Top 5 Tuesday: John Reid Memorial Tournament Watch

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Last year we provided some in depth previews leading up to the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. We are planning to do it again this year and today for Top 5 Tuesday decided to give you a sneak peak at some of the players who will be on our lists. This weekend in St. Albert the arena's will be full of WHL scouts for the John Reid Memorial tournament and here are some of the players they will be keeping tabs on. The following info has been taken from several discussions with different WHL scouts.


5. Joe Hicketts (Defence) Kamloops

Every scout we spoke with think he is easily the most skilled defenseman in this year’s draft. He can dazzle you on the power play and can unload a heavy one timer. A big reason Kamloops is the team to beat at this year’s John Reid.

4. Reid Duke (Forward) Calgary Royals

Very dynamic goal scorer that will often score highlight reel goals. Was one of the best forwards in the Medicine Hat tournament back in November, Duke will be looking to once again dominate a very impressive field this week in St Albert.

3. Notre Dame Hounds

This list could have been all Hounds who are doing more emerging than struggling this year. The “never lose heart hounds” are back again this year with possibly their best entry in years. Boat loads of skill from all over Canada will make Notre Dame this year’s team to watch. Their top line of (17) Penner, (18) Addison and (19) Uhrich will give opposing team’s defense fits!

2. Brayden Point (Forward) Calgary Bison’s

The leading scorer in the AMBHL comes to town looking to lead his Bison squad to a tournament championship. A recent snub from the all-star selection committee in the very same league he leads will give Brayden lots of motivation to lead this tourney in scoring.

1.Matthew Barzel (Forward) Burnaby Winter Club

The top forward coming into this tournament will also be one of the youngest. He's not eligible until the 2012 WHL bantam draft but Matthew is quickly becoming the talk of the bantam circuit. Let the comparisons begin: Matthew will naturally be compared to current Red Deer Rebel Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and former BWC super star. The comparison is an easy one to make but the decision on who is better at the same time is very difficult. Expect the John Reid Tournament to be Matthew Barzel’s coming out party.