USHL: Flak Jackets

The Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets take a lot of flak for their struggles on the ice and for having the lowest attendance figures in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Jr. Blue Jackets are a team starved for offense and has had trouble getting over the hump, losing three games in shootouts and two more in overtime in its first 22 games of 2007-08 (for a 4-13-5 record). Ohio also entered the USHL's Christmas break on a six-game losing streak, but that does not mean that the Jr. Blue Jackets are without talent. In fact, the odds are strong that Ohio will have more than one player taken in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. McKeen's recently had the opportunity to catch the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets in action and enters notes on New York Rangers draft pick Danny Hobbs (pictured), three defensemen who are potential picks at the 2008 Draft, three forwards who are long shots to be taken, and one forward getting a head start on the 2009 Draft.

Danny Hobbs (NYR), LW, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

As was the case at the Fall Classic, Hobbs was invisible on this night .. he showed some shiftiness with the puck, as well as some speed and dangle .. has a long stride and uses it to generate deceptive speed .. also demonstrated the hard slapshot coming into the zone that he flashed at the Fall Classic .. committed to UMass.

Greg Pateryn (2008), D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

Passing was inconsistent on this night, as Pateryn had some quick, accurate passes at times and weak or inaccurate passes at other times .. needs to make sure not to feed wingers suicide passes .. showed more speed than at the Fall Classic, as he went coast to coast with the puck on one occasion and showed some speed and dangle .. backward skating was smooth, but still too many crossovers .. pivots did not appear as labored as at the Fall Classic, but now involve too many steps .. pointshot is still hard .. effective defensively, both rubbing out opponents along the boards and in using stick checks .. appears to be making steady progress at becoming a solid two-way defenseman, and one should keep in mind he is a 1990 DOB straight out of Michigan high school hockey.

Luke Witkowski (2008), D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

Was Ohio's best defenseman skill-wise early in this game, but was benched after trying to make a fancy move on the powerplay and getting stripped of the puck, which led directly to a shorthanded goal for the opponent .. backward skating is still impressive and does not rely upon backward crossovers .. could afford to start with a smaller gap, which he does allow to shrink quickly, but he can be sidestepped if not careful .. makes quick, crisp passes, some of which his teammates did not have the hands to handle.

Steven Spinell (2008), D, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

Eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by only six days .. inconsistent showing on this night .. passes were picked off too often .. passes that did make it through were not always crisp .. speed was average at best, forward or backward .. was inconsistent physically, as he stood up or rubbed out opponents with positive results at times but then made other weak attempts at checks or fell with his opponent when making a hip check .. has a heavy slapshot, but needs to improve accuracy.

Tim Hall (2008), C, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

Diminutive forward should at least become a very good collegiate player .. continues to show his trademark speed, quickness, and agility .. able to spin away from checks .. can make powerful Gretzky circles coming into the zone that send up tremendous spray, and which help him ditch the defense .. uses his speed to establish position but also does so by initiating physical contact .. needs to get off more shots, though.

George Michalke (2008), C, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

Has very good speed, in addition to excellent hustle .. has fairly long strides and has good power in his stride .. also, has quick feet and is very quick to defend the points .. finished his checks and did well to establish position in one-on-one battles .. listed at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, but seemed bigger .. efforts on this night were rewarded with a rebound goal that he pounced on .. was one of the most impressive forwards on the ice this evening due to his speed, skating, and two-way effort.

Brett Perlini (2008), LW, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

Played in a defensive role, but showed good quickness and effort .. willing to drop to block shots .. showed decent quickness with the puck and made an impressively powerful stop on one occasion to pull up and make a pass to a trailing teammate .. has decent size at 6-foot-0, 190 pounds .. did not receive a great deal of icetime .. is committed to Michigan State.

Matt Leitner (2009), C, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets

Small forward (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) who has established himself as one of Ohio's top scorers .. is generally buzzing around in the offensive zone and creating chances in front and in the slot .. has some speed and dangle with the puck, but is not as fast as some other small forwards .. angles on the forecheck well, but must ensure that he does not face away from the play if the opponent stops .. has a quick, active stick on the forecheck .. shows good poise with the puck under pressure .. leads Ohio in plus/minus at plus-6 entering the Christmas break and is having a fine rookie USHL season .. stock should go up if he starts to rival his brother (and teammate), Rich, in size, who is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds.