C Berkly Catton - Spokane Chiefs, WHL (2024, 8th, SEA)

[landy92mack29]

Only a matter of time before someone makes him a thread so may as well now. Catton is the early front runner for 1st overall in next years WHL bantam draft and has recently been granted exceptional player status to play up in Midget AAA next year for the Saskatoon Contacts as a underage player. Will be interesting how big of a role he'll have because as of now for forwards they have Heidt(2nd,PG), Yager(3rd,MJ), Lind(6th,RD), Spencer(50th, KM) and Korte(52nd,KM) with the chance of 2 really good 17 year olds in Bernauer+Hodson returning. Contacts could also have a 1st, 4 2nd round dmen and a 3rd round goalie so they'll be the expected league champs heading into the year. Even with all that talent Catton should be around PPG like Yager+Heidt last year. Catton himself has a ton of skill and is a very rounded player. Elite in all areas whether it's his skating, shot, puck skills, hockey IQ or defensive play. Even has some physical edge to him and this past year was 5'7 130 at the beginning of the year. Grew a bit over the year and should be 5'9-5'10 150ish at the beginning of next year.


Berkly Catton at eliteprospects.com

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[Pavel Buchnevich]

Who was the last big prospect from Saskatchewan and why don't more players emerge from this part of Canada?

 

[landy92mack29]

The last higher impact player from Sask would be Ryan Murray and Matthew Dumba in 2012. From 2013 to 2018 it was a real rough stretch from an NHL prospect standpoint. Some decent ones like Haydn Fleury, Cale Fleury, Kale Clague, Kole Lind plus a really promising one in Ty Smith but overall not great. 2019 seems like the start of the rebound with Kaedan Korczak and Adam Beckman leading the way. This year there's Connor Zary and Braden Schneider, 2021 Cole Sillinger, Nolan Allan, Gabe Klassen and Ryder Korczak, 2022 isn't looking great early on(other than Brad Lambert who's half Sask) but we'll see how the kids develop. 2023 is obviously way far out but 8 Sask kids went in the bantam 1st round with Brayden Yager, Riley Heidt, Kalan Lind and Sam Oremba going in the top 7 picks all looking like high upside players.

2 main reasons for lack of high upside players are there's only about 1 million people in the province to pull from and from an early age it's ingrained in you to be a hard working 2way player first and offence is kind of secondary. There's been some good skills programs setup in Saskatoon and Regina the past couple years especially skating coaches and it sure seems to be having an effect early on. The 06 Sask age group is also looking great early on with Catton the expected 1st pick and a big dman Buczkowski expected top 5 along with good depth so hopefully the upward trend continues with the shift in development strategy. Obviously most of these kids are still a long long ways out from ever seeing the NHL but it's a positive direction at least.

Also a kinda interesting side not is Brad Lambert's uncle Dale Lambert was recently hired as the Contacts head coach so he'll be coaching the potential new faces of Sask hockey in Yager, Heidt, Lind and Catton this year.

 

[wings5]

Who was the last big prospect from Saskatchewan and why don't more players emerge from this part of Canada?

For their size they more than pull their weight, and the higher level prospects from Sask are on their way.

 

[landy92mack29]

For those who want to watch him and some other high end talents like Yager, Heidt, Lind, etc

 

[Maplebeasts]

Who was the last big prospect from Saskatchewan and why don't more players emerge from this part of Canada?

Population. Saskatchewan has an incredibly small pool of talent compared to the more populous provinces like Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and BC.

 

[wetcoast]

Population. Saskatchewan has an incredibly small pool of talent compared to the more populous provinces like Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and BC.

How does BC get linked into the prairie group as most of the population has zero access to free outside ice like is possible on the prairies?

The rise in talent in BC is from organized prep programs for wealthier kids for the most part.

 

[CraigBillington]

How does BC get linked into the prairie group as most of the population has zero access to free outside ice like is possible on the prairies?

The rise in talent in BC is from organized prep programs for wealthier kids for the most part.

Which makes the rise of RNH pretty cool. He wasn't from a wealthy family, missed a year of organized hockey as a result. His teammates and their families apparently helped him get the equipment and money together for another year.

 

[wetcoast]

Which makes the rise of RNH pretty cool. He wasn't from a wealthy family, missed a year of organized hockey as a result. His teammates and their families apparently helped him get the equipment and money together for another year.

It's a Ying/Yang type of situation more elite talent is and will continue to be developed but less youngsters will be able to enjoy the minor hockey experience especially in their early to mid teens.

 

[jfb392]

Not playing tonight.

 

[covfefe]

Heidt is on the 4th line? That a misprint or is that team insanely deep?

 

[wings5]

Heidt is on the 4th line? That a misprint or is that team insanely deep?

Most likely not their actual 4th line, Yager is on there too. But by the looks of it they look to be very deep

 

[landy92mack29]

Heidt and Yager are their top line. They roll the lines pretty evenly most games at even strength though, tougher opponents rely on them more. But yes they are extremely deep team also

 

[wetcoast]

Heidt and Yager are their top line. They roll the lines pretty evenly most games at even strength though, tougher opponents rely on them more. But yes they are extremely deep team also

they are that deep, won the game 8-1 without Catton.

 

[covfefe]

And Lind comes in with the 2G-2A-14PIM line.

Wowzers. Must be fun hockey to watch

 

[JotAlan]

Looks like he moved to Shattuck. This team will be insane next season. Catton, Eiserman, Celebrini, Park. Uouu
I hope they all do the preparation!

 

[William H Bonney]

Looks like he moved to Shattuck. This team will be insane next season. Catton, Eiserman, Celebrin, Park. Uouu
I hope they all do the preparation!

I don't imagine (nor hope) they'll all be be on the same team. I'd be shocked if some don't make the prep team with how good they are.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

Brandon has the current 2nd overall pick thanks to its trade with Victoria. Would love to get him.

 

[JotAlan]

I don't imagine (nor hope) they'll all be be on the same team. I'd be shocked if some don't make the prep team with how good they are.

How do you expect it to happen? Who will be in the preparation and who will be in the u16?

 

[William H Bonney]

How do you expect it to happen? Who will be in the preparation and who will be in the u16?

It's essentially a tryout, so we'll see. I'd expect at least a couple of them to make the prep team.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Is he definitely going to the WHL or he might be using this as a pathway to the NCAA?

 

[landy92mack29]

Is he definitely going to the WHL or he might be using this as a pathway to the NCAA?

From what I've heard it's a done deal he's going to Spokane, just a formality at this point

 

[pgfan66]

Has anyone seen him recently? What can we expect from him in his WHL rookie year?

 

[landy92mack29]

Good news but hopefully healthy as he was dealing with a concussion

 

[William H Bonney]

Didn't exactly light it up with Shattuck. Would be interesting to see why he left.