Pair Of Golden Knights Prospects Dominating The CHL
Vegas Golden Knights prospects Ben Hemmerling of the Everett Silvertips and Mathieu Cataford of the Halifax Mooseheads are having strong seasons in their respective leagues.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports - Pair Of Golden Knights Prospects Dominating The CHLVegas Golden Knights prospects Ben Hemmerling of the Everett Silvertips and Mathieu Cataford of the Halifax Mooseheads are having strong seasons in their respective leagues.
Hemmerling was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL draft. The Golden Knights used their 177th overall pick to select Hemmerling. In his draft year, Hemmerling scored 10 goals and 47 points in 57 games that year. Fast forward to this season and the 19-year-old is the captain of the Silvertips and is 16th in WHL scoring and his team sits in second place in their division.
Hemmerling has scored 26 goals and 82 points in 60 games this season. The Silvertips play six more games before the WHL playoffs begin. The Golden Knights signed Hemmerling to a three-year entry-level deal on Nov. 26, 2023.
Hemmerling is a strong skating playmaking winger and is in the top 10 in assists in the WHL. He's listed as 5'11 and 176 lbs.
Cataford follows a similar build to Hemmerling. He's a 5'11, 190 lbs, right winger. The Golden Knights used their third-round pick in the 2023 draft to select Cataford. In his draft year, Cataford scored 31 goals and 75 points in 68 games. The Mooseheads lost in the QMJHL finals to the Quebec Ramparts. In the playoffs, Cataford registered five goals and 13 points.
This season he's elevated his game. After the World Juniors Jordan Dumais had his season ended because of an injury. Cataford has stepped up scoring 38 goals and 82 points in 59 games. Cataford has a wicked release and is a big reason why he is currently third in goals scored in the QMJHL. Only Justin Poirier and his teammate Markus Vidicek have more goals than Cataford.
With six games remaining in the season, the Mooseheads lead their division and have clinched a playoff spot.
The Golden Knights signed the recently turned 19-year-old to his entry-level contract on Dec. 31, 2023.
The NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching and the Golden Knights are poised to make a big move to bolster their lineup heading into the playoffs. Recent history has shown that the Golden Knights have everything on the table. With the success Hemmerling and Cataford are having this season they could be prime candidates to be a part of a trade. If the Golden Knights decide to hold on to both players, the team can rest easily knowing two of their top prospects are developing nicely.
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