The word potential has been linked to Brayden Cuthbert ever since he laced up his skates for the first time years ago. As of early November, Cuthbert’s potential is higher than ever.

Cuthbert is a rookie forward for the Brandon AAA Midget Wheat Kings and is enjoying a fantastic start to the season, sitting third on the team in scoring (as of Nov. 5). Cuthbert, a Brandon native, also was a member of the Team Manitoba under-16 team that traveled to Blackfield, Alberta recently, winning a silver medal in the process. Cuthbert scored three goals in the tournament including an overtime winner against British Columbia.

Cuthbert, at only 15 years of age, displays the skill-set that hockey scouts admire – a willingness to go to the net.

“He’s not a perimeter guy, he goes to the net and he goes in the corners, he’s physical,” said head coach Brad Wells. “All those things are good attributes to have as a player.”

Cuthbert was drafted fourth overall by the Neepawa Natives in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League draft earlier this year and 89th overall (fifth round) by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League bantam draft. At only 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, he’s not the most intimidating player on the ice, but utilizes his speed to get to the net rather than brute force.

Last season, Cuthbert played for the AA bantam Wheat Kings and wound up tied for the league lead in scoring at the end of the year.

“For me, this is my first year coaching him and I think he’s definitely got some ability,” said Wells. “He can skate and he can shoot the puck. I think he definitely has a good upside.”

Brad McConnell, Wheaton King, Michael Ferland and co-captain of the Wheat Kings, Matt Calvert are just four players that have excelled in the AAA Wheat Kings program. Wells says time will tell if Cuthbert can carve out a name for himself.

“I think that for him to be put in a class with those guys over the last few years here is difficult because I think his game has got to get better,” said Wells. “Yet, as I say that, I think he’s got lots of potential.”

“All those players that you mentioned, they’re definitely all excellent players,” said Cuthbert. “I’ve had a good start to my first year. You never know what could happen the next two years.”

Taylor Wells, the captain of the team, says Cuthbert is a player that has fit in well and that he brings a certain intangible that every AAA Wheat King must have.

“He’s a young skilled player and he can put the puck in the net when you give him the opportunity,” said Taylor. “He’s a guy who likes to work hard. All our young guys have bought into the system of being hard workers and Brayden fits right in.”

Asked if the sky is the limit for Cuthbert as far as potential is concerned, Wells responded, “he can go as far as he wants to, all he has to do is put in the time and effort.”