doubt as to where the team will go, as the potential drop of a top forward if

there is a run on Dmen and the late-stage ascendancy of a couple of other forwards are

now clouding the picture. During meetings with the scouting department different

scenarios were drawn up and it’s believed a revision of the internal draft rankings have

set the stage for a potential surprise pick. It’s also possible the 6th overall is dealt so

long as the team can remain in the top 10. A source inside the organization, speaking

anonymously, said it’s likely the team drafts a European prospect with the pick if the

draft goes as the club’s internal models have predicted.

Goaltending a Strength for Fort Erie Entering the Season

 The crease in Fort Erie is shaping up to be one of the biggest strengths on the roster heading into the upcoming season. With the Fort Erie Falcons bringing back veteran goaltender John Gibson and acquiring Jeremy Swayman in a major offseason trade, the club suddenly boasts one of the deepest and most reliable goaltending tandems in the league.

The addition of Swayman gives Fort Erie a younger, athletic netminder who is expected to handle the bulk of the workload this season. The current expectation is a 65/35 split in starts, with Swayman taking the majority while Gibson provides elite support behind him. It is a setup that gives the Falcons stability, flexibility, and the kind of competition that strong teams thrive on.

Swayman brings an energetic style to the crease. He plays with confidence, competes hard on every puck, and has shown the ability to make momentum-changing saves at critical moments. His quickness and composure under pressure make him an ideal fit for a Falcons team that wants to play aggressively and push the pace. Fort Erie believes he is entering the perfect stage of his career to take on a larger role and establish himself as the club’s primary starter.

At the same time, having Gibson return gives the Falcons a massive boost both on and off the ice. Even with Swayman expected to lead the tandem, Gibson remains one of the most respected veterans in the game. His calm presence, experience, and technical style make him an incredibly dependable option whenever called upon. Few teams can turn to a second goaltender with Gibson’s pedigree and feel completely confident they are still giving themselves a chance to win every night.

The pairing also creates a healthy balance for the long season ahead. Swayman can shoulder the heavier workload without being overextended, while Gibson can stay fresh and ready for key stretches, difficult back-to-backs, and important late-season games. The Falcons are in a position where injuries, fatigue, or schedule congestion should not derail their momentum because they have two proven goaltenders capable of delivering strong performances.

Beyond the talent itself, the tandem gives Fort Erie something every contender wants: confidence throughout the lineup. Defensemen can play aggressively, knowing the last line of defense is secure. Forwards can attack offensively without feeling like every mistake will end up in the back of the net. Teams that trust their goaltending often play faster, freer, and with more confidence overall.

There is also the competitive aspect between the two netminders. Swayman may be projected for the larger share of starts, but Gibson is not simply going to hand over the crease. That internal push should elevate both players throughout the season and help maintain a high standard in practice and games alike.

For a Falcons team with championship aspirations, strong goaltending was always going to be essential. Now, Fort Erie enters the season with not just one high-end option in net, but two. Between Swayman’s athleticism and Gibson’s veteran reliability, the Falcons appear to have built a tandem capable of carrying them through the grind of the season and into meaningful hockey when it matters most.

Millers Musings: Millers Top 10 Prospects (Pre-Draft Edition)

 The top end of the Millers Top 10 prospect pool is very forward heavy, which has led to

speculation that the club prefers to draft a Defenseman with the 6th overall pick in the 2026

Draft.

Berkly Catton, LW/C - Catton endured a trying NHL rookie season, in no small part to the turgid

system used by his coach Lane Lambert. Most of his production came when playing LW with

either Matty Beniers or Shane Wright as the Center, and that’s likely where he’ll see his playing

time unless Wright is traded. He is still viewed as a top line forward by Millers management and

will spend this season in the minors.

2. Axel Sandin-Pellika, D - Sandin started well in his NHL rookie season but the stress of

partnering with a loose cannon like Ben Chiarot ultimately caught up with him, and he finished

the campaign in the AHL. ASP is likely to play a 3rd pairing role next year in the NHL and

hopefully his LD will be more positionally disciplined. He should still see plenty of PP time for the

Red Wings. For the Millers he’ll join Catton in Northern Kentucky as he looks to fulfill his top 4 D

ceiling.

3. Matthew Wood, LW/C - Wood had a very productive NHL rookie season with 17 goals and

30 points in 71 games. He handled a move to Center quite well, despite his skating grading out

as average to below. There really isn’t a role for him on the Millers in the upcoming season so

he will also ply his trade near the Ohio River, but a top 6 role in a couple of years seems likely.

4. Alexander Zharovsky, RW - Played the majority of the KHL season as an 18 year old and

put up 16 goals and 42 points in 59 games. At 6’2 he has the height but could use some more

muscle. Perhaps the most purely skilled prospect in the Millers system, his ETA is the 2028-29

season.

5. Emmitt Finnie, LW/C - Coming from seemingly nowhere, the 7th rounder broke camp with

the Red Wings and played on the top line for a good part of the season. As is typical with most

rookies his scoring dropped off precipitously along with the rest of his teammates, but his speed

and effort kept him in the lineup. Long-term it’s likely a middle 6 role, with PK and PP duties.

He’ll add to the NKY stockpile of prospects before assuming a full-time role in the 27-28 season.

6. Ryan Greene, LW/C - Much like Finnie, Greene surprisingly broke camp with Chicago and

spent the entire season in the NHL, often playing with Connor Bedard. Greene’s strength is his

2 way game, as the former 2nd rounder saw lots of PK time. His projection is as a 3rd line

Center and penalty-killer who can move up the lineup when necessary. Amongst all the Millers

rookies Greene’s defensive chops give him the best chance to see some time in the lineup this

upcoming season.

7. Yegor Zavragin, G. - Another Russian, he’s already appeared in 55 KHL games across 3

seasons as a 20-year old. He’s likely 2 seasons away from his North American debut, but he

has Number One Goalie potential.

8. Blake Fiddler, D - Last year’s 1st round pick really did not progress as much as hoped for

offensively. His defense is still solid and he moves well for a big guy, but he does not project to

be much of a scorer. He’s likely a shutdown guy at the highest level. Expect to see him up in

about 2 years.

9. Henry Brzustewicz, D - Not quite the level of prospect as his brother Hunter, Henry still

projects as a solid 2nd pairing all situations Defenseman. He’s likely 3 years away from a full-

time role.

10. Sawyer Mynio, D - A sleeper, the unheralded Mynio held his own in his AHL rookie

season, and his strong hockey sense, mobility and calm game show potential as a 3rd pair NHL

Defenseman.

Honorable Mentions: Jesse Kiiskinen, RW; Alexei Medvedev, G; Riley Patterson, C; Carson

Wetsch, RW; Brady Peddle, D; Brent Solomon, RW; Cole McKinney, C. Kieren Dervin, C.

No pain, No Gain! Falcons make painful decision to trade Wilson but are thrilled with Marner's return.

 The Fort Erie Falcons knew they were giving up something incredibly rare when they traded Tom Wilson to the Amos Comets.

Players like Wilson simply do not exist very often in hockey.

A true power forward with size, physicality, leadership, skill, and the ability to completely change the emotional tone of a game, Wilson had become one of the most respected players in the Falcons organization. He brought intensity every night, played with an edge few players can match, and gave Fort Erie a physical presence that opponents constantly had to account for.

Internally, many within the organization viewed him as a unicorn.

That made the decision extremely difficult.

But when the opportunity arose to bring Mitch Marner back to Fort Erie, the Falcons believed it was a move they simply had to make.

Marner’s return immediately gives the Falcons one of the most dynamic two-way forwards in the league and reunites him with Leon Draisaitl, a combination that management felt the team deeply missed last season.

When Marner and Draisaitl play together, Fort Erie becomes incredibly difficult to defend.

Marner’s vision, puck movement, and ability to create offense in tight spaces perfectly complement Draisaitl’s elite offensive instincts. Beyond the scoring element, the Falcons also value Marner’s complete two-way game, as he impacts every area of the ice with his positioning, anticipation, and ability to force mistakes from opponents.

The organization never fully replaced what Marner brought to the lineup after his previous departure.

Now, with the Falcons attempting to capture a third consecutive Kehler Cup, management felt the timing was right to bring him back.

The trade was not about dissatisfaction with Wilson.

Far from it.

The Falcons understood exactly what they were losing in a player who could dominate physically, protect teammates, and shift momentum with one hit or one shift. Wilson’s power-forward style made him one of the most unique players in hockey, and there was significant respect inside the organization for everything he brought to the team.

But Marner’s fit within Fort Erie’s system — particularly alongside Draisaitl — ultimately proved too important to ignore.

The move reflects the difficult reality faced by championship contenders.

Sometimes, even beloved players must be moved in order to pursue the best possible chance at another title.

For the Falcons, bringing Marner back was about maximizing a championship window that remains wide open.

With a deeper veteran roster, improved defensive structure, and the return of one of the league’s premier two-way playmakers, Fort Erie believes it has once again positioned itself as a serious threat to win the Kehler Cup.

And now, with Marner back in a Falcons sweater, the organization hopes lightning can strike for a third straight season.