USHL: Finding Some Good Steels’

The Chicago Steel had a disappointing season in which they finished dead last in the USHL, but it did not prevent some of their top prospects from persevering with some strong performances this season. McKeen's reviews several players from the Steel including: Richard Manley, Josh Bemis, Tyler Murovich, Nick Pisellini and 2007 NHL Draft hopefuls Drew LeBlanc, Corey Chakeen and Dan Durham.

Richard Manley (2008), LW, Chicago Steel

Joined the Steel midway through the season after starting the season with the USNTDP .. raw but has tremendous upside, as he is blessed with rare physical gifts including his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame .. swift skater for a big man with a fluid stride and good agility to go along with a very decent top gear .. uses his size adequately, as he shows decent puck pursuit and the occasional mean streak while finishing his checks .. needs to improve his footwork and drive his feet to be more difficult to neutralize while being checked .. hands are OK and he owns a great reach .. displays adequate vision of the ice and mild creativity .. release is fine and his wristshot is heavy although he needs to refine the accuracy .. is at his best away from the puck, as he is a fine two-way forward .. plays on the penalty kill .. marks his man quickly and does a good job using his size and speed to maintain healthy body positioning .. backchecks hard, although he can be carried away at times and take a bad penalty behind the play .. definitely a player to watch out for the 2008 draft, as he will be more comfortable with his surroundings next year and the team around him should be stronger. (19-6-3-9)

Josh Bemis (2009), D, Chicago Steel

For a young kid he showed an impressive amount of poise with and without the puck, especially playing for a poor team that he did not join until midway through the season .. exceptional hockey sense and a calm demeanor are his best attributes .. plays a heads up, two-way game .. smooth all compass skater with a fluid stride that needs to become more explosive as he adds muscle over the next few years .. sees the ice well and makes a good first pass, although he does not display much creativity on the powerplay at this stage .. does a good job holding the zone and does a good job picking his spots such as when to pinch in down low or join the rush offensively .. owns a surprisingly heavy but inaccurate slapshot .. communicates well and does a good job supporting the puckcarrier .. owns a decent frame to build into and he is already sturdy on his feet thanks to his good balance .. handles his own along the boards but needs to bulk up his upper body so he can push his man off the puck .. gap control is superb and plays a very strong positional defensive game. (38-0-2-2)

Drew LeBlanc (2007), C, Chicago Steel

Joined the Steel after he took his high school team to the state tournament .. crafty player who is always in position .. anticipates the play and tracks the puck well .. owns a fluid stride but he lacks explosiveness and must improve his balance, as he was easily knocked off his feet, although he is not hesitant to take a hit .. hands are soft and he covers the puck decently but he senses danger poorly and is stripped of the puck too often .. best offensive weapon is his ability to create by distributing the puck .. sees the ice well and displays impressive creativity and touch moving the puck .. needs to shoot the puck more but his release is OK .. defensively, he is a work in progress, as he must give a better effort away from the puck .. willing shotblocker but is not a willing backchecker, as he appears lost on his defensive assignments .. a solid mid-round prospect that recently committed to St. Cloud State (14-0-5-5)

Corey Chakeen (2007), RW, Chicago Steel

A possible late riser that possesses the tools to make him worthy of being drafted but he might slip through the cracks, as he plays for the worst team in the league .. owns a great first step and lateral quickness to go along with a swift stride .. undressed a few defenders this year with his dynamic one-on-one moves, as his silky hands are capable of highlight reel material .. limited as a playmaker, as his vision is just average .. possesses a wicked wristshot that is released in a hurry and produces a precise and bone rattling pay off .. works just as hard away from the puck as he does with it .. defensive awareness still needs to be improved but he works hard .. forechecks with vigor and is a gritty kid with a stocky frame that he likes to throw around .. vocal on the ice and is a great locker room presence.. worthy of a look late in the draft. (56-13-9-22)

Dan Durham (2007), RW, Chicago Steel

Highly regarded coming into the season, Durham has struggled to find consistency and it looks like he will be past up in the NHL draft .. possesses great feet with an impressive top gear and rapid acceleration .. can flat out fly and shows a good burst to the outside .. owns a quick release and a heavy shot, although its accuracy is wild and his shot selection is poor .. owns a booming slapshot that he is just learning how to harness .. anticipates the game soundly and does an adequate job in his own zone. (53-4-8-12)

Tyler Murovich (2008), C, Chicago Steel

Plays much bigger than his size would indicate .. fearless and energetic, he might be an ideal fit for some teams' fourth line one day .. will be a heck of a college player but is limited in the scope of the NHL .. possesses a lively stride that produces impressive quickness and agility .. pest to the opposition and is very disruptive on the forecheck .. finishes every check and plays with a lot of jam .. asset to the penalty kill due to his astute defensive awareness and non-stop motor .. sacrifices himself for the team .. owns a quick shot that should be more evident if he receives a more offensive role next season .. very strong on draws .. committed to Western Michigan. (41-7-6-13)

Nick Pisellini (2008), G, Chicago Steel

Intriguing prospect to keep an eye on for next season .. joined the team after he finished his Midget AAA season with the Chicago Mission .. got into a fight with Team Illinois' goaltender earlier in the season .. has decent height but must add muscle mass .. athletic goaltender with quick reflexes, although his technical ability must be refined .. rebound control is poor .. shows quick legs and a lively glove hand .. next season will be his first full year in the USHL and he will receive more starts.