The standout abilities of Brady were once again on display in this tournament as he used calculated and quick decisions with the puck to move it with competency and control. He can feather passes up ice or deliver crisper passes laterally on the PP. His effectiveness is elevated by a team which plays in control so often but it gives a glimpse into his capabilities to run a PP and elevate the play of others. He seems to set them up for success as he hits them in stride. Whether he was flinging pucks to the wings, surveying the situation without the puck, or pinching in easily in all situations with intelligence, Brady is constantly adapting. He showed one play where he toe dragged a puck in the offensive zone and waited out a shot lane and tip chance. I think the biggest improvement for him would be quicker twitch and more explosiveness as he uses his size and length to dominate in more situations. I see a lot of Reese Hamilton in his play at the U15 level.

Against a determined and smart team like SSM, it showed how Brady’s awareness and smarts can be an effective counter punch all over the ice. I felt like he was the one defender in the game who was part of the flow of offense. He retrieves pucks with shoulder checks and careful consideration and makes those little exit passes up ice with ease. I saw him shadow players defensively and extend that stick as they drove down into the zone to simply deny the slot pass option, and found himself up in the play on 3-on-2 chances a few times. The most dangerous spot had him try the extra pass to the wing instead of shooting right from the slot with the goalie screened. Missed opportunity but that happens. Still, he was playing with confidence and composure.