USA Hockey: Prep Notes – East meets West

The prep school season is in full swing and teams are already battling for position. Early in the season, 2008 draft-eligible prospect Danny Heath and PF Chang's from Arizona came over for a visit and played a few prep teams including Governor's Academy. McKeen's has notes on several prospects from both teams.

Colten St.Clair (2011), LW, PF Chang's

Late 1992 DOB (Nov) .. drafted by Kootenay (WHL) .. recently committed to Colorado College for 2010 .. decent size (5-10, 167) .. a smooth skater and can really fly up the ice .. has the ability to skate the puck and that extra gear to get by the defenseman .. moves the puck very well in the neutral zone .. willing to attack loose pucks and battle in the corners .. along with playing on the PP, St. Clair also is used on the PK .. dangerous around the net .. has a quick release .. overall, his speed makes him deadly coming into the offensive zone.

Philip Samuelsson (2009), D, PF Chang's

A 1991 DOB (July) .. drafted by Edmonton (WHL) .. was selected for the USNTDP try-out .. good size (6-2, 184) .. played on both the PP and PK .. keeps his shot low from the point and keeps the puck moving on the PP .. needs to get stronger defensively with the puck especially on the PK .. prone to bad decisions with the puck in the neutral and defensive zone .. needs some work but has potential.

Jay Roth (2009), F, PF Chang's

A 1991 DOB .. decent size (5-11, 140) .. has a good burst of speed with the puck, especially when given a little bit of room to work with .. gets in quick on the forecheck and although not the biggest player, still is effective when he plays the body.

Danny Heath (2008), D, PF Chang's

A 1990 DOB (March) .. good size (6-1, 180) .. committed to Minnesota State for 2009 .. played in the Select 17 festival .. solid in every aspect and played a tremendous game against Governor's Academy .. has ability to skate the puck and generate offense for his team .. started the play that created his team's first two goals .. moves the puck well coming out of the defensive zone .. showed very good poise .. a smooth skater with a strong stride .. now playing for the Tri-City Storm (USHL) .. a definite player to watch.

Richie Coyne (2009), D, PF Chang's

A 1991 DOB (July) .. good size (6-2, 177) .. an intriguing prospect with lots of potential .. showed poise with the puck in the defensive zone and makes crisp outlet passes, but can be prone to holding onto the puck too long .. has a quick shot from the point that he keeps low for tips .. likes to step-up at the blueline and is tough along the boards .. strong skater forwards and backwards.

Kyle Beattie (2009), F, PF Chang's

A 1991 DOB (May) .. drafted by Prince George (WHL) .. decent size (6-0, 160) .. a strong offensive talent .. quick shot off the rush .. smart in the offensive zone and finds the open areas, especially on the PP .. willing to attack the net and battle for position .. scored on a nice pass from Danny Heath .. strong on the puck .. played for the USA U-17 team during the summer.

Joey Holka (2008), F, PF Chang's

A 1990 DOB .. good size (6-2, 180) .. a simple player who stands-out when noticed and rarely makes a mistake .. head-mans the puck well and uses his body well to protect the puck .. strong defensively .. tough along the boards .. plays tough every shift, but keeps everything simple and never tries to play above his skill level .. a definite player to watch develop.

Trevor Hines (2008), F, Governor's Academy

A 1990 DOB (May) .. played in the Select 17 festival .. decent size (5-10, 180) .. plays a physical game and gets in quickly on the forecheck .. a quick skater with small strides .. rang one off the post .. a solid third or fourth liner for any team.

Alex Gacek (2011), F, Governor's Academy

A 1993 DOB (April) .. youngest player on the ice .. small forward (5-7, 160) .. smart in offensive zone and gets into good positioning .. shifty around the net .. makes good, heads-up plays with the puck in every zone .. needs to use his speed more in the defensive zone and getting to loose pucks .. needs better decisions on the PP on when to shoot and when to pass, as he shot a few times with a penalty-killer right in front of him .. his speed makes him a dangerous threat coming through the neutral zone.

Chris Menard (2008), F, Governor's Academy

A 1990 DOB (April) .. decent size (5-10, 185) .. a shifty forward with quick moves .. plays physical down low and gets in on the forecheck .. had a point-blank chance but PF Chang's goalie made a tremendous save .. also had a nice scoring chance while on the PK .. plays a consistent game and creates lots of scoring chances for himself and his linemates with his smart plays .. if he keeps playing like he has, he could work his way onto a few Division I lists.