AHL: Monsters Rink

The expansion Lake Erie Monsters are poised for a strong inaugural season as they are well fed with prospects and veterans from the Colorado Avalanche. McKeen's reviews several monsters looking to make an impact this season including 2006 first round selection Chris Stewart.

Chris Stewart (Col), RW, Lake Erie Monsters

Big and strong with the ideal frame for a power forward .. not a mean player but finishes his checks and is a physical presence on the forecheck .. can change the momentum of the game with his fighting prowess that can spark his team after a slow start .. fluid skater for a big man with a prevailing top gear once he gains momentum although, he needs to upgrade his start-up speed .. shields the puck effectively, as he uses his wide body well and does a good job creating plays down low .. strong on the cycle and incisively initiates give and goes.

Victor Oreskovich (Col), RW, Lake Erie Monsters

Big and athletic but still very raw .. strong skater with quick acceleration and a sharp top gear .. agility and balance need improvement .. competes hard but doesn't use his size or speed effectively .. puzzling puckhandler, as he possesses velvety hands yet fumbles the puck in tight areas .. owns a quick shot with a powerful release however, he hesitates just a split second before unleashing it, which allows the shooting lane to be closed by the opposition .. did a fine job clogging passing and shooting lanes in the defensive zone.

Wes O'Neill (Col), D, Lake Erie Monsters

Former New York Islander draft pick was unsigned coming out of Notre Dame before being plucked as a free-agent by the Avalanche .. big and strong stay-at-home defenseman .. excels in his own end thanks to his strength and shrewd defensive positioning .. looks like a spider on the ice, as he must improve his knee recovery, footwork, and first step .. sees the ice fairly well and makes a crisp first pass, although he tends to stop moving his feet at times while in possession of the puck.

Michael Vernace (Col), D, Lake Erie Monsters

Skilled and savvy puck moving defenseman that lacks speed and strength .. defensive game looks improved, as his gap control and positioning didn't stick out negatively .. possesses soft and quick hands .. sees the ice exceptionally well .. makes a tape-to-tape first pass and does a fine job working the point in the offensive zone .. skating still needs work, as he needs to bend his knees more and improve his sluggish start-up speed.

David Jones (Col), LW, Lake Erie Monsters

Two-way work horse with a dangerous shot .. possesses a rapid release that produces a heavy and accurate shot .. not a one dimensional player, as he can move the puck .. possesses a big frame and the ability to stickhandle in traffic .. purposeful skater with a strong stride .. seems more attentive to his defensive assignments at this level compared to his college days.

Codey Burki (Col), C, Lake Erie Monsters

Gifted center but appears timid of the physicality in the pro game and also appears to be struggling with the speed .. obviously talented with quick feet and hands but his timid play renders him ineffective offensively .. needs to show more urgency with the puck, as he tended to glide through the neutral zone, which allowed the backcheck to creep up behind him and strip him off the puck .. shied away from the battle areas and appears to have a soft side .. will need to get stronger.