USA Select 17: King of the Rink

In our continuing look at Team Navy we begin our review of their forwards highlighted by Landon King of Washington who is eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. We also have notes on Michael Embach of Illinois, Bryan Ross of Michigan, Lawrence Coassin of Connecticut and Nicholas Payson of Maine.

Landon King (2006), F

Slightly built forward scored 13 times and added 25 helpers in 70 games for coach Dwight Mullins' Dallas Stars .. although he didn't have much success with it at the Festival, King has a powerful slap shot that really explodes off the blade .. uses his speed and mobility to cut down time and space on the forecheck .. has the ability to make the short, tight pass in traffic .. moves smoothly with the puck and has a nice touch when passing .. makes the break around the defender with speed .. wore #8 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-4).

Michael Embach (2006), F

Chipped in 58 points (31-27-58) in 64 games for the Chicago Steel last season .. wasn't consistent getting anything behind his wrist shot .. gets in quickly on the forecheck .. needs to moving the shooting lane instead of trying to force a shot through traffic .. will drive to the net without hesitation .. displayed a lack of discipline on two different occasions by taking a dirty kneeing penalty and then added a bad elbowing penalty later in a game to take Team Navy off the powerplay .. wore #9 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 2-1-3-10).

Bryan Ross (2006), F

Only had 10 points (5-5-10) for Victory Honda in 20 games last year .. cuts down time and space effectively on the forecheck .. takes the pass at full speed without breaking stride .. smooth skater with a nice graceful, but solid stride .. wore #10 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-1-1-2).

Lawrence Coassin (2006), F

Racked up 28 points (9-19-28) in 25 games for Choate Rosemary Hall .. good acceleration and uses his speed to get back on defense and pick up the trailer .. looked a bit nervous initially as he was having some difficulty putting the puck on his teammate's stick, instead they were in the skates .. was lucky not get called for a high hit when he displayed a lack of discipline by taking a cheap shot on an opponent right in front of the Ref .. wore #11 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-0-1-2).

Nicholas Payson (2006), F

Scored an impressive 71 points (43-28-71) in only 23 games for Bangor High School .. tenacious checker, especially effective in traffic .. displayed good acceleration and mobility .. has to be more conservative on when to take chances .. works hard taking his man, however sometimes allows the opponent to gain position on him .. displayed grace under pressure scoring on the breakaway with little time left on the clock .. wore #12 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 2-2-4-0).