The Select 17s in Amherst, NY is a collection of the best US prospects born in 2008 who are not on the NTDP roster. This is the first viewing for most NHL scouts on these players as they enter their NHL Draft year. The top caliber players have either player or signed with CHL or USHL programs and many already have an NCAA commitment but having covered this event for over a decade – there are always a few names that really put themselves on the map at this camp. The biggest feature of the camp is that the top 20 or so players will be selected for the Hlinka Tournament in Plymouth later this summer.
Here is a free preview by Neutral Zone scouts on the 12 teams or USA Hockey districts that make up this camp.
Team Atlantic
Players with Star Ratings: 100%
Average Star Rating: 3.73
Highest Rated Player: Blake Zielinski, F, Des Moines
Team: Atlantic has a chance to be one of the top tier teams in this tournament with the depth on their roster. The team overall has good-size, they have a handful of players with junior experience (albeit limited) including USHL All-Rookie team Blake Zielinski from Des Moines. They have a nice blend of stout defenders and some who can move the puck and contribute offensively and their forward group is three lines deep. They have an element of pace and playmakers (Bedoya, Chorlton, Jett) and some power and skill combos (Desiderio, Guaghan, Sang, Zielinski) making it a well-balanced forward group. Both goalies are coming off strong seasons at the U16 AAA level for top rated teams so the moment shouldn’t be too big for them.
NHL Draft Prospects: Colin Feeley is an intriguing 6’6″ left-shot defender from Salisbury School who got better and better throughout the season playing against older competition. He recently signed with Oshawa Generals (OHL) and while he’s still a bit raw – he has noticeable long term upside as he grows into his frame. Blake Zielinski is the most accomplished of his teammates playing 41 games in the USHL this season with 31 points; he’s a strong, sturdy skater – skilled and patient puck handler who can finish. Might not have the highest ceiling of this age group but he’s one of the best forwards in the camp today. Nicholas Desiderio averaged nearly a goal per game this season at the U16 level and got some games with Dubuque (USHL) who will garner some attention as well. He’s got the size and strength to play a power game – he can handle pucks in traffic and has a powerful release.
Don’t Sleep On: Chase Gaughan. This is a player who went into his OHL Draft year as an unknown out of Palmyra U15s where he averaged a goal per game and showed impressive size and skill combination. He was drafted by Sarnia (OHL) and made his way to Strathroy (GOJHL) where he played against older competition, cutting his teeth in junior hockey in a depth role and got 7 games with Sarnia. If Gaughan is at his best here then he’s got the talent to have a big week but it’s been awhile since we’ve seen him at his best.
Team Central
Players with Star Ratings: 95%
Average Star Rating: 3.72
Highest Rated Player: Jack Hextall, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Team: Central is a solid all-around team; they have a few top-tier players in Jack Hextall and Nathan Hauad and a pair of talented goalies but the teams best attribute will be it’s defensive core. The teams lacks junior experience and even playing against older competition as almost the entire team comes out of U16 AAA but its a competitive group that won’t lack for hustle or energy.
NHL Draft Prospects: Jack Hextall comes to camp after a strong rookie campaign in the USHL as a 16 year old and looks primed to take his game to the next level. At the back half of the season he learned to handle the pace and embrace the power elements of his game making him one of the best 200-ft prospects in the country for this birth year. Nathan Hauad was a promising 15 year old prospect out of Windy City Storm and looked to be a dominant player at the U16 level this year after being draft by Tri City (USHL) but he missed most of the season so he’ll have eyes on him here to see how he’s progressing. George Komadoski was right on the bubble for making the NTDP team a year ago and made the jump to Mount St. Charles where he anchored their backend. He’s a big frame, athletic, instinctual shut down defender who is tough to play against. Has some raw elements – needs to improve his transition game and reads but he has NHL potential with his size, toughness and honest, mature style of play. He’s signed with Flint for the upcoming season. Andrew Mohesky is probably too raw at this point for a ton of NHL attention but he’s a late bloomer who play a big, strong heavy game and can back it up. He’s one of the toughest and hardest working forwards in the camp.
Don’t Sleep On: Lincoln Krizizke, D, Chicago Mission U16. The more you watch Krizizke the more you appreciate his game. He’s got size, versatility, mobile and makes high percentage plays. He’s detailed – well positioned – stick in lanes and plays a calculated yet aggressive gap. He isn’t a standout in any one area of his game but he does everything at a high level and plays a mature, efficient game for a player of his age. His game will translate.
Team Massachusetts
Players with Star Ratings: 100%
Average Star Rating: 3.60
Highest Rated Player: Brian McFadden, D, Thayer Academy
Team: Massachusetts might not have a 4.25 star prospect or much experience at the junior level but this is a team that will be able to role three lines up front and on the backend. They have two underrated goaltenders who are both starters at the prep school level facing older competition. They have some size on the backend in Sinclair, McFadden, Campbell and Donia that could pose problems for opposing teams at this level. Up front it’ll likely be scoring by committee, they are deep especially on the wing and are compiled from a lot of top scorers at the New England Prep School level.
NHL Draft Prospects: Brian McFadden is 6’4″ long and athletic two-way defenseman who is just starting to figure out what he is coming off a rookie season at Thayer Academy but anchored their backend. Kaiden Donia is another long and athletic defenseman nearly 6’5″ and has made noticeable improvements this past year in his skating ability and puck play. Both of these guys are lesser known on a national scale playing prep school hockey in the Northeast but both will draw attention from NHL brass. Blake Sinclair comes in from Minnesota at Rogers HS and will also intrigue NHL scouts because of his size, his mobility and physical play.
Don’t Sleep On: Cooper Campbell, D, Lovell Hockey Academy. Cooper is a 6’4″, big, physical, two-way defenseman who is not well-known making his first national camp appearance. He went undrafted in the USHL twice but was selected in the 6th round of the QMJHL Draft this summer. He’s a tough defenseman – has no problem standing up opponents in open ice and challenges puck carriers on zone entries. He can facilitate at the offensive blue line, makes a crisp first pass and has deceptive offensive tools for being more of a heavy, physical defender. In another year with more experience under his belt – he could work himself onto NHL Draft boards.
Team Michigan
Players with Star Ratings: 95%
Average Star Rating: 3.65
Highest Rated Player: Brooks Rogowski, F, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Team: Michigan’s strength this year is in the forwards group led by two OHL rookies Brooks Rogowski and Ethan Garden along with Theuer, Sokol and Monks who got a few games in junior. The backend isn’t very big but it’s mobile and they can break up plays and move pucks in all three zones.
NHL Draft Prospects: Brooks Rogowski is the team’s best player and could compete for the best player in the camp after a big rookie season in the OHL. He’s got formidable size and strength and knows what he is and plays to his advantages. He’s a hard-nosed power forward with a heavy shot and a grit and toughness to his game that makes him a tough matchup. NHL teams will be following his every move this week as one of the top US prospects this upcoming draft cycle. Ethan Garden is coming off a full-season in the OHL with Windsor and got better as the season went on. He’s a high skill and high IQ player who has a good shot at the Hlinka roster.
Don’t Sleep On: Cody Sokol, F, Long Island Gulls U16. He’s one of the most electric forwards in the age group; he can turn on a dime and hit top speed in just a few steps. He’s elusive, creative and can make plays at pace. Doesn’t have the size for much NHL attention and he was quiet in his USHL games this season but this is a dynamic playmaker with excellent speed and that type of player typically thrives in this camp.
Team Mid-American
Players with Star Ratings: 95%
Average Star Rating: 3.67
Highest Rated Player: Caden Harvey, F, Pitt Pens Elite U16 & Easton Walos, F, Salmon Arm
Team: The Mid-American team is sneaky good led by a trio of Penn State commits in goaltender Ryder Fetterolf, Caden Harvey and Xavier Lieb. The team is balanced; they have size on the backend led by Leo Laschon, some speed and skill up front in Walos, Harvey and Lieb and stout goaltending.
NHL Draft Prospects: Leo Laschon is a 6’2″, athletic, versatile defenseman out of Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U16’s who was in the NTDP discussion a year prior. He’s gotten stronger, more physical and making the jump to Oshawa (OHL) next season where he’ll be a circled prospect on NHL scouts rosters. Caden Harvey has a chance to be a very good hockey player down the road; size, fluid and powerful skater with a scorer’s touch. He has a rare combination of power and finesse and can operate in high-traffic areas. Another prospect that was in the NTDP discussion a year ago and now headed for the OHL (Windsor) where he’ll have a lot of eyes on him this upcoming season.
Don’t Sleep On: Kase Kamzik has gotten noticeably better from Bantam to 15U and taken another step, probably a bigger step, from 15U to U16 this past season. His stride is more efficient, he’s harder on pucks, he’s finding ways to take pucks hard to the net and processing the play quicker. He’s taken some of his weaknesses and turned them into strengths and with a 6’2″ 200 lbs frame and with his compete level and raw ability – if he continues on this trajectory he’ll be in the NHL Draft discussion. Headed to Sarnia (OHL) next season.
Team Minnesota
Players with Star Ratings: 100%
Average Star Rating: 3.78
Highest Rated Player: Casey Vandertop, F, Edina HS
Team: On paper, Minnesota is the deepest team in the camp top to bottom and they have no obvious weaknesses as a group. The forwards have a nice combination of speed, skill and scoring being made up of accomplished players at the Minnesota High School level. The backend isn’t the biggest but they are mobile, they can all handle the puck and break it out efficiently and several will jump up and join the rush or come off the blue line as a fourth forward.
NHL Draft Prospects: Casey Vandertop has grown to 5’10” which might be enough to put him on the NHL radar; a highly intelligent playmaking forward who has been a feature forward on a talented Edina HS team since he was a freshman. He’s a gamer – he rises to the occasion and has the vision, instincts and creativity to make everyone around him better.
Don’t Sleep On: Luca Jarvis is a prospect Neutral Zone has been high on since he was a Bantam but he’s really come into his own this past year helping Stillwater make a run in the Minnesota HS state tournament. A late birth-date so he’ll be eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft but he got some games with Youngstown and got 2 assists in 5 games. He’s a smooth skater – has a soft set of hands and can slow the game down – poised, controlled and smart. An underrated prospect who should be in the mix here for Hlinka roster. Another late birth year for the ‘27 NHL Draft to keep an eye on is Hill Murray’s Riley Zupfer; a strong, balanced skating, 200ft forward who plays the game the right way, can score and play any role up and down the lineup.
Team New England
Players with Star Ratings: 100%
Average Star Rating: 3.67
Highest Rated Player: Robin Kuzma, F, Chicago Mission U16
Team: New England’s strength is on their backend; they have size, they are tough to play against and imports from Dallas and Chicago in Dillard and Cunningham make them one of the best blue lines in the camp. Up front Kuzma, Duskocy and Herron are junior-ready forwards who can get off checks and make plays in traffic. Both goalies are starting caliber and can steal a game.
NHL Draft Prospects: Jacoby Weiner had a solid rookie season in prep at Kent School but has signed with Moncton Wildcats this off-season. A talented netminder who comes to camp at 6’3.75″ and has a lot of raw tools; he’s quick and fluid in the hips, flexible,solid footwork and body positioning and highly competitive. Nolan Duskocy will draw some attention next season, especially if he goes to Charlottetown who drafted him 31st overall this summer. He’s got length and strength, protects pucks, strong up and down the wall and can score from beyond the dots. He’s an intriguing prospect with long term upside.
Don’t Sleep On: Cameron Dillard gets bigger and better every year at this camp. The former 1st rounder to Everett (WHL) is now 6’4.25″ 211lbs, he’s playing with more aggressiveness defensively and he’s showing more comfortability with the puck on his stick to scan the ice and make the right play. He’s raw and his best hockey is ahead of him but he plays within himself, makes the smart read, knows how to defend odd-man rushes and improving his gap control.
Team Northern Plains
Players with Star Ratings: 90%
Average Star Rating: 3.69
Highest Rated Player: Colemen Bumgarner, F, Fargo Force; Zac Zimmerman, F, Moorhead HS
Team: Northern Plains has some reinforcements this season and several high-profile prospects out of Minnesota in-state champion Zac Zimmerman, USHL tender Cole Bumgarner, Grand Rapids standout Nathan Garski and Jimmy Egan who played with Sioux Falls U16’s this year. The strength of this team is up front not only in depth but top line guys with junior and high school experience. They have plenty of size and no shortage of goal scorers.
NHL Draft Prospects: Cole Bumgarner was a USHL tender this past year and had a so-so rookie season but anytime a 16-year old plays 60 games in the USHL that is an accomplishment in and of itself. Zimmerman might not have the size or the skating to be a pick this upcoming season but his touch around the net, his compete level and honest play will certainly get him noticed. Jimmy Egan could be a dark horse after leaving high school this season to play U16 AAA with Sioux Falls where he averaged nearly 2 points per game and signed with Brandon (WHL) for this upcoming season. He has a big frame, he’s an honest two-way centerman, he has some bite to his game, plays between the dots and natural offensive instincts.
Don’t Sleep On: Hunter Rudolph comes to camp after a dominant season with Northstar Christian where scored just shy of a goal per game. He’s got electric feet, he can separate, he’s hard-working and competitive and doesn’t take shifts off. He’s the type of player who will earn his coaches trust early in camp and be a leader on their team in all situations. Headed to Everett (WHL) this upcoming season.
Team New York
Players with Star Ratings: 95%
Average Star Rating: 3.63
Highest Rated Player: Joseph Salandra, F, Brunswick School
Team: New York has a few shutdown defenders on the backend in Baird-Gajdos and Ula and they have some pace and skill upfront with Salandra and Pederson but overall this isn’t as strong a team as we’ve seen in year’s past from New York. They don’t have much size or depth but they compete hard and they have one of the better goalies in the camp in Owen Scott, an Ohio State commit out of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization.
NHL Draft Prospects: Joseph Salandra is the team’s most accomplished player coming off a standout New England prep season where he led the entire league in scoring with over a goal per game average. He’s an instinctual, high-IQ playmaker with elusive stickhandling and a strong finish. He’s stronger and more complete than he was a year ago and ready for the OHL where he signed with Barrie. Genc Ula who made the jump from 15U to the OHL this past season playing 56 games on one of the worst teams in the league. He’s a late birth year so teams will have to wait on him for another season but he’s got the size, the strength and can handle pucks and move it up to his forwards efficiently. Nate Pederson is a bit on the smaller side but in terms of pure speed and skill he’s one of the best in this camp.
Don’t Sleep On: Jason Rothstein led Taft School in points this year as a 16-year-old and is one of the smarter hockey players in this camp. He’s only 5’7″ and he’s not overly dynamic – but he’s crafty with the puck on his stick – he knows where he’s going with the puck before he gets it and has just enough feisty to come out of scrums with possession. He’s got a rare ability to push the pace in certain situations or slow it down and create space for himself.
Team Pacific
Players with Star Ratings: 90%
Average Star Rating: 3.67
Highest Rated Player: Noah Davidson, F, Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep
Team: Pacific might not have the depth of a team like Minnesota but their best players can play with anyone in this camp. The roster has good size from top to bottom and a tough defensive core with Bruick (6’7.75″), Vauhkonen (6’1.25″), Ta’Amu (6’2″) and Celski (6’3.5″). Up front they have a several big-bodied, power and skill combo forwards in Noah Davidson, Jake Gustafson, Zane Torre and Gavin Clark who are going to be difficult to handle.
NHL Draft Prospects: Noah Davidson is their top NHL Draft prospect and overall best player at just over 6’2″ and 214 lbs coming off a highly productive season with Shattuck Prep. As a late birth year he played up against older competition and still notched 40 goals in 58 games. He’s a strong, physical, two-way presence who should be an immediate impact on Medicine Hat (WHL) next season. He’s tough, he’s hard, he’s strong and he can shoot the puck. Sean Burick is probably the most intriguing prospects in the camp; a 6’7’75” defender who has sound hockey IQ, detailed in his body and stick positioning, defends with a purpose but still very much growing into his massive frame. Nathaniel Celski out of White Bear Lake is another big-bodied, tough to play against defenseman who plays with some snarl and then Jake Gustafson up front is just shy of 6’4″ and yet fluid skating, athletic centerman who will make the move to Portland (WHL) next season and could lure NHL attention.
Don’t Sleep On: Zane Torre is a player who was considered one of the best in the country coming out of Bantams and followed that up with a stellar season at U16 playing up a level at Shattuck in his 15-year-old season. He didn’t quite take the step scouts thought he would this season returning to the U16 level but still finished with over a point per game and was one of their best players at Nationals. He has it in him to be a very good player; he’s strong, he’s got a rocket release, he can get off checks, plays with some edge and win pucks.
Team Rocky Mountain
Players with Star Ratings: 95%
Average Star Rating: 3.69
Highest Rated Player: Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll, F, Medicine Hat (WHL)
Team: Rocky Mountain is one of the biggest teams in the tournament and they have talent in net, on the blue line and up front. Their offense is their strength led by WHL rookie Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll and big-bodied forwards in Dakotah Bailey, Landon Amrhein, Joe Erickson, Dain Gordon and Luke Wilfley. This team isn’t the fastest which would hurt them in the up and down nature and loose defense of this event but down low in the offensive zone this will be a tough group to keep away from the net.
NHL Draft Prospects: Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll is a late birth year so he’s not eligible until 2027 but he comes to camp after a strong rookie season with Medicine Hat (WHL) where he had a Memorial Cup run. He is arguably the best power and skill combo forward in the camp. He’s both powerful and smooth in his stride, he can handle the puck end to end and maneuver through traffic and attack the net. Landon Amrhein is another forward that will have NHL scouts focused on him; a 6’4.75″ winger who led Dallas Stars Elite U16’s in scoring this year. He’s highly athletic, moves well for his size and while he’s still figuring out what kind of player he is – the raw tools, size, skating ability and deceptive puck touch are rare. He’s headed to Calgary (WHL) next season and will be watched thoroughly by NHL scouts.
Don’t Sleep On: Joe Erickson is a 6’4.75″ forward out of Beck HS where he led the team in scoring with a goal per game and 2 points per game average this season in Minnesota HS. He’s still growing into his frame and doesn’t always play to his size/frame but he’s got some IQ, he makes quick decisions and puts pucks in the right areas. He’s not a gamebreaker offensively but he has touch, he moves to space away from the puck and makes subtle, skilled plays. Might be another year away but it wouldn’t surprise if he gets himself on some NHL radar this upcoming season as a late round consideration.
Team Southeastern
Players with Star Ratings: 95%
Average Star Rating: 3.70
Highest Rated Player: Kalder Varga, F, Kelowna Rockets
Team: The Southeastern squad has a lot of talent this year – particularly on offense. Not only does the team have depth but it’s the most junior hockey experienced team in the camp with Gillespie and Varga playing a full season in the WHL this past season. Both goalies are big and athletic and can win games and the backend is led by Levi Harper who is one of the best skating defenders in the camp.
NHL Draft Prospects: Kalder Varga is coming off a successful rookie season with Kelowna – a competitive, strong skating, skilled forward who plays with great energy. Brody Gillespie is in the same category, an experienced forward – not quite as impactful in his rookie season in the WHL but he’s a bit bigger and has good speed, poise with the puck and hockey IQ to make smart reads and find the seams. Owen Degraff is another good-sized, skilled forward who could get some NHL draft attention and Levi Harper a highly mobile two-way defenseman out of Shattuck who is headed to Saginaw this upcoming season. He’s going to be great fit for how they play and activate their defenseman and while he’s a late birth year – his footwork will gain him a lot of traction among NHL brass.
Don’t Sleep On: Jaxon Williams has never quite got the respect he deserves given his southeastern roots but he’s headed to Ottawa 67’s this upcoming season and could make a real splash at the OHL level. His best attribute is his brain; he has great awareness and vision – he understands the situation – can make split second decisions at pace and knows where his teammates are at all times. He has some bite, he works hard in his own end to break pucks out and take back possession and he makes a lot of smart plays with the puck. He was a late round pick in both OHL and USHL drafts but he’s someone to keep an eye on – the more you watch him the more you appreciate his game.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images