Red Deer’s Brock England could very well be the community’s earliest selection at the upcoming WHL Prospects Draft.
Some prospect rankings have him getting selected as early as in the top five and as late as 14th, according to Elite Prospects.
On Thursday the 14-year-old got the chance to display his talents in front of hundreds of WHL scouts and executives at the 2024 Alberta Cup.
The tournament, which started on Thursday, will play through to Sunday afternoon featuring the best U15 prospects the province has to offer ahead of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft on May 9.
In his first game of the tournament England failed to record a point but had plenty of high-quality scoring chances. He also had a few nifty passing plays to set up his teammates as well as time on the powerplay and penalty kill.
Ultimately, England’s Team Black fell to Team Gold 2-1 on Thursday afternoon.
“Competing in a tournament like this is really cool. It’s really well run and I’m just excited to keep on going throughout the tournament,” he said.
“I’m happy with how I played and with our team too. I think we played well but their goalie was phenomenal.”
England said he doesn’t pay much attention to draft rankings. To him, it’s more important to focus on how he can improve his game ahead of the draft rather than where he’ll be selected.
“I’m a good 200-foot player. I’m a pass-first guy but I can also shoot the puck. I think my hockey IQ is pretty good too,” he added.
“I think I’m pretty well-rounded.
England grew up in Red Deer and first got into hockey taking after his dad who played as high as the midget AAA level.
After playing for the U15 AAA Red Deer Rebels in the 2022-23 season, England decided to suit up for the U15 Edge School Prep team out of Calgary in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.
This season he averaged well over a point per game with 40 points in 24 games, 22 of those were assists. He added four points in two playoff games.
England also earned a call-up to the U18 Prep team where he competed at the Circle K Classic and throughout the playoffs helping them win a league title.
“I was really happy with my play and our team too. Throughout the season I played with them and in the playoffs. It was a really cool experience their team was phenomenal, which I think really pushed them to the championship,” he said.
“The game was really fast. All the players there are really good so it was good to push my abilities and get better too.”
U15 AAA Red Deer Rebels head coach Justin Jarmolicz said England has a game-breaking ability.
“His skill and speed can change a game fast. That’s probably his biggest attribute is his ability to be a game changer,” he said.
“He’s got all the tools offensively and he can make plays too… Just the way Brock skates he’s probably the most elite skater in the draft out of Western Canada.”
