USA Hockey: Stepan up His Play

With names like Sidney Crosby, Zach Parise, and Drew Stafford making up their alumni list, it is no wonder why Shattuck's Boys Prep team is a sought after club by NHL, CHL, and NCAA scouts. McKeen's looks at the key prospects who are available on this year's squad including Derek Stepan and David Carle, younger brother of Matt Carle, as well as key players from Team Illinois.

Derek Stepan (2008), C/LW, Shattuck Prep

This creative center has see his draft stock rise recently thanks to his impressive offensive skill set and improving two-way game .. not an explosive player but is dangerous from the blueline in, as he can snipe with the best of them thanks to pinpoint accuracy, heavy velocity, and compact release .. highly skilled, as he handles the puck with ease and can create offensive opportunities for his linemates by executing slick passes from the half-wall on the powerplay .. displays good puck poise and is naturally sturdy on his feet helping him shield the puck well .. light on his feet but he will need to improve on his first step and overall acceleration .. his marking skills and overall defensive play have improved while seeing time on the penalty kill .. still leaves the zone early at times and can be outworked at times sticking too much to the perimeter .. plenty of upside and talent here to make an NHL team bite by the third round.

David Carle (2008), D, Shattuck Prep

The younger brother of San Jose Sharks defenseman Matt Carle, David is a smart and mobile all-purpose defenseman .. owns the same stable stride as his brother, as he moves with fluidity and strength in all directions .. displays very good hockey sense and zero panic to his game .. he skates well with the puck and owns the on-ice vision to identify the open man before making a clean first pass .. not as dynamic offensively as his brother, as he does not like to jump often and does not create much offense from the point .. rock solid defender that keeps his head on a swivel and displays acute defensive awareness and positioning .. physically looks more mature this year, as he is much stronger and has married that added strength with a more tenacious physical edge .. controls gaps well and effectively boxes his man out from around his net .. has a mature understanding of angling his man to the wall and taking proper angles to the puck .. safe pick, mid-early round selection with decent upside.

Brett Kostolansky (2008), D, Shattuck Prep

Smart, quick, and good with the puck but his development has hit a plateau and will likely go undrafted in June.

Luke Greiner (2008), C, Shattuck Prep

Quick, skilled, and creative center that is hampered by an obvious lack of size .. doing a solid job defensively and is playing on the penalty kill .. creatively displays some touch chipping the puck softly around the opposition and then using his speed to get around the defender one-on-one .. this is the best he has looked in awhile and may receive some consideration late in the draft.

Alexander Fallstrom (2008), LW, Shattuck Prep

Hailing from Stockholm Sweden, this big and hard working, two-way winger is just one day shy of not being eligible for the 2009 draft .. a poor skater that also struggles to get good velocity on his shot, however he can send a pass through the opposition's penalty killing box when playing down low on the powerplay .. team player with good size and strength that works hard on the defensive side of the puck .. if only he was a better skater.

Sam Alfieri (2009), C, Shattuck Prep

Just a couple of years ago, Alfieri looked like a potential star amongst his age group, trouble is he has developed some bad habits and now may struggle to keep up .. smart player with good instincts and on-ice vision, although he lacks a second gear and he does not play with an edge .. plays on the penalty kill thanks to his ability in the faceoff circle and quick defensive stick, however he often does not play with a pulse, as he will take a hit but never hit back .. will need to compete harder next season if he wants to be drafted.

Emerson Etem (2010), F, Shattuck Prep

The youngest player on the team, Etem is a frail-looking kid with intriguing raw ability .. moves around the ice effortlessly with impressive speed, as he owns a long and powerful stride .. has a quick stick and is elusive one-on-one, as he can slither his way through the opposition's defenses .. can see the ice well and execute at full speed with his compact release .. not a lazy player and he displays good two-way hockey sense, however he is hesitant to involve himself in the physical play .. will be a legitimate prospect if he physically matures and begins to play with more toughness.

Cody Murphy (2009), RW, Team Illinois

An ultra-competitive power forward in the making with good skill .. no one works more vigorously, as he drives his feet hard through checks like a defensive lineman trying to get to the quarterback in football .. not explosive out of the gate but he generates a lot of speed through the neutral zone and he skates very well with the puck .. hungry player that always wants the puck on his stick and loves to attack the defender one-on-one at full speed where he displays his quick hands and exceptional moves .. plays in the slot on the powerplay and displays the ability to identify the open seams in the opposition's defenses .. does not see the ice all that well, as he needs to develop his lower gears and show more patience with the puck .... physical bull that hits hard and plays a solid two-way game .. well received by scouts and will be a name to remember next season.

Frankie Simonelli (2011), D, Team Illinois

One of the youngest players playing Midget Major hockey this season, Simonelli has intriguing physical gifts but questionable hockey sense .. sharp on his edges with the crisp footwork to pivot quickly and transition without losing a step .. sees the ice adequately with an okay skill level but he does not work the point particularly well at this stage, as he will fumble the puck when pressured .. strong kid with a projectable frame that he uses well while getting physical to take his man out .. competes well, would likely be dominating his own age group, and will be a player to monitor over the next few years.

Ben Hughes (2009), D, Team Illinois

Big and mobile but raw defensive defenseman .. rangy with quick feet and strong acceleration .. has good size and strength, which aides him in his ability to cover his crease area well .. effective in the defensive zone but his puck skills need work, as he lacks the finesse to make a clean first pass.