NCAA: WCHA Fantastic Freshman

Derek Stepan and Joe Colborne were highly regarded recruits entering their freshman season and while both struggled initially to adapt to the NCAA game, both are now forces to be reckoned with and are emerging as high-end prospects. McKeen's director of scouting Max Giese files these notes on their progression.

Derek Stepan (NYR), C, Wisconsin Badgers

When the Wisconsin Badgers lost team captain and leading scorer Blake Geoffrion to an injury, it was Derek Stepan who was thrust into the spotlight and he's really taken the bull by the horns to emerge as the Badgers most effective forward .. he's centering the first-line, anchors the powerplay and has materialized into a valued penalty killer .. recently took over a game against North Dakota, in which he scored two shorthanded goals on the same penalty-kill shift .. an opportunistic penalty killer that has a real knack for stripping the pointman off the puck and taking it the other way for a scoring chance .. has always been a creative playmaker capable of threading the needle with the pass, but recently his finishing touch has caught up and he is picking corners with conviction .. skating and his ability to grind out plays has also progressed .. Stepan could be a dynamic player, as his special stick is equaled by a brilliant mind for the game and his leadership qualities are beginning to blossom.

Joe Colborne (Bos), C, Denver University

After taking his lumps early in the season while adjusting to the pace of the NCAA game, Colborne is now a different player and has improved steadily throughout his freshman year .. on the first line with Tyler Ruegsegger and Kyle Ostrow .. swallows the ice with languid strides .. towers over his opponents and is nearly unshakable on his feet, despite needing to strengthen his gangly frame .. difficult for defenders to handle in front of the net and remains composed in scoring areas .. has a lively release to his wristshot and is a deft passer with cunning vision of the ice .. owns a supple pair of mitts that are accentuated by a rangy reach, which enables him to handle the puck like it's on a string .. no longer timid physically, Colborne is harnessing his massive frame to drive the net and his heavy stick to win puck battles .. not opposed to taking the body, although he still doesn't do so consistently and needs to heighten the edge he plays with and push back when opponents take shots at him .. prone to floating out high while in the defensive zone, however he has also been a valued penalty-killer capable of scoring the shorthanded goal .. moving forward, he needs to fully commit to his defensive responsibilities and bring an intense, physical edge to the rink every night along with adding some muscle .. his development over the course of the season has been impressive and he's erased many of the concerns that clouded him early to become one of the top prospects in the WCHA.