WHL Signings: Saskatoon Adds American D Pavel Bocharov; Everett Signs Two Players

The Saskatoon Blades inked American defenseman Pavel Bocharov to a WHL standard player agreement this week. According to a press release, the 16-year-old is expected to compete for a full-time roster spot out of training later this year.

Bocharov is a 2004-born D who played for Mount St. Charles’ U15 team this past season; he scored 13 goals and added nine assists. Prior to playing for Mount, he was with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings organization; he’s a native of Escondido, Calif.

Selected in the eighth round of last year’s WHL Bantam Draft, he also captained Mount this season.

“This is a very exciting signing for us and something we’ve been working towards for the last 9 months since we drafted him,” stated general manager Colin Priestner. “We had Pasha ranked as a top-level talent in last year’s draft. Given he was American, we knew it was going to be a bigger challenge to recruit him, but he became very invested in our coaches, our program and what we are building towards and we are very pleased he chose us to continue his journey in hockey.”

Our scouts were impressed with Bocharov at least summer’s Select 15 Camp.

“He’s got a very good feet which allows him to maintain very tight gaps and pinch off line rushes,” scouts said. “From the point he has a very hard shot and quick release. He shoots with a purpose and looks for tips & lanes. He uses his size and skating ability to fight through contact and make quick Outlet passes. Pavel  works to be open for his partner the neutral zone and is quick in transition. He was very effective on the power play and was very confident going back door. We like his ability to 1 time shots and hit the net. He looks to be very competitive & won his 1 on 1 battles. He was very physical during the 3v3 scrimmages and actually ran a few guys over.”

’04 D Owen Boucher to the Winnipeg Ice

Boucher’s signing was announced on Monday; he signed a standard player agreement. The Bonnyville, Alb. native was selected in the eighth round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft and this past season he captained the Fort Sask Rangers in the AMMHL.

Already measuring 6-foot-1, he scored 16 goals and 23 assists in 37 games, finishing third in the league in defenseman scoring.

” He’s an okay skater who can skate the puck up ice and relive pressure out off his end, he likes to make his outlets around the blue line or skate the puck up ice and pass off on the rush to a teammate,” said NZ scouts. “In the offensive end he can chip in here and there and find teammates in close around the net but usually puts pucks back into space.”

’04 F Ben Hemmerling to the Everett Silvertips

Hemmerling was Everett’s first selection in last year’s WHL Bantam Draft, selected in the third round. This season with the Northern Alberta Elite 15s (CSSHL) he posted 63 points (19 goals, 44 assists) in 34 games.

The Sherwood Park, Alb. native is on the smaller side, but our scouts loved his vision in the offensive zone.

“Hemmerling is a smaller size player but can create off the rush for teammates and shows good read and react ability through the neutral and offensive zone,” our scouts said. “Not the biggest player at all but will go the net for chances and can find rebounds to get extra chances. His best quality is his vision in the offensive end, where he can set up teammates off the perimeter.”

Hemmerling suited up for Team Blue at the 2018-19 Alberta Cup, the annual tournament producing notable alumni such as Jordan Eberle, Brayden Point, Jake DeBrusk and Devan Dubnyk, and he earned three assists in five tournament games. Hemmerling also suited up in five games for the Northern Alberta X-Treme Prep squad (CSSHL), earning four points (1g-3a).

“It’s awesome to take advantage of an opportunity like this to become a part of the Everett Silvertips, a great organization I’m proud to be a part of,” said Hemmerling. “The program has proven time after time of developing future professional talent, and plays in the best development league in the world. I want to thank my coaches Brayden Toma, Tyrell Spitzer, and Matt Tassone, my teammates, and family for helping make this day possible. I’m looking forward to bringing a relentless compete level at both ends of the ice, and abilities to help generate offense. Seeing a few games in downtown Everett this season, it made me excited to play in front an incredible fan base. I can’t wait to get started and get to work.”

’04 F Beau Courtney to the Everett Silvertips

The Silvertips weren’t done, also announcing the signing of Colorado native Beau Courtney.

Courtney scored 16 goals in 22 games this season for the Colorado Thunderbirds, which was tied for second across the T1EHL. Courtney was taken in the eighth round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft by the Silvertips.

“There’s a ton of meaning into becoming an Everett Silvertip and it’s an incredible moment that I’ll never forget,” said Courtney. “It’s a privilege to join an organization that’s well rounded, welcoming, and first class. My experience visiting Everett told me more about how the current players – including Brendan Lee – staff, and coaches were helpful, and how top notch the facility and surroundings made for a pleasant experience. I’m looking forward to bringing a heavy and reliable game that can handle defensive roles, win draws, and also jump in the rush to contribute offensively. I’m grateful for, and thank my family, coaches, and teammates for their incredible effort to help me reach this stage.”

Last year, the 2004-born forward earned eight points in 13 games at the bantam AAA level with the Thunderbirds (T1EBHL) and competed in training camp with the Silvertips, skating in the 2019 Training Camp Prospects Game.

“Beau is a solid, defensively-minded forward that plays a responsible game in each zone,” said our scouts, when we saw him at the USHL Showcase. “He is always below the puck and supports his teammates in the defensive zone. He is skilled with the puck on his stick and made some nice reads to create scoring chances.”