Last season, Brandon’s Nolan Patrick was named WHL Rookie of the Year. He was the fourth-overall pick of the Bantam Draft in 2013, so his win was no surprise. But the CHL Rookie of the Year, Erie’s Alex DeBrincat, was passed over twice in the OHL Draft, so you just never know where the top freshmen are going to come from.
With that in mind, here are the top rookies to watch in the Dub this season.
The Canadians
Stelio Mattheos, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
After posting a video-game like 103 points in 32 games for the Winnipeg Monarchs in his bantam year, the Wheat Kings made Mattheos the No. 1-overall pick in 2014. Just what Brandon needed, another star player. Mattheos will step into a Wheat Kings lineup filled with top-end players, which makes him an early ROTY favourite.
Jordy Bellerive, C, Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are looking to turn things around and Bellerive could be one of the keys. The North Vancouver product comes to the WHL with a high-end scoring game—he notched 34 goals in 27 games with the Okanagan Hockey Academy last year—and should get plenty of chances playing with a rebuilding franchise.
Michael Rasmussen, C, Tri City Americans
Tri City is thin up front, so 16-year-old Rasmussen should be able to earn plenty of ice time this year. At 6-foot-4, the Surrey, B.C. native comes with great size and is a good skater who’s not afraid to use his size in the corners.
Jaret Anderson-Dolan, C, Spokane Chiefs
Anderson-Dolan is another rookie who comes to the WHL after putting up ridiculous numbers during his bantam year—79 goals in 59 games. Spokane knows what it’s like to see a 16-year-old have an impact after Kailer Yamamoto busted out with 23 goals last year. Can Anderson-Dolan repeat that kind of performance? Well, he started his season with a hat trick, so…
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The Imports
Libor Hajek, D, Saskatoon Blades
The Blades selected Hajek with the second-overall pick in this summer’s CHL Import Draft and they’re hoping that he adjusts quickly to life in the WHL. Hajeck can skate, isn’t afraid to play the body and has good size. At 17-years-old, he is also considered a potential top NHL Draft pick this coming June.
Rodrigo Abols, C, Portland Winterhawks
At 19, Abols is one of the older “rookies” you’ll find, but the newcomer has already impressed with the Winterhawks. He’s tall—6-foot-5—and plays with an edge, which should make his transition to the WHL a smooth one for a Portland team banking on him for much needed offence. Abols also caught the eye of the Vancouver Canucks, who invited him to their rookie tournament.
Gustav Olhaver, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds
A seventh-round pick by the Colorado Avalanche, Olhaver joins a talented Seattle squad and could put up some big numbers. He’s massive—listed at 6-foot-7—but is a surprisingly good skater. Despite his frame he’s not a bruiser, but his size and reach will come in handy when parked in front of the net. Playing on a team with a good number of offensive players will help Olhaver rack-up points.
Michael Spacek, C, Red Deer Rebels
After spurning the Medicine Hat Tigers last year, Spacek as decided to come to the WHL this time with the Rebels. While the Memorial Cup may have helped lure him, the Rebels are hoping that the Winnipeg Jets fourth-round pick in 2015 can help them compete with Brandon in the East. He’s not the biggest player but knows how to navigate his way around the ice with the puck and will find the net. He’s got five points in his first two games.