USA Select 17: A Christmas Carroll

In our continuing look at players that took part at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival we look at the goalies that played for Team Purple, Team Red and Team Purple. We highlight Team Red's Ryan Carroll of New Jersey who is eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. We also have notes on Cary Wood of Minnesota, Scott Darling of Illinois, Scott Hefferman of Rhode Island, Derek Missert of New Hampshire and Bryan Mountain of Pennsylvania.

Cary Wood (2006), G, Team Purple

Had a record of 23 wins and only 4 losses in 29 games with Tartan High School while maintaining a 1.75 goals against average and a 0.920 save percentage .. displays nice athleticism as he can get across in a real hurry to stone a shooter off of a bang, bang play .. still has trouble covering his angles and looked lost on more than one occasion .. boasts excellent size at 6'2"-195lbs .. still a work in progress .. wore #1 .. USA Select 17 totals (Sv% 0.828, GAA 5.04).

Scott Darling (2007), G, Team Purple

Produced a record of 12 wins, 11 losses, 0.914 Sv% & a 3.30 GAA in 23 games for Quad City Express Jr. B .. tremendous size at 6'3" and 190 pounds which allow him to close the holes well even on his knees .. will need to improve his agility and the speed in which he recovers off of the first shot .. at his best when he stays square to the shooter and uses his size .. type of goalie that leaves you expecting more .. wore #30 .. USA Select 17 totals (Sv% 0.924, GAA 2.35).

Ryan Carroll (2006), G, Team Red

Last year played for the North Jersey Avalanche where he had a 0.932 Sv% and a 1.99 GAA .. very thin at 155lbs. and with room to grow as he is 5'11", but uses what size he does have to his benefit .. moves across the crease quickly while staying square to the shooter .. sometimes hesitates on coming out for loose pucks .. had the best numbers of any goalie at the festival, although that might have been somewhat a reflection of the team he was backstopping .. wore #1 .. USA Select 17 totals (Sv% 0.962, GAA 1.00).

Scott Hefferman (2006), G, Team Red

With a 0.889 Sv% and a 2.99 GAA he won 10 times and lost 11 in 21 games for Bishop Hendricken High School .. moves side-to-side well, while still holding his shape .. has quick feet and recovers smoothly .. is a capable goalie, just not an elite one yet .. wore #30 .. USA Select 17 totals (Sv% 0.842, GAA 4.00).

Derek Missert (2006), G, Team Royal

Racked up 15 wins and 8 losses in 27 games for Brooks School while maintaining a 2.61 GAA and a 0.904 Sv% .. plays smaller than his 5'11"-175lbs. frame as he tends to leave too big of a gap over both shoulders .. fairly effective on the poke check .. is very hard to beat through the five-hole due to his overly compact stance .. not as agile as he will need to be to have success at the next level .. wore #1 .. USA Select 17 totals (Sv% 0.769, GAA 6.04).

Bryan Mountain (2006), G

Played for coach Paul Cannata's Milton Academy squad last season .. smallish goalie (5'8"-160lbs.) has the agility to comes across lightning fast and make a highlight real save .. lack of height has to be an issue, although he does a commendable job guarding the top half of the net .. it can be a bit of an adventure when he leaves the net, however he doesn't hesitate .. his passing skills are still maturing .. wore #30 .. USA Select 17 totals (Sv% 0.859, GAA 4.00).