USA Select 17: Palm Reader

In part one of our team-by-team look at players that took part in the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival in St. Cloud, Minnesotawe we will be starting with Team Black. The team had an overall record of 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie to finish third in the American Division with seven points. Today we have notes on the defensemen on Team Black which include Jordan Lalor, Jonathan Reiff, Erik Burgdoerfer, Blake Johnson, Jeff Ceccacci and Trent Palm.

Jordan Lalor (2006), D

From Needham Massachusetts, Lalor is the son of Mike Lalor, a 12-year NHL veteran with Montreal, St. Louis, Washington, Winnipeg, San Jose and Dallas (credit USA Hockey) .. average sized defender that takes the pass well .. will need to get stronger as he has some difficulties with bigger forwards in traffic .. blessed with both a heavy wrist shot and slap shot that he can get through from the point to create scoring opportunities .. wore #2 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-1-1-16).

Jonathan Reiff (2006), D

Rhode Island product will need to improve his overall speed, although his mobility and acceleration seem adequate .. on the small side at 5'8" and a 160lbs. he doesn't have much of a presence in front of his net, however he is pretty aggressive on the one-on-one .. wore #3 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-1-1-0).

Erik Burgdoerfer (2007), D

Is once again planning on playing for Apple Core Junior .. very mobile and strong on his skates .. is developing a sizzling slap shot that can jump up and bite a goalie .. takes the body well along the boards .. has an active stick and is relatively physical taking the man, although that should improve as he physically matures .. will dive in front of a shot, but needs to work on his technique a bit as he tried doing that at the Festival and the forward fake him down and went around him with ease .. wore #4 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-2-2-0).

Blake Johnson (2006), D

The State of Oklahoma isn't known for producing hockey players, yet Johnson didn't look out of place and finished second in scoring for defensemen on Team Black .. displayed poise and was able to make a nice play to block a pass which broke up a three-on-one in Team Black's zone .. keeps very good positioning and will punish a puckcarrier with a solid hit .. not the best passer as he sent a few in to his teammates' feet .. needs to play tighter on the man as he can be exposed by speedy forwards if he allows them too much space .. not surprising given his aforementioned passing issues, but his breakout passes leave something to be desired .. wore #5 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-4-4-4).

Jeff Ceccacci (2006), D

Speaking of places that aren't known for producing hockey players (that is changing), Ceccacci is born and bred in California .. looks more like a forward than a defenseman .. has good speed just not enough to make up for his 5'9" and 150lbs frame .. handles the puck well and can move it to the right guy when under pressure .. won't hesitate to pinch in when the opportunity presents itself .. wore #6 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-2-3-10).

Trent Palm (2006), D

A veteran of the USA National Team Development Program, Palm is solid on his skates and plays the man extremely well .. will pinch in from the point if given the chance .. does a nice job of slowing up the puckcarrier without taking a penalty .. a heady defender that has the ability to anticipate the play before it happens .. some have questioned his upside and overall offensive talent .. kind of a meat and potatoes player, will fill you up but nothing exciting .. wore #7 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-5-6-4).