USHL: Des Moines Buccanears Notes

Aaron Palushaj (2007), RW, Des Moines

NHL scouts have two knocks against Aaron - first that he acts like a spoiled brat only in it for himself, and the other being his questionable skating .. Palushaj is a team player who communicates positively with coaches and teammates .. will do the dirty work for his linemates and displays good body language on the bench .. skating needs improvement as his first few strides lack power and appear sluggish .. turns can be sloppy but with his superb anticipation and economical approach he gets where he needs to and can slip around the opposition .. dangerous as they come from within 15-feet of the net .. has a long reach, is a patient puckhandler with soft, quick hands that can really dangle .. can make something out of nothing in heavy traffic using the toe drag to slip off the opposition .. scores many goals, as he is willing to get his nose dirty .. has a knack for pouncing on loose rebounds using his quick release to finish .. displays hunger, bears down and finishes his chances .. can make a deft pass through heavy traffic and can draw the opposition and execute a creative pass with defenders draped all over him .. shields the puck well and can maintain possession allowing his teammates to get open .. improving defensively, it just has not come full circle yet .. needs to backcheck harder and leaves the defensive zone too early but picks up his man well and will come down low to help .. pursues the puck adequately, clogs passing lanes, and maintains proper positioning .. handles traffic well and is very effective battling along the boards .. fits the mold of a second line type.

Ben Ryan (2007), C, Des Moines

An alternate captain who displays leadership qualities acting like a second coach on the bench .. takes the shortest, often most physical route from point a-to-b .. plays with grit, jam, and passion .. is a pest on the forecheck, displaying tremendous puck pursuit while finishing every check with impressive power .. can land a big open ice hit .. is not an explosive skater but has quick feet and is agile .. accelerates swiftly but lacks a top gear .. stride is a bit choppy .. possesses quick hands but they could be softer .. pinballs his way through traffic with his superb balance .. plays the point during the power play .. sees the ice well and is an above average play maker .. can execute a nice touch pass through traffic but not consistently .. will go to the net but lacks overall finish .. an astute two-way player with exceptional defensive awareness .. works tirelessly away from the puck, blocks shots well and a definite asset to the penalty kill .. strong two-way center with quickness and vision but will never be a top-end offensive player.

Jeff Petry (Edm), D, Des Moines

Has blossomed this season and is much more assertive and aggressive in both ends.. will need to bulk up his lanky frame but he is more physical this season helping round out his defensive game.. is a great skater for a big man .. backward mobility is beyond compare at this level .. has an elegant, long, and powerful stride .. has nimble feet and first step quickness have improved vastly this season .. lateral mobility is special using it to close the gap on his man or open up shooting lanes on the point .. puck movement is one of his strong points .. makes a NHL-caliber first pass and can stretch the ice if the opportunity presents itself but will not force an error in favor for the safe play .. supports his defensive partner well and is vocal on the ice .. plays on the power play but lacks elite creativity to be a QB .. possesses quickly released slap and wristshots that are kept low and accurate .. velocity behind his shot has increased this season and is much more powerful .. solid defensively and plays an astute positional game in his own end .. angles his man to the outside effectively, has great gap control and uses his enormous reach to give his man nothing one-on-one .. impressive mobility gives him great range .... competes harder and is more effective defensively this season .. an alternate captain that has adequate leadership qualities .. a calming presence to teammates on and off the ice .. is ready to be a key contributor in the NCAA and well on the way to a fruitful NHL career.

Shane Sims (NYI), D, Des Moines

Best asset is his ability to shoot the puck .. releases a shot in a heart beat with powerful velocity .. has a low, heavy slapshot that gives goalies headaches .. owns soft hands and can one-time the puck well .. sees the ice well and can make a creative pass .. can be a risk taker moving the puck always looking for the home run play .. often neglects his secondary check down options leading to errant giveaways in the neutral zone .. stride has always been fluid but is stronger this season .. a decent all compass skater .. has a strong lower body allowing him to make a nice hit or take a hit well .. sturdy on his feet and can handle the physical aspects of the game .. stands up his man just inside the blueline .. does a decent job in front of his net but lack of size will be an issue moving to higher levels .. stood up for his goalie getting in a fight after a goalmouth scrum .. having a solid season but his game has not progressed much.

Nate Dewhurst (2007), C, Des Moines

Small but is not hesitant to go into traffic .. plays a strong two way game .. back checks with vigor and works hard in his own zone .. knows his defensive assignments and executes them well .. picks up his man and neutralizes him .. plays on the penalty kill .. displays fine puck pursuit and finishes most checks but is not the pest type .. uses his quick feet to accelerate swiftly .. his lateral speed is top notch .. shifty one-on-one but does not have much offensive ability or imagination .. strong on draws and is a natural center .. he can skate and plays a mature two-way game but offensive shortcomings still dictate NHL draft hopes .. can play in the NCAA though.

Jordan Tibbett (2008), G, Des Moines

Athletic, young goaltender was traded earlier this season from Omaha and has plenty of upside .. was scored on four times, all up high .. goes down too early exposing the top shelf on the short side .. blocker quickness and technique is acceptable but plays too small in the crease hardly giving him a chance to make the save up high .. covers the lower half of the net well .. possesses quick legs .. glove side is just adequate .. decent and fluid lateral control .. does a good job staying square to the puck and his mechanics are solid .. a good skater who plays the puck well .. displays decent footwork .. rebound control along the ice is strong and uses his stick well, however he gives up some juicy ones up high and that will need to improve .. recovers quickly from the butterfly back to his stance .. displayed mature body posture after being scored on and appears mentally tough .. if he can fix his tendency of going down too early, he will get strong consideration for the NHL draft in 2008 .. Michigan State recruit.

Austin Handley (2008), D, Des Moines

Has good size with a strongly built frame .. becoming more physical and has developed a decent mean streak since the start of the season .. stay-at-home type that is always out on the penalty kill .. maintains a healthy gap and angles his man to the outside well .. displays good stick work and does a fine job playing his man physically one-on-one .. neutralizes his man along the boards .. willing and effective shot-blocker .. clears the crease area successfully .. is not an instinctive puck distributor but does not make bad decisions, and will make the safe play .. struggles to make the first pass and lacks creativity and poise on the point .. hands are actually soft though .. will join the rush if an opportunity presents itself but is not an offensive defenseman .. mobility limits him despite a wide, sturdy base .. has a decent first step but his foot speed needs to quicken and his stride lacks power .. positions himself well on the ice and only appears sluggish when he is caught in open ice .. takes a longtime to get back when caught up ice .. competitive hardworking type should be a lock for NHL consideration in next years draft if his offensive game improves.