Similar to an Oct. 11 Aidan’s Angle, where I drew comparisons between some of the players on the Gaels basketball teams and National Basketball Association stars, this edition of Aidan’s Angle will focus solely on Queen’s hockey and their professional counterparts.
Nolan Hutcheson (Forward)
Nolan Hutcheson, ArtSci ’25, has been an offensive titan for the Gaels thus far this season. In just 18 games played, the Kingston native has recorded 16 goals and four assists, totalling 20 points.
Most impressively, seven of Hutcheson’s 16 goals have been game-winners. While his two hat tricks and numerous multi point performances have kept Queen’s competitive in many games, Hutcheson has consistently demonstrated his clutch gene, securing crucial victories for the Gaels.
While numerous goal scorers have helped their teams on a large scale, perhaps none have had as large an impact as the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl.
Draisaitl has recorded nine game-winning goals this season, including four overtime goals.
While Draisaitl and Hutcheson’s stats draw similarities on paper, their position as explosive power forwards allows them to approach the game in very similar fashions.
Both Draisaitl and Hutcheson use their large frames to muscle their way to the front of the net, where they score most of their goals. Both forwards’ ing ability allows them to set up their teammates after consuming the attention of the defending players.
Jack Duff (Defenseman)
Throughout his time as Captain of the Men’s Hockey team, Jack Duff, ArtSci ’25, has been a dependable defensive wall for Queen’s.
This season, Duff has stepped up massively for the Gaels with his work on the penalty kill percentage of 89.1 per cent, fourth best in all of U SPORTS. By only allowing four powerplay goals against all season, Duff has essentially asserted himself as the leader of the second-best penalty kill in the league.
Aside from the penalty kill, Duff has also helped the Gaels earn the fourth lowest goals against all season, only allowing 36 goals through 18 games.
Few players in the National Hockey League (NHL) have been able to make such a name for themselves solely on their defensive play; however, Brayden McNabb of the Vegas Golden Knights has gone against this narrative.
McNabb currently holds +/- of +24, the highest in the league, also contributing to the Golden Knights penalty kill percentage of 77.9 per cent, one of the best in the NHL.
Emma Tennant (Goalie)
Emma Tennant, Sci ’26, has been nothing short of phenomenal in net for the Gaels this season.
In 12 games played, Tennant has recorded a .924 save percentage while stopping 348 shots, the fifth most in the nation.
Although the Women’s Hockey team has faced challenges this season, Tennant has been a rare bright spot for the Gaels and has clearly established herself as the team’s primary goaltender. Strong goaltending is hard to find, and if the Gaels can improve their defensive play, we should see Tennant begin to record shutouts.
Like Tennant, Raygan Kirk of the Toronto Sceptres in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has taken on the seemingly impossible task of trying to steal games for the struggling Sceptres.
The Sceptres and Gaels alike have struggled to defend high-scoring areas on the ice, resulting in an overwhelming number of high-danger chances for their goalies to confront. Tennant and Kirk both demonstrate their ability to weather the storm for their respective teams, providing reliable save percentages while facing some of the most shots in their leagues.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].