USHL Fall Classic: Chicago Steel

As we continue our 12-part series on the USHL Fall Classic, McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey, reviews several players from the Chicago Steel looking to make an impact this season, including Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and recent USHL defensive player of the week Will Weber.

Will Weber (CBJ), D, Chicago

Despite being a rookie in the USHL, Weber looks set to be one of the top defensemen in the league .. skates how a pro defenseman should skate, with power .. backwards skating is mechanically sound, as he maintains a low and wide stance and does not make crossovers to generate speed .. plays odd-man breaks well and often intercepts or blocks the pass .. plays a physical game and has the timing, size and skating ability to stand people up at the blueline .. can play a very aggressive game if it takes that turn and is not afraid to drop the gloves .. makes a crisp, accurate first pass .. operates the point with authority, as he uses powerful pivots and swivels to evade checkers and makes hard, crisp passes .. has a heavy slapshot, which he keeps low, but also has a mean wristshot, too .. not afraid to skate the puck into the offensive zone himself for a shot or to create plays .. committed to Miami-Ohio .. (Fall Classic stats: 3-1-0-1, 23 PIM's, 9 shots).

Max Nicastro (2008), D, Chicago

Should be one of the top draft-eligible defensemen in the USHL in 2007-08 .. backwards skating mechanics are sound and powerful, as he maintains a low and wide stance and does not make crossovers to generate speed .. demonstrates good mobility on defense and when skating the puck .. has the stickhandling ability to make nifty moves when skating the puck in offensively or when evading checkers to break the puck out .. possesses a hard slap hot and can comfortably execute a hard and low one-timer while skating backwards on a point-to-point pass .. can play an aggressive game if the pace dictates .. combination of defensive awareness, skating, and size allows him to be an effective body checker, especially in angling attacking forwards or standing them up at the blueline .. committed to Boston University .. (Fall Classic stats: 3-1-0-1, 8 PIM's, 8 shots).

Mark Anthoine (2008), LW, Chicago

Two-way forward with average speed .. over stickhandles when skating with the puck and sometimes holds on to the puck too long, instead of making a pass to an open teammate with momentum .. does not have the speed to stickhandle around top defensemen .. anticipates the play well, can make plays accordingly, and does so with accurate passing .. can lay out some good hits along the boards, even on much larger players .. a regular on the penalty kill .. (Fall Classic stats: 3-1-2, 6 PIM's, 9 shots).

Nick Pisellini (2008), G, Chicago

Quick with his legs down low and has a smooth pad slide to move laterally across the crease .. goes down and up quickly .. needs to display more consistency with his rebound control, as he was far superior in Friday's game than on Thursday's .. most goals allowed were up high or at mid-height, especially blocker side .. showed good athletic ability in Friday's game, including a highlight reel splits save on a certain goal .. at his best when he reduces flopping .. has not committed to a college ..(Fall Classic stats: 2 gp, .922 SvP).

John Moore (2009), D, Chicago

Looks set to become a good two-way defenseman at the USHL level .. mobile defenseman with decent speed who has the agility and presence of mind to do a tight circle back to avoid forechecker .. makes smart plays when breaking the puck out .. is not an elite defenseman offensively, but operates the point well, makes smart, crisp passes, and has a hard pointshot that he keeps low for deflections or rebounds .. angles opponents well, finishes his checks, and does play with a bit of an edge .. must continue to bulk up like most young defensemen, to add additional strength and power to his game, but does not have any glaring weaknesses .. has not committed to a college .. (Fall Classic stats: 3-0-1-1, 7 shots).

Barron Smith (2009), D, Chicago

Second-youngest defenseman at the Fall Classic .. very tall at 6-foot-5, but very lanky at only 185 pounds .. did not appear to be adapted to the pace of USHL hockey .. seemed overwhelmed when handling the puck .. passing was fairly crisp, but was off the mark in connecting with his moving teammates .. backwards skating was good once he established some speed, but this was generally achieved by skating forward first and then pivoting .. height is intriguing and he has some of the raw tools, but will need to bulk up to add more power to his game at the USHL level and higher and will need to process the game faster .. has not committed to a college .. (Fall Classic stats: 2-0-0-0, 0 shots).