I noticed that there are a few invites of note to next Sunday's Next Gen Showcase against the Oilers, that have passed through the draft.
-RD Eduard Bondar:
https://www.upsidehockey.com/prospec...h.hrulymq0v0sn
-LD Daniil Skvortsov:
https://www.upsidehockey.com/prospec...h.aqin4cjk3s7p
-C Kadon McCann:
https://www.upsidehockey.com/prospec...h.dyjcn6ohms5z
-LCG Jordan Switzer (6'0",183lbs): 18 year-old Switzer was lucky enough to get to play for the powerhouse Medicine Hat Tigers in 2024-25, playing 32 games with a 23-6-2 record, and a respectable 2.65 GAA, and a .901 SV%. He didn't fare as well in the playoffs, going 2-1-0 in 4 games, with a 3.48 GAA, and an .865 SV%.
-RD Colton Alain (6'4",196lbs): The Vancouver Giants were 13th out of 22 teams in the 'dub in 2024-25, but they actually had a decent blueline, featuring Mazden Leslie, Ryan Lin, Colton Roberts, and Ethan Mittlesteadt- meaning Alain (who is just 18 years old) didn't get a whole lot of ice-time (64gp/1g/6a/7pts,-4, 38 PIM). Alain is a very low-event rearguard with good mobility who can provide solid shutdown minutes, and can move well enough to be effective against the rush. He is calm and poised with the puck in his own end, and makes a smart first-pass, but doesn't move the needle much in the other end of the ice.
-LW Mael Lavigne (6'4",203lbs): 20 year-old Mael Lavigne has been passed over in the last two drafts, as he's been cast more as a defensive player in the Q. This season, he started out as Captain of the Victoriaville Tigres (32gp/12g/22a/34pts,-8, 46 PIM), who finished dead-last in the Q, and were one of the worst clubs in the entire CHL. He was traded mid-season to the Rimouski Oceanic, who were one of the circuit's best teams (31gp/5g/10a/15pts,even, 32 PIM), and the host of the 2025 Memorial Cup (3gp/1g/0a/1pt,-5, 0 PIM). Lavigne is actually a pretty decent skater, with good puck-skills, and uses his abilities and awareness to be an excellent defensive forward with a strong physical game. In the other end of the rink, he's a capable (if unspectacular) playmaker, and goes to the net hard, but his main weapon is his dangerous shot.
-LW Nathan Brisson (5'10",174lbs): 18 year-old Nate Brisson (he turns 19 on Sept.22nd) may be diminutive in stature, but he plays with a bit of power in his game, and has earned plenty of kudos from scouts due to his sky-high work ethic; he needs work on his strength and skating, but outworks even bigger opponents. He's solid along the boards, competes hard in front of the net for dirty goals, and owns a strong physical game. As Captain of the Val D'Or Foreurs, he put up 62gp/24g/48a/72pts,+17, 54 PIM, and has displayed a rather detailed defensive approach.
