USHL Report: Chicago Steel

As the doormats of the USHL in 2010-11, the Chicago Steel don't have a lot going for them this season, but they do have a couple big defensemen of interest for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Sam Windle and Michael Gunn. McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey enters notes on Windle and Gunn, a third defenseman eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and an impressive young forward eligible for the 2013 Draft.

Sam Windle (2011), D, Chicago

Drawing attention because of his size .. skating has improved since earlier in the season .. still a bit of an upright skater, but not nearly as much as when he entered the USHL .. was upright in his crossovers and didn't utilize his toes to power out, but is now able to build some speed circling behind his net .. skating stride is more fluid now, although still needs some work .. displays decent lateral mobility with the puck and a little explosiveness at the point .. generally makes hard, crisp passes .. likes to transition the puck with his d-partner .. needs to improve his stickhandling .. tries laying down some moves with the puck across his body, but loses the handle too often .. apt to mishandle the puck if he receives it unexpectedly .. needs to reduce turnovers both when skating the puck and when passing the puck .. has a crisp wristshot from the point .. has a hard, crisp slapshot .. sports a decent one-timer .. frame has real potential at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and plays with some physicality .. plays the body down low along the boards .. also steps up to make hits in the faceoff circles when play is established in his defensive zone .. susceptible to speed wide and can get caught trying to lunge for the puck .. plays on both the powerplay and the penalty kill .. in his second year of draft eligibility and is a potential late-round pick .. selected to play for the U.S. Junior Select Team at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge in November .. played Minnesota high school hockey for Osseo in 2009-10 and scored 7 goals and 19 assists in 27 games .. committed to Bemidji State (2011-12).

Michael Gunn (2011), D, Chicago

Missed over a year due to injury and started playing again January 8 .. appears to have the most upside of all Steel defensemen .. currently lacking speed and quickness, but this is to be expected at this juncture .. displays some puck-moving prowess .. poised with the puck .. makes hard crisp, accurate passes .. able to spring forwards with long-distance passes .. able to thread passes through traffic .. makes a nice saucer pass .. has a fairly hard slapshot .. has good size at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and can step up for big hits .. sees time on both the powerplay and the penalty kill .. nice combination of puck poise, size, and physicality .. drew interest in his draft year in 2009-10 after strong start with St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL, but was injured three games into stint with Steel last season .. Chicago's most intriguing prospect for the 2011 Draft and is a prospect to watch if he stays healthy .. committed to Michigan State (2011-12).

Peter Hand (2011), D, Chicago

Seems to have taken a step backward .. skating needs considerable work .. upright skater with little knee bend .. suffers from a "railroad" skating stride .. stride isn't fluid and produces only adequate speed at best .. loses most races to the puck, even when he starts with a considerable advantage .. capable of making hard, crisp passes, but needs to hone his accuracy .. decision making with the puck is questionable .. has too many passes intercepted or that seem rushed and to no one .. has too many shots blocked at the point .. has a decent slapshot and keeps them low .. also has a decent one-timer .. lets his gaps close and engages near the blueline .. able to make open-ice hits, but isn't playing as physical as last season .. still plays with intensity and will drop the gloves .. lack of mobility seems to really be hurting him this season more so than last .. appears to be attempting to play a more offensive game, but his game has taken a step backward in response .. despite offensive gaffs, see regular time on the powerplay .. also sees regular time on the penalty kill .. lacks speed and mobility, but also lacks size by NHL standards at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds .. committed to Ohio State (2011-12)

Sam Povorozniouk (2013), C, Chicago

A bright spot on a team that hasn't won since before Thanksgiving .. nice acceleration with the puck .. quickness with the puck gives him good separation .. has good cruising speed but can also be shifty .. displays good poise with the puck .. maintains his calm when pressured on the backcheck .. a heads-up stickhandler who can assess his options .. willing to engage physically and can use his speed and mobility to establish position .. stout at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds .. fourth-youngest player in the USHL .. was playing midget minor for the Chicago Young Americans prior to joining Steel and had 10 goals and 8 assists in 19 Tier 1 Elite League games .. played bantam major for Team Illinois in 2009-10 .. no college commitment of yet.