Tomorrow is August 1st, the first day prospects going into their Grade 11 year can verbally commit to an NCAA program. The word verbal is important here because this is NOT early signing period and none of these rising juniors are elgible to sign a national letter of intent yet.
Since the NCAA changed the rules around early recruiting and gave specific dates when players could talk to coaches, rules around official vs. unofficial visits and now verbal commit dates have made August 1st a significant date on the calendar for rising juniors.
With that being said, Neutral Zone, who covers all three CHL Drafts and USHL Drafts and has scouting reports and rankings on over 2,000 players in the ’07/’08 birth year will be the first to say that August 1st is not actually that significant at all.
“There will be players who verbally commit tomorrow who will never play a minute in NCAA hockey,” said US Director of Scouting, Brian Murphy. “There will be players who will eventually sign with a different school. There will be players who transfer after one season. Some kids who verbally commit tomorrow will be committing to a coach who will not be there when they actually arrive on campus their freshman year. Some kids who verbally commit will have never been to the campus and even the ones who have never spent an overnight with a player, never spent meaningful time with anyone on the team and have communicated primarily through intermediaries.”
Talking to a veteran head coach this past week at USA Hockey Festival he said “very few captains are committing on August 1st.” His point wasn’t that Aug. 1 commits are not leaders but rather that the high-end prospects more often than not move onto the NHL after their freshman or sophomore year before they’ve taken on a leadership role with the team.
Not to kill any kind of momentum for August 1 commits, we are a hockey scouting site afterall and it is an exciting time for the players. We just want to keep things in perspective ahead of the social media frenzy tomorrow. Especially for the hundreds of talented players who do not get offers and are bummed that they won’t have a logo next to their name on the line chart next season.
A simple look at some of the 2006’s who verbally committed on August 1st would include players like Will Skahan to Wisconsin – then a coaching change and now headed to Boston College. Owen Keefe verbally committed to Boston University and now committed to play for his father at Northeastern. Not an August 1st commit but a month and a half later Will Zellers committed to Boston University only to change this past year to North Dakota. Even the 2007 crop has had some changes in college destination, most notably Cullen Potter moving on from Michigan State to Arizona State.
The point being; the term “commitment” is a loose one at best, maybe “intention” would be a more accurate way of describing this process. So we’ll be tracking the commitments on August 1st and congratulate the group of prospects who are fortunate enough to get an offer but you won’t be hearing “huge get” from us; we know this is very early in the big picture and experience would show only a portion of these players will actually end up where they initially commit.
From what we have been told from agents/advisors and amateur coaches we believe there could be as many as 42 prospects offered tomorrow from schools; many of those are only getting offers from one or two schools. With that in mind we will breakdown the three elements to the August 1st commit.
Canadians will likely draw the most attention tomorow and for reasons beyond their obvious talent. While there are no 5-star prospects in the 2008 class at this time and only one 4.75 who is NCAA-eligible (Callum Croskery, a tender in the USHL to Chicago), there are still a lot of unsigned CHL drafted talent who are strongly considering the NCAA route. Given that these players have other pressing options, in order for the NCAA to make their case they’ll have to move quickly. In some cases quicker than they are probably comfortable with but in order to compete for those prospects against CHL teams that is what it takes. We list below the top Canadian (and foriegn) prospects who are unsigned in the CHL and targets for NCAA programs.
For US-born prospects, NCAA schools can be a bit more patient and while there are many prospects who are going to recieve offers tomorrow, we’ll just focus on top tier NTDP/USHL prospects who we project could play NCAA at 18 years-old. While some of these players will commit tomorrow and not enroll until they are 20 years-old, the purpose of August 1st commits isn’t to hold onto them for four years. Typically in this landscape the longer a player is committed to a particular school – the lower the chances they arrive there.
Canadians (or foreign born players) with potential CHL Opportunities
This is a competitive situation; we have already seen it in the USHL with two tender selections in Colin Fitzgerald (Peterborough) and Beckham Edwards (Little Caesars) ultimately signing in the CHL. Not to mention second round pick Reed Brown (OHA Colorado) signing with Portland (WHL) and arguably the best forward at the USA Select 16 National Development Camp in Brooks Rogowski signing with Oshawa in the OHL College coaches have taken notice and are getting more and more aggressive after the success of so many non-Americans going this route from the likes of Candiens Macklin Celebrini (1st overall NHL Draft), Owen Power (1st overall NHL Draft) and Adam Fantilli (2nd overall NHL Draft) as well as Artyom Levshunov of Belarus (2nd overall NHL Draft). Not to say there isn’t plenty of talent in the United States – but again that market doesn’t have the same level of pressure pulling at them for other opportunities so NCAA schools are going to have to strike early if they want to be in the game here.
NZ lists the prospects who fit into this category and splits them into three tiers; the obvious, the probable and the potential.
** Neutral Zone has access to each prospect’s advisor through RinkNet but per company policy will only list prospects who have made that information public on Elite Prospects.
Obvious
Callum Croskery, Oakville Rangers, D, 4.75 Star Prospect – Tendered with Chicago Steel (USHL), Quartexx
Croskery has been pretty clear throughout the OHL Draft prospect that he has his eyes set on the NCAA route and as a result fell to the second round where he was selected by Soo Greyhounds. Don’t count out the Soo who were able to flip former Michigan committed defenseman Matthew Virgilio in a similar situation. With that being said, Croskery is coming off a strong performance at Canada U17 camp and an OHL Cup Championship which is quite a feat for a non-GTHL team. He’s the only 4.75 star NCAA-eligible prospect in this group and will be the easiest early commit of the class given his size, mobility, athleticism and two-way game. Literally took over games from the backend this season and showed best in the key moments at Whitby Silverstick, Toronto Marlboros Holiday Tournament and obviously OHL Cup where he was able to shut down many top tier OHL Draft picks defensively and also run much of the offense from the backend.
Caleb Malhotra, Vaughn Kings, F, 4.5 Star Prospect – Signed with Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL), Quartexx
Malhotra is going to be a tougher sell than Croskery in the fact he is the son of a longtime NHLer Manny Malhotra who played in the OHL for Guelph Storm in the late 90’s. He went 8th overall in the OHL Draft to Kingston who believes they have a real chance to sign him. With that being said, forgoing his rookie season in OHL to play in the BCHL where he’ll be close to his father (Head Coach in Abbotsford for the AHL team) is a sign that NCAA is very much in play. Given the Hockey Canada relationship with BCHL Malhotra wasn’t allowed at the Canada U17s but he’s one of the top 10 forwards in the country at this birth year who can impact a game in a variety of ways with his rare combination of power and skill, his competitiveness and complete, 200ft game.
Cameron Chartrand, Bishop Kearney, D, 4.5 Star Prospect – Tendered with Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Chartrand is a player who left the prominent Lac St. Louis as a Bantam to come down to the US to play for US powerhouse BK Selects. He draws some comparisons to another talented Canadian prospect, Cam Reid, who made a similar move before moving onto the OHL where he had a standout rookie season with Kitchener. He may not quite be at that level but he’s one of the most well-rounded ‘08 defenseman in Canada and after two years in the states has made the commitment to Cedar Rapids in the USHL with the intent of going the NCAA route. With that being said, Cedar Rapids doesn’t have a great track record playing younger players and their last 16 year old defenseman was Lukas Fisher who ended up signing with Sarnia (OHL) early in the season. At this point he looks like an NCAA prospect – but never count out St.John Sea Dogs who have flipped many NCAA committed prospects over the past decade like once heralded Peter Reynolds who was committed to Boston College after a standout career at Shattuck St. Mary’s and then in BCHL with Chilliwack Chiefs.
Probable
Zach Nyman, D, Vaughn Kings, 4.5 Star Prospect – Signed with Penticton (BCHL), Quartexx
Nyman was one of the best defenseman in the OHL Draft class this spring but slipped in the draft after making it clear to OHL clubs that he was going to the BCHL and intended to go the NCAA route. He’s a mobile puck-moving defenseman with natural instincts and high hockey IQ who can quarterback a power play and break pucks out of his end with ease. With that being said he’s undersized and in an ideal timeline teams would like to see how his game would translate at the junior level. With that being said, he’s a 4.5 star talent at the defensive position which is thin at the top so given the market and where his game currently is, Nyman will have a lot of teams offering.
Dylan Rozzi, F, Lac St. Louis, 4.5 Star Prospect – Signed with Youngstown (USHL)
Rozzi is another 4.5 star prospect out of a top tier midget AAA program in Lac St. Louis in Quebec where he led the team in scoring with over a point per game against U18 competition. He’s lean at this point at 6 ‘0” and under 160 lbs but he’s agile for his size and light on his feet, has a soft set of hands, a high hockey IQ and poise and finesse with the puck. Like Nyman, schools would ideally like to see Rozzi play a year in juniors, add strength and see how his game will translate against bigger, stronger, faster competition but as a 4.5 star prospect in a good organization (Youngstown) who had success with his older brother Jake, it’s hard to think NCAA programs won’t be aggressive in going after him, particularly given they are up against St. John who took him with the eighth overall pick in the QMJHL Draft. While it was well-known at QMJHL Cup this spring that Dylan was a legitimate NCAA risk for teams, we heard several GM’s say they were willing to gamble seeing how his brother played on FIVE different teams in the USHL before enrolling at Ohio State this fall as a 20 year-old.
Enzo Lottin, F, Trois Rivieres, 4.5 Star Prospect – Unsigned in QMJHL, KAM Sports
Enzo may not be a name you hear much outside of Quebec as he was a late rounder to Sioux City on Day #2 of the USHL Draft and isn’t signed to play anywhere for next year yet. The 7th overall pick to Victoriaville comes off a decent showing at Canada U17s, although clearly not his best where his size limited him against that level of competition but his sense, his offensive skill and playmaking prowess were on display. He’s one of the more dynamic and intelligent forwards in the ‘08 QMJHL Draft class and attracted several top echelon NCAA programs this season. His performance in the playoffs this season and at QMJHL Cup will merit serious attention from some of the top programs in the US.
Tynan Lawrence, F, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 4.5 Star Prospect, Tendered with Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), Quartexx
Lawrence was one of the most sought after prospects this fall by USHL teams and ultimately signed a tender with Muskegon in the USHL. After a strong season at Shattuck St. Mary’s where he played up a year at the 16s level and averaged nearly a point per game has a skillset that translates at higher levels; he’s smart, he’s balanced, he’s mature in his puck decisions and play away from the puck, he’s skilled with possession and a dual threat as a finisher or distributor. He was a man against boys as a bantam at Shattuck and when he played up this season he proved he can handle higher pace and bigger prospects but wasn’t as dominate and junior hockey will be an even bigger transition for him so ideally schools would want to see him a bit more but teams can’t afford to wait around if they want a chance at this 4.5 star centerman out of New Brunswick who went 10th overall in the QMJHL Draft to Chicoutimi. Keep in mind that while all signs point to NCAA his brother Josh also flirted with NCAA coming out of South Kent where he committed to Boston University only to ultimately return home and sign with St. John (QMJHL) and compiled over 300 points in his QMJHL career.
Alexandre Taillefer, D, Lac St. Louis, 4.25 Star Prospect, Unsigned in QMJHL
Taillefer has an older brother Mathieu who was in the same boat as Alexandre just a few years ago and ultimately decided to go the NCAA route and commit to Penn State and play AJHL/BCHL last season with Brooks Bandits. Alexandre is one of the most underrated prospects in Eastern Canada as a long, athletic, fluid-skating defenseman who plays a tight gap, defends well with his reach and has natural defensive instincts in body and stick positioning and angling opponents to the outside. He needs to get bigger and stronger and play a more physical brand of hockey in order to reach his potential and teams would likely want to wait and see how he plays next year before having to make a decision but given his size, range and overall athleticism it would be hard for teams to be patient here. One thing they have going for them is that teams were fairly confident at the draft that he was not going the QMJHL route so he won’t have the same level of pressure on him as many prospects listed above him.
Alexander Hage, F, Vaughan Kings, 4.25 Star Prospect, Tendered with Chicago Steel, CAA
Hage is a highly intelligent playmaking forward out of Vaughan Kings where he led the team in scoring with 86 points in 68 games. He fell in the OHL Draft to Peterborough in the 6th round because his older brother Michael went the USHL – NCAA route and was recently drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft. Word has been that Alexander would follow suit and was drafted in the third round by Chicago Steel, where his brother played this past season. Of all the prospects above him, Hage is the most likely to go the NCAA route and follow his brother. His game might actually project better in the OHL than the USHL as he’s not grown into his body yet – and needs to improve his foot speed but his vision, poise and puck skill are all high end.
Nate Yellowaga, D, SAHA Prep, 4.25 Star Prospect, Played with Brooks Bandits in ‘24
Yellowaga is a heady, skilled offensive minded defenseman out of SAHA Prep who joined Brooks Bandits late in the year and even got time in the playoffs. He’s highly mobile, can escape pressure and lead line rushes up the ice and thrives in power play situations where he can get pucks to his forwards at the backdoor and set up one-timers at the wing. He was a late rounder in the WHL Bantam Draft despite his father having played in the league as word got out he was seriously considering the NCAA route. His standout performance at Circle K tournament this year, in front of over a dozen NCAA coaches, could make NCAA teams pick up the phone on August 1st.
Thomas Vandenberg, F, Ottawa Myers, 4.25 Star Prospect, Tendered with Cedar Rapids, Endeavour Sports Group
Vandenberg is one of the best pure shooters in this birth year with a legit pro-style release and velocity. He’s strong on pucks, he plays an honest game, mature, physical and a pure goal scorer. He was a player with 1st/2nd round grades in the OHL Draft but fell to the fifth round because he had a tender with Cedar Rapids prior to the draft. There are two things working against colleges here; he’s going to a team that rarely plays younger prospects and he’s drafted in the OHL by his hometown team who have an excellent track record with developing younger players. The fact that he already plays a mature, translatable game and can score as well as anyone in the class would bring NCAA teams anyways, but given they know they have stiff competition here in the OHL will likely force teams to act quickly. Might not have been seen as much as others in the GTHL but there were over a dozen NCAA programs at the OHL Cup that we saw and he was one of the top well-rounded, two-way forwards in the tournament.
Tim Kazda, F, Seacoast Performance Academy, 4.25 Star Prospect, Drafted by Chicago Steel (USHL)
Kazda is a bit different than his peers in this group because he’s a Slovakian so he is not eligible for the CHL Import Draft until next season. He is coming off a dominant season at SPA Spartans U15’s where he led his team in scoring and willed them to several upsets throughout the season where he proved he can breakdown the best defenders in the country and create offense for himself and his teammates. One of the few power forwards in the US this season who can slow the game down, finds lanes and plays a pro-style game where he can coral bad passes, snap passes off and score from both beyond the dots and in tight around the cage. Needs to get a bit stronger and would like to see him play against junior competition to get a better read of his game against older, faster competition. He won’t necessarily be in a rush as he’s a year away from the CHL Import Draft – but Kazda is a major talent and after strong performances at Tier 1 Elite Showcase in Michigan and USA Hockey Tier 1 U15 Nationals in Fargo, ND – he’ll have plenty of attention on August 1st.
Ben MacBeath, D, Edge School, 4.25 Star Prospect, Signed with Salmon Arm (BCHL)
MacBeath may not have been well-known by US program heading into the season as a mid-round WHL Draft pick by Kelowna but when you are Landon Dupont’s defensive partner at U18 in the year Landon earned exceptional status by the WHL – you garner a lot more attention. MacBeath proved himself in that time showcasing his versatility; a long, highly mobile defenseman who can defend against the rush with gap control and active stick, can defend 1v1 down low in his end with balance and physicality and can read and anticipate where the puck is going – intercept and lead quick transitions up ice. He can run a power play or kill a penalty and given his size, athleticism and high percentage decision making with the puck – coaches rely on him as an all-situations defender who can log a lot of minutes and play a winning brand of hockey. He doesn’t have intense CHL pressure like those above him and has signed to play in the BCHL this upcoming season with Salmon Arm so it is likely he gets some offers early in the process.
Eric Frossard, D, London Jr. Knights, 4.25 Star Prospect, Unsigned in OHL
Frossard was one of our favorite defenders in the OHL Draft this past season; a big-bodied, physical defender out of London Jr. Knights who was comfortable handling the puck, made high percentage – low risk plays with the puck and made massive strides in his overall game from September to April. He’s mobile, uses his reach to his advantage, plays with jam down low and can breakup passes and lead line rushes the other way. A multifaceted skill set who can kill penalties, knock opponents down around the net, win puck battles and also command the puck at the point, get shots through to the net and snap passes off like a veteran junior player. He was drafted by Youngstown in the USHL in the second round and by Guelph in the OHL in the third round and will have a lot of interest at both destinations. A major prospect who is just now starting to play to his true potential as he showcased his past week at Canada U17 camp and will have a lot of interest from NCAA programs if he decides to go that route.
Jude Bray, D, Toronto Marlboros, 4.25 Star Prospect, Signed with Sherwood Park (BCHL), CAA
Bray is another top GTHL defender out of the heralded Toronto Marlboros program where he was their top defender at both ends of the ice. An elite skating defenseman with high hockey IQ who can make instantaneous reads both offensively and defensively – can see the whole sheet and has the skill to stretch the ice and create odd man rushes from the backend. He’s an excellent passer, was automatic on breakouts and quarterbacked their power play where he had sound puck management and did it quickly often knowing where the puck was going before he received it. There was no doubt as to Jude’s plans this year as he signed with Sherwood Park in the BCHL in late March before the OHL Draft which made him drop in both OHL and USHL Draft but he’s had NCAA teams covering his progress throughout the season as we saw more NCAA coaches at Whitby Silver Stick, Toronto Marlboros Holiday Tournament and OHL Cup than we have seen in years past and he’s one of the reasons. In an ideal situation schools would be able to see how the undersized defender will handle the rigors of his rookie season in junior hockey as some of what worked for him against his age group will not against older, stronger, faster competition but they likely won’t be able to wait that long to make an offer given his talent level.
Jet Kwajah, D, Toronto Jr. Canadians, 4.25 Star Prospect, Tendered with Madison (USHL), CAA
Jet was the first of the GTHL prospects to sign a tender in the USHL in mid-March with Madison. A strong and balanced skater with a well-rounded skill set; he can knock opponents off pucks and then rush the puck end to end. He has a powerful release on his shot and snaps passes off through the seams and maintains a good gap defensively. He doesn’t give up ice – plays tight to the man, eyes on the chest and isn’t fooled by crafty stick play. He regularly escapes forecheck pressure and can skate pucks out of jams and create lanes up ice to join or even lead line rushes. While his balance and strength are going to translate at higher levels, he had obvious size advantages this past year against his age group which won’t be there at the USHL level so he’ll be interested for teams to track this upcoming season (but will likely have to make their cases prior to that). At this point he looks like a prime NCAA target and fell to the middle rounds of the OHL Draft taken by Owen Sound. The Attack are no strangers to competing for NCAA bound prospects as Nico Addy was flirting with teams south of the border before ultimately signing with Owen Sound so wouldn’t rule Kwajah out just yet but all signs point to an NCAA destination at this point.
Ilya Morozov, F, Windy City Storm, 4.25 Star Prospect, Tendered with Tri City (USHL)
Morozov tendered quite early in the process, signing with Tri City in December which immediately put NCAA coaches on notice that he could potentially end up in their league. He’s a Russian born prospect and not eligible for the CHL Import Draft until next season but he’ll play his USHL rookie year in Tri City this year. A tall, rangy forward with a soft set of hands and high level vision and awareness. He values the puck and doesn’t put it at risk – uses his reach to shield defenders from it and has excellent touch to put pucks wherever he wants on the ice. A high ceiling prospect who has been followed closely this season by NCAA brass who may want to make a case early in the process after seeing Michigan commit and USHL forward Matvei Gridin from Russia go first overall in CHL Import Draft after signing with Calgary Flames (1st round pick). Ideally, he’d get a year under his belt in the USHL before having to make any decisions given his long and slender frame at this point and giving schools a chance to see him against better competition instead of solely his age group; however, he was one of the top prospects in Midget AAA this year in the States which didn’t go unnoticed.
Potential
Ben Bowen, F, Vaughn Kings, 4.0 Star Prospect, Signed with Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
Bowen is a good-sized, hard-nosed power forward out of Vaughn Kings who plays the game the right way and is proven as a scorer. He was hurt for a stretch this season which hurt his draft stock a bit but after a strong showing at OHL Cup he was picked up by Barrie Colts in the second round of the OHL Draft. He decided to sign with Chilliwack in the BCHL with teammate Caleb Malhotra instead of reporting for Barrie so the NCAA route is still very much in play for this prospect.
Jayden Rousseau, F, Châteauguay Grenadiers, 4.0 Star Prospect, Unsigned in QMJHL
Rousseau was our #26th ranked prospect in the QMJHL Draft and went to Quebec Remparts in the second round with the 24th overall selection. Rousseau is one of the smartest ‘08s in North America, an undersized yet dynamic playmaker with elite vision and passing ability who finished the season with 26 points in 42 games on a talented Chateauguay squad in the Quebec Midget U18 AAA. league. He had several colleges hot on his trail at the QMJHL Cup in Boisbriand, QC looking to convince him south of the border. Given Quebec is arguably the best landing spot in the QMJHL and the fact he wasn’t drafted in USHL or signed in BCHL – it looks like the odds aren’t in the NCAA’s favor but wouldn’t count it out at this point. One to keep an eye on this upcoming month.
Aiden Kirkwood, F, Charles Lemoyne, 4.0 Star Prospect, Unsigned in QMJHL, Sport Prospects
Kirkwood was our #37 ranked QMJHL Draft prospect but fell to 77th in the QMJHL Draft because of doubts he’d report to camp. He’s a responsible, mature, two-way forward with balanced edges and a knack for getting pucks to the net. He had 23 points in 40 games this season against older competition at Charles Lemoyne in the Quebec Midget AAA U18 league and finished the QMJHL Cup with 3 goals in 4 games. His style of play fits the college game and with Baie Comeau in his backyard, NCAA schools might move quicker than they would normally to give themselves a better chance.
Amelio Santini, F, Lac St Louis, 4.0 Star Prospect, Unsigned in QMJHL
Santini is a relentless forechecker, strong on his edges and hard on pucks and plays with a consistent high-compete level. He’s got speed and quick change of direction, balanced through contact and plays an intense style of hockey. He has a quick and accurate release and shoots to score as evidenced by his 17 goals in 42 games this year in Quebec Midget AAA with Lac St. Louis. He is a prospect we had ranked #23 in the QMJHL but fell to the third round and 48th overall to Halifax Mooseheads after teams were spooked by him having NCAA aspirations.
Filip Vavro, G, Seacoast Performance Academy, 4.0 Star Prospect
It would be very rare for a goalie to be offered on August 1st but we add Vavro here anyways because he was one of the best goalies in the US this season at the 15U level but is Slovakian and will be eligible for the CHL Import Draft next season. Teams will likely wait and see how he does at the U16 level this year before making a move but he’s an intriguing prospect heading back to Seacoast next season.
Owen McCarthy, D, Rink HA U17, 4.0 Star Prospect, signed with Trail Smoke (BCHL)
McCarthy was a fourth round WHL pick in his bantam season but he made real progress this past year playing with the U17s at Rink Hockey Academy finishing the season with 23 points in 29 games and signed with Trail Smoke in the spring. Seeing how players in the BCHL are ineligible playing in the WHL that season would point to McCarthy having aspirations south of the border. A pure skating, confident puck handler who sees the ice well and can make plays up ice. He’s also sound defensively – stick in lanes, anticipates where the puck is going and intercepts passes and manages tight gaps to take away opponents time and space. The son of former NHL defenseman Steve McCarthy played in the WHL before signing with the Chicago Blackhawks so this won’t be a layup for NCAA schools trying to pluck him out of British Columbia.
Brayden Thompson, D, Sioux Falls, 4.0 Star Prospect, Unsigned in WHL
Thompson is a four-star prospect with options as he went in the third round of both the WHL Draft and USHL Draft. A skilled, mobile, undersized defenseman out of Sioux Falls who played up a level this year with the U16 team leading all defenseman with nearly a point per game (47 pts in 58 games). He’s both agile and balanced, has vision to find the seams and stretch the ice to create odd man rushes. A true power play defender who can work the puck around the zone, get shots through to the net and stretch out the defensive coverage. Someone to keep an eye on as he’s coveted by both Spokane (WHL) and Des Moines (USHL) and won’t take long for NCAA’s to follow.
Rudolfs Berzkalns, F, Bishop Kearney, 4.0 Star Prospect, Tendered with Muskegon (USHL)
Berzkalns is a Latvian power forward who has played the past two seasons with BK Selects and was the first player in the ‘08 class to tender in the USHL. He finished the season with 63 points in 60 games and was a force to be reckoned with knocking opposing defenders off him as he drove the net. He’s raw in the skating department as most players his age and size but he compliments that with soft hands, long reach and an explosive release. A tough player to defend who can create both off the rush, the cycle and from broken plays. High ceiling prospect who is eligible for the CHL Import Draft this upcoming year so NCAA’s will have a year head start to lure his talent.
Other considerations:
Mark Konstantinov, D, NJ Rockets, 4.0 Star Prospect, Russian born player who spent this past season with NJ Rockets where he was a standout offensive defenseman who quarterbacked their power play and ran the offense from the backend. A physical, dynamic puck moving defenseman who is automatic on the breakout making forecheckers miss and quickly advancing the puck up to his forwards. Likely not on many teams radars at this point but he’s good enough to get an August 1st call and NCAA teams will have a year head-start before he’s eligible for the CHL Import Draft.
Yegor Kim, F, Cleveland Barons, 4.0 Star Prospect, a pure goal scoring forward out of Kazakhstan with swift hands and natural offensive creativity. He lit up the Tier 1 Elite League this year with Cleveland amassing 53 goals in 65 games. After going undrafted in the USHL it’s unlikely his phone will be ringing with offers at this point but he’s a four-star prospect eligible for CHL Import Draft this upcoming season.
Kameron Hodgson, F, Culver Academy, 3.75 Star Prospect, Hodgson is a complete player, a well-rounded, 200ft centerman with strong and balanced edges and a powerful release. He played up a level this season at Culver and used his size, strength and power game to beat defenders to the net and create off the rush and off the cycle. He went undrafted in the USHL and isn’t as well known among NCAA brass at this point but he was a middle round selection by North Bay in the OHL and heads to Salisbury School in the fall who are a prominent prep program in the northeast US where he’ll get a lot of eye balls on him.
USNTDP/USHL Top ‘08 Prospects
Four of the top players in the NTDP U17 team are late birth years and not yet eligible for the August 1st commitment (to our knowledge) including Sammy Nelson, Wyatt Cullen, Abe Barnett and Tyler Martyniuk. While most of this roster will receive August 1st offers given their ability and the reputation of the development program; there are only a certain portion who will actually be playing college hockey in their 18-year-old year which is initially what the purpose of the August 1st commit would be. Below are the top NCAA eligible prospects heading into their junior year (to our knowledge) in the United States.
Dayne Beuker, F, Saskatoon Blazers, 4.5 Star Prospect, Signed with NTDP
Beuker is arguably the best forward on the US Program; a good-sized centerman with speed, hustle, explosive release and a nose for the net. He played up this season at the U18 level in Saskatchewan and scored nearly a goal per game against players who were older, stronger and some had junior hockey experience. While he missed the NTDP Evaluation Camp in Plymouth this year due to being in league playoffs, he was the best forward in the Select 15 USA Camp a year prior and has had the most impressive prior season of all his new teammates. He’s been on NCAA radar since Select 15 camp this past summer and will have his pick of destinations in NCAA. Given his commitment to NTDP it is likely that is the route he is going (although we’ve seen several occasions where kids exit after year 1 to the CHL).
Luke Schairer, D, Mount St. Charles, 4.5 Star Prospect, Signed with NTDP
Schairer continues to develop and expand his skill set and over the course of the season went from a bubble NTDP prospect to arguably the best defensive prospect in the United States. He’s got the size, mobility, strength and stout defensive instincts. He makes high percentage plays with the puck – rarely turns it over and doesn’t panic under forecheck pressure. He’s calm, calculated and makes the right play. Defensively he’s detailed, positional and strong on his edges and on his stick to ride opponents off pucks, box out in front of the net and take away second chance opportunities. A future pro who plays a game that will translate at higher levels and will have his pick on August 1st of where he wants to go.
Mikey Berchild, F, Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep, 4.5 Star Prospect, Signed with NTDP
Berchild was the top US prospect for much of the year but he faltered a bit late in the year and had a disappointing showing at NTDP Evaluation Camp which led to a small demotion in his positioning. With that being said, he’s still a top echelon prospect in the birth year- will still command a top six role on the NTDP squad and will have significant offers as of August 1st. It is very rare for Shattuck Head Coach Tom Ward to give 15 year olds a spot on the bantam team and he not only made the roster but contributed as a top six forward finishing the year with 60 pts in 49 games. He’s highly intelligent and has the rare ability to slow the game down – pick defenses apart both 1v1 and utilizing his teammates and one of the best pure playmakers in the age group.
Aurelio Garcia, F, Chicago Mission, 4.25 Star Prospect, Signed with NTDP
Garcia is one of the most mature forwards in the age group, strong, balanced, hard on pucks and has a scorer’s touch. He gets off checks, maintains a lower center of gravity and pucks explode off his stick with an ability to pick his spots in the net. He has a rare power and finesse combination and can make plays in all situations, giving him a versatility that is uncommon at this age and at this level. Garcia is likely slotted as a top six forward for NTDP this fall but doesn’t have to be, he can play up and down the lineup for that squad and be a key contributor on both special teams units. He had a strong showing at NTDP Evaluation Camp and followed it up with high grades at USA Hockey 15U Nationals in Fargo, ND where he helped lead his team to a national championship. His style of play fits the NCAA game and will be a major target on August 1st.
JP Hurlbert, F, Dallas Stars Elite, 4.25 Star Prospect, Signed with NTDP
Hurlbert is a high-end puck possession style forward out of Dallas Stars Elite who played up a level this past season with the U16s and led the team in scoring with 40 goals in 45 games. Like Berchild, he didn’t have the dominant performance you would have expected at NTDP Evaluation Camp but his body of work this season likely puts him into the top six role on this years team and has rare offensive tools. His puck handling and offensive zone creativity and ability to breakdown defenders 1v1 is elite level and he compliments those skills with a powerful release and accurate shot to beat goalies clean from beyond the dots. He has a lot of schools on him already but August 1st will make it official.
Jack Hextall, F, Chicago Mission, 4.25 Star Prospect, Tendered with Youngstown
Hextall was not placed on the US Youth Olympic roster, which in hindsight was a mistake and decided to tender with Youngstown prior to NTDP Evaluation Camp. He is a prospect who got better and better throughout the course of the season and played his best hockey in big games and was arguably the teams best forward at USA Hockey Nationals where he led Chicago to a championship. He’s a strong and powerful skater with good size and a competitive streak that is rare for a player of his skill caliber. He has deceptive vision and hockey IQ, two traits he doesn’t get enough credit for because most just marvel at his physical attributes (which are plenty). An honest, physical, 200ft forward who plays in all-situations and is one of the most well-rounded forwards in the United States. His phone will have no shortage of calls on August 1st as he is just coming off an excellent showing at Select 16 USA Hockey Player Development Camp.
Jackson Marthaler, D, Team Wisconsin, 4.25 Star Prospect, Signed with NTDP
Marthaler draws some comparisons to another Team Wisconsin standout who signed with NTDP in Tyler Emberson. He has a similar frame and skating structure, he’s highly athletic, has proven himself at the high school against older and faster competition and has the versatility to play power play, kill penalties, rush pucks or make the simple play. He’s strong and physical but calculated and has the mobility to play tight gaps and force opponents to the outside against the rush. The ‘08 class in general is thin on the blue line and to get a player of his size, his range and versatility makes him close to a no-brainer for August 1st offers.
Brady Knowling, G, North York Rangers, 4.25 Star Prospect, Signed with NTDP
Knowling is a talented goalie coming off a strong season in the GTHL playing against some of the best 2008’s in the world. Goalies are typically a longer development path and aren’t a coaches first call-ups but given he was drafted by Saginaw in the OHL who are coming off a Memorial Cup championship may speed up his clock. He’s got the size and the athleticism to immediately stand out but it’s his poise and composure, particularly in big games where he carried that Rangers team in the playoffs that make him a really sought after prospect and could earn some August 1st offers. Not to mention US NTDP has developed several quality starters in NCAA so the training and coaching he’ll be receiving over the next year or two will be of major value to an NCAA program and will further improve his marketability.
Uncommitted ’07 Rising Juniors
Mason West, F, Edina HS, 4.25 Star Prospect
West is also a highly touted NCAA football prospect so it is not 100% he’ll pursue a career in hockey but in regards to long-term potential Mason West may have the highest ceiling of any 2007 in the United States. He was chosen on the USA Hlinka Gretzky team and brings with him not just a 6’6” frame but long reach, puck touch, a much improved stride, a detailed two-way game and most importantly a high level hockey sense and vision. Potentially it is due to his playing quarterback that lends him to being a cerebral forward who can read the whole sheet – find seams and attack the weak areas in a defensive structure. High level athleticism and instincts – he knows where to be on the ice and has the skill to pull it off. He helped lead a talented Edina HS team to the Minnesota State Championship and played his best hockey in front of 18,000+ fans demonstrating the moment is never too big for him. Arguably the best uncommitted prospect in the US who will have schools making strong pitches to pull him away from the football field.
Mason Moe, F, Eden Prairie, 4.25 Star Prospect
Moe comes off a standout sophomore year at Eden Prairie where he nearly doubled his offensive output from his freshman year scoring 23 goals and 17 assists in just 27 games. He has a developed power game where he can power through contact and go to the dirty areas and come out with the puck. He plays a mature, balanced, 200ft game, supports the puck in all three zones, stays on the defensive side of scrums, stops on pucks, finishes checks and rides his edges to the net. He has deceptive vision and playmaking ability as he showed at Select 17 camp where he led his team with 8 assists and 10 points in 5 games making the Team USA Hlinka squad. An honest player who can play up and down the lineup at the next level and has a style of play and a skill set that will translate at higher levels. One of the most coveted uncommitted prospects in the US.
Lincoln Kuehne, D, US NTDP, 4.25 Star Prospect
Kuehne is a long, athletic, fluid skating defenseman who is a late November birth date. It was a bit of a transition year for him going from North Star Christian U16 to the USHL but he got stronger as the season went on and became harder to play against .He’s not the most physical yet but he defends well with his stick and with his body position, has great reach and anticipation to read the rush and break up passes. Right shot, mobile defenders over 6ft tall are hard to find and he’s one of the best in the US at this age group and the NCAA programs are well aware.
Chase Reid, D, Waterloo (USHL), 4.0 Star Prospect
Reid is a December ‘07 out of Victory Honda who played up with Waterloo Blackhawks this season for 10 games. He’s got ideal size and athleticism for the position and plays with a physical edge. He’s made noticeable improvements this season in his ability to maintain the gap against smaller, speedier forwards to keep them in front of him and also to contain them in the corners and in small ice. He needs to mature his decision making a bit and iron out some of his raw tools but he has a noticeable upside, experience at the USHL level and is tough to play against which are all of interest to NCAA programs.
Landon Hafele, F, US NTDP, 4.0 Star Prospect
Hafele is a hard-working, high compete, energy forward for the NTDP team where he plays a depth role. He’s likely not going to play NCAA at 18 years old but he’s a player who is probably capable of more than his current role demands and could benefit from another year in USHL after his time with NTDP. He’s a speedy forward, he wins races to pucks, outworks defenders to gain possession and has quick-twitch to create separation for himself.
Rian Chudzinski, F, St. Sebastians, 4.0 Star Prospect
Chudzinkski is not as well known as the prospects ranked above him but a standout out of St. Sebastian’s is just a day shy of being an ‘08 and gets better and better each viewing. He’s a long slender build with room to grow, has improved his straight line speed and has both the puck touch and the rapid release to create scoring chances. Back-to-back strong performances at Select 16 and Select 17 camps is proving what he’s capable of among the countries best as well as a strong performance at USA Hockey Nationals this season for BC Jr Eagles points to a promising upside that will draw NCAA attention.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images