Prospects Wrap-up: Playoff Update

WHL

Vojtech Budik missed out on the WHL playoffs last season, but after a strong end to the regular season this year he has generated offense to the same effect in the 2018 playoffs.

With two goals and an assist in 4 games with Prince Albert, he leads Raider defenseman in playoff points and ranks 6th in the league among defensemen. Prince Albert does find themselves down 3 games to 1 against Moose Jaw after some unfortunate games including a 2-0 shutout loss.

Brandon Hagel continues to build off of his late-season success in the playoffs with Red Deer. It has been mentioned many times before, but Hagel really has turned his season around after an unfortunate injury.

Hagel is averaging a goal per game this postseason with 4 in 4 games, 3 of them coming on the powerplay which leads the WHL. The other came on a shorthanded breakaway. Like Budik though. Red Deer finds themselves in a 3 games to 1 hole in the first round.

OHL

Cliff Pu has yet to score in the OHL’s 2018 postseason, but he has amassed 4 assists in 3 games. Pu has been steadily pushing along with the Frontenacs so far. Kingston has come back to win games 2 and 3 after falling to North Bay in game 1.

NCAA

The 2018 NCAA Hockey Tournament started off with a big surprise in Minnesota being bounced from contention after all six teams that needed to lose in order for them to fall short successfully (or unsuccessfully) did so. Thus ended the collegiate career of Casey Mittelstadt who signed an entry-level contract with the Sabres shortly after.

Meanwhile, in the Frozen Four tournament, Will Borgen and Judd Peterson were shockingly bounced by Air Force in a 4-1 falter by Saint Cloud. They joined the Amerks on ATOs with Borgen signing an ELC kicking in next season. They should be making their AHL debuts Friday night.

Jacob Bryson and Providence got a little bit further in their Frozen Four quest, reaching the second round of regional play. They were ousted by Notre Dame in overtime. Bryson collected 5 shots on the weekend and will now wait to return to Providence for his junior season.

Brett Murray and Penn State were defeated by Denver 5-1 in the opening round.

SHL

Victor Olofsson and Rasmus Asplund saw their SHL seasons end in the first round after each lost their respective series.

In typical Olofsson-fashion, the SHL regular season goal king scored three times in six games while also adding an assist. Asplund did not record a point in his six games.

It has not been reported as of right now whether or not Olofsson or Asplund will be coming over to North America to join the Sabres or the Amerks for their playoff run.

Marcus Davidsson will be moving on in the SHL playoffs. Djurgarden defeated Linkoping to advance and Davidsson collected three assists in the effort. He is tied with Elias Pettersson for assists in the playoffs among junior-aged players.

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The Rochester Americans will be starting playoff action soon and hopefully with a full roster. They have dealt with Sabre injuries recently and have paid dearly for it.

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