Draft Profiles Part 3: Max Steel

In the final installment 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 including potential late round finds such as Max Nicastro of the Chicago Steel.

Max Nicastro D, Chicago Steel USHL

Partnered with Columbus Blue Jackets' prospect Will Weber for most of the year, Nicastro's play suffered initially when Weber went out with a midseason wrist injury. He did rebound and finished the season on a positive note with a strong playoff. Chicago was not a team stacked on defense and it allowed Nicastro to receive extensive playing time in all situations, even those he was not yet ready for. This allowed his spirited work ethic, budding physical game, and swift mobility to be fully showcased. However, it also meant the shortcomings in his game such as the general rawness he displays with the puck were micro scoped.

Nick Larson LW, Waterloo Blackhawks USHL

It is uncommon when a player from the USHL is tagged as a "safe pick", but Larson is viewed as such because he is a big and physical winger with good speed that can hold his own on both sides of the puck. His shot is heavy and his mobility really took off as the year progressed, however he is not instinctive or creative with the puck and his on-ice vision is suspect. Larson will never be a top-six forward in the NHL, but one could hope that after years of developing at the University of Minnesota, he may be ready to fill in as a physical north/south type of forward on the third or fourth lines.

Steven Spinell D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets USHL

The now defunct Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets attracted many scouts this year to see their promising young defenseman. While Greg Pateryn is the consensus top prospect out of the bunch, some do like Spinell more. If the draft was held in January he surely would have been selected, as he started the season very strong, but this Miami-Ohio recruit faded slightly late in the season and his draft status could be in jeopardy because of it. He is a solidly constructed defender that can make the first pass and his physical defensive game should be his calling card moving forward.

Luke Witkowski D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets USHL

This Western Michigan recruit is a big and rangy defenseman with a ferocious mean streak. His mobility is phenomenal and it helps mask his tactical errors, but his hockey sense leaves much to be desired and he is often caught just running around looking for the big hit. Most teams will stay away from him because he can be a dummy, but defensemen with this size, mobility, and that are natural aggressive don't grow on trees and he may be worth a look late in the draft.

Jake Youso C, International Falls USHSW/ Green Bay Gamblers USHL

Now projected as a mid-round pick at best, Youso once looked like a potential first round pick early in the year, as his pure explosiveness was intriguing and his upside was good. However, Youso struggled in the USHL with a horrendous team in Green Bay and that ultimately hurt his stock. Youso remains a promising prospect that should develop an excellent set of wheels once he strengthens up his immature frame and the rest of his game should also feel a positive residual effect from bulking up. Still, he has a lot of development ahead of him and is committed to the University of Minnesota.

Mike Cichy C, Tri-City Storm USHL

Cichy was a highly regarded prospect coming into the USHL this season after his impressive international performances with the USA U-17's. However, scouts immediately began to knock his smallish stature and poor mobility all the while suspecting that a player with those two red flags could not play in the NHL. Other scouts see a little Joe Pavelski in this North Dakota recruit and like his combination of skill and intuitiveness. Cichy did lead the Tri-City Storm in scoring as a rookie and battled hard for a nearly last placed team every night. If a team can look past his lack of size and speed, he is worth a look late in the draft.

Justin Jokinen C, Cloquete USHSW

Some scouting services view Jokinen as a top-two-round-type-of player, but McKeen's does not share that sentiment. While his projectable frame and prosperous skill set were an intriguing combination initially, ultimately he leaves you wanting more because of his soft play. Jokinen did a fine job getting Cloquette to the Minnesota State Championship, but once there he disappeared and seemed disinterested in physical confrontations. He will get a chance to be the man at Mankato and that should be good for his development, but he will need to add strength and become much more courageous to take his game to higher levels.

Chase Drake D, Mosinee USHSW/ Green Bay Gamblers USHL

Hailing from the small town of Mosinee Wisconsin where he captained the hockey team to the State Tournament and quarterbacked the football team, Drake is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound defenseman that is light on his feet. He owns an NHL-caliber slapshot that was clocked in the 90mph range and his skill level is high. However, describing Drake as a "raw" prospect would be an understatement and he has that troubling habit of stopping to move his feet when he receives the puck. Committed to the University of Wisconsin, Drake could be a worthy project pick late in the draft because of his athleticism and leadership.

Ross Henry D, Lincoln Stars USHL

If Henry was two-inches taller and ten pounds heavier, not only would he surely be drafted but he may be a sought after prospect in the higher rounds. Henry plays an abrasive physical game and his exceptional mobility gives him great range on the ice. He's very proactive with or without the puck and this can be bit of a bad or good thing depending on his success rate, as some shifts he's a force and than others he's a train wreck. He is a risk taker that loves to chase the big open-ice hit and does an adequate job with the puck, but ultimately his lack of size and discipline could stunt his development.

Matt Thurber C, Omaha Lancers USHL

A little ball of hate that is at his best while getting under the opponents skin and playing responsibly away from the puck. Thurber has a modest goal scoring touch and enough speed, but his role next-season with the Wisconsin Badgers and in any higher level of hockey after that will be in a shutdown role. He is a courageous player that lacks height, but has a very stocky and strong build. Thurber's ability to kill penalties will be a valued asset moving forward and any team looking to add some competitiveness in the latter rounds may look his way.

Jared Festler RW, Lincoln Stars USHL

Certainly, Festler will be a scoring ace for St. Cloud State of the WCHA, but his lack of size and speed leaves his ability to translate his scoring touch to the NHL in doubt. While he has helped negate his lack of size some by being sturdy on his feet and daring in traffic, Festler doesn't possess the all-around game to project as a potential checking-line forward and needs to score to be an asset to his team. That fact will have most teams taking a pass on him, but some may roll the dice on his knack for finding the back of the net.