Nobody wants to be compared to their older siblings. In this context though, I think the comparison leads down a really good road. Connor has already been a productive scorer this season and shares a lot of similar qualities to Tanner as far as their build, skating stride, and how they process the game. While his skating stride isn’t long, it is powerful in short bursts to adjust laterally in high traffic or gain just enough separation laterally to find pass/shot lanes. He can burst into open ice or build power through the outside edges of his crossovers well too. The other really similar aspect is how prepared of a shooting threat he can be; curling into pass receptions, adjusting to passes in order to quickly release, and showing power in his snap. There is much to like about Connor’s game and you should expect to see his name on our boards soon.

In regular league play, Connor is currently tied for fourth in league scoring with 22 points in 6 games. Put him into a category of “teams won’t miss him this time around” as his older brother went in the fourth round of his WHL Draft season. He is currently a bit smaller and shorter than some of the top players but as he continues to mature, the details of his game will pop even more than they already do. He has very quick feet, can accelerate and anticipate play developing very quickly, loves to push through layers of coverage into the interior but also has the sense to delay and turn away from coverage with possession as well. I wish I got to see him play for longer stretches of time at this tournament but that consistency of play was evident even in the time I watched him.

Projection: Top-6 Forward
Projectable Skills: Quick shot release, Quality off puck positioning, quick bursts to space
Development Opportunities: physical growth, aggression

The smart, calculating forward had a tougher year dealing with injury but still managed 43 points in 16 league games. Connor is calculated without the puck and s always drifting into good supportive positioning or finding off puck shot placement too. He’s someone that can bury a shot in the slot when it comes to him or compliment stronger skating players by finishing checks along the boards and maintaining good positioning. He’s got power to his stride in short windows too which means he can adjust laterally and alter his pass/shot lanes. I think his game translates well if he continues to grow and build strength in his form. His hockey IQ is high, he’s got great vision and puck control, and he projects to find a home in a WHL top-6 down the line with ample room to grow. That ability to curl into pass receptions and adjust his positioning to release a powerful snapshot will come in handy.

Howe has been a steady presence all tournament, but I thought this was his best game to date, especially in the first couple of periods where his defensive play was on full display. Like his older brother, Howe is much more than the sum of his parts. He’s undersized but much stronger than he looks, getting under sticks and using his leverage to come out on top in battles. He muscled his way into a breakaway early in the contest and was frustrating bigger opponents on the forecheck. Howe also plays the game with enhanced awareness. He has nice vision both with and without the puck, using his ability to predict the play to great effect as a defensive presence. He was a staple on the penalty kill.