Draft Profiles Part 2: The Two Corys

In part two of a three-part series, McKeen's correspondent Max Giese profiles the draft status of some of the top draft-eligible prospects that played in the U.S.A. this-season. Opinions are still mixed on Cory Fienhage (pictured) and other potential mid-round gems such as Jimmy Hayes,Nathan Condon, Seth Soley, David Carle, Gavin Hartzog, Steve Quailer and Greg Pateryn are featured.

Cory Fienhage D, East-view USHSW/ Indiana Ice USHL (72nd overall)

Opinions are mixed on this 6-foot-2, 195-pound North Dakota recruit. Some remain unsold and cite his lack of ability with the puck as a deciding factor. While others, such as McKeen's Scout Kevin Wey, like his play on the defensive side of the puck and compare him to Dallas Stars defenseman Niklas Grossman. Nobody projects Fienhage to sneak into the first round, but he could go as high as the second round to a team looking for a big and mobile defensive defenseman.

Jimmy Hayes RW, Lincoln Stars USHL (76th overall)

After his stock took a nosedive early in the season because of a tremulous start with the National Development Program, Hayes salvaged his year thanks to a decent stint with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. He is a compartmentalized player that is not larger than the sum of his parts yet. Hayes is a big man that plays a big mans game in front of the opponent's net and his glowing personality will win you over, but his mobility needs serious work and we wish he had owned a mean streak. Still, Hayes has plenty of intriguing tools to become an early round pick and his development will be in great hands over the next few years under Jerry York at Boston College.

Nate Condon C, Wausau West USHSW (82nd overall)

Nate the great is what they affectionately call him in Wisconsin and he did not disappoint with a strong senior season emerging as the top draft-eligible prospect out of the state. Condon has a lot of potential, but scouts had to choose when to see him because of the poor competition he faced for the majority of the season. However, it should be noted that he was a force with Team Wisconsin against the best Minnesota had to offer in the Upper Mid-Western Elite League. He will need to add strength and prove he can excel against a higher level of competition while playing for the Fargo Force of the USHL before heading to the University of Minnesota in 2009.

Seth Soley RW, Omaha Lancers USHL (95th overall)

When Soley's USHL rights were traded from the Green Bay Gamblers to Omaha where he would report to play for the Lancers, it was initially greeted with excitement and pleasure amongst the scouting community. He was seen as a promising draft-eligible prospect that recently just dominated the best Minnesota had to offer in the Elite League, but that tone quickly changed weeks into the season when he was relegated to a fourth-line role with Omaha. Soley is a combative two-way player that can score and is an exceptional penalty killer. Trouble is, he did not receive a chance to do much of either with Omaha and that has surely hurt his draft stock.

David Carle D, Shattuck St. Mary's (114th overall)

Far from a finished product, the younger brother of San Jose Sharks Matt Carle is a promising but green two-way defenseman that has the baby faced appearance making him look more like he should be a freshman in high school next season rather than at Denver University. Fortunately, his youthful appearance is not mirrored on the ice where his poise and maturity are what stand out most. While playing against sub par competition this year with Shattuck, Carle impressed with his mistake-free puck movement and stout defensive play. However, he is still physically immature and all qualities of his game will have to elevate further for him to excel at higher levels of play.

Gavin Hartzog LW, Marquette High School USHSW (115th overall)

For the past several years, NHL scouts have flocked to the Chicago Showcase every April in hopes of finding the next diamond in the rough, well this year it was Wisconsin's Gavin Hartzog that was uncovered. A big and tough winger with a great touch around the net, Hartzog has the uncanny ability to elevate his play against top competition and carry his team on his back through the games difficult moments. He is raw and will need to work on his quickness amongst other things while playing for the Fargo Force of the USHL for the next two years, before heading off to the University of Wisconsin in 2010. Click the link for a recent interview with Gavin Hartzog conducted by McKeen's correspondent Max Giese

Steve Quailer C, Sioux City Musketeers USHL (121st overall)

Although the USHL doesn't offer that top-two round talent from players passed in there first year of draft eligibility such as a Trevor Lewis or Andreas Nodl, it does however, have a talented player that won't get overlooked again like he did last season in Northeastern recruit, Steve Quailer. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Quailer is a rangy puckhandler with good acceleration for a player of his size. He is an asset at both ends of the rink and his playmaking touch is his most distinguishable attribute. Quailer is not the overpowering power forward type and could use a healthy dose of selfishness with the puck at times.

Greg Pateryn D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets USHL (124th overall)

Just a year removed from playing a low level of hockey in Michigan High School, Pateryn blossomed this season with Ohio and was the teams' lone representative at the USHL All-Star Game. That developmental upswing he displayed is a positive, as is the fact that he is committed to a great program like the University of Michigan. He has no glaring weaknesses and really matured as a two-way defender this year, although he is still a bit of a neophyte as a player. Bank on his physical-defensive game translating to the higher levels, but he will need to work on his discipline some.