USHL: Moore on the way

McKeen's correspondent Max Giese looks at several top draft-eligible players from the USHL this season, including defenseman John Moore from the Chicago Steel, who could be the highest drafted player out of the USHL. Also featured is potential 2011 draft-eligible forward Seth Ambroz, who at being the youngest player in the USHL is impressing in a big way.

John Moore (2009), D, Chicago Steel

Possibly the top draft-eligible player from the USHL this season, Moore is a skilled two-way defenseman with phenomenal skating ability .. boasts prototypical mobility for the defensive position, as his feet are of an elite quality and his recovery speed is dynamic .. eats up the ice with long and powerful strides along with influential and elegant pivots .. skilled with the puck thanks to his quick hands and strong wrists that stimulate his fast shot and crisp passes .. moves the puck like a pro and can skate it coast-to-coast at this level .. creative in the way he runs give and go's from the point before attacking the net to become a scoring threat himself .. true powerplay quarterback with superb vision, although he always wants to push the puck and at times, needs to show more poise by slowing the game down .. plays against the oppositions top offensive threats every night and has effectively shut most of them down with his tight gaps and strong defensive stickwork .. enjoying a rapid growth spurt, Moore was 5-foot-9 in Midget, 6-foot-0 last season, and now stands at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds .. can play with a chip on his shoulder and is effective when taking the body, although this side of his game needs to amplified .. the most dominant player in the USHL this season and is above this level of play.

Louis Leblanc (2009), C, Omaha Lancers

Universal centerman with a detailed and versatile game .. skates hunched over with a wide-based stride and will never wow you with his explosiveness, however he always finds enough speed to suit the situation and displays a good acceleratory gear with the puck .. boasts sharp strides along with swift agility and unshakable balance .. skilled with the puck and can play in all situations, but is more of a set up man than a dynamic finisher, as he seems content to be a complementary player instead of displaying the drive to be the difference maker .. in one viewing, he had three two-on-one's and deferred the puck every time even though the best option was for him to take the puck to the net .. most dangerous manufacturing offense by pulling the puck off the wall and attacking the slot .. smart and hard working defensively, as he comes deep into his own zone to support in coverage .. boasts endearing grit and he never stops hustling, which allows him to succeed in winning one-on-one puck battles because he simply outworks his opponent .. physical player and this side of his game should only blossom further with added strength.

Seth Helgeson (2009), D, Sioux City Musketeers

Has been on the radar of scouts for years because of his size and early commitment to the University of Minnesota, but don't believe all the hype, as there are some skating deficiencies and concerns about his hockey sense .. must upgrade his first step and his dependency on crossovers to get going backwards, as it often leads to him being turned inside out and beaten wide by speedy opponents .. properly shields the puck with his spacious frame and carries the puck with success .. his soft hands and a big shot, which allow him to see time on the powerplay .. doesn't see the ice well and his feet tend to stop moving when he goes to make a play with the puck .. guilty of coughing over the puck because he takes too long to process what he wants to do with it and is culpable of always trying to hit the home-run play instead of making the safe one that is right in front of him .. doesn't sense pressure well, as he will needlessly rush himself and lose the puck in his feet in the process .. maintains tight gaps and his long-reach is his most notable defensive attribute, although he can be caught looking at the puck instead of his man at times .. physically imposes his strength on opponents, as he effectively rubs opponents off on the wall and successfully clears his crease area.

Philip Samuelsson (2009), D, Chicago Steel

Nothing flashy, Samuelsson is a steady stay-at-home defenseman .. has short strides and he does need to upgrade his pivots, however he gets around the ice adequately and his feet are quick enough .. still needs to work on his defensive mobility, as he can be beaten by wide by speed .. offensively is nothing special, but he can make the first pass without turning the puck over and his puck skills are workable in the way he can keep the play alive .. controls gaps well and can effectively angle off his man .. defensive positioning is sound and his crease coverage is strong, although he must upgrade his lower body strength and balance .. hardnosed and competitive player that likes to get physical, although he is not mean spirited .. possible latter round pick.

Seth Ambroz (2011), RW, Omaha Lancers

The youngest player in the USHL, Ambroz is a potential two-way power forward in the making .. still lacks quickness out of the gate and speed with the puck, although his elongated strides now appear to have more strength behind them and his skating is adequate once he gains momentum in the open ice .. skilled with soft hands and a deft touch .. already boasting great size and strength along with an imposing power game, Ambroz authoritatively bulls his way to the net and opponent defenders can't budge him once there .. hard-working player that gets physically involved on the forecheck and cycles the puck with success .. gives an honest effort on the backcheck and is currently on the penalty kill where he will sacrifice his body to block shots .. definitely impressing in a big way, as he's already on both special team units and has been very productive.