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In the weeks leading up to the start of the 2024-25 season, we will go team-by-team to profile new players entering the league, as well as offseason acquisitions through trades. We speak with the coach/GM of each team to get their thoughts on the new crop of players.
Next up is the Prince George Spruce Kings.
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The Prince George Spruce Kings ended the 2023-24 season in eighth place in the Interior Conference, setting up a first-round matchup with the number-one seeded Penticton Vees, which they lost in four games.
After an offseason of adding new recruits and players via trade, we speak with the team’s head coach Alex Evin about the new faces in the dressing room to start 2024-25.
New recruits
Zachary Hachey (2007, D)
Hometown: Saint-Lambert, Que.- Previous team: Collège Charles-Lemoyne Riverains (QM18AAA)
Hachey spent the past two years with Riverains and was team captain in 2023-24. He led all defencemen in scoring with his club, posting 19 points in 41 games.
Evin’s scouting report:
“Zach was able to come up and see Prince George and skate with us. He’s a high-character individual and a very highly touted prospect. In my opinion, he’s someone that, once he gets his feet wet, could be a high-profile player for the league. He’s big. He skates. He’s got a lot of good in him, not just as a hockey player, but on the character side too.”
Carter Wishart (2005, G)
Hometown: Chaska, Minn.- Previous team: Chippewa Steel (NAHL)
- College commitment: Colgate University
In 31 games with Chippewa last season, Wishart posted a .907 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average to go along with two shutouts and a 13-13-2 record.
Evin’s scouting report:
“We didn’t have a strong year in goal last season and that was a key area for us to improve on. Historically, we’ve had really strong goaltending, even before my time here. We’re looking to get back to that. Carter brings some experience from his time in the North American League. He is the right type of worker as well. Him and Ryder will be a good pair for us.”
Will Moore (2004, F)
Hometown: Westfield, Ind.- Previous team: Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
- College commitment: Rochester Institute of Technology
Moore is coming off his second season in the North American Hockey League, where he put up 40 points in 45 contests.
Evin’s scouting report:
“We tried to recruit him a few years ago and it didn’t work out. Will is a player we’ve followed for some time now. He’s got some really good offensive tools and he’s kind of a heart-and-soul player. We’re obviously looking to be better than we were last year, so Will is going to be a big part of that when he’s healthy.”
Jayden Connors (2007, D)
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.- Previous team: St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)
- College commitment: University of New Hampshire
In his rookie season of junior hockey with St. Michael’s of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, Connors put up two goals and 21 assists in 46 games.
Evin’s scouting report:
“He’s a bit younger, but is pretty highly touted out of Ontario. He skates really well, moves the puck really well and has some good offensive instincts in his game. He’s got to develop his overall game, especially defensively, but we needed to add mobile-style defencemen and he checks a lot of those boxes.”
Maks Percic (2004, D)
Hometown: Maribor, Slovenia- Previous team: Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
- College commitment: Michigan Tech University
Percic started the 2023-24 season with the Vernon Vipers, but was acquired by Merritt midseason. He totaled a combined 14 points in 44 games. He has also represented Slovenia internationally on multiple occasions.
Evin’s scouting report:
“Maks is a solid player, a strong-skating physical defenceman. I think he was starting to find his game near the end of last season with Merritt. He’s someone we watched really closely and we’re looking forward to him coming in and playing a big role with us this season.”
Mason Loewen (2006, F)
Hometown: Fort St. John, B.C.- Previous team: Cariboo Cougars AAA (BCEHL U18)
Loewen was second in team scoring with the Cougars last year, just two off the team lead, with 55 points in 36 games, while his 24 goals were the most on his team. He played in two games for Prince George as an affiliate during the playoffs last year.
Evin’s scouting report:
“Being from the north, he has ties to the area and had a really good season with his Cariboo team last year. He’s got high leadership qualities and a never-quit kind of attitude. We loved having him around when he skated with us at the end of last season. He’s going to be someone that, locally, everyone can be excited about as he gets better.”
Ryder Green (2007, G)
Hometown: Prince George, B.C.- Previous team: Cariboo Cougars AAA (BCEHL U18)
Green owned a record of 16-3-2 with the Cougars last year, to go along with a 3.03 goals-against average and two shutouts. He also got into some BCHL games with the Spruce Kings, making one appearance in the regular season and another two in the playoffs due to injury.
Evin’s scouting report:
“Ryder is a great young goalie prospect. We’ve been in touch with him a lot over the last few years and we’re super thrilled that he’s chosen our program and he’s open to the college route. He’s been around our team a lot. He played in the playoffs last year as well, which was not ideal, but was an amazing experience for him and he held his own. He was very impressive in his two showings. We’re really excited to have Ryder grow with our organization.”
Cooper Williams (2007, F)
Hometown: Pinckney, Mich.- Previous team: Compuware (16U AAA)
- College commitment: Lake Superior State University
Williams was Compuware’s top point producer with 69 in 60 games, as well as their leading goal-scorer with 43. His brother Tyler played for the Nanaimo Clippers from 2018 to 2020 and just finished his fourth year at Lake Superior State.
Evin’s scouting report:
“He is a high-character player who is already familiar with the league because of his older brother Tyler. He’s a high-energy, highly competitive, talented player. We’re hopeful he can play well as a young guy on both sides of the puck.”
Ryan Wachtel (2006, F)
Hometown: Rumson, N.J.- Previous team: Brunswick School (USHS-Prep)
- College commitment: Princeton University
Wachtel was Brunswick’s third leading scorer in 2023-24 with 39 points in 34 games on 17 goals and 22 assists. He also spent time with the Long Island Gulls 18U program and had six points in eight games.
Evin’s scouting report:
“He’s a guy that hopefully can come in and play with some pace, play on both sides of the puck and bring energy to our lineup. We’re excited for him to grow in his first year of junior with us.”
Brady Anes (2006, F)
Hometown: Scottville, Mich.- Previous team: Fox Motors AAA (T1EHL 18U)
Anes spent the majority of his youth hockey career in the Fox Motors program in Michigan. While playing for the 18U team last season, he had three goals and two assists in 13 games.
Evin’s scouting report:
“We’re excited about adding Brady. We don’t have a lot of returning centremen and he’s a big, young, strong kid who skates well. We like the way he competes physically and we’re hoping he’s a good prospect that can develop in our program.”
Brody Martin (2007, D)
Hometown: Prince George, B.C.- Previous team: Okanagan Hockey Academy Prep (CSSHL U18)
Martin spent the past four years with Okanagan Hockey Academy. Last season, he had 10 points in 28 games for the under-18 team.
Evin’s scouting report:
“Brody is going to be one of our youngest players, if not the youngest player on our team. He’s another local player. His dad played hockey in the area. We are hopeful that he can grow and that people around town can be excited about some local talent in our lineup.”
Acquired via trade
Brock Cummings (2005, F)
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.- Previous team: Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
Cummings was one of the Capitals top offensive producers last season, finishing third in team scoring with 34 points in 54 games and third in goals with 16. He was acquired by Prince George in a June 27 trade with Cowichan.
Evin’s scouting report:
“He has a year of experience in the league and he had a strong first season. He’s a guy that can play centre, who is big and has some really good scoring touch. He should be able to help us in all areas of our our lineup.”
Photo credits: Liz Wolter (Percic), Sharon Wells (Loewen), Dan Hickling (Williams, Wachtel, Anes), CSSHL (Martin), Island Images (Cummings)
