As the new youth hockey season launches with opening tournaments across the United States, this spotlight shines on the high-upside 2011 birth-year class across the Atlantic region. Entering their crucial 15U season, these prospects are officially on the radar for the USHL Phase I Draft, OHL Priority Selection, and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) evaluators. To keep players, families, and scouts ahead of the curve, Neutral Zone has highlighted key names to watch across the region. These quick-hit profiles aren’t fixed rankings, but an early look at high-impact talent that we feel will make noise early, giving you immediate insight as the season gets underway.
Brandon Abel (C, R, 5’8″, 154, Pittsburgh Vengeance U15, 11/12/2011) Quick agile and elusive. Smooth feet and can rip it without needing any space.
Will Bailey (D, R, 6’0″, 164, Palmyra Black Knights U15, 07/24/2011) The more chaotic the situation the more his pulse slows down.
Brady Bell (C, L, 5’11”, 152, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U15, 09/06/2011) Maintains puck possession by initiating contact. Very willing to eat pucks.
Rowan Broze (D, R, 6’2″, 186, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 08/30/2011) Every time we watch him play he has gotten better. Big frame, big reach, big upside.
Luca Brunetti (C, R, 5’4″, 124, NJ Avalanche U15, 12/19/2011) Excels at maintaining pace and controlling the puck in tight spaces. Understands leverage.
Jack Carlson (C, R, 5’5″, 131, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 10/16/2011) Relentless energy, creativity, and determination. He possesses quick feet, slick hands, and a sticky blade.
Cameron Cline (C, R, 6’3″, 180, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 05/02/2011) Controls the play below the dots. His puck retrievals are off the charts. A power forward in the making.
Brooks Del Signore (G, L, 6’0″, 157, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 03/12/2011) Quick, agile and understands how to control the tempo of the game. An asset in transition.
Philip Duca (G, L, 6’0″, 165, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U15, 01/01/2011) He is poised and composed, with quick reactions and smart aggressiveness that limits options.
D’Angelo Fluhme (LW, L, 6’2″, 178, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 10/20/2011) Speed and quickness with a long reach and quick hands. He puts the puck exactly where he wants it.
James Halliday (LW, L, 5’10”, 148, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 06/03/2011) Plays bigger than his frame with excellent balance that allows him to fight through contact and create space.
Austin Jessup (D, L, 5’11”, 155, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 04/01/2011) Quick hands, smooth pivots, and excellent anticipation, making him an asset at both ends of the ice.
Lucas Jones (C, L, 6’1″, 172, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 01/18/2011) Possesses a combination of size, speed, and agility, allowing him to drive play north and create lanes for himself and his teammates.
Thomas Karaban (D, L, 6’0″, 189, Bishop Kearney Selects U15, 06/07/2011) His poaching skills at the blue line allow him to create quick odd man opportunities in the offensive zone.
Cameron Kertulis (C, L, 6’2″, 163, Palmyra Black Knights U15, 01/24/2011) He can wiggle and disengage from defenders while at top speed which enables to create scoring chances out of thin air.
Patrick Kocik (LW, L, 6’0″, 178, New Jersey Rockets 15U AAA, 06/15/2011) Speed, speed and more speed allows him to generate mismatches in the neutral zone which leads to scoring opportunities.
Nicholas Lucido (LW, L, 5’10”, 147, Pittsburgh Vengeance U15, 01/01/2011) Plays with an edge looking to get opponents off their game. Quick hands in the slot.
Brody Majcher (LW, L, 6’2″, 208, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U15, 01/01/2011) A physical presence with a straight line game makes him a menace.
Cameron Pelle (D, R, 5’11”, 154, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U15, 01/27/2011) Controls the game like a pro. Could be top U15 prospect in North America.
David Shvartsman (C, L, 5’8″, 153, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U15, 01/31/2011) Fantastic anticipation in the defensive zone which allows him to pick off passes for easy transition.
Tyler Wood (D, L, 5’10”, 139, Mount St. Charles U15, 02/11/2011) Kid is an athlete, and athletes continue to get better and better when hockey playing peer’s development slows down.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images