Deploying three 20-year-olds on a Western Hockey League roster that can make a massive impact is a beautiful thing.
You are only allowed a trio of them.
This year’s crop may be one of the best.
Look no further than Prince George Cougars forward Chase Wheatcroft, the top scorer in his age group.
Kamloops Blazers power forward Ryan Hofer and teammate Daylan Kuefler are a lot to handle, and Kelowna Rockets sharpshooter Carson Golder (photo above) is on the cusp of scoring 30 goals.
Ty Thorpe isn’t an innocent bystander in Vancouver, with a brilliant 32-goal campaign.
All five reside in the BC Division, with more excellent overage talent, spread across all 22 teams.
Everett’s Jackson Berezowski is a terrific 2002-born player, who has found the back of the net 40 times.
Seattle Jared Davidson is always dangerous when the puck is on his stick.
Don’t forget Jake Poole in Victoria and Ethan Ernst in Tri-City either!
All ten players are essentially 30+ goal scorers, with Golder and Poole one short with 29.
“There are only three on a team, so you have to be selective on what and who they are”, Kelowna Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette told RocketFAN. “Whether it is goal production, leadership or physicality, they play important roles on your team.”
Wheatcroft is the biggest surprise, with 42 goals after scoring a career-high 16 times a season ago split between the Winnipeg Ice and Lethbridge Hurricanes.
“Sometimes it is a change of scenery, but a year older makes a big difference”, Mallette added while admiring Wheatcroft from afar.
“This league is a 19 and 20-year-old league. He [Wheatcroft] has found the ability to control the game down low at a pace that many can’t. He is strong on his edges. He is really calm with the puck. He isn’t an emotional player, but he is cool and calm and isn’t afraid to shoot the puck.”
Leading the league with 22 power-play goals is impressive, but finding the back of the net 30 times on the road speaks of his character.
Even Cougars GM Mark Lamb didn’t anticipate the player leading his team in goals, points and shots on goal.
“It is a really great story”, Lamb told RocketFAN before Wednesday’s 6-2 road win over the Rockets. “Did I see that coming? Of course not. He [Wheatcroft] has put in the work, and I always knew he had skill. I had no idea he had that type of skill.
“He is playing with some good players. It doesn’t matter who he plays with, whatever line he is on, he leads the line.”
The story could have a fairy tale ending if Wheatcroft signs a pro contract at the end of the season.
While icing a roster with three capable 20-year-old’s is ideal, with the regular season winding down, one must look at the possible candidates, who are 19 now, that could fill one of three slots a season from now.
“They are auditions for the following season”, Mallette said. “It isn’t just the on-ice that is the be-all-end-all. A lot of intangibles have to come into play. Are they players I can trust in regard to the messaging? Are they going to be a guy that looks me in the eye and says all the right things and then goes back when my door is closed and says this and that?
“You have to be selective, and I have a pretty good pulse on these players because they have been with us for such a long time. They all have an opportunity to really solidify a spot and make it hard on us.”
The Rockets have only five 19-year-olds on the roster, with Jackson DeSouza, Elias Carmichael, Turner McMillen, Dylan Wightman, and Gabriel Szturc leading the way among 2003-born players.
“Gabby is interesting because he is a European player, he would be a two-spotter on your team.”
Two overage goaltenders could meet tonight at Prospera Place when Talyn Boyko’s Kelowna Rockets host Jesper Vikman’s Vancouver Giants.
Can’t make it to the game?
104-7 – The Lizard – has the pre-game show at 6:35 pm with the puck dropping at 7:05 pm or stream the game on RocketFAN.
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