USA Select 17: Little Big League

Team Maroon finished in fourth place in the American Division at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival with a record of 2 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties. We are taking a look at their defense and highlighting the fine play of Wisconsin native Ryan Little. We also have notes on Cameron Cooper of Minnesota, Brian Gibbons of Massachusetts, Kris Graalum of North Dakota, Jason Michaud of Maine, Ryan Miniaci of Connecticut, Ryan Little of Wisconsin and Anthony Yearego from Michigan.

Cameron Cooper (2006), D

Chipped in 26 points (8-18-26) in 28 games with Academy of Holy Angels last season .. has a heavy slap shot .. has very good mobility and generally does just enough to keep the player to the outside .. handles the puck well at top speed .. displayed good hand-eye coordination closing down passing lanes and intercepting the odd pass .. has the poise and overall skating ability to gain the zone, however his vision is lacking and the play sometimes dies with him .. doesn't give up on a play, highlighted by his ability to get back and take away a breakaway chance .. saw some time partnered with Ryan Miniaci in St. Cloud, Minnesota .. wore #2 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-4).

Kris Graalum (2006), D

Had 14 points (6-8-14) in 23 games last year with Shanley High School .. nice height at 6'0", however will need to add some beef to his 170lbs. fram .. skates really well backwards .. will pinch in from the point on the power play when the opportunity exists .. blessed with the mobility and stickhandling ability to elude the first man .. takes the body solidly and does a decent job physically .. lacks a certain amount of vision with the puck and is unlikely to produce much offensively at the next level .. wore #3 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-2).

Jason Michaud (2006), D

Produced 13 points (4-9-13) in 27 games for coach Peter Kravchuk and Governor Dummer Academy .. a good skater with a nice blend of acceleration, mobility and strength .. doesn't always know what to do, but looks good doing it .. sometimes overhandles the puck, however does have the ability to rush with the puck .. can be rushed in to a poor pass .. needs to become more of a presence in front of his net and make opposing playing more of a physical price .. saw some time partnered with Andrew Yearego at the Festival .. wore #4 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-4).

Ryan Miniaci (2006), D

Canterbury School player had a healthy 28 points (4-24-28) in 35 games .. should take better advantage of his heavy slap shot .. uses an active stick on the penalty-kill to close the passing lanes as well as harassing the puck carrier .. his mobility needs improvement as he looked particularly stiff on a few occasions where opponents were able to beat him on the outside .. some upside, but is still a project with a lot of work ahead for him .. wore #5 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-1-2-4).

Ryan Little (2006), D

Chipped in with 21 points (8-13-21) in 24 games for Fond du Lac High School last season .. showed a good ability to recover if he was caught up the ice .. played the one-on-one with the proper amount of grit and technique .. strong on his skates .. does a solid job keeping the puckcarriers to the outside .. displays terrific positional play sticking with his man through traffic and not biting on any moves .. wore #6 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-1-1-2).

Anthony Yearego (2006), D

Was an offensive force for Belle Tire and coach Chris Coury last year recording 47 points (15-32-47) in 57 games .. displays good anticipation on when to make a break for a pass .. has the ability to create offense off of the rush .. must learn to protect the puck better .. needs to work on his stickhandling, especially at top speed .. was partnered with Ryan Miniaci at the Festival .. wore #7 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 2-3-5-2).