USA Select 17: Pomish Shows Promise

Team Orange finished in fifth place in the National Division at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival with a record of 2 wins, 4 losses and 0 ties. We take a look at their defense, amongst their better blueliners was Evan Pomish of Michigan. We also have notes on David Fischer of Minnesota, Bill Silengo of Connecticut, Jonathan Wolter of New Jersey, Eric Baier of Rhode Island and Nick Canzanello of Minnesota.

Evan Pomish (2007), D

Scored 7 times and added 18 helpers in 46 games for Sarnia Blast Junior B last season .. is willing to hang on to the puck long enough for the play to open up even knowing he'll take a hit .. active stick on the one-on-one .. will join the rush, but is far from an offensive defenseman .. still can get flustered if pressured, especially in his own zone .. displayed some accuracy on his one goal of the festival beating the goalie on the stick side from the hash marks .. showed some finesse by just getting the shot through to create a possible rebound .. wore #2 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-0-1-2).

David Fischer (2006), D

Racked up 31 points (8-23-31) in only 28 games for Apple Valley High School last campaign .. strong on his skates, with pretty good feet for a big guy .. nice long wing span .. at 6'3" he has the height, but he will need to add some beef to his slender frame .. communicates well with his defensive partner .. moves the puck well and doesn't panic under pressure .. usually makes the smart play if he's the last man back .. displays decent vision and can hit a teammate with a cross-ice pass on the tape .. wore #3 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-2-2-4).

Bill Silengo (2006), D

Had 12 points (2-10-12) in 24 games for Notre Dame of West Haven .. has a nice slap shot .. is a bit of an adventure in his own zone .. effectively keeps the shooter to the outside .. has good mobility, however needs to shot a bit more urgency with the puck .. at 5'11" and only 160lbs. it isn't a surprise that he gets knocked down a tad too easily .. has the touch to deliver tape-to-tape passes .. wore #4 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-2).

Jonathan Wolter (2006), D

In 22 games for Westminster School, Wolter produced 25 points (4-21-25) .. displays a willingness to pinch in and will take the one-timer if he has an open shooting lane .. has a quick release and a relatively hard shot .. blessed with very nice acceleration .. made a nice recovery when he was caught out of position by intercepting a pass and then clearing the zone .. strong on his feet and can effectively rub a puckcarrier out along the wall .. wore #5 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-0).

Eric Baier (2006), D

Had 7 points (1-6-7) in 23 games for Taft School last year .. got caught flat-footed on a few occasions and once forced him in to taking a penalty .. has the speed and anticipation to jump up in the play, however doesn't have much juice behind his shots .. has to be more careful about not overhandling the puck in the danger areas .. displays a fondness for pinching in from the point as well as joining the rush .. wore #6 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-1-2-4).

Nick Canzanello (2006), D

Chipped in 45 points (20-25-45) in 27 games for Rochester Mayo High School last season .. takes the man out well on the one-on-one .. will take a hit to make a play .. has some grit to his game .. has the speed to go end to end, but won't overwhelm too many netminders at this level .. skates well with or without the puck .. very good foot movement and could be someone to keep an eye on when he learns how to get something on his shot .. wore #7 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-2-3-6).