USHL: Storm Keep Tri-ing

The Tri-City Storm have had trouble both scoring and preventing goals in 2007-08, and it's resulted in a near-certain absence from the Clark Cup Playoffs with a month left in the season, but there's still talent to watch. Minnesota Wild draft pick Chris Hickey is developing into a strong defensive forward and rookie Michael Cichy is leading the team in scoring and trying to prove Central Scouting they were wrong to leave him off their Mid-Season Rankings. McKeen's recently had the opportunity to catch the Storm in action and enters notes on several prospects.

Chris Hickey (Min), RW, Tri-City Storm

Becoming more defined as a defensive forward .. works hard in his own zone and is often like a center in how he helps his defensemen low and in helping break the puck out .. works hard on the forecheck and the backcheck and will lay the body into opponents .. capable of making big hits.

Michael Cichy (2008), C, Tri-City Storm

Offensive center working on improving his defensive and physical game .. improving commitment to defense shown in regularly supporting his defensemen low and being in position to make timely pokechecks or to intercept passes .. has some acceleration with the puck to move it quickly and demonstrates some agility with the puck .. adept at holding up at the point and making accurate centering passes .. dangerous as a playmaker from the "Gretzky zones" (behind the net and off the half walls) .. showed a willingness to fight around checks by veteran USHL defensemen and become involved in scuffles. Click the link for a recent interview with Michael Cichy.

Danny Heath (2008), D, Tri-City Storm

Smooth skating defenseman with some skill .. lacks power in his stride .. is too easily muscled off the puck by veteran USHL forwards .. demonstrates good offensive awareness at times, but paints himself into corners at others .. similarly, he makes big defensive plays at times, and is easily beaten at other times .. a full season in the USHL would have done Heath good, but his transition from midget AAA mid-season is decent.

Greg Thocker (2008), D, Tri-City Storm

Defenseman has shown considerable improvement since early in the season .. is much more confident handling the puck than early in the season, although he does pass to nobody on occasion .. can make crisp, accurate passes, though .. shows good lateral mobility to keep the puck in at the point .. also shows some agility with the puck in spinning away from checkers .. has decent foot speed and relies more on quickness than power when accelerating backwards, but he does not rely on crossovers backwards once he generates his initial momentum .. all areas of Thocker's game appear to have improved and he seems to be progressing toward becoming a well-rounded defenseman if his progress continues.

Troy Mattila (2008), LW, Tri-City Storm

Draft re-entry has not put together the season he would probably have liked, but shows the tools .. hands are still his strong suit, as he demonstrates some slick stickhandling and can handle it wide or in close .. has a quick wristshot and good shot power in general .. also makes nice passes .. hangs back at times on the forecheck, almost like a third defenseman, but does well to read the play and intercept passes from back there .. shows good hustle on the forecheck when he is first or second on the forecheck .. lack of production makes it unlikely he will be drafted a second time around, but could be someone to watch throughout college as a free agent.

Diederick Hagemeijer (2008), RW, Tri-City Storm

Tall Dutch forward does a good job using his body and reach to shield the puck low, skate out from along the boards, and drive the net .. also adept at cycling the puck and skating it out of the corner .. scored his lone goal so far this season on a centering feed, having established himself in front of the net .. has the speed and agility to sidestep opponents .. has many of the tools to be an impressive power forward, and used most of them on this night, but has had a disappointing season statistically.

Troy Power (2008), C, Tri-City Storm

Not in an offensive role this year, but does well in the role he has been given .. plays a physical game, launches into opponents, and battles .. not afraid to crash the net and battle for his real estate .. also works hard in the corners .. has some speed and quickness and is able to utilize those with his effort to create offensive chances .. passes the puck crisply and accurately .. seems to be setting the base for a strong second season heading into his draft year.