Wisconsin High School State Tournament

McKeen's correspondent Max Giese takes a look at the top prospects that where on display at the Wisconsin State Tournament including Chase Drake, who is looking to carry on the recent tradition of players being selected at the NHL Draft right out of Wisconsin High School Hockey.

Chase Drake (2008), D, Mosinee Indians

Natural athlete and a born leader that also quarterbacked the Mosinee football team .. fluid skater with a long stride that is actually more mobile in transition and faster backwards than he is skating forwards, as he pivots smoothly and owns great backwards acceleration .. possesses an absolute bomb from the point and he does a good job utilizing his lateral mobility to open lanes to get his shot on net .. displays a good skill set and a long reach with creative escape moves .. poised with the puck, Drake sees the ice well and relies on his passing game to move the puck up the ice, as he tends to stop moving his feet while skating the puck .. possesses a good frame to build into at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, but he does not use his size much physically, as he tends to play the puck and not his man .. must tighten his gaps and be cautious not to be sucked to the outside by forwards coming down the wing .. set to play for the Green Bay Gamblers for the remainder of the year and next season, Drake displays enough potential to deserve a look late in the draft. Season totals: 22–12–18– 0

Jefferson Dahl (2008), C, Eau Claire Memorial

This small playmaking center was named Mr. Hockey for the top High School Player in the state of Wisconsin .. not an explosive skater but he displays the ability to separate at this level with a fluid stride and adequate agility in tight spaces .. leads the league in scoring thanks to his ability to make more than one man miss before executing a slick deke on the goaltender .. definitely more of a playmaker than a finisher, Dahl hesitates to shoot and often passes up prime scoring opportunities to attempt the pretty pass .. plays on the penalty kill and competes well away from the puck .. going to play in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers and has a future as a checking line division one player, but he is ultimately too small to warrant draft consideration. Season totals: 23–34-38–72

Tim Smith (2008), D, Superior Spartans

Savvy and skilled two-way defenseman .. good momentum skater that moves well with the puck and can turn on a dime without losing a step when in full-flight .. sees the ice well and does not take long to make the correct decision with the puck before executing a crisp first pass .. a real general out there that coordinates his linemates where to be and is like having a second coach on the ice at all times .. a smart defender that makes up for his modest frame by using proper angles to force his man to the outside and his impressive anticipation to stand up the opposition with an open-ice hit .. good character player that competes well with great hockey sense and should have a future in division one hockey. Season totals: 20–14-14-28

Shayne McLaughlin (2010), RW, Eau Claire Memorial

Skilled winger with an impressive power game that is already an absolute horse as a sophomore .. upright skater that is sturdy on his feet but will need to add more power to his skating to excel at the next level .. half-court type of winger that is a bull generating most of his offense below the hash marks, as he already plays a big mans game at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds .. strong on the puck with soft hands and superb puck protection skills .. owns a deft, in-close scoring touch but he also sees the ice well and moves the puck crisply in the open ice .. plays on the penalty kill and does an effective job using his big frame to box out the opposition from scoring areas in his own end .. only a 1992 birth date, McLaughlin should be attracting heavy interest from OHL and NCAA scouts already before being a sought after player by NHL teams come his draft year. Season totals: 23–28–26–54

Matt Paape (2010), RW/C, Appleton United

Small but skilled and poised center that would benefit from added strength and speed .. agile with quick feet but he lacks a top gear .. possesses soft hands with a few nice one-on-one moves and an accurate shot in tight .. poised with the puck, Paape sees the ice well and quarterbacks the powerplay from the half-wall .. good at finding the open ice and moving his feet to create open lanes in the opposition's defenses .. for a small player, he is sturdy on his feet and takes a hit well .. player worth keeping an eye on if he continues to grow and can add a second gear of acceleration. Season totals: 22–29–20-49