USA Select 17: Leitners California Dreamin

In our continuing look at players that took part at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival we look at four more forwards from Team Black. Today we look at Los Alamitos, California native Richard Leitner, who isn't eligible to be drafted until the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He still has holes in his game, but is already starting to dazzle some with his offense skills. We also have notes on Bruce Houchen of Alaska, Salvatore Ragusa of North Carolina and Mike Hull of Michigan.

Bruce Houchen (2007), F

Alaskan forward only scored one goal at the Festival, but it was off of a sneaky wrist shot just above the pads and under the blocker on the far side .. blessed with nice size already (6'1"-195lbs.) and time to grow given that he's not eligible for the NHL Entry Draft for a couple more years .. solid on his skates and has good overall speed, but doesn't dazzle out of the blocks and isn't overly mobile .. will go to the net and take some punishment .. works on the defensive side of his game and picks up the loose man .. wore #17 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-0-1-2).

Salvatore Ragusa (2006), F

Born in North Carolina, he amassed 61 points (32-29-61) for the Florida Jr. Everblades last season .. plays with energy and has some offensive imagination .. can be pressured in to forced in to making mistakes .. supports the puck carrier well .. quick skater with good acceleration and mobility, however he will need to get stronger on his skates as he has some trouble in traffic .. plays with energy .. wore #18 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-1-2-4).

Mike Hull (2006), F

Calls Harper Woods, Michigan home .. a little undersized at 5'10"-170lbs, however he has excellent top speed, mobility and acceleration which tends to back defensive coverage off a bit .. handles the puck well at full speed .. displayed a sparkling shot when he picked the upper corner on the short side with a laser-like wrist shot .. works hard in traffic to slip by his check .. there's some upside here, but also a lot of work ahead if he wants a shot of being drafted .. wore #19 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-1-2-0).

Richard Leitner (2007), F

Further proof that California is starting to be somewhat of a hotbed for producing hockey players .. displayed elite offensive ability when he made an awesome move to get on a partial breakaway, fended off heavy checking from defenders and still having the presence of mind to fake the goalie out of his jock and tuck it in to tie the game .. splendid skater and is very strong on his skates as well as being able to protect the puck .. played leftwing on a line with Salvatore Ragusa and Ross Monson or at least he lined up on the left side, because he was all over the ice .. needs to make the safer or high percentage play at his own blueline .. has some zip to his shot and is capable of picking the top corner on a goalie .. offensive upside is definitely there, yet he has to be a bit more concerned about maintaining his position .. wore #20 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 2-2-4-2).