USHL: Cream of the Crop

John Moore, ranked 12th overall in McKeen's spring rankings, is a thoroughbred skater that will challenge to go in the top ten at this years' draft. Louis Leblanc, ranked 18th overall by McKeen's, is a fast and gritty forward that should be a top 20 selection. McKeen's director of scouting Max Giese was recently on hand to see the Chicago Steel take on the Omaha Lancers and filed these reports on Moore and Leblanc.

John Moore (2009), D, Chicago Steel

In today's game, mobility is so vital for an NHL defenseman and John Moore is a beautiful skater that is in a class of his own with a Paul Coffey-like stride and elite recovery speed .. boasts a deft stick and he skates so well with the puck that he can escape any forecheck or take the puck coast-to-coast himself .. even while skating at full throttle, Moore proficiently sees the ice in front of him and passes the puck with authority .. expertly walks the line and innately identifies when to pinch down from the point into scoring areas .. owns an accomplished shooting arsenal and he cleverly finds the lanes to get his shots through to the net .. Moore is the USHL's top offensive threat amongst defensemen and he can change the complexion of a game with his rushes up ice .. loves to jump and often wants the puck and the game in his own hands, although he needs to show more poise by slowing the pace down at times .. defensively, he can hurt himself by trying to do too much and his reads need to be smarter .. an athletic 6-foot-3, 195-pounder, but he lacks an edge and needs to become more physical .. Moore could be a special player and is beyond this level of play, as he's a surefire top-15 pick that will challenge to go in the top ten.

Louis Leblanc (2009), C, Omaha Lancers

A powerful skater with rapid acceleration that can instantly get a step on the opposition and then he's gone .. dangerous in the open ice because of his speed and lively stick .. a heads up passer that can execute finesse or crisp passes thanks to his quick wrists and strong stick that also propel a fast shot .. doesn't see the ice well and is prone to skating himself into dead ends because he sticks his head down and tries to do it all on his own .. has marginal hockey sense .. already plays a mans game along the boards and is likely to add another 20 pounds of muscle over the next few years .. a relentless defender that comes deep to aide in coverage and properly keeps his stick and body in the lanes .. a valued penalty-killer that that can generate turnovers and take the puck the other way for the shorthanded goal .. a physical combatant that plays with a nasty streak and his grit is unrivaled by most of his peers .. good around the net in the way that he competes for space and works off checks well to get his stick ready for scoring opportunities .. has enjoyed a dominant second half .. his speed, skill, and grit will likely have him gone within the top 20 selections.