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.

Falcons add veterans in free agency in search of third straight Kehler Cup

 During the free agent period, the Fort Erie Falcons made one thing very clear to the rest of the league:

They were not satisfied with winning back-to-back Kehler Cups.

They wanted a third.

After weeks of speculation surrounding how the Falcons would approach the offseason, the organization delivered one of the most aggressive veteran-building strategies in franchise history, targeting experienced players who could strengthen every area of the lineup.

The first major addition was Ryan Pulock, who signed a four-year contract worth $8,000,000 per season.

Pulock immediately gives Fort Erie another elite defensive presence in the top four. Known for his strong defensive ratings, physical play, and ability to handle difficult matchups, he is expected to become one of the team’s most important penalty killers. The Falcons already had a strong defensive structure, but Pulock adds another layer of stability and toughness that management believes will be critical during another long playoff run.

League executives viewed the signing as a major statement.

Fort Erie was not simply trying to outscore opponents.

They were building a roster designed to survive playoff hockey.

The Falcons then added another familiar face when Patrick Kane agreed to a three-year deal worth $5,572,919 per season.

Kane’s return instantly energized the fanbase. Having previously played in Fort Erie, Kane reportedly welcomed the opportunity to come back for another shot at a Kehler Cup with an organization he already knew well. While he is expected to play primarily on the third line this season, the Falcons believe his offensive creativity and experience will make him one of the most dangerous secondary scorers in the league.

More importantly, Kane is expected to play a major role on the powerplay.

Even at this stage of his career, his vision and puck movement remain elite, and opposing penalty kills will now have to deal with another high-end playmaker capable of changing a game with a single pass.

The veteran reunion continued when Claude Giroux signed a three-year contract carrying an $8,000,000 annual cap hit.

Like Kane, Giroux had previously spent time with the Falcons and wanted another opportunity to chase a championship in Fort Erie. His return gives the Falcons another trusted veteran presence with playoff experience, leadership, and versatility.

Although Giroux is expected to spend much of the season on the fourth line, the Falcons do not view him as a typical depth player. Management expects him to play a massive role on the penalty kill while also bringing intensity, faceoff ability, and defensive reliability to the bottom six.

The move reflects how seriously Fort Erie values veteran depth.

Few teams can place a player with Giroux’s skill set into a fourth-line role.

The Falcons believe that depth could become a major difference-maker once the postseason begins.

The final piece of the free agent class came with the signing of Sean Couturier to a four-year contract worth $4,750,001 per season.

Couturier is expected to move throughout the lineup between the third and fourth lines while becoming one of the most important defensive forwards on the roster. His ability to shut down opposing players, win key defensive-zone faceoffs, and contribute heavily on the penalty kill made him an ideal target for a Falcons team focused on building a complete playoff roster.

Internally, many around the organization believe Couturier’s versatility may become one of the most underrated additions of the entire offseason.

Taken together, the Falcons’ free agent class dramatically reshaped the identity of the team.

Pulock strengthens the blue line.

Kane adds offensive creativity and powerplay production.

Giroux brings leadership, defensive reliability, and championship experience.

Couturier reinforces the penalty kill and bottom-six defensive structure.

Instead of chasing flashy headlines or rebuilding around youth alone, Fort Erie focused on adding experienced players who understand exactly what it takes to win difficult playoff games.

And after already capturing two straight Kehler Cups, the Falcons now believe they have assembled a roster capable of making history.

Millers Musings

 Recapping Free Agency

Entering the UFA signing period with a payroll of just over $70,000,000 and having several

roster holes to fill, the Millers got to work on improving the team.

Signings:

Jordan Staal, 2 years, $15,000,0000

The richest contract ever given out by the franchise. Staal fills 2 immediate voids: a 3rd line

Center and leadership. He will be the team’s Captain.

Coach Brind’Amour had asked the front office to secure Staal’s services at any price and is

delighted with the signing.

Andrew Copp, 1 year, $6,000,000

Copp returns to the Millers after being dealt away last year. It’s a vastly different team now, with

old line mates Larkin and Necas having moved on. Copp will play somewhere in the top 6 and

on special teams.

Tristan Jarry, 2 years, $4,500,000

The Millers annual tradition of taking a flyer on a down on his luck Goalie continues. Philip

Grubauer had a nice bounce back season and the club hopes that continues with Jarry. Right

now he’s 3rd on the depth chart behind Dostal and Grubauer; a good season could see him

become the backup in 27-28.

Georgetown struck out on a couple of targets, namely an additional top 6 forward and a bottom

pair Dman with some snarl.

The 3 signings still have the payroll below $100,000,000, although rookie contract signings will

likely edge the number over that line.

The team has been authorized to go as high as $125,000,000 in salary so more moves could be

done.