USHS: Future Gophers Isackson and Alt

Mark Alt (2010), D, Cretin-Durham Hall High School

Natural athlete and leader that is also the starting quarterback for the football team .. currently has the height but not yet the weight, as there is a distinct upside to his frame because of the positive residual affect physical maturation will have on his entire game .. an encompassing skater that is light and quick on his feet .. boasts the strong backwards mobility and pivoting to defend well in space .. has a high skill level and his speed allows him to skate the puck up ice with success .. transitions from defense to offense fluidly with his ability to elude the oncoming forecheck and make the first pass .. still raw in defensive tactics and runs around a bit, although his he has the recovery speed to salvage himself when caught behind the play .. still needs to add strength but he is beginning to stand guys up at his blue-line and his good reach is already an asset he harnesses .. this Minnesota Gophers' recruit has promising upside and could be a high-round pick at next years draft.

Christian Isackson (2010), C, Saint Thomas Academy

Playmaking centerman with superb vision and foresight .. displays the patience with the puck to allow his teammates to get open and to draw defenders to himself before striking with an accurate pass .. controls the puck well in tight around his body and he can finish thanks to his keen sense of timing to the net .. usually has to think or stickhandle his way through defensive roadblocks because he lacks dynamic speed .. executes from both sides of his stick and mans the point on the power-play .. on the puck a lot because of how astutely he positions himself when without it .. balanced on his feet and willing to compete along the wall .. usually locates himself in supportive defensive positions when away from the puck, however he still stops moving his feet and will begin to float at times in his own end .. needs to become more disciplined about tying up his man if beaten on the draw .. committed to the University of Minnesota and is worth monitoring for next years draft.

Zach Schroeder (2011), C, Saint Thomas Academy

The younger brother of this years potential top-10 draft pick Jordan Schroeder, Zach is a small, intuitive centerman .. his vision of the ice with the puck stands out and his accurate distribution allows him to create through the passing game .. boasts above-average quickness and speed thanks to his economical stride .. an opportunistic player that swiftly transitions defense into offense .. his lack of size and strength leads to him being too easily boxed out to the perimeter by defenders at this stage in his development .. the skill and hockey-sense is here for him to draw both NCAA and NHL interest when he adds strength to his short frame.

A.J. Reid (2011), RW, Saint Thomas Academy

Undersized, offensive winger that is playing on the first-line and power-play .. quick skater with good speed on the puck, although he needs to upgrade his strength on his feet .. displays a nose for the net and is willing to venture into traffic areas to score .. has the ability to generate sudden offensive strikes off of the rush .. maintains active feet in pursuit and is willing jam opponents on the wall with a body check .. far from a complete player and his defensive game is lackluster, as he takes long swoops away from the puck and he never commits himself to playing good defensive hockey in his own zone .. worthy prospect if he becomes bigger and stronger while upgrading his defensive play.