AHL: On a Rampage

Most of the budding young stars in the Phoenix Coyotes system are already playing in the NHL. However, there is a solid bumper crop of prospects perfecting their craft in their AHL affiliate in San Antonio. McKeen's correspondent Max Giese files notes on Brett MacLean, Chad Kolarik, Kevin Porter, and Alex Bourret.

Brett MacLean (Phx), LW, San Antonio Rampage

Remains a project because his scoring ability is being held captive by his sluggish mobility .. ugly skater that looks like he has just learned how to skate, as his feet appear to be made of concrete and it seems as if he could fall at any moment while changing directions .. boasts unmistakable hand skill and the scorers instincts to complement them, however his game is dependant on someone else doing the work to feed him the puck .. displays a healthy amount of patience with the puck but at times, he struggles with the pace of the pro-game and will forfeit the puck because he takes too long to make up his mind as to what he wants to do with it .. often can be seen hanging up high in the offensive zone, deciphering when to attack into the opening holes in the opponents defenses .. gives an honest effort on the forecheck and he can wear down defenders with his weighty checks .. controls the puck well along the wall and behind the opponents net thanks to his ability to shield the puck in tight around his body and absorb hits without fumbling it over.

Kevin Porter (Phx), C/LW, San Antonio Rampage

Projecting as a serviceable checking-line winger or center, Porter began his rookie season by producing a commendable 5 goals and 10 assists in 25 games with the Phoenix Coyotes .. steadily accelerates and his economical strides provide him with a deceptive amount of speed, as once he gains a step on an opponent during a foot-race he usually maintains it .. safeguarded the biscuit and never gave up on the puck during his time cycling it down low .. shares the puck adequately with his teammates and is definitely a pass first, shoot-later-type-of-player .. does an admirable job of doing the little things to support the puck and extend the length of time his team spends in the offensive zone .. being utilized on the penalty kill and displays adequate strength while not hesitating to take the body .. makes a good F1 on the forecheck by consistently applying pressure to the opponents defenders while they attempt to make the first pass.

Chad Kolarik (Phx), RW, San Antonio Rampage

The type of player coach's desire to have on their team .. previously a prolific scorer at the collegiate level, Kolarik hasn't shared the same success in the AHL because his shots often get blocked before they reach the net .. his wristshots are dependant on a long windup and he needs to quicken his release .. still, it's easy to see how he put up the numbers at Michigan, as he dissects the play in front of him innately before attacking the net without hesitation .. utilized on the point during the powerplay .. an intuitive winger that is chronically in the right place at the right time to be on or around the puck .. valued penalty-killer that comes deep into his own zone to aide in coverage and successfully retrieve pucks away from opponents .. positions himself well in the neutral zone and the puck has a habit of finding him .. hunched-over skater that lacks great speed .. deficient in size, but he finishes his checks and always gives you that second effort.

Alex Bourret (Phx), RW, San Antonio Rampage

A work in progress that could play an agitating role in the NHL if the pieces fall together .. a fire hydrant that can be a thorn in the opponents side with his glass-rattling bodychecks and devastating open-ice hits .. decent skater with a certain quickness to his feet .. lives and dies by the sword, as he doesn't commit to stops and starts, which allows him to always have some speed built up, but it also means he's often out of position .. needs to work on receiving passes more fluently .. old school in the way he often elects to use his slapshot over snap and wristshots .. his slapshot is both quick and accurate .. lacks purpose with the puck and is a simple, dump-and-chase-type-of-player that will go to the net and swivel off checks .. awkward and unnatural in the defensive zone, as he lacks any defensive instincts and hesitates to enact on his assignments .. even worse, he cherry picks and can be seen cheating out of the zone .. in terms of on-ice strategies, Bourret looks like he's playing pond hockey.