USA Select 17: Team Red

In part eight of a multi-part series, McKeen's correspondent Max Giese reviews Team Red from the USA Select-17 Festival including: Joe Rogers, Seth Helgeson,

Alex Velischek, Kevin McCarey, John O'Neill, Joe Marciano, D.J. Vandercook, Lee Moffie, Joey Purull and Brice Geoffrion.

Joe Rogers (2008), G, Detroit Belle Tire

Born with a partial right arm which hinders his ability to close his glove however, he has worked extremely hard to make it a non issue .. competes and battles hard .. makes many saves that appear impossible through his determined approach .. plays big by staying on his feet to make a save and playing on the top of his crease .. does a good job staying square to the puck .. will be a fine collegiate goaltender.

Seth Helgeson (2009), D, Faribault HS

Minnesota recruit .. towering defenseman with good feet and agility .. has some offensive upside .. possesses a long reach with soft hands .. tough to check on the forecheck, as he's slippery for a big man and has some impressive moves .. makes smart decisions with the puck and makes a good head-man pass .. does an adequate job on the point .. owns a heavy shot that he should use more but it needs to be more accurate .. not a mean player but he plays the body well and does a good job clearing the crease area .. strong along the wall, sturdy on his feet and has good hockey sense.

Alex Velischek (2009), D, Colonials/ Delbarton HS

Young colt that is oozing upside .. a strong skater with fluid feet and agility .. owns a good initial burst out of the gates .. possesses supple hands .. can evade the oncoming forecheck and skate the puck up the ice because of his slick puck skills .. dangerous joining or leading the rush .. senses danger well .. poised with the puck .. sees the ice well and makes a strong head-man pass .. creative and can quarterback the powerplay .. displays impressive offensive instincts .. a natural with the puck .. owns a good one-timer and a heavy shot .. moves the puck like a pro .. very good on the point .. does a good job using his size and strength to neutralize his man in one-on one situations .. thunderous hitter .. needs to refine his defensive positioning and must be careful about being caught up the ice.

Kevin McCarey (2008), C, USNTDP

New Hampshire recruit .. power forward with a goal-scorers touch .. must improve his speed, as he's a choppy skater that lacks a top gear although, his stride is stable and his agility is fine .. big and thick build .. plays with a mean streak and is a thunderous hitter .. smart and hard working two-way player .. sees the ice well and is an adequate playmaker .. strong on the puck, excels in traffic, and attacks the net hard .. owns a quick and accurate shot with a pure goal-scorers release .. needs to work on finding lanes to unleash his shot.

John O'Neill (2008), C, Anoka HS

Hard working two-way center with some raw offensive talent .. sees the ice fine and moves the puck well in the neutral zone .. nice touch passes .. displays some creativity disturbing the puck from the half wall .. adequate skill level .. top gear is above average .. owns a good motor and is hard working defensively.

Joe Marciano (2008), D, USNTDP

Big and raw defenseman who needs to refine his game in both zones .. guilty of being caught flat footed and is beaten to the inside easily .. for a big man, he loses to many one-on-one battles .. useful offensive player .. displays decent feet and acceleration .. owns a deceptive top gear and does a good job skating the puck out of trouble .. hands are decent and owns a quick pointshot .. doesn't see the ice well and is guilty of making poor decisions with the puck.

DJ Vandercook (2009), F, Honey Baked

Big and raw skilled forward .. possesses a long and strong stride .. not a quick skater in tight but he's fine once he gets his legs moving .. has a laboring first step .. possesses soft hands and good puck protection .. slick one-on-one .. sees the ice well and is an above average playmaker.

Lee Moffie (2008), D, Avon Old Farms

Big and strong defenseman with intriguing raw ability .. awkward but powerful skater who needs to refine his foot work .. owns a pretty good top gear .. has a lot of talent but he doesn't think the game well.

Joey Purull (2008), RW, Shattuck

Tiny, hard working speedster could be this years Dustin Gazley .. small but he's fearless .. flies down the wall with reckless abandonment .. accelerates rapidly to his phenomenal top gear .. competes hard .. strong on his feet for such a diminutive player .. owns a quick and accurate snapshot that he can unleash in full stride.

Brice Geoffrion (2009), RW, Culver Academy

Younger brother of Nashville Predators' prospect Blake Geoffrion .. not as big or skilled as his brother but just as smart and gritty.