USHL: Danny Boy

Montreal Canadiens prospect Danny Kristo is enjoying a strong second half after returning from the World Junior Championships in Ottawa. McKeen's director of scouting Max Giese files this report on Kristo as well as several of his teammates, including Seth Ambroz, who could be a high-end first round pick in 2011.

Ryan Daugherty (2009), RW Omaha Lancers

Far from a force on the ice right now and NHL teams will likely pass on him this season waiting to see how he develops in the years to come .. the upside in Daugherty is that he has skilled hands and a nice frame to grow into .. his skating is hit and miss, as some times it looks fine and then at others, it appears as if he has a hitch in his stride, which thwarts his ability to separate from defenders .. generously listed at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Daugherty needs to get stronger and has been tossed around in the USHL this year, although to his credit he isn't deterred and keeps coming back .. he's awful defensively and is always tardy to his assignments, as he can't even successfully cover his pointman .. invisible most of the time.

Steven Whitney (2009), RW, Omaha Lancers

Has fast feet and good but not dynamic speed .. owns the natural instincts of a pure goal scorer, as he cleverly uses defenders as screens by pulling the puck in tight to shoot through their legs .. defensively, he's a mixed bag .. he backchecks hard and is in the proper lanes when committed, but too often he's cherry picking the moment his defenders gain possession of the puck .. will fit in nicely at Boston College, but he's so small that no NHL team will draft him because he's easily erased by larger opponents.

Seth Ambroz (2011), RW, Omaha Lancers

Could be the prototypical powerforward once he's fully developed, as he's a big kid that plays hard to the net .. Ambroz's ability to come into the USHL as the youngest player in the league and thrive while playing in all situations speaks volumes about his talents and upside .. has skilled hands and a nice whip on his shot .. positioned in front of the net on the powerplay .. smart, mature defender that is on the penalty kill .. how far Ambroz goes will depend on how his skating develops, as right now it's leaving him surpassed by speed and he needs to get quicker.

Danny Kristo (Mtl), C, Omaha Lancers

Simply a terrific skater and is one of the fastest players in the USHL .. his offensive game is progressing well and he's now much more effective at making plays through the passing game .. appears more instinctive with the puck and is visualizing the ice in front of him more proficiently .. now knows what he wants to do with the puck and the game appears to be slowing down for him .. will always have to fight with his sub par hockey sense .. can score coming down the wing because he owns an accurate shot that he can let go at full speed .. baby faced with a boyish physique and needs to get stronger .. a valued penalty killer that projects as a checking-line forward if he makes the NHL.