NCAA: Wisconsin Update

NCAA: Wisconsin Update (posted 12.18.06)

by Max Giese

The defending National champions have had a difficult start to their season but go into the Christmas break on a high note after sweeping The Fighting Sioux in North Dakota. While the loss of Joe Pavelski and Robbie Earl have hurt the team's offensive output, a group of gritty seniors have helped carry along the youthful Badgers. McKeen's has followed the Badgers all season and has updated reviews on the progress of their NHL prospects.

Jack Skille (Chi), F, Wisconsin

Skille is at his best when he combines his speed and strength to get past the defenseman and drives the net .. looks more motivated shift to shift lately, probably to go along with his added responsibility this season after the loss of Joe Pavelski and Robbie Earl .. plays along the half wall on the power play where he can step into the slot and unleash his cannon shot and make simple passes to the corner or point .. passing ability has slightly improved as of late and his puck protection has also been stronger thanks to the upper body strength he added over the summer .. needs to improve his defensive habits, as he's lackadaisical back checking and he seems to be the first forward to leave the zone .. should use his size more, he doesn't finish his checks often enough and is far from a power forward as his puck pursuit lacks .. that said, he's close to being NHL ready and should ultimately be a second line, goal scoring winger with speed and strength .. his top gear and heavy shot are eye catching qualities.

Jake Dowell (Chi), F, Wisconsin

Fits the mold of a third line center in the NHL ideally .. he's been Wisconsin's best forward all year .. has a lot of character and leadership qualities that lead to him being named alternate captain this season as his work ethic is exceptional .. draws penalties while cycling down low as he protects the puck well and is very sturdy on his feet .. back checks and forechecks with vigor as he does a fine job of knocking the opposition off of the puck at both ends of the ice .. his shot is his best offensive asset as he has a quickly released wrist shot that has good accuracy and heavy velocity .. drives to the net hard with or without the puck .. is very determined to finish in front and has a knack for garbage goals .. plants himself in front of the net and excels in traffic .. lacks the vision, creativity to be a play maker .. development has been nothing short of meteoric this season.

Jamie McBain (Car), D, Wisconsin

Arguably the best puck moving defenseman in the WCHA as he has exceptional vision of the ice and distributes a crisp, tape to tape pass .. doesn't own a powerful point shot but does a fine job of getting it to the net .. instinctively knows when to pinch in from the point and does a good job of sneaking in undetected at the back door .. has filled the void left by Tom Gilbert's departure and is already emerging as the teams #1 defenseman .. has done great work quarterbacking the first power play unit all season .. now on the first penalty kill unit, showing the confidence Coach Eaves has in his defensive abilities .. uses his stick well to clog lanes and does a solid job one on one with his man as he maintains a healthy gap at all times .. lacks a physical dimension to his game but it hasn't hindered his one on one play so far .. his mobility is decent but unspectacular .. he's having a great freshman season and has a future in the NHL as a second pairing puck moving defenseman.

Brian Elliott (Ott), G, Wisconsin

Has been the back bone for the Badgers all season .. he's a rock in the crease and his consistency is astounding .. nearly unbeatable on the first shot at this level as his fundamentals and positioning are near flawless .. blessed with a sizable frame as his shoulders cover the upper portion of the net when he goes down to the butterfly .. handles speed well and remains patient with the shooter at all times .. the fluency to his lateral movement is phenomenal and has made many shooters shake their heads after he flashed from one side of the crease to the other to make the save .. has a quick glove and above average rebound control .. his puck movement has improved this season although it's still just average at best .. on top of his abilities he's a quality individual off the ice with leadership running through his blood .. has struggled a bit with following pucks through traffic and off speed shots still throw him off .. flexibility in his lower limbs should be improved .. a dependable back up likely but he is a winner and might find a starting job down the road.

Matthew Ford (Chi), F, Wisconsin

Skating is still the main issue hindering his development .. lacks first step quickness and a top gear, however his balance is fine .. does go hard to the net and is willing to battle near the crease area ..a crafty goal scorer, he's a natural finisher if someone gets him the puck as he does possess a heavy wrist shot that has a sneaky release to go along with his nose for the net .. doesn't create much on his own however as he still lacks the ability to make his line mates better with a pass or hard work and needs someone to do the work to get him the puck .. has improved his defensive habits as he's now even seeing some time on the penalty kill and when motivated he pursuits the puck well enough .. inconsistent game to game, shift to shift .. his games ability to translate to the NHL is still very questionable as he's very one dimensional and his hockey sense is questionable, which isn't enough to make it.

Joe Piskula (UFA), D, Wisconsin

For a big man he's a smooth skater with swift pivots and a very impressive first step for a big man .. will pinch in offensively at appropriate times to let go his fairly heavy slap shot .. isn't a creative puck moving defenseman but he makes safe, mature decisions with the puck .. his hands are soft enough and he handles the puck without a problem, in fact he can surprise you with a nice move time to time .. he's a good one on one defender as he can use his long reach or upper body strength to neutralize his man .. has an adequate physical edge to compliment his size .. has a strong upper body but he can still add 10-15 pounds to his frame easily .. NHL teams should take notice of him and will likely be signed as he can possibly be a solid third pairing defenseman ..

Ross Carlson (UFA), F, Wisconsin

Plays very similar to teammate Jake Dowell, except instead of being a finisher he's a slick play maker .. his vision and ability to distribute the puck is welcome on a team that lacks any other play maker like himself .. a warrior in traffic areas, he'll battle in front of the net to create screens and has a knack for tipping the point shot .. doesn't own a dangerous shooting arsenal but has a quick release which catches the goalies off guard and makes him an adequate finisher .. an excellent penalty killer and defensive forward that is a threat to score short handed as his puck pursuit is second to none and he creates a lot of chances with his non stop effort .. his hands are soft enough although he lacks electric moves .. skating is good, not great as he lacks explosiveness but his stride is fine ..has a shot at being a bottom six forward down the road.

Kyle Klubertanz (Ana), D, Wisconsin

Seems to have hit a snag in his development as his ice time has been cut down a bit and he had an injury earlier in the season .. at his best running the point on the power play where he shows his impressive vision and puck movement .. will struggle with the obstruction crack down in the NHL as he's beaten one on one too easily and resorts to using his stick too often .. still has a ways to go after a promising start to his collegiate career.

Blake Geoffrion (Nsh), F, Wisconsin

Plays an in your face, brash style of hockey .. can get down right nasty and has a physical edge .. takes the shortest, often most physical route from point A to point B, even if he has the puck as he tries to drive right through the opposition .. his hands are soft and he can execute a move to get past the opposition however finesse is not his game .. bounces off checks as he has a well constructed build and his balance stands out .. lacks the vision to be a playmaker .. has a howitzer slap shot and his wrist shot is also heavy .. the strides fine and his skating is adequate, but it will need to be improved for the speed of the NHL .. gives an honest effort every night.

NCAA: North Dakota Update (posted 12.16.06)

by Max Giese

The best sophomore class in the country has helped North Dakota stay afloat this year and was ranked in the top 10 before being swept on home ice by the Wisconsin Badgers. The Fighting Sioux has persevered through injuries to their top talents Jonathan Toews and T.J. Oshie with a respectable 7-8-1 record through a difficult schedule early. McKeen's has followed the Sioux all season long and has updates on the progress of their NHL prospects.

Jonathan Toews (Chi), F, North Dakota

Toews hasn't been 100% healthy since the start the season when he was injured the opening weekend of the season in Wisconsin and had to miss three games and play hurt through several others .. Jonathan is a complete player that will be in the NHL next season .. he's the type of reliable, two-way play making center that the Blackhawk's are dying for .. his vision, instincts, and hockey sense are top notch .. first step quickness and his skating as a whole has improved this season, which has allowed him to be more dangerous off the rush, however speed isn't his game .. makes his team and linemates better as he does all the dirty work in the traffic areas and is an exceptional play maker .. carried over the momentum he gained late last season as a goal scorer to this season as he's been shooting more often with confidence.. has a pro's release and the velocity on his shot has improved .. picks corners with his shot and is ever developing a goal scorer's instinct .. drives the net and to the slot with the puck on his stick and protects it very well before unleashing his heavy wrist shot .. has elegant hand skill and can stickhandle in a phone booth .. patient, and crafty, Toews can make something out of nothing in heavy traffic areas .. much of his game can't be measured on the shat sheet, and while many prospects at this age just play for stats, Toews sacrifices prolific numbers for the betterment of the team .. Toews is strong at every aspect of the game and one would need to overly nit pick to find any weaknesses to his game .. top end offensive upside is the only question but he's a safe bet to put up 30 goals, 40 assists in the NHL and play in all situations. (13-4-9-14)

T.J. Oshie (StL), F, North Dakota

Only has three goals this season but that is due to the fact that he's been playing with a broken thumb most of the season .. has hesitated to shoot a bit lately and isn't getting the torch behind his release that he was before the injury which should explain his scoring drought .. when healthy, he's a natural around the net .. his one on one ability is phenomenal and can lift the fans out of their seats with his electric dangles and end to end rushes .. a competitive player who agitates the opponents with his ferocious forecheck and has a knack for landing devastatingly powerful body checks .. used on the penalty kill often, showcasing his defensive game .. is the first forward on the ice when killing off a two man disadvantage .. his skill level is exciting as is his character .. should be a fan favorite in St. Louis and its still hard for me to believe there was no hype on his kid before the 2005 draft as if you see him just once, his abilities are unmistakable. (16-3-9-12)

Brian Lee (Ott), D, North Dakota

With the added weight he put on over the summer, Lee's strength has improved and that has helped him become an imposing one on one defender .. however, he still is far from a physical defenseman and he rarely elects to finish his checks .. completely void of a mean streak on most nights .. needs to improve his edge in front of his net and take his man out time to time .. occasionally this season he's played with a fire in his belly and that propelled him to his best hockey, but it's missing on a nightly basis .. his gap control and skating ability are elite and make him nearly unbeatable off the rush .. he's a smooth puck moving defenseman who is remarkably calm with the puck and makes the first pass out of the zone effortlessly .. still isn't proactive with the puck and despite all his offensive talents, he rarely tries to make a play on his own .. lacks imagination when quarterbacking the power play, but he can play in that role in the NHL as he's such a reliable player with the puck .. a calming, stabilizing player in all three zones .. Lee is a smart player who oozes talent however he lacks the competitiveness to take his game to that elite level that he is fully capable of. .. reminiscent of Jay Bouwmeester at the same development stage. (16-1-12-13)

Taylor Chorney (Edm), D, North Dakota

Distributes the puck crisply and shows the vision to move the puck at the next level, although he lacks the creativity to quarterback the power play .. senses danger well, has a few nice escape moves to elude the forecheck and makes the first pass out of the zone .. deceptively fast skater, as his stride is so smooth and effortless some take for granted how fast he really is .. occasionally chippy in his own zone, and is willing to engage physically with his man .. must improve his sloppy play that he exhibits in front of his own net time to time. (16-2-8-10)

Anthony Grieco (2007), G, North Dakota

Has dressed for several games this season as a freshman but has been inconsistent .. a large goaltender who positions himself well in the crease .. can get aggressive at times with his angles and excels at giving the shooter little net to look at .. his footwork is above average for a goalie of his size .. in the limited viewings of him he has appeared to be a strong first shot goaltender, however his rebound control has been shaky which may stem from the fact that he has had to share his net all season long.

Chris VandeVelde (Edm), F, North Dakota

His ice time and production have been limited .. has a large frame and plays with a gritty edge to his game every night .. his puck pursuit, and strong play along the boards stands out .. well balanced on his feet, he's an adequate skater who will need to improve his quickness and separation gear for the NHL .. protects the puck well and has okay hands .. his play has been steady but hasn't been special, and hasn't created much in the way of offense as he still hasn't scored a goal and has only one assist. (12-0-1-1)

Michael Forney (Atl), F, North Dakota

Has seen very little ice time this season and has only dressed in several games so far .. likely the case of a player who could've used a year of seasoning in the USHL as he has lost some of his offensive imagination at this level so far .. has improved in his physical play and his feet appear quicker .. his stride is fine considering his size .. has a long reach and soft hands that should make him a dangerous one on one threat down the road .. needs more ice time to regain the offensive touch that he was drafted for. (7-0-2-2)

Joe Finley (Wsh), D, North Dakota

Still is getting caught flat footed too often and will need to improve his ability to go from North to South .. that said, he's a smooth skater with a coordinated stride for a player standing at 6-7 and with some work over the next few years, his mobility might be a strength of his game .. his mean streak is ever evolving, as he can land a big open ice hit and can clear his crease effectively .. puck movement is still below average and prone to turnovers as he'll rush a pass into trouble areas .. his aggressive nature at times comes back to hurt him as he'll go off chasing the puck at times and will loose his positioning in his own zone .. his hockey sense is questionable .. every team in the NHL can use a man with his enormous frame and mean streak still, but he's only a role player that will likely be a 5th defenseman. (14-0-1-1)

NCAA: Notre Dame Update (posted 12.14.06)

by Max Giese

Wes O'Neill (NYI), D, Notre Dame

Despite his impressive statistics last season, there hasn't been any substantial development to O'Neil's game since his freshman season .. he's still lanky and must add strength to his sizable frame and his first step quickness is still in need of improvement as his the strength behind his stride .. his agility and ability to pivot are fine though .. comfortable with the puck and calmly makes the first pass, however he lacks the offensive imagination to be a power play quarter back .. has began to use his heavy shot more often but lacks the instincts of when to pinch in and often plays conservatively and won't risk defense for offense .. his hands are soft enough to allow him to handle the puck without fumbling it and does not allow the opposition to strip him of the puck .. defensive zone coverage just seems to come natural to him as he uses his large frame and long reach to effectively take away the offensive options for the opposition .. lacks a physical component to his game .. his game is fine for this level but he's far from a sure thing in the NHL despite his statistical improvement over the years as his instincts are still questionable as is his development.

Erik Condra (Ott), F, Notre Dame

Leads the team in scoring and assists .. is a crafty play maker that sees the ice very well and can thread the needle with a crisp pass through a tight lane .. a smooth skater with a proper stride and an adequate top gear, however he isn't explosive .. balanced on his feet and handles traffic areas easily .. not large in height, but has a stocky build .. his hands are soft and add that to his good lateral speed it makes him a formidable one on one threat .. patient with the puck and can make the game slow down for him it appears .. his defensive habits and puck pursuit will need to be improved before he embarks on a pro career but you can't coach his ability to create and make his line mates better.

Kyle Lawson (Car), D, Notre Dame

Recently named to the USA U-20 WJC team much in part for his superb puck movement and hockey sense .. Lawson has exceptional vision and passing ability .. poised with the puck and instinctively knows where his teammates are at all times .. distributes crisp, tape to tape passes on the break out or while quarterbacking the power play and makes it all look easy .. escapes the oncoming forcheckers as he uses his soft hands that allow him to beat the opposition one on one .. senses danger well .. effortlessly pivots and his quick lateral cuts allow him to open lanes for his passes or shots .. has a right handed shot that is useful on the PP, does a nice job of getting his shots through to the net .. will keep it low for tips & rebounds but can also laser it to the upper corner precisely .. has an impressive one timer .. likes to pinch in down low or join the rush and is a threat to score himself .. you can't say enough about his ability to distribute the puck with poise and effectiveness .. he makes the all important first pass out of the zone and can quarterback the power play .. an astute selection by Carolina.

David Brown (Pit), G, Notre Dame

Brown is having a career year displaying the consistency that he has lacked in the past .. an athletic goalie who plays the angles properly and isn't hesitant to challenge the shooter .. impressive foot work and lateral movement allow him to cover the crease effortlessly .. athletic, he has quick legs, and recovers from his knees back to his stance instantly .. blocker side and his stick work need improvement as does his rebound control .. glove side is adequate .. willing to stay on his feet to make a save which is imperative as he's not a large netminder .. does a fine job of staying square to the first shot but will resort to flopping on the second shot despite his ability to quickly recover, something that coaching will fix with time .. one troubling habit is that he doesn't put his weight into the save sometime which doesn't allow him to fully extend and makes him exposed on the second shot .. the dexterity in his legs is his best asset.

Minnesota HS: Hill-Murray vs. White Bear Lake (posted 12.13.06)

by Max Giese

White Bear Lake High School gave highly-seeded Hill-Murray an early scare by controlling the play in their first meeting this season. They outhit and outshot the Pioneers, before eventually losing in overtime 2-1.

Nick Larson (2007), F, Hill-Murray

The Pioneers captain scored a beautiful unassisted end-to-end goal to win the game in overtime in which he took the puck from behind his own net .. displayed his strong stride by flying past the opposition, and also showed off his soft hands with a slick, inside-outside toe drag move which undressed the last defender, before sending a crisp backhand shot into the net .. it was a special play .. playing center after playing on the wing in the USHL with Omaha which speaks of his versatility .. was utilized on the point during the power play and displayed the offensive imagination that he seldom displayed in the USHL as he executed a few creative plays .. backchecks as hard as anyone at this level in which his speed prevails as he catches up with the puckcarrier .. has a fairly heavy shooting arsenal .. his combination of speed, size, and skill allow him to dominate this level and makes him an intriguing NHL prospect.

Tyler Zepeda (2009), F, Hill-Murray

Very small, but is still only a sophomore and has time to grow .. already on the first line .. floats away from the puck and must improve his defensive game as well as his play in traffic .. his speed was instantly noticed as he has a quick, commanding stride .. the burst of speed he produces with his first step is impressive and deadly to the opposition in tight spaces but his top end gear is also brisk .. has adequate hand skill with a few shifty moves and shows good patience with the puck for a player of his age.

Owen Collette (2009), G, White Bear Lake

Sparkled in his first varsity start in the big rivalry game .. his composure and poise are impressive for his age considering the pressure situation he was in .. is an agile, butterfly goalie with a fine understanding of the fundamentals for the position .. his glove side is impressive as he can flash it quickly and uses it to control rebounds .. pounces back to his stance from the butterfly smoothly .. did a fine job playing the puck .. does a fine job cutting the angles down and using his impressive butterfly technique to give the shooter few options.

Joe Phillippi (2008), G, Hill-Murray

A competitive goalie that can be arguably the top goalie in the state when he's on but has struggled with consistency .. his positioning and ability to stay square to the puck at all times stand out .. likes to challenge the shooter and makes himself appear bigger in the crease than he really is .. a smart goalie with fine anticipation and rebound control but his overall reflexes and limb extension weren't tested in this contest .. patient goaltender that is willing to stay on his feet to make the save .. used his stick well to control rebounds .. did a decent job playing the puck and has above average skating ability.

Isaac Kohls (2009), F, Hill-Murray

Played for Shattuck last season and is currently the most offensive weapon on Hill-Murray's second line .. not an explosive player but he handles the puck softly and protects it well .. a crafty player with good offensive imagination and instincts .. has a creative aspect to his puck movement and has the upside to be a fine playmaker .. well built for a sophomore and his commitment away from the puck was acceptable as well as he did a decent job in traffic.

Jake Hanson (2007), F, White Bear Lake

An offensive player with soft hands that is capable of producing some pretty moves .. his bread and butter is gaining speed through the neutral zone, then executing tricky one on one moves to get past the defense.. patient with the puck and has a fine offensive mindset, however he could use more urgency as he allowed the back checkers to strip him of the puck too often .. displays an adequate playmaking touch and shot .. needs to show more commitment away from the puck and also needs to use his size more in traffic areas .. one of the youngest players eligible for this years draft as he's only a Junior and has plenty of development time a head.

New England HS: Glass Act at Nobles (posted 12.11.06)

by Justin Brackett

The New England Prep School season is under way and early-season favorite Nobles is off to a fast start, 4-0, including shutout victories over ISL rival Belmont Hill and Tabor Academy.

Nobles and Greenough School

Andrew Glass (2007), LW, Nobles

With Jimmy Hayes gone to the US NTDL, Glass is the offensive catalyst for Nobles .. He possesses a long, well-balanced stride and is a strong skater who is willing to go into high traffic areas .. Plays the wing, but takes face-offs in key situations .. Has a superior top speed and handles the puck very well, although at times too much .. Could involve linemates more .. Backchecks as hard as he forechecks and showed good puck pursuit .. Works the half wall on the power play and has an above average one-timer.

Matt Marshall (2007), C, Nobles

A newcomer to Nobles, by way of Hingham High School, Marshall has tremendous upside .. He is verbally committed to Northeastern University for 2008 and with good reason .. Marshall has shown great abilities at both ends of the ice, but particularly in his defensive zone coverage .. He supports down low when needed, is the first in puck pursuit through the neutral zone and shows good gap control and recovery speed .. Has a wide base and strong stride, although not explosive .. Against Tabor however, Marshall showed much more offensive prowess and creativity .. Scoring once, but directly responsible for two others .. Plays the point on the power play and demonstrates great poise and decision making.

John Muse (2007), G, Nobles

Allowing 1 goal in the first four games of the year, Muse has caught the attention of many .. He has quick feet and stays fundamentally square to the shooter .. Is not overly aggressive in challenging the shooter, but relays heavily on good angles and positioning .. Will play the puck, but does not handle it well .. Could control his rebounds a bit better, but was single handedly the reason why Nobles was able to beat Belmont Hill, turning away 20 plus first period shots and 42 for the game, including a great stop, moving laterally in the third period on a 2-on-1.

Josh Franklin (2007), C, Nobles

Captain of the Nobles teams, Franklin centers their top line .. Is a smooth skater with decent offensive ability .. Shows a burst of speed at times, but does not sustain the acceleration .. Prefers to stay in the middle of the ice and away from traffic .. Using his teammates well and will go to the net.

Michael Griffin (2007), RW, Nobles

An unorthodox skater, Griffin possesses great size, speed and strength .. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he is willing to play a physical game and crash the net .. Shows a nice touch in close for a big man, but should be more aggressive in generating his own offense .. Relies heavily on Franklin and Glass to move the puck and waits near the net for the return.

Gus Young (N/A), D, Nobles

As a freshman, Young is on the ice every other shift, including power play and penalty kill .. A decent skater and poised young man, who should develop nicely with the minutes he will play this year.

Belmont Hill

Jason Silvia (2007), C, Belmont Hill

At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Sylvia is big and physical .. He plays a very aggressive style and finishes every check .. Has a long powerful stride and hustles in both ends of the ice .. Has a quick release and goes to the net with intensity .. Seems to prefer playing down low where he can out muscle his opponents .. Did not posses a great finishing touch as he had a couple of glorious chances against Nobles and was unable to finish.

Luke Arnold (2007), C, Belmont Hill

Good size and nice quick soft feet .. Plays fundamentally sound at both ends, rarely missing a defensive assignment .. Plays a bit upright and stiff, which limits his speed .. Strong overall hockey sense but lacked intensity and offensive creativity.

Dawson Luke (2008), D, Belmont Hill

At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, this sophomore is sure to attract attention .. Played a significant role along the Belmont Hill blueline, including both power play and shorthanded minutes .. Lacks strength and speed, but may improve with maturity .. Showed good decision making and sound fundamentals.

Minnesota HS: Roseville vs. Centennial (posted 12.08.06)

by Max Giese

Roseville's speed was too much to handle for the young Centennial team as they walked away with an impressive 8-3 victory.

Tyler Pitlick (2010),F, Centennial

Nephew of former NHLer and Minnesota North Star selection Lance Pitlick .. is regarded as one of the best 91 born players in the country .. lacks explosiveness, but considering he's only 15 years old, he has an ideal stride with good agility and swift lateral cuts, which will help him become a prevailing skater with added leg strength .. has a well built frame for a sophomore .. possesses silky soft hands with some slick one on one moves and his patience with the puck bellies his age .. protects the puck well and is sturdy on his feet .. goes into traffic and did a fine job handling the physical aspects of the game .. is a natural in the offensive zone and shows the capabilities to develop into a fine finisher and play maker .. cuts to the center of the ice before releasing a shot .. anticipates the game well and has a high hockey IQ .. a name to remember.

Jack Hanna (2008), G, Centennial

This young athletic butterfly goalie is highly regarded but had a rough outing as he was eventually pulled .. needs to be more patient with the shooter as he will make the first move and isn't always square to the puck .. did a poor job of playing the puck although his skating outside of the crease is fine .. his lateral movement is quick, even from the butterfly .. does a good job of getting back to his stance quickly from his knees .. is difficult to beat down low and his glove hand is already adequate .. would benefit by challenging the shooter more .. his rebound control is impressive considering his age .. has flexible hips with a wide butterfly.

Mike Dorr (2007), F, Roseville

Roseville's captain is a swift skating two-way winger who is committed to Minnesota Duluth and is playing in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers as a before and after team .. the first thing that jumps out about his game is his skating ability .. Dorr has an appealing, strong stride with a quick burst out of the gates and is also very agile .. uses his speed to wreak havoc on the forecheck, also uses it to catch back up with the play instantly when he's back checking .. creates a lot of turn overs .. admirable play away from the puck, is a real asset to the penalty kill for his defensive zone awareness and commitment .. offensively he uses his speed to his advantage but also has a few one on one moves up his sleeves .. limited as a play maker, however his wrist shot is deadly accurate .. his speed and work ethic give him great range on the ice and he has an outside shot of being drafted this year.

Adam Mueller (2008), F, Roseville

His stock is soaring after a strong summer in which he lead the USA Select-17 Development camp in scoring and already has six points (4G,2A) in just two games.. has a pair of velvety hands .. he can dangle the puck with a creative arsenal of one on one moves .. protects the puck adequately but it's his ability to escape a check with a few nice moves even when standing still that really stands out .. balanced on his feet, he takes a check well but will need to add upper body strength .. generates offense every shift .. has a fine release with good accuracy, and displayed some creativity at times distributing the puck tape to tape .. foot speed is adequate but it's the strength behind his stride that makes him such a dangerous skater at this level .. uses his speed to get to the outside on the defender and is agile in tight .. defensively he needs some refinement as he leaves the zone too early, however he did back check hard and he likes to finish his checks.

NCAA: Curry leads BU over Harvard (posted 12.06.06)

by Vincent Montalbano

A non-conference game between Boston University (Hockey East) and Harvard (ECACHL), but an inter-city rival. Boston University defeated Harvard 2 – 1 behind a stellar performance of goaltender John Curry and the Matt Gilroy – Chris Higgins – Jason Lawrence line. Harvard had a tremendous performance from freshmen Alex Biega and Doug Rogers.

Eric Gryba (Ott), D, Boston University (FR)

The freshman defenseman is a strong defender with a definite physical presence .. on the second power play unit and possesses a strong shot from the point .. an above-average skater, but looks like he needs to work on his foot speed, especially one-on-one situations. With 20 penalty minutes on the season (second on the team), he still is adjusting to the college game. (10 – 0 – 0 – 0)

Kevin Schaeffer (Nsh), D, Boston University (SR)

The senior had a quiet but solid game .. does not possess much offensive ability, but does have a solid shot from the point .. has good defensive positioning .. at times, he got out-muscled in front .. Career totals include: 119 games and 44 points (11 goals). (11 – 1 – 1 – 2)

Sean Sullivan (Phx), D, Boston University (SR)

Senior captain and leader on the team .. asserts himself in the offensive zone and has a quick, low shot from the point that generates rebounds and scoring chances .. defensively plays a sound game without many mistakes .. Career totals include: 117 games and 28 points (6 goals). (11 – 1 – 10 – 11)

Brian Strait (Pit), D, Boston University (FR)

Team leader in penalty minutes explains a lot as Strait is still in the developing phase of his game and getting adjusted to the college speed .. is physical in the corners and solid defensively .. was called upon by Coach Parker with less than a minute left to defend the 2 – 1 lead … made a smart defensive play with 45 seconds left by stealing the puck and not icing it, but giving a long, high flip out of the zone. (11 – 1 – 1 – 2)

John Curry (FA), G, Boston University (SR)

Played a tremendous game .. has solid positioning .. never seems to have to make the acrobatic saves .. good rebound control .. only a 22 save night, but a lot of point blank chances by Harvard .. will definitely be a top free agent after the season. (10 – 4 – 2 – 4 1.94 GAA 1 SO)

Jason Lawrence (2007), F, Boston University (SO)

Has quick strides which give him solid acceleration .. displays good vision and more of a playmaker than scorer .. has an average shot, but has good hands in tight .. has 0 goals on the season, needs to shoot more .. Last year totals: 40 games and 22 points (8 goals). (11 – 0 – 6 – 6)

Chris Higgins (FA), F, Boston University (SO)

Very surprised he went undrafted last year .. teams leading scorer with 11 points .. a shifty forward who is not afraid to shoot from everywhere and anywhere .. scored a goal to put BU ahead 2 – 0 off a Matt Gilroy rebound and went to the net and found the loose puck .. an offensive threat every shift and always keeps his feet moving .. ended the game with a goal and assist .. Last year totals: 40 games and 21 points (8 goals). (11 – 5 – 6 – 11)

Pete MacArthur (FA), F, Boston University (JR)

A slippery type forward with a total package of offensive and defensive skills .. is not having his best season offensively, but is being a more reliable defensive .. plays on the top shorthanded unit .. relied upon for key face-offs .. will need to get his offensive game going like last season .. Career totals include: 80 games and 66 points (27 goals). (11 – 4 – 4 – 8)

Players to watch (all had quiet games):

Luke Popko, F, Boston University (FR) (11 – 1 – 1 – 2)

Matt Gilroy, F, Boston University (SO) (11 – 3 – 3 – 6)

Thomas Morrow (Buf), D, Boston University (SR) (11 – 1 – 0 – 1)

Brian McGuirk (CBJ), F, Boston University (JR) (10 – 0 – 1 – 1)

Alex Biega (Buf), D, Harvard University (FR)

For anyone who has had the opportunity to watch Alex play, instantly realize what a special player he is and the immense talent he possesses .. his speed is top notch, which made his transition to the college game seem so easy .. has tremendous vision and creates numerous scoring chances with his quick decision making .. received a lot of ice time and despite his size, he seems to handle the physical play very well .. at times can over handle the puck with one too many stickhandles .. uses his body very well to protect the puck .. scored Harvard's only goal by jumping into the offense and creating a 2-on-1 and snapped it 5-hole .. was an offensive threat every shift and despite only being a freshman, he was very vocal on the ice .. Alex is tied as Harvard's leading scorer and despite the teams 3 – 8 – 0 record, he remains one of the few bright spots. (12 – 4 – 5 – 9)

Doug Rogers (NYI), F, Harvard University (FR)

The team's leading scorer as a freshman is a tremendous talent, who like Biega, has adjusted extremely well to the college game .. a solid skater with a strong, quick stride and good speed .. very strong on the face-offs .. has quick hands and very effective 1-on-1 .. defensively reliable and has good positioning .. seems to be a solid draft pick by the Islanders. (12 – 2 – 7 – 9)

Dylan Reese (NYR), D, Harvard University (SR)

Senior captain .. a solid, all-around player .. displayed a strong shot from the point .. solid 1-on-1 .. received a lot of ice time .. had a bad giveaway when blindly threw puck off boards to the BU player .. overall, a strong defender with a decent upside .. Career totals include: 100 games and 48 points (16 goals). (12 – 4 – 1 – 5)

Ryan Maki (Nsh), F, Harvard University (SR)

An offensive threat with a solid stride, but average speed .. possesses a strong shot, especially on the move .. has good hands and vision .. made a great pass to Alex on 2-on-1 .. he faked the shot and froze the defender before sliding the puck over to Alex streaking down the wing .. took a bad penalty in the third for a leg trip when his team was down by one .. Career totals include: 108 games and 57 points (29 goals). (11 – 5 – 3 – 8)

NCAA: JJ is Dynamite (posted 12.04.06)

by Max Giese

The young but talented Waterloo Blackhawks continue to roll this season as they beat the struggling Chicago Steel 4-1.

Podge Turnbull (2007), F, Waterloo

Turnbull is blessed with goal scorer's instincts .. he goes to the net as hard as anyone with or without the puck, he shoots at every opportunity, and his hard shot that is deadly accurate makes him a threat to score on every shot .. surprisingly strong, he is difficult to knock off the puck and he can also deliver a strong body check as evidence by him landing a big hit that sent the much bigger Daniel Lawson to his back .. finishes every check and skates hard into traffic .. he can take a heavy hit yet stay in stride thanks to his superb balance .. he's a very heady player away from the puck who is always in position, and he anticipates the play so well that it seems the puck just follows him .. puck pursuit is impressive and he's a competitive player who plays 100% every shift away from the puck and he's disruptive to the opposition's breakout as he is always takes away the proper passing lane .. gifted with soft hands that allow him to perform some tricky one on one moves .. uses head and stick fakes to deke the opposition .. he's not an explosive skater but his acceleration and stride are where you want them to be .. is an above average playmaker even though he often elects to shoot .. while is vision is just decent, he does display creativity a couple of times a game and can set up his line mates .. vocal on the ice and bench with leadership qualities .. "Podge" is really starting to stand out.

Jan-Mikael Juutilainen (20CHI), F, Waterloo

Subtly skilled two way player who would be more effective if he didn't spend most of his time on the perimeter .. not your typical player from Finland as he isn't a tenacious player but relies on his skill and hockey sense to be effective .. has a fluent, strong stride with exceptional lateral shiftiness .. he's an above average play maker although he's not the most creative and while he makes a lot of nice passes, he never threads the needle through a tight lane to set his teammates up for prime scoring opportunities .. gets open and knows where to be on the ice .. will go to the front of the net but his shot needs improvement .. back checked hard and plays well away from the puck.

Keegan Meuer (2007), F, Waterloo

Has gone from high school sniper to fourth line grinder in the USHL .. he still has a quick shot that is fairly heavy but he doesn't get himself into prime scoring areas to be an effective goal scorer .. his poor skating really holds him back as he lacks a top gear although he does move his feet constantly .. he is stable and agile on his feet .. he's a smart player away from the puck and works hard to be an effective two way player .. a solid NCAA prospect but not a solid NHL prospect.

Anthony Schooley (2007), F, Waterloo

The Michigan Tech recruit is playing on the fourth line .. he has soft hands but isn't an offensive player at this level yet .. his poor first step quickness hinders him although his speed is adequate once he gets going .. he plays with some grit and does finish his checks.

Vincent Loverde (2007), D, Waterloo

His anticipation is first rate as he consistently intercepts the opposition's passes and seems to know where the puck is going .. possesses a compact, but strong stride that gives him an above average top gear and fine first step quickness .. his vision is average but he can get creative .. does a fine job making the first pass out of the zone and does a decent job distributing the puck on the power play .. is calm with the puck and his hands are fairly soft although he doesn't rush the puck up the ice on his own .. likes to join the rush and will pinch in down low ..does a good job of getting his shot to the net.

Blake Kessel (2007), D, Waterloo

Has received increased time on the power play as of late and has rebounded after a mediocre Junior Jamboree performance with a strong one tonight .. makes the first pass as he shows above average vision and he moves the puck quickly .. although he lacks the top notch creativity to be a power play quarterback at the next level .. is a threat to score from the point .. does a good job of getting his shot to the net and is never hesitant to shoot .. has a quickly released slap shot as well as his wrist shot that is accurate and gets to the net quickly .. defensively he positions himself well and maintained a healthy gap with his man one on one .. he takes to long to gain adequate speed when going from forwards to backwards and that will need to be improved .. his quickness overall is just average but he thinks the game quick enough that it isn't an issue at this level .. looking worthy of a late round selection yet again.

Rob Madore (2007), G, Chicago

Recently won the starting job away from Dallas Stars draft pick Richard Bachman .. does a poor job of playing the puck as he once coughed it up leading directly to a goal .. his flexible lower limbs stand out as his leg extension is exceptional .. can be beaten up high in tight to frequently .. an athletic goaltender with superb lateral movement and is capable of the high light real save.

Troy Mattila (20STL), F, Chicago

Got an assist on the lone Steel goal that gave him his third consecutive game point streak of the season .. Mattila is a good sized, two way forward with blossoming skating ability .. has a strong stride once he gains some momentum .. passes the puck well but isn't a creative play maker .. does a fine job of finishing in tight but isn't a natural finisher.

Tyler Murovich (2007), F, Chicago

Was off to a very impressive start to his season with the Pittsburgh Predators before being called up to the Chicago Steel .. an above average skater with very quick feet although he's not an explosive end to end threat .. pursued the puck well and despite his small frame he finished his checks .. he did however jump out of the way from a slap shot instead of sitting still to block it .. lacks vision at this level and struggled to pass the puck .. has a fairly accurate shot and modestly soft hands but his shot lacks velocity .. receiving division 1 interest but doesn't look like an NHL prospect.

Corey Chakeen (2007), F, Chicago

Has begun to use his raw talents to become a more dangerous offensive threat .. is a great skater with swift acceleration and very strong quick, strong strides .. has a blistering top gear .. lacks the vision to be a play maker but has some blossoming finishing ability .. has a pro release on his snap shot that has good velocity and accuracy .. has a nose for the net .. he's small but gritty .. uses his speed to be a nuisance on the forecheck with impressive puck pursuit .. a hard working player who plays with noticeable spunk in his step .. has above average hands with a few moves although his hands aren't top notch .. playing for a poor team hurts him as he does the ability to catch a scout's attention.

Brian Keane (2007), F, Chicago

Despite his poor numbers so far he still jumps out at you every time you view him .. despite his small stature he has a long, powerful stride that instantly makes him one of the best skaters in the league .. blessed with soft hands and some tricky one on one moves .. sees the most miniscule of open passing lanes as he's a creative play maker who can thread the needle but he surprisingly only has one assist this year .. his work ethic on the ice also stands out .. probably won't be drafted this year again because of his poor stats and he's playing for a bad team, however don't be surprised if you hear from him after his tenure with the University of Massachusetts

Daniel Lawson (2007), D, Chicago

His superior strength stands out at this level as does his athleticism .. based on pure raw physical ability he's one of the tops in the USHL .. is a smooth skater for a big man .. can get physical on occasion and can land a big hip check .. has the soft hands to skate the puck up the ice on his own but is limited as a passer .. his below average vision and hockey sense limit his physical gifts though.

NCAA: JJ is Dynamite (posted 12.02.06)

by Max Giese

The Badgers haven't had much to be thankful for as of late when the Michigan Wolverines increased their losing streak to five games with a 4-3 loss.

Jack Johnson (LA), D, Michigan

Had a couple breathtaking end to end rushes that were hard to believe that they were by a defenseman .. undressed the Badgers defenseman with some creative one on one moves in the neutral zone .. confident with the puck and often elects to skate it up the ice himself .. once he gets going he emerges as a powerful skater .. constantly making head and stick fakes to disguise his intentions with the puck .. sees the ice well and can put a nice touch on his passes or can stretch the ice with a crisp long distance out let pass .. has an above average point shot that is accurate and he does a good job getting it to the net .. highly competitive and very proactive in his own zone, he plays with a physical edge but still gets caught chasing after the puck too often and can get caught out of position .. a special blend of offensive ability and a mean streak.

Andrew Cogliano (Edm), F, Michigan

Cogliano is an elite skater who is also a creative play maker .. can absolutely fly with minimal effort as his powerful stride forces the opposition's defense to keep a wider gap than usual which allows him to skate freely through the neutral zone .. displayed a few nifty one on one moves as his lateral shiftiness is impressive .. he's a gifted play maker as he sees the ice instinctively and can thread the needle through tight lanes with a creative pass even when he's skating full speed .. his upside in the NHL is that of a play maker more so than a finisher .. he relies on catching the goaltender off guard to score .. plays on the point during the man advantage .. has improve his defensive habits since last year noticeably as he'll come down low to help his team and back checked hard, although he still doesn't get involved physically at all.

Mark Mitera (Ana), D, Michigan

Mark's best asset is his defensive positioning and the mature decisions he makes with or without the puck .. maintains a healthy gap with his man one on one, although his backwards mobility will need to be improved .. he can control down low in his own zone with his long reach and superb positioning .. if the opposition isn't skating at a brisk pace, he's nearly impossible to beat one on one .. moves the puck well and saw some time on the second power play unit .. makes the safe pass, didn't turn the puck over, and moves the puck crisply although he lacks the creativity to ever play on the power play in the NHL .. hesitant to shoot .. showed a physical edge at times in his own zone and became a dominant player during that time but he needs to use his large frame more consistently .. a good, not great skater for a player of his size .. looks like a reliable two way defenseman.

Chris Summers (Phx), D, Michigan

Simply put, Summers is an amazing skater who moves effortlessly on the ice with a constant blistering pace even without moving his feet .. his pivots and backwards mobility are top notch .. uses his speed to rush the puck up the ice on his own and has a few one on one moves to maneuver past the opposition .. willing to join and lead the rush .. isn't an offensive defenseman however, as he lacks the vision to pass the puck further than 10 feet it seems and his point shot is below average .. not a physical player but played his man one on one appropriately .. very good at defending his man off the rush .. his skating is definitely something you can hang your hat on.

Matt Hunwick ( ), D, Michigan

The Wolverine's captain is a mobile, smart defenseman who is proactive at both ends .. despite his modest size he plays with a lot of jam as he's a very chippy player who can get down right dirty at times .. took exception to his teammate being hit into the boards and went out of his way to retaliate which took him out of position giving the Badgers a clean two on one .. made the first past out of the zone easily but didn't show much of an offensive touch beyond that .. more focused on the defensive side where his competitive nature and smarts make him a formidable one on one defender.

Jason Bailey (Ana), D, Michigan

A solid two way player who works hard .. shows good puck pursuit on the forecheck and back checks equally as tirelessly .. doesn't offer any offensive upside really but he is an above average skater thanks to his quick feet.

Billy Sauer (Col), G, Michigan

Athletic, yet raw fundamentally sophomore goaltender who is back on track as a legit prospect after an up and down freshman season that saw his draft stock tumble to the seventh round .. aggressively challenges the shooter as he will come way out of his crease to take away the net .. uses his nice frame well .. has a lively glove side that robbed the Badgers of several goals .. his lateral quickness and range really stood out .. gets back up quickly to his stance after making a save from his knees .. takes away the lower portion of the net well and his legs are above average .. will need to improve his rebound control most definitely to survive in the NHL as he gives up a lot of juicy ones .. although he challenges the shooter if they are to the outside, he often looses position when the shooter is in tight and will fall back to far in his crease which allows the opposition to expose him up high .. doesn't always stay square to the shooter .. if he can fix his rebound control and if he works on staying square to the shooter by working on taking the proper angle to the shooter when they're in close he will have a shot at playing in the NHL.

Kevin Porter (Phx), F, Michigan

Kevin is a gutsy, team first player that will likely make the NHL on his character make up and hockey sense .. his hands aren't made of stone as he is leading the Wolverines in scoring at the quarter point into the season .. an asset to the penalty kill thanks to his vigorous work away from the puck .. finishes all of his checks and is always the first man in on the forecheck .. plays with grit .. emerges as a fine play maker as he displays his impressive vision and the ability to set up his line mates for a prime scoring opportunity .. playing on the Wolverines top line right now but should be a solid third or fourth liner in the NHL.

Chad Kolarik (Phx), F, Michigan

Kolarik's soft hands and opportunistic sense for the offensive game allows him to find the stat sheet consistently but he will need to upgrade much of his game if he hopes to play in the NHL .. he doesn't get his nose dirty and can be timid in physical confrontations .. can execute a slick stick handling move and his hands are one of his best assets .. skating is just average at this level as his stride lacks any strength behind it will need improvement .. does a good job of getting open in scoring areas and he's a fine finisher with an accurate shot .. his defensive habits and play in physical areas are the most noticeable detriments to his game.

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

Hensick is a real slippery player .. his hands are soft as butter and he can maneuver his body in creative ways to avoid the oppositions check .. is a smooth skater with deceptive speed .. an instinctive passer who makes the players around him better with his game breaking set ups .. can finish as well, has a quickly released shooting arsenal including a surprisingly powerful, deadly accurate slap shot that he can also one time off impressively .. his defensive game must be improved as he stops moving his feet and just watches the play when it leaves his offensive zone .. he doesn't back check hard and he requires a line mate who can get the puck out of the corners.

Steve Kampfer (2007), D, Michigan

Short but stocky, Kampfer does a nice job of playing his man one on one and can display a health physical edge .. positions himself well at both ends .. distributes the puck well on the break out but is limited as he lacks creativity.

David Rohlfs (Edm), F, Michigan

Does the dirty work on the first line .. does a good job of winning the one on one battle's down low and creates open ice for his line mates .. possesses a large frame and uses it to his advantage although he isn't a mean spirited player .. is a decent skater for a big man once he gains momentum however he will need to improve his poor first step .. has nine goals and nine assist so far but he lacks the vision and touch to be an offensive player at the next level .. goes to the front of the net at all times with or without the puck and that's where he collects his points.

Jake Dowell (Chi), F, Wisconsin

With increased responsibility this season, Dowell has blossomed as a legit NHL prospect .. Coach Mike Eaves uses him on the first line, first power play and penalty kill units .. seems to create several turnovers every game as he anticipates the game well away from the puck .. an asset to the penalty kill thanks to his tireless work away from the puck and his defensive awareness .. displays strong puck pursuit and finishes his checks with authority on the forecheck .. battles hard in front of the oppositions net and does good job of maintaining traffic in front of the goalie .. limited as a passer but he can finish a play .. has a quick released, accurate from in tight shot that he is becoming more and more confident with .. scores most of his goals from within five feet of the goal crease .. balanced on his feet, his quickness in small spaces is fine but he lacks a top gear .. handles the puck adequately and protects it well with his strong frame .. displays leadership qualities and looks to a possible third line candidate in the NHL down the road who also specializes in penalty killing.

Prospect Report: (posted 12.01.06)

by Jante Abrahamsson

The Americans put in another strong crop from NTDP on display in Pitea. The hard skating and energetic team came out strong in the tournament, beating Finland 4-0 but then lost some steam and ended up losing both against Sweden and, surprisingly, Switzerland. The team has several players with early round potential in the upcoming draft, none of whoever of the magnitude of past year's prodigies such as Erik Johnson or Phil Kessel.

Kevin Shattenkirk (2007), D

Was awarded best defenseman of the tournament. As captain of the U.S team and first defenseman, Shattenkirk is placed with the difficult task of carrying the torch of Erik Johnson from last year. Plays a very smart game, always makes the right decision and has great positional coverage .. good body strength and certainly has the ability to dish out heavy hits when necessary .. very mobile, smooth skating stride and is very agile .. gets where he needs to be effortlessly .. .has good offensive instincts and he likes to join the offensive rush whenever he can .. good hands and a strong passer, deliverers very sound outlet feeds from his own zone and knows what to do with the puck at all times .. poised and doesn't crack under pressure .. possesses a fairly good slapshot with a quick release, but it isn't as booming as Erik Johnson's obviously. (3-1-1-2)

Ryan Hayes (2007), C

Hayes is one of the few remaining players from last year's gold medal team at the U18 WJC and has a much larger role on the team this year, for obvious reasons. Had a rather erratic tournament, where the lasting impression is that he might have a few more tricks under his sleeve than he put on display here. Is a quick skater, especially with first few strides and often gets a step ahead of the defensemen, seems however to lack to ability to sustain his top speed for longer distance, which along with his smallish frame, hurts his game on occasion .. should display more intensity in his physical game and a tendency to shy away from traffic areas in this tournament .. very soft hands and an immense skill set with the puck though, as an elite arsenal of dekes, and a real quick and accurate wrist shot .. plays at centre, but seems more of a winger type in his game, doesn't have the pure playmaking eye seen in truly great talents .. is however a strong passer and can definitely set up his team-mates for scoring chances .. considering the promise he showed last season, a somewhat underwhelming performance here for Hayes. (3-1-0-1)

James VanRiemsdyk (2007), C

Just like Ryan Hayes, Van Riemsdyk was a member of last year's team as well and came into the tournament with heavy expectations on his shoulders, which he didn't quite manage to live up to, although he managed to put up points on the board. Seems kind of lanky and should benefit from growing into his frame a bit more .. has a decent top speed, but his skating technique seems choppy at times and his first few strides are not overly quick .. handles the puck well and got some moves, although he isn't a flashy player per se .. has a good frame, handles the physical aspects of the game quite well and is a hard guy to knock off the puck .. also displayed a very quick and accurate wrist shot, which he should take advantage of more often .. a smart player with a good passing game and some playmaking touch. (3-2-1-3)

Mike Hoeffel (2007), LW

A big, strong, prototypical North American winger, who hurt his knee early on in the first game against Finland. The injury didn't stop him from participating in the rest of the games, but it might hurt the performance of the fairly highly touted player. Hoeffel plays a power forward type of game in the John LeClair mold .. strong with the puck, wants to drive to the net at all times and gets shots off, even if the angles are against him .. excellent player for digging in the corners and sustaining offensive pressure down low .. very good overall strength, which makes him difficult to contain despite his average skating .. has a decent top speed, but certainly needs a few strides to get going .. passing game and general hockey sense is about average, can anticipate things offensively, but not well enough to have particularly good vision on the ice .. should work on finding how to utilize his team-mates more effectively .. strong work ethic and a player who brings energy to his team. (3-1-0-1)

Cade Fairchild (2007), D

Fairchild was clearly the best defenseman on the American team aside from captain Shattenkirk. Bases his game on his smooth, effortless skating .. has, for better or worse, a very European style in his game and solves problems defensively by strong positional coverage rather than raw, physical aggression .. good outlet passes and has a decent shooting arsenal which makes him a good secondary choice on the blueline on powerplay's .. isn't the same type of natural, poised, leader on the ice as Shattenkirk though, which is the main difference between them now. Shattenkirk knows exactly how good he is, whereas Fairchild is yet to find out .. needs to be a little more proactive. (3-0-0-0)

Jimmy Hayes (2008), RW

The big, 2008 eligible Prep School winger, was arguably the best Hayes of the tournament .. just like a few other American forwards, Hayes has to work on his first skating strides in order to become quicker out of the block .. nevertheless, he has an impressive frame and his overall skating is quite good for a kid his size .. reads the game well, drives to net and has a nose for the finding the back of the net and is around where the scoring chances are .. good puckhander, strong along the boards, but isn't as intense of a physical presence as he could be .. is a quality shooter, solid one-timers and a quick release with both wrist- and slapshot. (3-1-1-2)

CJ Severyn (2007), RW

Was listed as winger, but mainly used a centre on the fourth line on the well-balanced US team. Didn't' get the chance to play much with the supposedly top producers on the team, but still displayed good offensive instincts with his nifty stick handling ability and his poised carrying of the puck across the ice .. fairly intense player with a little above average speed who works hard and competes every shift .. seemed like an essential character guy on this team. (3-0-0-0)

Colin Wilson (2008), C

Played on the first line along with James Van Riemsdyk and together they created some havoc defensively for the other teams, especially early on in the tournament .. Wilson is a hard-nosed type of player who might seem a little rough around the edges, but he has skill both in puck handling, playmaking and a nicely developed hockey sense .. knows how to play the game and is the kind of guy who diligently follows his coach's game plan .. works hard, has a good reach, good balance on his skates and good top speed .. creates a good deal of chances from down low .. disciplined in his own end and helps out his defensemen well .. still a little raw, but there's obvious upside in the package. (3-0-3-3)

John Albert (2007), C

Second line centre between Ryan Hayes and Mike Hoeffel for most of the tournament and didn't make as much noise around himself as his linemates. A smart two-player who plays a positionally sound game and can handle killing penalties as well as playing on the power play .. decent puckhandler, but has the tendency to carry the puck a little too long instead of distributing it to his wingers at times .. has a decent playmaking eye, but isn't a game breaker with the puck and will likely never be .. still solid and useful, mainly due to his work ethic .. fairly quick and smooth skater, but not blistering top speed. (3-0-1-1)