USA Hockey: Minnesota High School

McKeen's correspondent Max Giese looks at the bumper crop of 2008 and 2009 draft-eligible prospects out of Minnesota High School hockey this season that should be on the radar of NHL scouts including Ryan Bohrer and Nick Nagel who have been named to the "Player to Watch" list by Central Scouting.

Chris Student (2008), D, Benilde-St. Margaret's School

Diminutive Northeastern recruit is a puck moving defenseman with superb skating ability .. dangerous in transition .. when he gets the puck, he looks to move it up ice, as he can hit his man in full stride with a rink-wide pass .. likes to jump and can handle the puck well at full flight and execute creative moves such as chipping the puck off the boards before using a quick lateral burst to get around the opposition .. owns lightning-quick feet and can move with ease in all directions, as he can change direction without losing a step or possession .. needs to show more poise, as he can be a bit hyper with the puck at times .. has the mobility to skate with his man however, he needs to improve his defensive stickwork, as he holds his stick parallel to the ice while defending .. will be a good collegiate defenseman however, his lack of size is concerning in terms of NHL upside.

Ryan Bohrer (2008), C, Cretin-Durham

One of the best pure goal scorers in high school hockey with a dynamic release and precision accuracy .. has that sixth sense for getting open around the net that all natural scorers possess, although he lacks explosiveness in his skating and relies on his cerebral approach and his quick hands to move the puck up ice .. displays some touch passing the puck but he needs to display more spirit back checking and cease the wide turns away from the puck that he takes .. not overly big or physical, Bohrer does maintain an active stick and keeps his feet moving away from the puck .. team captain that is utilized on the penalty kill and can win key faceoffs .. was named a "C" list player to watch by Central Scouting and may get some team to bite come draft day for his goal scoring exploits.

Tyler Pitlick (2009), RW, Centennial

Stocky winger with a nose for the net .. pure goal scorer that owns dangerous, quick-strike capabilities, as few can finish routinely as him .. lacks explosiveness and will need to become more regimented off the ice to improve his conditioning and skating ability .. highly skilled winger with soft hands that is tough on the puck and is a feared goal scorer that will be a name receiving consideration at next year's draft.

Patrick Borer (2009), D, Benilde-St. Margaret's School

Small but feisty two-way defenseman .. wide-based skater that accelerates swiftly .. for the most part, he moves and shoots the puck well but he can suffer from tunnel vision at times and force the puck into the opposition's feet .. his tiny frame is a major drawback but he shows the willingness to play the body and stand his ground.

Matt Bergland (2008), F, Benilde-St. Margaret's School

Offensive winger that is off to a hot start this season while averaging over two points a game .. dangerous one-on-one thanks to his soft hands and lateral quickness .. can weave his way through multiple defenders but he is guilty of over handling the puck at times or trying to get to cute with his passes .. has a slender frame and a one-dimensional game that could hinder his ability to translate to higher levels of play.

Nick Nagel (2008), RW, Totino-Grace

Big and mobile two-way winger that was listed as a "B" list player to watch by Central Scouting .. can show some good speed once he gets on his horse and gains some momentum .. handles the puck well in traffic, although he is not a special offensive force, as he tends to stick to the perimeter and he lacks the instincts to finish with consistency .. he has the raw skill you look for but his passion waivers and he is not as tough as you would like to see out of a player with his size, as he will get pushed but will not push back .. above average defensively, as he displays good marking skills, will come down deep to help out, and backchecks hard, although he needs to stop and start away from the puck instead of taking wide circles back to the puck.

Dan DeLisle (2009), C, Totino-Grace

Big and rangy center that should attract heavy NHL and NCAA interest .. lively skater with good straight-line speed .. strong, skilled, and poised on the puck with a nose for the net and a quick shot coming down the wing .. possesses soft hands with a gigantic wingspan and the ability to handle the puck in tight or with his arms fully extended .. plays with the physical edge that you want to see out of a player with his size, as he shows good fortitude pursuing the puck and the meanness to finish his man with a check .. reads the play well and is a useful defensive player that can kill penalties .. talented player in all three zones that is always looking to make an impact on the ice.