USNTDP: Savvy and Skille
Mike Stuart, D USNTDP, (2005)
Not to be confused with 2003 NHL draftee Mark Stuart .. top speed is very good when he chooses to use it .. first step quickness and acceleration are very good for a huge wall of a kid .. speed at which he normally
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performs is only average .. choppy skating stride; not the smoothest skater when
changing directions .. moves well in reverse, so keeps up with smaller
guys to the outside .. moves with a bent over style; well-balanced in
positional
and able to keep his footing when hit .. nice confidence and poise with
the
puck .. makes plays at full speed .. very patient when coming up ice ..
unloads a hard slapper from the point with a quick release .. gets into
position effectively to receive and then wind up .. plays the point on
the
power play .. passes are hard and on the mark .. not a pure offensive
defenseman, but will handle puck moving duties this season .. a
powerful
player with excellent strength along the boards .. physically punishes
opponents in his own end .. good defensive instincts; picks the
smartest
option out of his zone .. smartly banks the puck off the boards when an
outlet is not in sight.
Jack Skille, RW USNTDP, (2005)
Top speed is well above average .. does not play at full tempo at most
times, instead intelligently picking his way through traffic, waiting
for
the play to develop .. when he puts on the jets, he can maneuver around
guys
pretty quickly, but is not extremely agile nor quick .. well-balanced
with
good size and strength .. drives relentlessly t the net and fights for
space
well along the boards and near the crease .. very intelligent
all-around,
showing nice patience with the puck .. displayed savvy passing skills,
finding a teammate through traffic .. wrist shot is very hard and
accurate
with a quick release .. showed consistent work ethic .. came back hard
to
his own zone and constantly worked for the puck along the boards ..
cerebral
and deceptive, waiting for an opportune time to steal the puck from an
opponent.
Phil Kessel, C USNTDP, (2006)
Creates gaps on defenders with excellent top speed .. take off is
outstanding and gets to top speed in a couple of steps .. superbly
agile;
makes uncanny moves around defenders .. stops and starts in a split
second
.. anticipates offensive plays developing at an elite level .. very
high-tempo in his approach; always looks to head down the ice and
create an
offensive opportunity .. passes are hard and on the mark, even at full
throttle .. anticipates the moves of linemates impressively to feather
passes through traffic with accuracy and zest .. opposing defenders
cannot
seem to match his intensity .. puck handling is like second nature;
manipulates the puck like a yo yo .. shots are hard and accurate ..
outstanding release; gets it off with extra mustard without stopping or
turning .. scored a wonderful goal, skating at full speed he moved in
on the
defender just inside the opponents’ blue line, pulled the puck behind
him
and released a bullet top corner .. only his size is average.
David Inman, D, USNTDP, (2005)
Top speed is below average .. lacks quickness down low and is
vulnerable to
faster opposition .. plays a tough, smart defensive game .. keeps
opponents
under tight check .. a powerful physical presence who hits hard .. a
smart
positional player .. always makes the simple play in his own zone ..
made
crisp, accurate feeds out of his own end .. possesses a hard, low shot
from
the point .. handles the puck well; strong and balanced when facing a
hardy
forecheck.
Andreas Vlassopoulos, LW USNTDP, (2005)
Possesses above average top speed .. moves with quick first steps and
exhibited excellent acceleration into top speed .. makes nifty moves
with
the puck; his stick is like a puck magnet .. prone to hanging on to it
longer than he should .. tries crafty moves, but puck savvy was not
impressive .. makes accurate feeds when slowing his pace a notch.
Jeff Frazee, G USNTDP, (2005)
Rebound control is a weak area .. not very reliable when handling the
puck
and is prone to giveaways .. does not possess a consistent style; tends
to
flop around and can be all over the ice .. uses his body well to get in
the
way of shots by any means necessary .. not very pretty in his approach,
but
gets the job done .. goes down often and stays down long .. not very
quick
to get up .. does not appear to be well-coordinated nor quick.