Atlantic Challenge Cup

Maddox Burke – Nova Scotia, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS (Pt/G 1.20).
Write‑up: Burke was one of the smoother players we highlighted. He combines effortless skating with smooth puck handling and creative ideas. We saw him attack defenders space with a high level of success off the rush. Burke found the back of the net with good off-puck play and chemistry with Mood. Although Burke played wing, we saw him push through defenders on a few o-zone face-offs creating grade A chances.

Jaxon Mood – Nova Scotia, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS (Pt/G 1.40; 2 GWGs)
Write‑up: Mood came through in the clutch with two game‑winning goals. He plays with pace and drives the net, drawing penalties and creating chaos. His ability to finish under pressure stood out. Mood gallops down the ice with speed and deception, advancing zones with ease. His vision and playmaking was notable, sifting passes through defenders all weekend. Mood is physically dominate, he rarely lost a puck battle and showed great balance through contact.

Seth Peach – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 5 PTS (Pt/G 1.0; 2 GWGs).
Peach played a heavy game and converted around the net. Both of his game‑winners came on gritty plays. Peach is a pest, he has an active stick and likes to finish his hits. He also showed really nice touch. He included a top shelf finish on a breakaway with a strong back check. Peach plays a 200 ft game, he had success rate on breakouts to his wing. Peach had great jump all weekend and made an impact on every game we watched.

Jack Clarke – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 PTS (Pt/G 0.60; 1 PPG; 8 PIM).
Clarke’s value came on special teams; he scored his lone power‑play marker with a strong net‑front screen. He plays with an edge and can change momentum with a big hit. Clarke wasn’t the flashiest defender at the event, but the most consistent. He consistently made the right plays with the puck and won the majority of his battles for pucks and space.

Max Keough – Prince Edward Island, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS (Pt/G 0.40).
Keough didn’t light up the scoresheet but he is the first player you notice for PEI. An explosive skater, Keough flies in all 4 directions. His deception on the powerplay was high level. He consistently provided PKers with false info, opening passing and shooting lanes. Keough has a projectable skill set with elite skating and puck control.

Tucker Gates – Prince Edward Island, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 7 G, 2 A, 9 PTS (Pt/G 1.8; 2 PPGs).
Gates was PEI’s top producer, finishing with a team‑leading seven goals and two assists. He scored twice on the power play and added a shorthanded marker. His knack for finding soft spots in coverage made him tough to contain. Gates has a heavy shot and it comes with a nice release. With any time and space Gates stands out, making poised plays and passes. Gates worked hard without the puck in the d-zone and was able to help his team transition from defense to offense all weekend.

Nathan Cahill – Newfoundland & Labrador, Goaltender.
Production: 3 GP, 3 games started, (GAA) 3.60; 2 wins

Cahill shared the crease for HNL and posted a 2‑0 record. In an weekend filled with offense Cahill was able to make the saves needed for his team to win. Cahill battled through screens, odd man rushes and second chance opportunties all weekend.

Elijah Jack – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 PTS (Pt/G 1.40).
Jack’s balanced line made him a reliable secondary option for HNL. He has deceptive puck skills and isn’t afraid to attack the middle of the ice. With seven points in five games, he consistently impacted the scoreboard. Elijah pound for pound was the strongest player at the event. He surprised bigger players with his physicality and ability to take contact. Jack showed a powerful and accurate shot, beating goalies high multiple times.

Landyn Arseneault – New Brunswick, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 5 G, 2 A, 7 PTS (Pt/G 1.40)
Arseneault showed a nose for the net, tying for second in goals among 2011s. He used his quick release to beat goalies cleanly and worked well with Decaens on the rush. Arseneault has great balance, he maintained possession through contact all weekend. His ability to win battles, distribute and support the puck were evident.

Max McCarthy – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 7 G, 2 A, 9 PTS (Pt/G 1.8; 4 PPGs)
McCarthy was arguably the deadliest scorer in the division. Four of his seven goals came on the power play, where his catch release was almost automatic. McCarthy shows well in all zones, but is lights out with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. In team NL come from behind win over PEI McCarthy netted 4 straight goals including the game winner in overtime. Each goal was better than the last, showcasing his elite power-play and off the rush scoring.

Liam Costello – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 PTS (Pt/G 1.8; 1 shorthanded goal)

Costello provided consistent offence, contributing both at even strength and while shorthanded. He plays a high‑motor game and wins pucks on the forecheck. Costello is long and explosive, if there was a 50/50 puck race Liam won it. The puck seems to stick to Costello- tough pick ups, through traffic, it didn’t seem to matter, he came out with the puck. Costello showed a nice accurate snap shot that he placed with purpose. Costello made heady and winning plays all weekend for team NL.

Zyon Decaens – New Brunswick, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 PTS (Pt/G 2.20)

Decaens led the tournament in assists and finished with 11 points. His 2.2 points per game reflect his ability to create off the rush and finish plays around the net. He logged minutes in all situations and was instrumental in NB’s transition game. The forward has incredible length to his stride, he moves effortless up the ice. The center can control the game, he consistently advanced zones with his feet and dominated possession in the ozone. Decaens is a playmaker, he looks to draw defenders and move the puck. His off puck play and support lead to several goals and chances.

Jack Zwicker – Nova Scotia, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 2 PTS (Pt/G 0.4).
Write‑up: Zwicker didn’t put up eye‑popping numbers but provided depth scoring and energetic forechecking. He was often the first man on the puck and drew penalties with his hustle. He won a ton of battles along the wall. Zwicker demonstrated both strength and craftiness. Both of his goals required effort and skill. A dominate shift lead to a high slot snap shot, the other goal a beautiful short side high shot from the goal line.

Jacob Van Horssen – New Brunswick, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS (Pt/G 0.8).
Van Horssen was the driving force for New Brunswick. The 2012 born player does not take a shift off. Van Horssen has explosive cross overs and attacks the middle often to open up wide drives. The forward works extremely well off the puck, constantly working above pucks and taking intelligent angles. Van Horssen was relentless, in his pursuit of the puck all weekend. With the puck Van Horssen has nice poise and playmaking abilities.

Hudson English – Prince Edward Island, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 PTS (Pt/G 1.0).
English played a reliable two‑way game for PEI. He chipped in offensively, especially in transition, but also tracked back hard and killed penalties. English showed good split vision, constantly scanning the ice and using deceptive tactics to create passing lanes. Hudson excelled on the powerplay where he made several A plus passes through the seam. A smaller player; English competed hard and was creative in his puck battles.

Gavin O’Toole – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 PTS (Pt/G 1.2).

O’Toole was the primary playmaker for HNL, finishing with six assists. His vision from the point and ability to quarterback the power play allowed goal‑scorers like Browne and Peddle to thrive. O’Toole showed incredible poise on the backend. Regularly avoiding forecheckers and moving the puck north. O’Toole is a smooth skater, has good size and sees the ice well.

Avery Mullins – New Brunswick, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS (Pt/G 1.2).
Mullins provided scoring from the backend for Team NB. He was noticeable on entries, weaving past defenders and making simple plays into space. Mullins demonstrated a special shot both off the rush and from the blueline. His snapshot was the heaviest at the event. Avery was great on the powerplay as both a shooter and facilitator. Mullins has a unique combination of power, skill, size and nimbleness.

Maddox Peddle – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 6 G, 1 A, 7 PTS (Pt/G 1.4).

Peddle’s goal‑scoring touch was evident, as he finished with six tallies. He attacked open ice and beat goaltenders off the rush, but also crashed the net for rebounds. Peddle has raw power for his age. He is able to push past defenders with a powerful stride. Peddle also showed that same power in his shot. Peddle was excellent for team NL, constantly on the right side of the puck and made winning plays throughout the event.

Clark Loveless – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 5 G, 3 A, 8 PTS (Pt/G 1.6; 2 PPGs).
Loveless blended power and finesse; he was lethal around the net with two power‑play goals and chipped in three assists. His strong board work allowed HNL to maintain offensive zone time, and he consistently won battles in front of the crease. Loveless has great length to his stride and reach. We saw a play on the PK where he broke up the play in his own end, chip around a defender for a grade A chance. Loveless showed a high motor and creativity all weekend.

Bowen Cranston – Nova Scotia, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS (Pt/G 1.8).
Cranston paced Nova Scotia’s attack with a balanced scoring line. He created his own shots off the half‑wall but also found seams to set up teammates. His ability to adjust pace in transition and contribute both goals and primary assists made him one of the tournament’s most versatile forwards. Cranston has a low center of gravity which allows him to maintain possession through body contact. He was heavy on pucks on the forecheck, delivering solid checks with a purpose.

Ryan Browne – Newfoundland & Labrador, Forward.
Production: 5 GP, 9 G, 4 A, 13 PTS (Pt/G 2.6).
Browne dominated the scoreboard for HNL, finishing with a tournament‑high 13 points. He showed an elite release off the rush and punished teams on the power play, but also demonstrated patience as a passer. Browne has a great frame and protects the puck well. Even more impressive are his decisions and awareness. He was able to pull pucks off the wall to open space and distribute. His team relied on him to kill multiple 5 on 3s which he did successfully.His 2.6 points per game underline how reliably he drove the offense as team NL went on to win the event.