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Top 600 NCAA Eligible Prospects Born in 1997

Articles, Commits, Education/Analytics, Feature Story, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

Neutral Zone is pleased to announce our Top 600 list for 1997 born NCAA Eligible prospects throughout North America. Each player on this list has been evaluated by regional scouts in their area and also cross referenced by other scouts on staff as well as the Director of Scouting. The players are evaluated from August-December and given a star rating. The Top 600 players are selected from a pool of over 1,000 NCAA prospects in a grueling process and evaluated against one another to come up with a 1-600 list. The star ratings are more indicative of future success than the difference between #205 and #250, but the rankings are used in the calculus of the NCAA Recruiting Class Rankings.

As part of our mission statement to use analytics to educate coaches, scouts, players and parents we have broken down our Top 600 rankings and provided viewers with several interesting statistics.

League Breakdown

League # of Players %
NAHL 139 23.2%
USHL 129 21.5%
BCHL 104 17.3%
AJHL 63 10.5%
OJHL 46 7.6%
CCHL 29 4.8%
USPHL 29 4.8%
SJHL 21 3.5%
MJHL 14 2.3%
GOJHL 11 1.8%
Other 6 1.0%
NE Prep 5 0.8%
EHL 4 0.6%

The purpose of showing the league breakdown is not to rank the strengh of the leagues, rather to show where these 600 players are coming from. With that being said we see that the double digit percentages are in the four top junior leagues in North America. Keep in mind that some leagues above only have 12 teams in them while other leagues have over 20 so it is not fair to say for example that the OJHL is a better league than the CCHL because it has 17 more players on the list because it has nearly double the amount of teams.

Position Breakdown

Position # of Players %
Forwards 369 61.5%
Defense 180 30.0%
Goalies 51 8.5%

Here we breakdown the 600 players on the list by position. Our list is consistent with the 60/30/10 percentage breakdown between forwards, defense and goaltenders on most NCAA teams.

Commitments

Status # of Players %
D1 Committed 177 29.5%
Uncommitted 423 70.5%

In look at the 1997 list we see that nearly 1/3 of the players are already committed to D1 programs. Some of these players have signed their letter of intent and are expected to matriculate next fall, others will play another year of junior hockey.

Top 600 Star Ratings

Rating # of Players %
4.75 1 0.2%
4.5 4 0.7%
4.25 6 1.0%
4 18 3.0%
3.75 87 14.5%
3.5 143 23.8%
3.25 111 18.5%
3 123 20.5%
2.75 107 17.8%

The Top 600 ranges in star ratings from 4.75-2.75. This chart looks at all 600 prospects and what star rating they have. The first thing that jumps out is how 4.0-4.75 star players only make up 5% of the total list. Then the list goes up to 14.5% for 3.75 star prospects and up again to 23.8% for 3.5 star prospects. The reason there are so few 4.0 stars is the mainly the age factor. Top prospects are typically playing college hockey at 18 or 19 so there are not a ton of 4 stars left in junior hockey at the older ages. Keep in mind Connor McDavid is a 1997 birth year…

NZ Historical Star Rating Breakdown

Rating D1 % D3 % CIS/Other %
5.0 100 0 0
4.75 100 0 0
4.5 100 0 0
4.25 100 0 0
4.0 98.8 0 1.2
3.75 97.7 0 2.3
3.5 95.5 0.4 4.1
3.25 13.3 74.4 12.3
3.0 4.5 85.6 9.9
2.75 0 96.7 3.3
2.5 0 97.4 2.6
2.25 0 91.2 8.8
2.0 0 67.8 22.2

This chart tracks the 2015-2016 Star Rating’s for 1998-1995’s. As you can see 3.5 star prospects and above have over 97% chance of playing D1 college hockey. This chart is made to give context to the star ratings in the Top 600. There are reasons for CIS/Other as some players we ranked last year had played CHL and were not NCAA eligible. We have now taken them out of the National Rankings to reduce that number. Also, with the US/CAN dollar exchange rate some of the Canadian prospects will not be able to afford D3 institutions. In the US, particularly in the midwest, some players simply stop playing or go the club route if they are not offered at a Division 1 school.

Top 600 NCAA Eligible 1997 Born Prospects in North America

Rank               Name               Team    Pos         Commit   Star
   1         Nick Swaney         Waterloo (USHL)      F     Minnesota Duluth 4.75
   2         Jordan Kawaguchi         Chilliwack (BCHL)      F      North Dakota 4.5
   3         Christian Evers         Lincoln (USHL)      D      North Dakota 4.5
   4         Blake Lizotte         Fargo (USHL)      F      St. Cloud 4.5
   5         Philip Nyberg         Madison (USHL)      D         UConn 4.5

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U16 Tier 1 Elite Showcase (NJ): Top 75

Articles, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

Tier One Elite League U16 Showcase

Some of the best young players and teams in U16 hockey came to Hackensack, NJ for the Tier 1 Elite League U16 showcase.. We have ranked the top 75 performers here this weekend. This is in no way a ranking of these players overall ability, rather a snapshot of how these players performed at this particular event.

Tag Bertuzzi (L 6.00 192 01 Oakland) 1-2-3 in only 2 GP-He sat the first two games suspended. Tag has pro written all over him. He can take over whenever he has the puck it seems. The 2001 likes to wind up in his own end and take off. He has neat hands and a great inside move. We would have liked to see him go outside more and use the reach and leverage. He is good working off his forehand and backhand can make a nice back hand saucer pass. He is, however, definitely a shooter first and passer second. The numbers are not big but he stood out in a major way.  Grade: A

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U16 HPHL Border Battle: Top 40

Articles, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

The U16 Border Battle in Sarnia, ONT was filled with a lot of ‘A’ prospects. There was some excellent talent that should go high in the USHL and OHL Drafts next spring.  Ontario brought some highly ranked U15 teams to the tournament to compete against some very strong U.S. U16 teams.  There was no shortage of scouts at this event, as it was a rare chance to see some of the best Canadian teams match up against the Americans.

Players listed below are the ones Neutral Zone evaluated the highest. Grades are for this event only and in relation to others on this report.

Jack Hughes (L, 5-9/151, Toronto Marlboros, ‘01-Forward) – Is about dynamic as they come in his age group.  Has big time skill and can control the game with the puck on his stick.  Found the open man and set his line mates up.  He has great hockey sense and is shifty.  He understands the game well and has great poise with the puck.   Younger brother of Quinn Hughes of the U18 USNTDP.   In contention for the #1 pick in the OHL Draft, but is also a duel citizen and can chose the USNTDP/College route.  No matter where he decides to play next year, he will be very successful. Grade: A+

Antonio Stranges (L, 5-9/150, Little Caesars, ‘02-Forward) – Getting better as the year goes along and he plays against older players.  Great feet and ability to skate.  Has the skill and playmaking ability to go along with it. (MICHIGAN)  Grade: A

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USPHL Premier: Boston Jr. Bruins vs South Shore Kings

Articles, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

Neutral Zone made the drive down to the Foxboro Sports Center for an afternoon tilt between the Kings and Bruins. Both teams are in the top four in the league standings.

The game didn’t feature a lot of great scoring chances. Both goalies played well and limited second chances. Each team only took two penalties. The Bruins took a 1-0 lead 5 minutes into the second when Dallas Farrell made a nice pass to Van Ness on a 2 on 1. The next tally would be in the third when the Kings pulled their goalie creating a 6-4 advantage. Max Suave buried a Kevin Hock rebound. In the 3 on 3 OT frame, Jack Quinlivan made a nice move to his backhand to beat a defender and bury the game winner.

Below are players we noted in this game. Grades are for this game only and in relation to others on this report.

Elijah Harris #30 (Bruins, G, 5’8”, 150lbs, 1997)-Elijah was near flawless with the only goal against a rebound on 6-4. He moved well and was aggressive to the shooters. He didn’t leave much in the way of rebounds and looked to have an easy afternoon in securing the win. College: Brown. A

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GOJHL Scouting Report: St. Mary’s Lincolns

Articles, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

GOJHL Scouting Report: St. Mary’s Lincolns

Information is based on St. Mary’s November 27th,  game in Chatham against the Maroons.  Chatham won the game the game 5-2. Grades are for this game only and in relation to others noted here. All the players listed are new to our Neutral Zone player profiles.

Justin Vandendool #9 (Right, 6’2/175, 1999)-Vandendool is in his first season with St. Mary’s. He played last season for the London Jr. Knights Major Midget AAA team. He is an average skater with a long stride and has good puck handling skills through the neutral zone. He needs more intensity on the forecheck. Grade: B+

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Blue Ox-MN Bantam Tournament

Articles, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

Neutral Zone has been out watching Bantams in Minnesota early this 2016-17 season. Here is a quick look at some of the early performances from the Blue Ox Tournament.

First, a quick preamble in regards to Minnesota Hockey: Minnesota is a community based program. Each town has a youth hockey association. Players must play for the town association in which they live. They also use the athletes’ grade in school as the determining factor as to which team you are eligible for (Peewee, Bantam, High School.) The highest level in the Minnesota system is “AA”. Some associations choose to play “A” because they have lower numbers in that age group. This means, if a player is on an “A” team, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are behind a “AA” player in ability. It might simply indicate that his town didn’t have enough players to field a “AA” team.

Players listed below stood out in this tournament. Grades are for this event and in relation to others on the list. Players here did well to get noticed. All these athletes are new to our Neutral Zone profiles. If you click on a name, that player’s profile will appear. Because of the young age of this group, the profiles are incomplete. However, as we gather more information you will be able to see all scouting reports, stats and updates on those profile pages.

Zachary Michaelis (’02 Elk River AA)-Second in Tournament Scoring: 4 goals 6 assists- Speed kills and Michaelis was flying this weekend. Couple that with his excellent balance and puck skills and he’s a big reason Elk River walked out as 2016 Blue Ox Champions. We love his skating and how he took pucks to the net, we’ll be tracking his ability to make little plays and show that he won’t be relying soley on his speed at the next level. Grade: A

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St. Paul’s Jamboree: Top 16

Articles, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

Neutral Zone attended the St. Paul’s Jamboree in Concord, New Hampshire on November 27th and 28th,. Four prep schools (St. Paul’s (host), Tabor, Loomis Chaffee, and Groton School) were in attendance and played a total of three games. Records during the weekend: Loomis Chaffee 3-0; Tabor 2-1, Groton 1-2, and St. Paul’s 0-3.

Below is a listing of players that had a strong weekend. It is important to note that this is early in the season and many of the teams are just starting to find chemistry playing together. Neutral Zone will check back in with the teams later in the year to track development.

Grades are for this weekend and in relation to others on this list. These are the players stood out the most.

Joey Cipollone (Loomis, 5’11/165, 7/12/1999) – Had a very strong weekend and was consistently the best player on the ice. Plays a complete game at the prep level. Stronger player that skates well using long powerful strides. Has the speed to beat defenders wide, and plays more of a finesse game. Finds seams with ease and on numerous occasions split the defense through the neutral zone for break-a-way chances. Has a heavy shot with a quick release. Smart player who thinks the game well and uses his teammates to his advantage. Also not afraid to be physical and is relentless on the forecheck. College: Vermont. Weekend grade: A

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GOJHL: St. Catharine’s vs. Fort Erie

Articles, Game/Tournament Reviews, Prospects, Scouting Reports

St. Catharine’s Falcons 5 vs. Fort Erie Meteors 4 – Nov 25th, 2016-Neutral Zone headed to a GOJHL game and below are players we evaluated. Grades are for this game only and are in relation to other players in the game.

Fort Erie Forwards

Dakota Miskolczi (Forward, L, 6’1” 172 lbs, Fort Erie Meteors, Jun/98) – Dakota is 2 weeks back from the QMJHL were he suited up for a few games in that league. He was a 5th rounder by the London Knights in the 2014 OHL Priority Draft. Dakota had a good game making things happen on the forecheck and effective on the power play. Power play goal with a nice shot through traffic in the first period off the post and in. A

Alex McAteer (Forward, R, 6’2” 180 lbs, Fort Erie Meteors, Feb/99) – Alex looked better this time I saw him. Playing with more confidence it seemed, in on the forecheck harder. He scored a beautiful goal when he was set up all alone in the slot with a lane to the never, drove the lane and put a nice move on the Canadians goalie. A good skater with decent hands it will be interesting to see how he improves. B

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