Let’s Go CHL Free Agent Shopping

This is the second of a three-part series covering a potential shopping list of free agents for the Boston Bruins. Although there are literally hundreds of players available, and I can’t cover them all, these are the players I am most interested in. Earlier I looked at some potential NCAA free agents and today I will look at free agents from the Canadian Hockey League. Still to come will be the European free agent list.

Trevor Wong – Center – Saskatoon Blades – WHL

What we know: Wong has been an offensive powerhouse (for 3 seasons now) on a powerful Saskatoon team. His best ability comes from going to the net and planting himself and waiting for pucks to come his way. But he can also make plays himself and at times looks like he’d rather pass off to a teammate than go for it himself.

He’s also pretty well accomplished defensively. If there is one issue its skating. He lacks a good first few steps to get to top speed which makes him late on the forecheck or to deliver a hit and he lacks a separation gear.

Camps Attended: Dallas (2023); Minnesota (2022); Florida (2021)

Deni Goure – Center/Right Wing – Owen Sound Attack – OHL

Goure has been a high-end player in the OHL for the past few years. Though not big, he is hard on pucks and he is always willing to battle. He is quick on his skates and plays the game with pace. He plays every shift at full speed. He has an NHL shot that he can release while on the fly down the wing with the best of them.

Goure should earn himself an NHL contract. He’s attended three NHL camps and they’ve all liked what he brought to their camps.

Camps Attended: Philadelphia (2023); Carolina (2022); St Louis (2021)

James Stefan – Right Wing – Portland Winter Hawks – WHL

Yes, the son of that Stefan. He’s been a very consistent producer for the Winterhawks and is on the verge of breaking the 50 goal, 100 point mark this season. He’s got an excellent shot and is a superb passer. Skating is an issue and relies on his hockey IQ to know where to be and how to get there.

I’m not convinced that the offence will translate to the pro game but if he can somehow improve his mobility Stefan becomes a very intriguing option. But a team taking a chance here would have to almost be certain it can be rectified.

Camps Attended: Ottawa (2023); Los Angeles (2022)

Braeden Bowman – Right Wing – Guelph Storm – OHL

Okay, so he makes my list because of the high level of chemistry he had with Matthew Poitras in Guelph. Well, not entirely. Bowman can score goals at this level, although not as any as he did when teamed up with Poitras.

He’s a big body who can cause havoc in front of the opposition net and he built a reputation on that in his early years. Bowman has made huge improvements to his game over 4 years from everything to skating, shooting and puck skills. Call him a late bloomer, but I am willing to give the credit to him for putting in all the necessary work. Time will tell if it paid off.

Camps Attended; Vancouver (2023); San Jose (2022)

Sam Sedley – Right Defence – Owen Sound Attack – OHL

There is no question Sedley has some intriguing offensive upside, but by his own admission, his former coach in Owen Sound tried to reign that offence in during his early days. He broke into the OHL with what looked like a 150-pound frame soaking wet. But over 4 seasons, he’s bilked up nicely.

Sedley’s hockey IQ is at an elite level. He just out thinks everyone else on the ice. And he has the puck skills to go along with it. He’s a master on the powerplay with great deceptive skills that can make the opposition look foolish. He won’t score a lot, but he can setup teammates. Skating is somewhat of an issue and will need some work but something tells me this late bloomer will put in the work.

Camps Attended: Philadelphia (2023); Toronto (2021)

Hudson Thornton – Left Defence – Prince George Cougars – WHL

The 5’11”, 195-pound left shooter is an offensive defenceman who can do it by setting up teammates or by scoring himself. He’s a great skater with excellent edgework that can weave around opponents to create lanes for himself or to find his teammates. And he has an excellent shot with a phenomenal one-timer. There is no questioning his offensive abilities although you could question how it translates to the pro game.

But the question with Thornton has always been his defensive game. He’s made plenty of strides but still has some work to put into it to become an all-around pro defender. He’s also a high character guy on and off the ice which is why he’s been an alternate and captain for Prince George.

Camps Attended: Seattle (2023); Edmonton (2022)

Samuel Mayer – Left Defence – Ottawa 67’s – OHL

The 6’3” and 201-pound blueliner is best known as a lockdown defenceman and one of the best at it in the OHL this season. But he does possess some offensive abilities that steadily improved throughout his OHL career. He has a howitzer of a shot that he can get on target, and with purpose, but can also beat a goaltender – see his 20 goals on the season.

At 6’3” you’ll be surprised with Mayer’s speed. But it’s just not the speed it is his mobility and edgework that is also surprising. And he loves to throw that weight around, looking to be physical at every opportunity.

Camps Attended: Los Angeles (2023); San Jose (2022)

William Rousseau – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – QMJHL

If the name sounds familiar, it should since I’ve talked about him throughout the season. Oh, and he was invited to the Bruins development camp and then rookie camp and prospects challenge last summer however, a prior commitment kept him from development camp.

He is 2^nd in the QMJHL in games played, minutes, fourth in shots, first in shutouts, first in wins, third in goals against average and second in save percentage. He is a positionally sound goaltender with a strong goaltending technique. His ability to end plays when his team is under pressure by swallowing pucks is excellent and he handles the puck very well. The downfall is that he doesn’t have “NHL size” for a goaltender so he needs to get quicker. But the technique is there in spades. Is it enough?

Camps Attended: Boston (2023); Ottawa (2022)

Follow me on X @dominictiano. Follow the blog and never miss a post.