USA Select 17: Pointing The Fillinger

In our continuing look at Team Orange we begin our review of their forwards highlighted by Michael Fillinger of Michigan who is eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. We also have notes on Justin Johnson of Wisconsin, Furman South of Pennsylvania and Billy Maday of Illinois.

Justin Johnson (2006), F

Chipped in with 65 points (36-29-65) in 41 games for Team Wisconsin .. would like to see more urgency from him when getting back in to the play to help out on defense .. played left wing .. can be guilty of overhandling the puck in traffic .. has the quickness to get in on the forecheck .. has the ability to put pressure on the point man while killing a penalty .. lacks elite vision and definitely needs to be more aware of his surroundings, especially behind him .. wore #8 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-1-2-0).

Michael Fillinger (2006), F

Racked up 10 goals and added 8 assists in 20 games for Victory Honda last season .. at times played on a line with Dustin Gazley and Grant Gorczyca during the festival .. mobile, especially making the transition from skating forwards to backwards .. overhandled the puck at his own blueline .. gets a good push from his first few steps .. closes the gaps well on the forecheck .. lacked finished around the goal, for example was slow to pull the trigger and had a juicy opening close up by the time he got his shot away .. wore #9 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-4-5-0).

Furman South (2006), F

Produced 59 points (30-29-59) for the Pittsburgh Hornets in 68 games last campaign .. fairly large (6'2"-185lbs.), but doesn't take the body with much desire .. doesn't display much effort away from the puck .. slow feet with corresponding poor mobility, acceleration and overall speed .. has a tendency to be a spectator on occasion .. his passes need to be more accurate .. has some issues with stickhandling at full speed .. wore #10 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-2-2-6).

Billy Maday (2006), F

Had 66 points (25-41-66) in 67 games for the Chicago Chill last year .. his one goal at the festival wasn't a thing of beauty, but the work before hand was solid - while on a PK he forced the defender in taking him down on a breakaway and got a penalty shot and on the penalty shot he looked to have gotten in too deep, but the shot still was able to slide by the goalie and trickle over the line .. takes the pass through center with speed .. wore #11 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-4-5-4).