USA Hockey: Detroits Cool Hand Luke

McKeen's correspondent Max Giese looks at the top Minor Midget team in the U.S.A. - Detroit Compuware. Luke Moffatt, the second overall selection of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, leads the way but almost every player on the team is a good prospect with the potential of playing in the CHL, NCAA, and eventually the NHL.

Luke Moffatt (2010), LW, Compuware

Prototypical offensive force with elite dangling ability .. owns a picturesque stride, which propels his strong top gear and superb body control .. pure game breaker with off the charts skill level .. his creative displays of stickhandling ability are mesmerizing to watch and can yank the defender right out of their jock strap .. vision is adequate but it is his creativity and confidence with the puck that makes him standout .. anticipates the play well and has a knack for generating turnovers and then making the opponent pay, as few players can finish with the consistency that he does .. hungry for the puck and never takes a shift off .. the second overall selection the 2007 WHL Bantam draft by the Kelowna Rockets, but is expected to play for the USNTDP next fall.

Austin Watson (2010), RW, Compuware

An NHL-caliber, athletic package that just needs to compete harder .. remarkable skater for such a big kid with fluid and quick feet that stimulate his commanding speed .. owns a long reach and sick skill level, as he can dangle in a phone booth .. capable of scoring NHL-caliber goals with his deadly release and is capable of creating highlight reel plays thanks to his prodigious offensive skill set and awareness .. still turns it off too often and will need to display the consistent fortitude to take his game to the next level .. if he begins to compete harder and use his size more, he could be something special.

Alex Aleardi (2010), C, Compuware

Highly skilled offensive catalyst that just lacks size .. effortless skater with "water bug like" agility and striking quickness .. possesses magnetic hands and few players can handle the puck in their feet as he can .. blessed with intrinsic offensive awareness and creativity, as few players can generate the consistent offense that he does .. can finish plays, as he owns a quick shot along with a deft, playmaking touch .. willing to get his nose dirty and likes to mouth off the opposition, making him a natural pest on the ice.

Jared Knight (2010), C, Compuware

Mature, two-way combative forward with good skill and speed .. strong on his feet and demonstrates rapid start-up strides that propel his above skating ability .. possesses sublime skill that does not grab your attention instantly but the more you watch him, the more you appreciate the little details in his game .. very smart two-way player that competes hard .. he displays great vision of the ice and can move the puck well even at full speed .. committed to Michigan and it is not hard to see why, as his game is mature beyond his years.

Michael Gunn (2010), D, Compuware

Tall and gangly two-way defenseman with impressive smarts, skills, and physical edge .. demonstrates fluid footwork for a big kid, as he is light on his feet, although his feet could be quicker .. handles the puck with ease and loves to draw the opposition to him before moving the puck efficiently on the outlet or while quarterbacking the offensive play on the point .. savvy defender that is always one-step ahead of the play, as the puck just seems to follow him .. plays with an edge that will begin to show more as he bulks up his wiry frame.

Austin Levi (2010), D, Compuware

Big and physically gifted defenseman with questionable hockey sense .. moves around the ice well, although he is prone to brain cramps where he stops moving his feet and can be caught flatfooted by the opposition .. competes hard and is an adequate physical presence that is capable of making a good headman pass .. does not sense danger well and it is going to be interesting to see how far his superior athleticism takes him.

Jason Zucker (2010), C, Compuware

Highly skilled, speed demon with the ability to go coast-to-coast .. puts the opposition back on their heels with his game-breaking-top gear that he can slice through the neutral zone with .. does not move the puck much and is a bit selfish but he owns a hard shot that he does not hesitate to use .. natural finisher and makes himself an open option without the puck and possesses the skill level to finish his chances.

Brock Labelle (2010), C, Compuware

Just like his teammate Jason Zucker, as he is a dangerous one-on-one player thanks to his great wheels and dynamic lateral shifts .. can really undress the opposition with his flashy moves.