USA Select 17: Oh Danny Boy

In our continuing look at Team Maroon we begin our review of their forwards highlighted by Michigan's Danny Dries who is eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. We also have notes on Andrew Letellier of Maine, Brian Day of Massachusetts and Mike Sislo of Wisconsin.

Andrew Letellier (2006), F

Portland Junior Pirate chipped in with 32 points (14-18-32) in 52 games last season .. at times showed a lack of vision on when to move the puck and consequently hung on too long and turned it over .. was lackadaisical on the forecheck as well as being unprepared to take advantage of loose pucks .. knew exactly what to do with it on an odd man rush and when the puck got over to him he let go a howitzer that few goalies would have had a chance to stop .. wore #8 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 2-1-3-0).

Brian Day (2006), F

Produced 28 points (12-16-28) in 22 games for Governor Dummer Academy last year .. very quick, with a good burst from his first few strides .. strong on the puck and is a hard worker away from it .. needs to slow up his man off the draw more effectively to buy his teammates more time .. closes the gap well on the forecheck .. displayed an ability to use his solid 6'0"-190lbs. frame to knock a puckcarrier off the puck in open ice .. only was credited with one penalty, but it was a very undisciplined one as he didn't do much to slow himself and ran over the goalie in a tie game .. wore #10 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-2-3-2).

Mike Sislo (2006), F

Played for Superior High School of Wisconsin and had 48 points (20-28-48) in 26 games .. has very good overall speed and can stickhandle effectively through a crowd .. splendid acceleration and mobility allow him to quickly close down time and space on the forecheck .. displayed vision in the offensive zone and could put the pass on a linemate's blade at the right time for a scoring chance .. has an active stick on the PK .. needs to show more discipline about when to move the puck and not throw a pass blindly in to traffic .. wore #11 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-2-2-4).

Danny Dries (2006), F

Displayed a goalscorer's touch last season for Compuware when he had 40 goals in 58 games, he also chipped in 20 assists .. only scored one goal at the Festival in St. Cloud, but it was a beauty as he took the pass from his forehand in front of the net and went to his backhand to tuck it easily by the goalie to open the scoring .. closes the gap quickly on the forecheck .. generally dishes out tape-to-tape passes .. showed an ability to make slick moves to open up the shooting lane and proved to have a shot that gave goalies trouble .. rarely if ever panics under pressure .. needs to add some strength to his 5'10"-160lbs. frame as he had some difficulty fighting through check .. wore #12 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-2-3-2).