USA Select 17: Team Teal

Kevin Lynch (2009), C, USNTDP

A hearty two-way player that just lacks dynamic scoring capabilities .. his first-step could be more influential, however he does own a decent secondary gear of acceleration .. displays long and fairly strong strides with deceptive outside speed .. not the most naturally skilled offensive threat, Lynch is however a savvy player that has some strong power moves to the net .. utilizes his sizable frame to be an annoying presence in front of the opponents net .. competes hard for the puck and never hesitates to bull his way to the goal mouth .. a robust player that is tough and plays the body with some jam .. a detailed and astute two-way player that utilizes his strength to aide in his ability to defend .. does the little things such as blocking shots and being effective in the face-off circle .. this Michigan recruit is an effective all-around player that just isn't an exceptional finisher.

Beau Schmitz (2009), D, Plymouth Whalers

A robust and rangy two-way defenseman that asserts himself all over the ice and tries to make things happen every shift .. a deceptively prosperous skater with strong strides and swift lateral agility .. accomplished with the puck and possesses refined in close puck control .. distributes the puck with authority and he decisively jumps and pinches deep into the offensive zone attempting to stimulate further offensive opportunities ..

not the tallest player, but he possess a spacious and powerful frame .. the type of player that wants the puck on his blade, as he desires to change the complexion of the game every time he stops on the ice .. this expansive style of play does lend itself to him committing errors at times .. a tough and stand-up guy that will come to his teammates defenses if he feels liberties where taken .. can send a message through the physical game, but he can also be undisciplined at times .. doesn't always defend speed properly, but he has high-end character and is a spirited all-around player .. an NHL caliber prospect.

Chris Kreider (2009), LW, Phillips Academy

An impressive combination of speed, skill, and size that could be a force if he puts when he puts it all together .. a powerful skater with a fast end-to-end top gear and awesome acceleration .. can absolutely fly down the wing in possession and he innately employees his dynamic mobility by identifying the open ice and quickly exploiting it with his speed like an NFL running back .. an NHL caliber passer already that accurately puts some zip behind his passes .. skillful and intelligent with the puck, Kreider can quarterback the power play from the half-wall .. has a projectable frame and combines it with his speed to be a decent presence on the forecheck .. can get mean and deliver a heavy body check when provoked, but he isn't a naturally aggressive player and would benefit from playing a physical game every shift along with adding more strength .. he doesn't finish with consistency and his defensive play needs work, but Kreider is a promising draft prospect with great speed and pure talent.

Daniel Broussard (2009), D, Sarnia Sting

Not a flashy or sexy package, but is a flourishing all-around defenseman .. smooth all-compass skater with good backwards and lateral mobility .. calm with the puck and he efficiently moves the puck up ice .. makes an effective point man thanks to his quickly released shot that packs some velocity .. proactive on both sides of the puck and he anticipates the flow of the game well .. a reliable defender that makes astute reads in his own end as he knows when to hang back or when to pressure the puck carrier .. fairly sizable and he effectively angles his man to the wall, although he isn't overly physical .. a solid, but not dynamic two-way defenseman.

Alex Fons (2010), G, Hopkins HS

Lacks prototypical size for the goaltending position, but he still has plenty of time to grow .. does an adequate job maximizing his net-coverage by stationing himself on top of the crease when challenging shooters .. an active poke-checker that displays textbook form in pumping his goal-stick out of his blocker .. an astute goaltender with a polished understanding of the position, as he remains square to the puck and plays the percentages well .. calm between the pipes, Fons isn't jittery and stays in control of all of his movements .. can stand on his head when the situation calls for and he owns a quick glove hand .. displays refined technique, but he must improve his rebound control .. has earned the rep as a big game goalie and is a promising prospect for the 2010 draft.

Jeff Teglia (2009), G, Undecided

An acrobatic goaltender with terrible technique .. a great skater with fast lateral movement .. displays tremendous dexterity and recovery quickness, although he does stay down his butterfly too long leaving him susceptible to being beaten up high in tight .. overly active in the crease and needs to minimize his movements .. terrible mechanically, as he gives shooters too many open holes to look at .. doesn't lack confidence and there is no doubt in his mind that he can make the save which leads to the shooter often making the first move .. very competitive with a lively glove hand .. utilizes paddle-down techniques during goal mouth scrums .. his rebound control is poor and it is concerning that he hasn't gotten much bigger or efficient technically over the last two-seasons.

Colt Smelstor (2009), D, Undecided

A good skater with healthy speed and the ability to skate the puck up ice .. can be beaten to the outside by speed because of his relaxed defensive nature, but not because of any glaring mobility concerns .. more effective with the puck than without it, Smelstor is frequently involved with the offensive attack .. there is some raw skill here waiting to be molded and he loves to jump into the rush .. guilty of trying too many low percentage plays, such as pinching in attempt to hold the puck in the offensive zone when he's the last man back .. seemingly runs around in his own end and can commit careless turn overs up the middle of the ice .. possesses some raw tools, but he lack strength and is too easily pushed around in his own-end.

Paul Cinquegrana (2009), LW, Kent Prep School

A solid but not dynamic offensive winger .. skates low to the ice with a wide-tracked stride that provides him with good acceleration, although he does lack a third gear .. possessing skillful hands with a quick shot and above-average offensive intelligence, Cinquegrana is effective attacking laterally and likes to slow things down when the puck is on his blade .. works well in space, but his defensive play and physicality are sub-par.

Tyler Maxwell (2009), RW, Des Moines Buccaneers

A natural finisher that is a weapon on the power play .. quick and nimble skater with decent acceleration that innately finds the quiet ice and exploits it .. simply has a knack for finishing with his accurate shot and quick hands .. displays great offensive awareness, as he will attack the open slot and sneak into the non-defended areas without going noticed by anyone but his own teammates .. he's undersized and is a soft player outside of the offensive zone, making his ability to translate to higher levels of play questionable.

Torey Krug (2009), D, Belle Tire

A small defenseman that is feisty and has some ability with the puck .. possesses nimble feet in tight areas, but the length to his mobility is just okay .. what he lacks in size he helps make up for with a thirst to initiate body contact .. exudes flashes of some offensive ability and he owns a good point shot .. his backwards mobility needs work and his style of play will likely be ineffective at higher levels of play because of his lack of size.

Gus Young (2009), D, Cape Cod Whalers/ Noble & Greenough School

His skating needs to be upgraded, as he tends to lumber a bit to hit a secondary gear of acceleration .. his all-compass mobility is decent, but he definitely struggles to defend against speed in the open-ice .. he makes curious decisions while attempting to execute the first-pass and he simply seems overmatched at this level of play .. Young isn't sturdy on his feet despite his adequate size and strength .. doesn't anticipate the play well and was frequently skated around by opponents here.