USHL: Jr. Blue Jackets Showing a Little Sting

The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets got off to a rough start in 2007-08, but the team has had some sting in the New Year and could make a long-shot run at the USHL Playoffs if they finish the final third of the season incredibly strong. Recent addition Elias Bianchi has added some offense, and the team has increased its offensive output in general, but it will also continue to rely upon the play of young prospect defensemen Greg Pateryn, Steve Spinell, Luke Witkowski, and Swiss goaltender Pasquale Terrazzano. McKeen's recently had the opportunity to catch Ohio in action and enters notes on Pateryn, Spinell, Witkowski, Terrazzano, Bianchi, an underrated forward, and a 2009-eligible prospect.

Greg Pateryn (2008), D, Ohio

Good all-around defenseman who has some size to work with .. has good all-compass mobility and does not rely on crossovers backwards .. able to stand up opponents and shows good balance in absorbing hits by noted USHL checkers .. typically relies upon powerful strides, but does have quick feet when necessary .. top speed is only average, though .. keeps his head on a swivel racing back to the puck to assess options and to know what he will do before he gets there .. has a hard pointshot that he keeps low .. on the ice in the final minute of this game to protect lead with opponent having pulled netminder and receives icetime in all situations.

Steven Spinell(2008), D, Ohio

Physical defensive defenseman who often appears sluggish because he is used to being able to coast at lower levels .. showed he does have some speed in accelerating with the puck and in angling one of the USHL's fastest skaters into the boards .. is not aggressively physical at all times, but stands up opponents in open ice with seemingly little effort in the defensive zone .. crisp passer. Click the link for a recent interview with Steven Spinell

Luke Witkowski (2008), D, Ohio

Very mobile defenseman who has a history of playing forward .. backward skating form is sound, as he does not rely upon crossovers but instead keeps a wide base and stays low .. shows very good power, speed, and mobility backwards, which allows him to angle opponents into the boards or stand them up .. able to stop backwards and transition to forwards quickly to stick with opponents that hold up .. skates the puck with confidence .. must make sure his wristshots from the point get through. Click the link for a recent interview with Luke Witkowski

George Michalke (2008), C, Ohio

Unheralded center has many tools to work with .. has a powerful stride and has very good speed, agility, and overall mobility .. combines his skating and speed with hustle on the forecheck to hound opponents .. also backchecks with gusto .. generally keeps his feet moving and is buzzing around in whichever zone he is in .. supports his defensemen low in the d-zone to help gain control of the puck and break it out .. not afraid to drop and block shots .. commitment to defense creates offensive opportunities .. a regular on the PK and was on the ice in the final minute to protect the lead with the other team's netminder pulled .. has good speed with the puck and can stickhandle wide .. does a good job of filling holes in the offensive zone .. worth a look by NHL teams as a late round pick.

Pasquale Terrazzano (2008), G, Ohio

Swiss netminder has good athleticism, which can help keep his team in games .. butterfly goalie that is able to move it into a split butterfly if necessary .. does a very good job of keeping his upper body upright when he makes a splits-save .. quickness and ability to make splits-saves makes it difficult to beat him with back-door passes .. good at controlling rebounds or deflecting the puck into the corners, be it his pads or blocker .. still showing the unique ability to keep his trailing pad (when hugging the post with the other) nearly on the ice and adjust its angle and positioning as he reads the play.

Elias Bianchi (2008), LW, Ohio

Swiss forward joined Ohio midseason and provided an immediate impact .. has good offensive vision and is a dangerous playmaker out of the corners, off the half walls, or behind the net .. able to connect on backdoor passes through traffic that set teammates up to merely tap or direct the puck in .. adept at controlling the puck along the boards to maintain possession and slow down the game to buy teammates some time.

Matt Leitner (2009), C, Ohio

17-year-old rookie forward is still among the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets' scoring leaders past the halfway point of the season .. plays a two-way game, creates chances on the forecheck, and works hard in the defensive zone .. willing to venture into traffic and muscle into players to get the puck .. has decent speed with the puck and can make some nice stickhandling moves.