NCAA: King Johnson and Nick at Knights

Jack Johnson (pictured) and the Michigan Wolverines were expected to go a long way in the NCAA Tournament but lost in the first round. Nick Dodge and his No. 1-seeded Clarkson Golden Knights; also fell in first round action. Along with Johnson and Dodge, Mckeen's reviews several Wolverines and Golden Knights who have made an impact this season.

Jack Johnson (LA), D, Michigan

Recently signed a contract with the Los Angeles Kings .. a phenomenal talent and the off-season trade for Tim Gleason and Oleg Tverdovsky should haunt the fans of the Carolina Hurricanes for years .. has the ability to dominate at both ends of the ice .. an explosive skater with a powerful stride and amazing hands making him an end-to-end threat with the ability to undress the opposition with tricky stick work .. sees the ice well and is a creative set up man, but also possesses a wicked shooting arsenal making him a threat to score or create .. owns a mean streak, but at times will get a bit reckless about deploying it and will make undisciplined plays often resulting in a trip to the penalty box .. has showed he can elevate his play for the big games and is a leader .. just needs to control himself and pick his spots better .. a legitimate franchise defenseman in the making.

T.J. Hensick (Col), C, Michigan

A tremendous offensive player who will just need to conquer his small frame and poor defensive game .. offensively he has it all with slick hands, a fluid stride, and the ability to finish or create .. not a powerful skater but a deceptively explosive one, as he can change gears rapidly .. possesses magnetic hands capable of highlight reel, caliber moves .. is deadly one-on-one and in the open ice .. blessed with a quick release and a pinpoint, accurate shot .. lethal finisher in close, but can also score from anywhere in the offensive zone .. sees the ice well and has the ability to create .. defensively, he needs a lot of work, as he floats and cheats his assignments for offense .. small in stature and is not physical at all, as he does not seem in a hurry to get his nose dirty .. the nations leading scorer could be in the NHL as soon as next season.

Andrew Cogliano (Edm), C, Michigan

Possesses an amazing top gear that he can reach in just a few short strides .. his speed is game-breaking caliber, when combined with his soft hands and ability to go end-to-end.. sees the ice well and is a slick playmaker even at full speed .. finishing touch has improved but his play in traffic areas has not, as he must add strength and become more involved physically .. still needs improving defensively as well.

Chris Summers (Phx), D/RW, Michigan

Began the season on defense but because of injuries, he was moved up to the right wing on the second line with Cogliano .. produced up front but is likely going to play defense in the NHL, as he is limited offensively .. blessed with an effortless stride that is remarkably powerful in all directions .. moves the puck adequately well but cannot stretch the ice and is not a creative distributor .. gritty player who displays impressive puck pursuit while playing on the wing and is great on the forecheck making the oppositions defenseman pay the price for moving the puck .. has a mean streak, but at times he loses control and will take an undisciplined penalty.

Mark Mitera (Ana), D, Michigan

His development has been impressive this season .. has all the tools to be a shutdown defenseman in the NHL .. he is big and physical with a great reach .. swift skater for a big man in all directions with a strong first step that allows him to close the gap quickly on the puckcarrier .. defensively astute and is always in position .. nearly unbeatable one-on-one at this level .. covers the crease area like a seasoned veteran .. makes mature decisions with the puck and sees the ice better than given credit for as his poise with the puck has increased exponentially this season .. can stretch the ice with a homerun-outlet pass, but will also use his secondary options so he does not turn the puck over .. has a low and heavy point shot but seems hesitant to use it .. could play in the NHL next season if the Ducks have room for him.

Steve Kampfer (2007), D, Michigan

Plays a mature two-way game .. mobile with exceptional lateral mobility and a strong stride heading forward .. sees the ice well and distributes the puck crisply .. has underrated skill that shines through every so often, and it is something that should be on display more next season with increased ice time .. defensive positioning is impressive and he can skate with anyone making him a formidable one-on-one defender .. not a big guy, but is sturdy on his feet and can land the odd nice open-ice body check .. not a first-round prospect, but will definitely be drafted before the mid-rounds.

Billy Sauer (Col), G, Michigan

He is athletic with superb flexibility and is capable of the occasional highlight-reel save, but he is also prone to far too many weak goals and his rebound control is horrid.

Chad Kolarik (Phx), RW, Michigan

His one-dimensional play does not bode well for an immediate NHL future .. his defensive game is poor and his below average skating has not improved much since his freshman season .. still has that snipers release and heavy shot .. seems reliant on his linemates to do the dirty work, which will not cut it at the next level.

Nick Dodge (Car), C, Clarkson

Savvy two-way centerman with some skill too .. great on face-offs with exceptional technique .. astute player who makes the correct read at both ends of the ice .. despite limited size, he battles and works hard .. slips off checks well and can execute in traffic areas .. possesses soft hands with a few slick moves .. patient in possession and can seemingly slow the game down .. sees the ice superbly and is a creative playmaker .. swift and agile skater that is light on his feet .. a great captain that leads by example on the ice and with his words off the ice .. maintains healthy positioning on the defensive side of the puck at all times and is an asset to the penalty kill .. sacrifices his body to make plays .. despite being a late-round pick, he looks to have all the tools to play in the NHL on the third line and is a prospect on the rise.

Steve Zalewski (SJ), C, Clarkson

Smart and gritty two-way center .. good but not a great skater with a fine stride but he lacks explosiveness out of the gates .. does a good job maintaining proper defensive positioning and works hard away from the puck .. has a well-built frame with sturdy balance that allows him to stay on his feet in heavy traffic .. hands are okay but not great, though he does display good hand/eye coordination being able to handle the puck well in tight .. shields the puck well and is strong down low .. does not possess a great shot but he always seems to be around the net near loose rebounds .. sees the ice well and is a fine playmaker .. gritty kid who likes to get his nose dirty .. could be a solid fourth-line candidate down the road if he improves his skating.

Tyrell Mason (NYI), D, Clarkson

A good skater for a big man although an added top gear would benefit him .. more of a stay-at-home type and displays a natural sense for the defensive side of the game .. could be more physical although he competes adequately .. does a decent job clearing his crease .. needs to upgrade his puck movement as it took him to long on occasion to find the open man and made a bone-headed turnover on the blueline .. shows a good release and gets his shots through to the net .. he is young with some upside, but has a long way to go.

Shawn Weller (Ott), RW, Clarkson

Big kid with a great motor .. plays a strong up-and-down game ..smooth skater with a strong stride .. hands are adequate and he protects the puck well .. strong on the cycle and along the boards .. possesses a fine release with a heavy shot, but lacks the vision and touch to be a playmaker.

Shea Guthrie (NYI), LW, Clarkson

A skilled player with some natural offensive ability .. agile and quick skater that just needs to upgrade the strength behind his stride.. is blessed with soft hands and can be elusive one-on-one thanks to superb shiftiness .. owns a quick release but can over handle the puck .. the big concern is his awful play away from the puck and he can be soft, as he is unwilling to take a hit to make a play.

Philippe Paquet (Mtl), D, Clarkson

For a big man he has superb mobility with a swift and powerful stride .. questionable decision-making at times and his hockey sense is suspect, but when he plays within himself, he is a legitimate prospect .. maintains a good gap with his man and thanks to his fluid mobility, he can skate with anyone off the rush .. offensively he is coming along slowly, but beginning to pick his spots better when he decides to jump into the rush or pinch in down low.

Michael Grenzy (Chi), D, Clarkson

Two-way defenseman with size and smarts .. owns a cannon slapshot and moves the puck maturely, but lacks the instincts and creativity to be an offensive defenseman .. uses his size to stand up his man at the blueline and does a good job deciding when to attack his man, and when not to .. not the prettiest skater but is deceptively quick .. does not have any issues staying with the play offensively or defensively at this level, although for the NHL he will need to upgrade the power behind his stride.