“They don’t grow on trees”: Wheat Kings defenceman Elick prepares for Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
If you closed your eyes and imagined what a born-and-raised Western Canadian defenceman looks like, chances are they would look a lot like Charlie Elick.
The 17-year-old clocks in at 6-foot-3, 199 pounds and has established himself as a shutdown presence on the Brandon Wheat Kings blue line.
“Those big, 6-foot-3, right-handed defencemen don’t grow on trees,” Brandon General Manager and Head Coach Marty Murray said. “He plays against the other team’s top line, night and night out and he’s really grown a lot this year as a 17-year-old in the league. It’s a big responsibility for anybody to play that role with a lot of high-end players in our league and our conference in particular. So to have that challenge, to responsibility night in and night out, it’s a big one.”
Elick is one of 18 WHL players who have snagged an invite to the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on January 24 in Moncton, N.B.
In NHL Central Scouting’s preseason rankings, Elick earned a ‘B’ rating, which projects him as a second or third-round pick at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft
The Calgary, Atla. product has netted three goals (including two game-winners), 13 assists and a plus-seven rating in 38 contests with Brandon this season.
But Murray cautions Elick’s greatest attributes don’t necessarily show up on the scoresheet.
“He’s a guy that’s a Trouba-type defenseman,” Murray added. “He can really hit hard. He’s one of those guys that you have to be aware of when he’s on the ice. He can finish checks and he’s a real good skater. I think he’s got a big presence to his game and hopefully, he’ll continue to grow here as the season goes on. We’re looking forward to continuing working with him and making some strides and being the best he can be for the Brandon Wheat Kings and that’ll lead to good things in the draft.
The Wheat Kings drafted Elick with the third overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects draft.
He’s represented Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he put up a pair of assists in six games, and the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he also tallied a pair of assists en route to a gold medal.
Elick’s father, Mickey, was an eighth-round pick of the New York Rangers in 1992 and put together a 16-year professional career across the AHL, ECHL and European leagues.
Basha, Andrew – Medicine Hat Tigers – Calgary, Alta. – 5’11” – 184 – LW
Catton, Berkly – Spokane Chiefs – Saskatoon, Sask. – 5’11” – 170 – C
Curran, Maxmilian – Tri-City Americans – Prague, Czechia – 6’3” – 179 – C
Howe, Tanner – Regina Pats – Prince Albert, Sask. – 5’10” – 182 – LW
Iginla, Tij – Kelowna Rockets – Lake Country, B.C. – 6’0” – 186 – C
Jecho, Adam – Edmonton Oil Kings – Zlin, Czechia – 6’5” – 201 – C
Josephson, Ollie – Red Deer Rebels – Victoria, B.C. – 6’0” – 185 C
Lindstrom, Cayden – Medicine Hat Tigers – Chetwynd, B.C. – 6’3” – 210 – C
Miettinen, Julius – Everett Silvertips – Helsinki, Finland – 6’3” – 205 – C
Parascak, Terik – Prince George Cougars – Lethbridge, Alta. – 6’0” – 176 – RW
Ritchie, Ryder – Prince Albert Raiders – Kelowna, B.C. – 6’0” – 175 – RW
Wetsch, Carson – Calgary Hitmen – Vancouver, B.C. – 6’0” – 187 – RW
Brunicke, Harrison – Kamloops Blazers – Calgary, Alta. – 6’2” – 185 – RD
Elick, Charlie – Brandon Wheat Kings – Calgary, Alta. – 6’3” – 200 – RD
Roberts, Colton – Vancouver Giants – Maple Ridge, B.C. – 6’4” – 198 – RD
Yakemchuk, Carter – Calgary Hitmen – Calgary, Alta. – 6’3” – 190 – RD
Cowan, Dawson – Spokane Chiefs – Warren, Man. – 6’2” – 185 – G
Matecha, Lukas – Tri-City Americans – Pardubice, Czechia – 6’3” – 194 – G
The 40 players will be assigned to either Team Red or Team White in the new year, while captains and alternates for both squads will also be announced in January.
The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 28th edition of this showcase and it will represent the first time that the event has taken place in the province of New Brunswick.
Of the 40 CHL players to compete at the 2023 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Langley, B.C., 37 went on to be selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, including Connor Bedard (Regina Pats), who was chosen first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Since the event was first introduced in 1996, it has featured 16 players who were later selected first overall in the NHL Draft, including Bedard (2023), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Chris Phillips (1996).
The 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game airs live on TSN, TSN.ca, the TSN app, and RDS on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 (4:30 p.m. MT). With a limited number of tickets available, fans are encouraged to act quickly to secure their seat for the 2024 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton by visiting ticketmaster.ca.
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