USA Select 17: Montgomery Bewitches Opposition

Team Grey finished in second place in the National Division at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival with a record of 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie. We take a gander at their defense, which was led by Kevin Montgomery who topped all defenders in St. Cloud, Minnesota. We also have notes on Adam Thanasiu of Ohio, Peter Child of Vermont, Steven Kampfer of Michigan, Wes Stephanian of Massachusetts and Daniel Lawson of Illinois.

Adam Thanasiu (2006), D

Was a powerhouse offensively for Northview High School last season producing 65 points (8-57-65) in only 33 games .. works hard to take the body, although will need to get stronger as he wasn't as effective as he will need to be .. must make smarter decisions in the danger areas as he turned the puck over unnecessarily by trying to force passes through the opposition .. has the mobility and quickness to play the two-on-one well .. displays nice hand-eye coordination and an active stick to break up pass attempts .. wore #2 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-2-2-2).

Peter Child (2006), D

Had 15 points (5-10-15) for coach Tim Pratt and St. Paul's School in 04-5 .. looked a bit shaky handling the puck .. has a high panic threshold .. displayed an ability to deliver tape-to-tape breakout passes .. works hard in traffic, especially behind the net to pressure the puckcarrier into turnovers .. like many young defenders can be caught watching the puck instead of playing the man .. has nice size at 6'0"-190lbs. .. wore #3 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-2-2-0).

Steven Kampfer (2007), D

Played for the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL last season racking up a solid 27 points (8-19-27) in 63 games .. anticipates the play pretty well and is effective at pinching in deep and getting the shot away quickly and on target .. his passes are generally hard and on the tape .. is an above average skate and if he continues to mature should be a player to watch for come the 2007 NHL Entry Draft .. wore #4 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-2-3-2).

Wes Stephanian (2006), D

Scored six times and added 10 helpers in 26 games for coach Ken Martin's Belmont Hill School team last year .. blessed with good overall speed and a willingness to pinch in when the opportunity presents itself .. isn't the best stickhandler at any time, but displayed a penchant for turnovers and shaky play when pressured .. wore #5 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-1-2-2).

Daniel Lawson (2006), D

Large bodied defender racked up 49 points (15-34-49) in 62 games for the Chicago Chill of the USHL last season .. needs to play with a bit more fire at times and was too passive in front of his own net .. had trouble handling the puck, although does a nice job of protecting it .. not the most mobile defender and did have problems with speedy forwards beating hit to the outside, however when he did get a piece of the puckcarrier he could rattle their teeth .. has potential given his size (6'3"-225lbs.) and hockey sense, but still is a bit of a project .. was able to hit a teammate's stick with a breakout pass .. wore #6 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-1-1-6).

Kevin Montgomery (2006), D

National Team Development Program veteran had 25 points (6-19-25) in 55 games in 04-5 .. was guilty on a few occasions of hanging on to the puck for too long .. plays the man tough along the boards and in traffic, but needs to be a bit more disciplined about taking liberties with the opposition right in front of an official .. had moments when he was way off in his passes as well as going for hits, however was generally an offensive force on the backend for Team Grey and led all defensemen in goals and points and finished behind only Trent Palm in assists .. wore #7 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 4-4-8-6).