USA Select 17: Summers Time

Team Teal finished in third place in the National Division at the USA Hockey Select 17 Festival with a record of 1 win, 1 loss and 4 ties. We take a look at their defense and highlight Chris Summers of Michigan who is eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. We also have notes on Kyle Ensign of Wisconsin, Kenny Trentowski of New York, Mike Cenisio of Pennsylvania, Will O'Neill of Massachusetts and John Strahle of Alaska.

Kyle Ensign (2006), D

Racked up 14 points (4-10-14) in 23 games for New Richmond High School last season .. can be a bit indecisive in his own zone, at least when it comes to picking between two players .. has good touch with his breakout pass .. very mobile with good overall speed .. doesn't get much on his point shot, but did slip one through traffic for his lone goal of the tournament .. wore #2 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-2-3-2).

Chris Summers (2006), D

A veteran of the National Team Development Program last year .. takes his man out with gusto .. has superior vision and anticipates the play well .. will pinch in when the opportunity presents itself .. solid stickhandler even at top speed .. moves the puck crisply and on target .. boasts very nice top speed .. can be a tad feisty if he thinks someone is taking liberties .. generally does an effective job keeping the opposition to the outside on the rush .. wore #3 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-2).

Kenny Trentowski (2006), D

Played for Avon Old Farms last campaign .. most of his breakout passes were generally crisp and on target and some were things of beauty .. a graceful skater with good overall top speed .. doesn't always display the best judgement on when to move the puck .. needs to improve his containment skills and not allow players to slip around him .. must also improve protecting the puck when handling it in the danger areas .. wore #4 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 1-2-3-0).

Mike Cenisio (2006), D

Had 11 points (2-9-11) in 26 games for the Philadelphia Little Flyers .. sometimes lacked discipline .. saw some shifts partnered with Chris Summers .. takes his man well on the one-on-one .. doesn't have blazing top end speed as he proved when he lost a race for a loose puck even with a bit of a lead .. supports his defensive partner when the latter pinches .. needs to pick his spots when going for a big hit as he sometimes took himself out of the play .. also must improve his recognition of when to pinch in .. wore #5 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 2-1-3-6).

Will O'Neill (2006), D

Last season played for Tabor Academy .. does a solid job taking the man out of the play .. anticipates the opponent's passes and has the hand-eye coordination to deflect it if the puck gets too close .. had some trouble getting back when he was beaten .. blessed with a hard shot .. has a bit of mean streak if wronged, but must show more discipline on when to settle scores .. wore #6 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-4).

John Strahle (2006), D

Scored 21 points (8-13-21) in 56 games for the Alaska All-Stars .. dishes out solid hits along the wall when he connects, but his misses sometimes led to odd man rushes so he may want to pick his spots better .. only received one penalty at the tournament, however it was a very poor one as he took a player down right in front of the ref .. wore #7 .. USA Select 17 totals (6, 0-0-0-2).