The Whitby Silver Stick Invitational is one of the premier showcases, serving as a proving ground for players hoping to make their mark with junior and college scouts. Many of these athletes are still a few years away from NHL Entry Draft eligibility, but the tournament has long been a launchpad for future stars, with countless alumni advancing to the different CHL leagues and eventually the NHL. This year’s event featured 30 teams across six pools, producing thrilling preliminary-round battles and razor-thin outcomes. Ontario clubs dominated the field in numbers, but it was the two superior Michigan-based programs who stole the spotlight in final stages
It was my first time attending this tournament and, therefore, my first viewings of almost all players. Still, here are some standouts I noted:
Brady Nash wearing 58 for Don Mills Flyers –
Forward – Jan 14, 2010 – Thunder Bay, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1053449/brady-nash
An energetic left-shooting centre who was always putting pressure on the opposing puck carrier. He makes up for his average height by throwing hard hits in the open and firing off stiff shots from up close. He was quite noticeable on the PP
Ronan Quinn wearing 17 for Markham Majors –
Forward – Jun 12, 2010 – Stouffville, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1048269/ronan-quinn
A tall imposing lefty forward who comes down the wings with quick handles. He attracted the backtracking defenceman towards him before making a smart pass over to produce a scoring play.
Walker Connor wearing 11 for Philadelphia Jr Flyers –
Forward – Apr 21, 2010 – Paoli, PA, USA
A tall skilled right wing who goes to the net with rushes or sets up aiming to move D for clearer lanes. Solid feints with the puck, in motion 1 on 1. Still pretty lanky with an interesting frame to fill in.
Jakub Kuklinski wearing 88 for Mississauga Senators –
Forward – 2010 – Bolton, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1053346/jakub-kuklinski
A large righty forward with smooth hands who opens shooting lanes for himself. He circles around in the offensive zone with intent and fluidity, maintaining control through traffic. Gets goals on rebounds from in close as well with his quick hands. One of my favourite players so far.
Mason Wohlers wearing 20 for BK Selects –
Defenseman – May 20, 2010 – Somers, CT, USA
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/998592/mason-wohlers
A tall right shooting D who protected the front of his net and tied up sticks. His explosiveness is a work in progress but one at the blue line he’s patient with his lateral passes and shots when lanes clear up.
Leo Acker wearing 42 for Chicago Mission –
Forward – May 28, 2010 – Chicago, IL, USA
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1018259/leo-acker
A smaller right wing with blazing speed. He caught the puck in transition and let off a quick wrister with no wind up to pick off an open spot high blocker. His game right now is mainly focused on creating offense. Additional attention to defensive zone play will make him a more desirable prospect.
Tanner Adams wearing 13 for Hill Academy –
Forward – Jun 03, 2010 – Porcupine, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1033915/tanner-adams
An imposing forechecker with thunderous checks along the boards. Right handed, he moves from A to B with purpose and handles the puck beautifully through the neutral zone. I didn’t get to see his release or shot velocity.
Marko Mesich wearing 31 for Toronto Jr Canadiens –
Goalie – May 23, 2010 – Oakville, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/936781/marko-mesich
A wide goaltender with efficient side to side movement. Economical in his butterfly usage. He had a solid lead in the third that evaporated. The goals he gave up were on surprise plays from behind the net or clean shots from close.
Sam Nowlan wearing 16 for Little Ceasars –
Forward – Jan 26, 2010 – Saint-Grégoire, NB, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1046444/samuel-nowlan
A physically mature left shooting Centre originally from NB. He’s uneven in the faceoff circle but won his battles in the corner and established his position in the front of the net. Jumped on loose puck for a quick chance is on net or rebound opportunities for his line mates. The first game I saw was a mismatch and he took advantage of it.
Luke Lawson wearing 1 for Mississauga Reps –
Goalie – Jul 31, 2010 – Aurora, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1059154/luke-lawson
Listed 6’02.5 left catching goalie. He covered the bottom really well with quick adjustments and kept his rebounds out of the blue paint. I liked his calm demeanor. He kept his team in the game almost until the end before giving up 2 on redirections late.
Rico Champagne wearing 90 for Toronto Jr Canadiens –
Forward – Sep 29, 2010 – Toronto, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/1093921/rico-champagne
A smaller crafty RW who’s not afraid to get in tough areas. Seems responsible at both ends and uses his quick feet to get places, anticipating where the puck will end up. Catches rebounds net front to cash in on extra chances.
Logan Prud’homme wearing 55 for Upper Canada College –
Forward – Aug 02, 2010 – Ottawa, ON, CAN
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/967703/logan-prud-homme
I had first seen him at the Cross Border Challenge in the summer of 2024, he was tall and lanky and took on the whole team to score. I said if he fills in he’ll be a beast. Now listed 6’7 the right handed centre is a great puck handler out of his zone, unafraid to take on checkers through the neutral zone and drive the net. Strong on draws. He’s unmovable once he gets to the front of the net.
Based on their places of birth, most players across the 30 teams will be eligible for the OHL draft. Still, I noted some QMJHL draft eligibles
Bishop’s Kearney:
20 RD Mason Wohlers
26 RD Jayden Tillman
98 LW Jackson Conroy
Little Caesars:
16 C Sam Nowlan
Pens Elite:
8 RD Colton Kelly
Upper Canada College
14 C Damian Norris
Hill Academy
86 C Mika Richard