USHL: Draft Review

The USHL's 2007 entry draft was held this week and several NHL prospects where selected. The Chicago Steel had the first overall pick selecting Will Weber, who is gaining momentum for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft from Gaylord high school. McKeen's USHL scout Max Giese, provides his insight on some of the picks and shares what some of the head personnel around the league thought of their respective drafts.

Chicago Steel

The Chicago Steel had two first round picks in this years draft and used both on defenseman. "Top defensemen are at a premium and you can never have enough good ones, and our defensive core needed some work," said Chicago Steel General Manager Jason Koehler. With the first overall selection in the 2007 draft, the Chicago Steel selected defenseman Will Weber from Gaylord High School. Weber will also be a high draft pick in the NHL draft, as he possesses phenomenal athletic ability for a 6-foot-4, 205 pound 18-year-old with the offensive skills to go coast to coast. Weber has tremendous size and skating ability and oozes confidence carrying the puck, as well as a punishing physical game. He can be a No. 1 defenseman in the USHL next season and should instantly bolster the Steels' powerplay before moving on to the University of Miami (Ohio) in 2008. Expect him to have a similar or even larger impact for the Steel than Derrick LaPoint had for Green Bay last season. "Our staff watched Will at the U.S. High School Showcase this year and thought he was better than LaPoint was last year and obviously Derrick has gone on to be very successful," proclaims Koehler, who just cannot stop gushing about his first overall selection. "He's a big pro defenseman that has an excellent shot, he's mean, and he can immediately step right in". The scouting community has hyped Weber late in the season but Koehler says that has not affected Will. "He's very well spoken and it was refreshing to see a kid not let the hype faze him, there is no arrogance to him".

With their second selection in the first round (eighth overall), the Steel took 6-foot-4, 225-pound defenseman Aaron Schmit, who was recruited to play in the USHL last year by a few teams but decided to stay with Culver this past season. "He's a huge, raw defenseman that is a tremendous athlete, this will be his first year focusing only on hockey, as he was a top lacrosse and football player as well for Culver" says Koehler, who is expecting Schmit to have an immediate impact.

Chicago also had the first selection in the second round selecting center Andrew Miller. "He was the best center we scouted all year, he's a good two-way playmaking center that makes the players around him better, as he reads and reacts exceptionally well" says Koehler.

The Steel stayed local to select the towering 6-foot-5, 190-pound young defenseman Barron Smith. The 1991 born defenseman is the son of former NHLer Steve Smith and is naturally aggressive at both ends with a take-charge offensive and a tenacious physical game in his own zone. He projects as a stay at home physical defenseman at the next level. Selecting Zach Golembiewski in the 14th round will prove to be a steal if he decides to play for them instead of going the OHL route, as rumors persist he'll end up choosing to play for the Plymouth Whalers. Golembiewski is arguably the most complete and offensively dynamic 1991-born in the country. The Steel also added the hyped Luca Cunti from Switzerland to their protected list, so if he decides to come over and play college hockey, he will make a stop in Chicago along the way.

Green Bay Gamblers

With their first selection in the 2007 draft, the Green Bay Gamblers selected right-winger Joe Schiller from Detroit Lake High School. Schiller has committed to Minnesota State and possesses good size and hands, but he will need to improve his skating. In the third round, the Gamblers went to Minnesota to select Stephen Carew from Benilde St. Margaret High School. Carew is a small but possesses deceptive strength and enticing skill. He possesses rapid acceleration and quick hands but he is not an elite playmaker or finisher.

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Cedar Rapids head coach and general manager Mark Carlson, was a bit surprised to see defenseman Matt Donovan available at the eleventh overall selection. "We felt fortunate to have drafted him, he's a solid all-around defenseman and a solid person" said Carlson. With their third round selection, the Rapids went after the big and talented forward Jesse Brown. "He's a gifted offensive player, that is 6-foot-3, if he's our hardest worker, he will be an excellent player" proclaimed Carlson. The RoughRiders hit a home run in the sixth round when they selected Chicago Chill defenseman Paul Phillips. An USNTDP invite, Phillips possesses exceptional offensive ability. He makes a great first pass and can quarterback the powerplay. Philips is also blessed with superb mobility and oozes confidence. He is a threat to take the puck end to end on every shift. Taking a chance on goaltender Michael Johnson late was a good one to take, as he is an athletic goaltender who only struggled with inconsistency this season because he played behind a weak team.

Tri-City Storm

One of the real wild cards of the draft was the Storms' ninth-overall selection Mike Cichy (Cee-chi), a crafty and tenacious player with soft hands, and a natural goal-scorers touch around the net. He started last season with the USNTDP but left the program and will have to choose between Halifax and Tri-City, in terms of where he plays next season. The Storm expect him to play for them, as he recently committed to the University of North Dakota and is likely to choose the NCAA route. Assistant coach Tom Rudrud knows what he is getting in Cichy. "I've worked with him before at the U.S. select camps, and he's a good person that is committed and he possesses great skill".

The selection of former Hobey Baker Award winner Matt Carle's younger brother David Carle (2008 eligible), was a wise one. Much like his older brother, David is a smart two-way defenseman with exceptional vision and swift mobility that kept getting better as the season progressed. "We hope he is on the team this year, as we expect him to contribute offensively, he has good feet and puck movement" says Rudrud. Another astute selection was A.J. Treais in the 13th round. A.J. may be the top 1991-born out of Michigan, as he is a young but ultra-skilled winger with dynamic one-on-one moves and exceptional creativity. "He's dealing with the National Development Program right now but we hope he reports and can contribute to the team this season," Rudrud added. St. Louis Blues prospect Troy Mattila looks to be getting a second chance in the league as the Storm selected him 141st overall after he was traded out of the league last season by the Chicago Steel.

Waterloo Black Hawks

Using their first round selection on Drew MacKenzie (2007) was a shrewd move. Drew is one of the most highly regarded players from eastern high school this season and will be a tremendous asset to the Black Hawks blueline before moving on to play for Vermont in 2008. Another defenseman worthy of mentioning is their fifth round selection Chris Slavik, a skilled and feisty two-way defenseman. In the eighth round, the Black Hawks selected Matt Marshall (2007 eligible), a fast two-way winger who has seen his NHL draft stock soar as of late. Waterloo also improved their long-term goaltending in the eighth round when they selected Joe Howe from Wayzata High School. Howe was arguably the best goaltender in Minnesota High School hockey this season and not only is he a phenomenal athlete, he possesses a world class work ethic and served as team captain as a sophomore. In the 12th round, defenseman Patrick Wey was a bargain. Wey is the type of defenseman that will excel in the new game thanks to his good hockey sense, puck movement, and skating ability.

Omaha Lancers

In the filth round, the Lancers took former Chicago Steel/USNTDP winger Richard Manley (2008 eligible). It was a surprise to see that Manley was not protected by the Steel. He is big at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds and plays with an appropriate edge. He is also mobile and owns a quick shot. Omaha also selected a couple of prized 2007 NHL draft-eligible players from out east. Alexander Killorn is regarded as one of the most complete players eligible this season from the high school ranks, and would be a major acquisition if he plays a year in the USHL before heading to Harvard. EJHL defenseman Edwin Shea (2008 eligible), is a reliable two-way defenseman that can use a year of USHL seasoning before playing for the Boston College Eagles in 2008. Shea possesses good feet, is poised when moving the puck, and is defensively aware in a positional sense.

Ohio Junior Blue Jackets

With the second overall selection in the draft, the Blue Jackets selected Alden Hirschfeld, the scoring forward from the Mahoney Valley Phantoms. Hirschfeld should provide an immediate impact to a club that can use some scoring up front. "With our core of returning players and the addition of our futures picks from a year ago, we feel Alden is a specific piece to the puzzle for our club," said general manager Don Harkins. Harkins is also excited about their second round selection Matt Leitner from the Anaheim Junior Ducks Midget Team. "Matt has exceptional vision and skill, and he won't back away, he gets in traffic and competes by playing with an edge". In the fourth round the Blue Jackets selected the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Zach Troman. The Detroit Victory Honda defenseman brings a lot to the table. "He's really developed this season, he's a big kid with good skating ability, makes a good first pass and owns a mean streak". Their late round selections targeted high-end players that they could afford to take a flyer on such as Shattuck's Jordan Murray (2008 eligible). A spark plug with impressive skill and quickness, Murray would be a huge coup to the Blue Jackets before he goes on to play for the University of Wisconsin.

Lincoln Stars

The Stars made a wise selection in the eighth round when they took defenseman Cory Hibbeler (2008 eligible) out of the Culver Academy. He gives the Stars a little bit of everything from the back end and is just scratching the surface of his true potential.

Indiana Ice

Going out east to the AJHL and EJHL with their first two selections, the Indiana Ice acquired some impressive offensive talent. RPI recruit, Patrick Cullen (2007 eligible) of the Washington Jr. Nationals was a bargain at fourth overall. He is a dangerous combination of speed and power to go along with a quick shot. Cullen seems to be a natural fit according to general manager Paul Skjodt. "We play on a larger ice surface that's almost Olympic sized, and we always look for guys with that extra gear which he has, he fits the new game well and he can finish too" He's getting long looks for the NHL draft and should be a premiere scorer in the USHL next season. T.J. Syner (2007 eligible) was a solid selection in the second round, as he is a savvy two-way center with rapid acceleration and adequate playmaking ability. The Ice also took a gamble on John Tavares in the 18th round. Obviously, if he came over, it would be a massive acquisition for both the Indiana Ice and the USHL.

Des Moines Buccaneers

Jefferson Dahl is a small but savvy center with intriguing skill. He played for Team Wisconsin last year and was an offensive dynamo for Eau Claire North. It will be interesting to watch because if he goes the USHL route next season, expect his highly regarded linemate Seth Soley (2008 eligible), to follow and join the Green Bay Gamblers.

Sioux Falls Stampede

Defenseman Joey Brehm (2007 eligible), will be a nice addition to their blueline next season. Brehm has a little bit of everything, as he is a smart and poised defender with a physical edge and blossoming offensive game.

Sioux City Musketeers

The Musketeers successfully filled their need for a defenseman when they selected LA Junior Kings 6-foot-1, 180-pound defenseman Adam Hout. Kyle Lundey, selected in the 14th round is getting a second chance to succeed in the USHL. He played for the Indiana Ice two years ago and was a sought after recruit because of his size, skating ability, and hand skills. The problem however, is his head hasn't always been in the right place, as last year he chose to play with his friends in the MNJHL instead of a higher level of hockey. This is his last chance though and if he puts it all together, he could be a strong addition to the team.