USA Hockey: Hail Caesars Grimaldi

McKeen's correspondent Max Giese looks at some of the elite 1992-93-born players in the U.S.A, as well as potentially the next Patrick Kane, in Detroit Little Caesars' star Rocco Grimaldi. These players are major league prospects that are going to make their presence felt some day in the NHL, along with their immediate future in the CHL and NCAA.

Jonathan Merrill (2010), D, Detroit Little Caesars

Prototypical modern defenseman with effortless mobility, exceptional skill, and incisive problem solving skills to go along with a big frame reminiscent of a young Chris Pronger to grow into .. thoroughbred skater who moves with remarkable grace and vigor in all directions for a big kid .. smooth and efficient with the puck, as he possesses supple in-close puck control and does a fantastic job looking off the opposition before delivering a crisp tape-to-tape pass .. reads the game exceptionally well, as he always keeps the play in front of him and intrinsically knows when to curl down low on the powerplay .. will be asked to bulk up his slender frame and begin to groom a mean streak .. committed to the University of Michigan and looks to be the stud of the 1992-born American class.

Kevin Gravel (2010), D, Marquette Electricians

Big, confident, and athletic defenseman with strong mobility but raw decision making .. more powerful than a fluid skater that is strong on his edges with a commanding top gear once he gets on his horse .. comfortable skating the puck up the ice with adequate hands and a heavy pointshot that he keeps low and hits the net with regularly .. instinctive player that identifies the open seems to exploit offensively without the puck but could still sharpen his puck movement .. has a fine understanding of disrupting the oppositions passing lanes in his own end, which compliments his hard physical approach.

Phil Lane (2010), RW, Rochester Aliance

Big and powerful winger with great speed and skill .. fluid skater for a big man that is strong on his edges and he owns a commanding top gear .. owns a long reach and supple hand skill, as he can handle the puck with ease in traffic .. uses his big and strapping frame well, as he is strong along the boards and can absolutely bull guys over to the net when he wants to .. moves the puck well under duress and can burry his chances with his quick wristshot .. goes in-and-out at times but when he puts his exciting physical tools to good use, he's an absolute force with tremendous upside.

Willie Yanakeff (2010), G, Detroit Honey Baked

Blue-Chip goaltending prospect with the athleticism and technique of Kari Lehtonen and the puckhandling ability of Carey Price .. possesses exceptional footwork and athleticism for such a big kid with freakish leg quickness and dexterity .. unbeatable down low, as he owns a wide butterfly and extraordinary leg extension .. possesses a lively glove hand and he uses his stick well .. owns an ideal frame with long limbs and broad shoulders .. good skater with powerful lateral movement and elite puckhandling ability .. loses his angle at times but his upside is ridiculous and could be a franchise netminder if developed properly.

Rocco Grimaldi (2011), C, Detroit Little Caesars

The same size and just as skilled as a young Patrick Kane with even more natural skating ability .. gifted skater with deadly agility and amazingly quick feet that propel his effortless but commanding stride .. possesses elite hand skill, creativity, and patience with the puck, as he routinely creates some of the most beautiful offensive plays you have seen .. a great playmaker but also a precise finisher with a quickly released snapshot .. competes hard and does a fine job protecting himself in the corners .. could be something special.