Welcome to the November edition of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) prospects report, where we will take a look at players in the Blackhawks system and track their progress throughout the 2019-20 junior hockey season.
Alec Regula (D)
Team: London Knights (OHL)
Stats: 9 goals, 12 assists, 57 shots on goal in 19 games
Highlights:
Beautiful one-timer by Alec Regula makes it 3-0 London. PPG. pic.twitter.com/dcJqhohJOW
— Sean Patrick Ryan (@TheOilKnight) November 2, 2019
2-0 London thanks to Connor McMichael pic.twitter.com/S7sxUwFaXF
— Sean Patrick Ryan (@TheOilKnight) November 23, 2019
Analysis: Regula was acquired by the Blackhawks from the Red Wings in an Oct. 28 trade that saw winger Brendan Perlini shipped off to Detroit. A couple weeks later, the Blackhawks signed Regula to a 3-year entry level contract.
The 19-year-old right-handed defenseman was selected No. 67 overall (third round) by Detroit in 2018, a team for whom his father served as a dentist for almost 30 years. He’s currently in his third season with the Knights and is a co-captain alongside Columbus 2018 first-rounder Liam Foudy.
Regula missed Detroit’s prospects camp this past summer due to a knee injury, but he’s fully healthy and successfully anchoring a Knights blue line that last season had Evan Bouchard and Chicago’s own Adam Boqvist. Regula is getting heavy ice time in all situations and is second among defensemen in scoring behind Sharks prospect and early-season addition Ryan Merkley.
Regula’s five-game point streak (three goals, five assists) ended in London’s 4-0 win over Erie on Sunday. He’s more known for his defensive acumen than his scoring prowess, though, and will likely make a name for himself by playing well in his own zone.
What they’re saying about Regula: “I think he actually has pretty good hands for a big d-man,” Boqvist told Second City Hockey in October. “He has a good hockey IQ as well and he’s a great teammate. I saw he started the season pretty good with a lot of points. He’s a pretty much all-around d-man, but a little bit more stay-at-home. He can score and be on the power play as well, so I think he’ll be good with the Blackhawks.”
Alexis Gravel (G)
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Stats: 4-10, 0.887 save percentage in 14 games
Analysis: Despite his 2-4 record in November, Gravel has played better, stopping 81 of 85 shots in his three most recent appearances (.953 save percentage). One of those losses came in a shootout, the other came after Gravel was called upon to relieve starter Cole McLaren, who put the Mooseheads in a very early 2-0 hole.
These Mooseheads aren’t the powerhouse they have been in the past, and the goaltending stats are suffering as a result. To his credit, Gravel is keeping a level head and just trying to keep his team in it,
“For us, the priority is not to put on a show, it’s to win the hockey game and get points,” Gravel said. “We’ve gotten way better defensively since we started the season. The rookies are starting to get experience and it pays off. Guys are playing way better and it’s showing.”
Gravel also played a full contest against Russia in the CHL’s Canada-Russia series, stopping 24 of 28 shots in a 4-3 loss. He remains in consideration for a spot on Canada’s World Junior club, based more on pedigree and reputation than this season’s numbers.
What they’re saying about Gravel:
Hockey Canada goalie consultant Fred Brathwaite here tonight, presumably for one last look at Alexis Gravel for a possible spot with the world junior team.
— Willy Palov (@WillyPalov) November 9, 2019
Michal Teply (LW)
Team: Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Stats: 10 goals, 13 assists, 97 shots in 24 games
Highlights:
Great shot just under the bar by #Blackhawks prospect Michal Teply (@WHLWpgICE).
With a goal and two assists against the Rebels, Teply is now on a point-per-game pace (6g, 10a in 16 games). pic.twitter.com/aN4fgmzvkt
— Czech Prospects (@CZprospects) November 7, 2019
BANG! pic.twitter.com/SgblR9rWie
— Winnipeg ICE (@WHLWpgICE) November 9, 2019
Check out this bar-down snipe show from Michal Teply (#Blackhawks), who put up 1G 2A + 5S in the @WHLWpgICE win last night.@EliteProspects profile: https://t.co/PMqOfyfY7U pic.twitter.com/pXtW8XcxKh
— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) November 7, 2019
Analysis: Teply recorded his first multi-goal game for Winnipeg in a recent win over Seattle. He leads the Ice with 10 goals and 23 points in 24 games. In fact, the 18-year-old from Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic also leads all WHL rookies in goals and points.
Teply isn’t the strongest skater. It’s his sharpshooting that sets him apart, as evidenced by the goals seen above. He’s projected to be a top forward for his native country at World Juniors, and it will be interesting to see how he fares on an even bigger stage.
Cole Moberg (D)
Team: Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Stats: 4 goals, 10 assists, 45 shots on goal in 20 games
Highlights:
Cole Moberg (#Blackhawks) jumps into the offensive zone and sends the puck into the yawning cage. Up to 2G 1A on the night. pic.twitter.com/rpZ03ln3qH
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) November 7, 2019
Analysis: Moberg was named to the CHL’s Team of the Week for Nov. 4-10 after posting six points in three games. He recorded two goals and four assists in that span after being named an alternate captain by the Cougars.
He now sits second in team scoring, four points behind captain and winger Josh Maser.
The Cougars sit second to last in the WHL standings, so this is shaping up to be a character building season for the solid defenseman.