As the youth hockey season launches with opening tournaments across North America, this spotlight moves to the top 2011 birth-year prospects in the Rocky Mountain area. Entering their critical 15U campaign, these players are stepping into a crucial evaluation window for the USHL Phase I Draft and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP). While their WHL Draft took place this past spring, this season represents a major leap in their development as they showcase how their games have elevated against top-tier competition. To keep families, scouts, and programs ahead of the curve, Neutral Zone has assembled an initial watchlist of the high-impact talents making noise early across the region.
Jack Arnold (RW, R, 6’4″, 176, Dallas Stars Elite U16, 11/01/2011) Long arms and long legs, combined with low hips allows him to extend possession and create scoring opportunities from anywhere in the offensive zone.
Jagger Burns (RW, R, 5’6″, 106, Okanagan Hockey Academy Colorado U15, 06/19/2011) Plays under his opponent’s hips making them cross their feet until he spins them like a top.
Ryder Falcon (C, R, 5’8″, 148, Vegas Jr. Golden Knights U16, 09/04/2011) Excels as a playmaker, finding ways to evade defenders with misdirection and quick moves.
Charlie Fox (C, L, 6’1″, 176, Mount St. Charles U15, 03/24/2011) Dynamic, two-way center with a quick changing release point and the ability to handle poor passes at top speed.
Michael Genov (D, L, 5’10”, 147, Okanagan Hockey Academy Colorado U15, 06/26/2011) Consistently shows elite puck poise and composure while under heavy forechecking pressure.
Brody Gold (D, L, 5’9″, 148, Okanagan Hockey Academy Colorado U15, 03/08/2011) Dynamic, mobile defenseman who excels at puck movement and transition play from the back end.
Farhan Haq (D, R, 6’3″, 159, Dallas Stars Elite U16, 02/10/2011) Long and lean with an active strong stick that can strip pucks quickly and cleanly.
Donovan Knapp (G, L, 6’3″, 180, Vancouver Giants, 03/03/2011) Size and athleticism. Maintains a balanced posture while battling for his crease.
Declan Lacy (C, R, 5’8″, 154, South Kent School 15U, 03/15/2011) Plays with his eyes up and can dictate the tempo of the game. Sneaky strong on the puck.
Brayden Lee (D, L, 5’11”, 162, Detroit Little Caesars U15, 06/21/2011) Smooth and fearless. His deception consistently traps opposing forwards below the puck and headed towards the walls.
Peyton Malinski (LW, R, 6’2″, 165, Mount St. Charles U15, 01/20/2011) Uses his size and strength to win battles for positioning. Has the strength to carry defenders to the crease.
Cody Paul (C, L, 5’11”, 165, Colorado Rampage U16, 01/08/2011) Creates separation in the neutral zone and then attacks the mismatch in speed.
Jasper Schelter (D, R, 5’11”, 146, Star Hockey Academy U17 Prep, 05/18/2011) Moves well laterally with the ability to step up from the weakside on an opposing forward cutting into the middle with his head down.
Colton Schofield (C, L, 6’0″, 148, Rocky Mountain Roughriders U15, 06/16/2011) In the past two season he has 118 goals in 112 games.
Easton Scott (RW, R, 5’11”, 163, Portland Winterhawks, 05/12/2011) Strong powerful and determined. He can out will opponnets.
Nash Springer (D, R, 5’11”, 164, Dallas Stars Elite U16, 08/14/2011) Possesses a strong core and can hammer opponents with physicality, while also having the skill to be on the top of the umbrella.
Spencer Wilmot (C, L, 5’10”, 175, Okanagan Hockey Academy Colorado U15, 03/11/2011) Physicality, speed, and puck protection skills combined with a shot that can beat you from distance.
Ethan Zhang (C, L, 6’2″, 185, Tri-City Americans, 03/22/2011) Explosive straight-line speed and quick cuts at high speeds keeps defenders guessing.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images