| Michael Citara | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | F | 5’11” | 166 | Providence | 2021 | New Hope, PA | 2002 | 2020-2021: C+ |
USHL: Sioux Falls at Sioux City, January 17, 2021: Citara has great instincts around the net and he showed that in this game scoring Sioux Falls’ first two goals and assisting on the overtime winner. On his first goal, the crafty forward positioned himself well on the rush and found soft ice on the backdoor where he buried the puck once it found its way to his stick. On his second goal, the Providence commit again showed great instincts around the net and found some quiet ice by the backdoor. His defenseman spotted him and hit him with a hard pass from the point, which Citara held onto, showed patience and then buried high over the goalie’s extended glove. In overtime he again proved to be a dangerous offensive threat when he created an odd man rush for his team. On this play he was towards the end of his shift and didn’t have enough in the tank to take the puck to the net. Instead, he pulled up, hit the trailer who was able to walk into the pass and bury it. Overall, Citara has great offensive instincts and contributed to every Sioux Falls goal in this game. Grade: A
USHL: Des Moines vs Sioux Falls, December 11, 2020: Citara played well in this game for the Stampede, threatening on offense and finishing the game with a goal and four shots. Citara is really good around the net and showed good finishing instincts with the puck on his stick. He is a threat to try defenders one on one and has the ability to create something out of nothing. Citara worked hard in the net area on offense, scoring his goal by repeatedly whacking at a rebound. Overall, Citara has a nose for the net and is a creative offensive player. Grade: B+
USHL: Des Moines, Sioux Falls, NTDP 17, Chicago, November 28, 2020: Has a great jump in his stride and skates well with his head up. His stick handles are deceptive which make him lethal on the power play and with space in the offensive zone. Plays a solid two way game working hard in his own zone willing to to get it done on defense in order to get put up points on offense. Grade: A-
USHL: Sioux City vs. Sioux Falls, November 2, 2020: Citara had somewhat of a slow start for the Stampede in this contest but really stood out in the second half of this game. He had a really nice goal to put his team up by one in the third period where he won a battle, drove the puck wide and buried a shot, short side high to beat the goalie. Aside from his goal Citara was responsible for creating other quality chances for the Stampede, both on the powerplay and even strength. Citara was especially effective creating this offense when he had time to work in the offensive zone. When his line was able to sustain pressure in the offensive zone and work with movement, Citara was always looking to find his teammates open in scoring areas. Grade: B+
USHL: Omaha vs. Tri-City; Fargo vs. Sioux Falls, October 26, 2020: Citara, like Nazzarrett, didn’t have much help from his other teammates in this contest. Citara created some chances on the forecheck and tried to funnel the puck to the net when he could. Citara wasn’t quite as effective as Nazzarrett in creating chances but he was around the net and trying to get to the tough areas when the puck was there. Overall, Citara didn’t have the best game, but he did play better than the majority of his teammates and tried to create chances on the forecheck and from offensive zone play. Grade: B
USA Hockey Select 16 National Development, July 2018: Citara made his National Camp debut after a standout year with Philadelphia Jr. Flyers U16 playing alongside Michael Cameron. He’s a speedy, agile, light on his feet forward with quick hands and touch around the net. He has an explosive first step that he uses to separate from defenders and is able to get off checks out of the corners and make plays to the net. He generated a lot of offense in the transition game and out of the corners where he’s confident in his speed and able to make slick moves 1v1 in open ice to get around defenders and the vision to create off the pass. Won puck battles and was tough to play against below the dots. Scored a goal on a nice bury upstairs and followed it with another score in the same game where he attacked the net on the rush and showed slick hands on a clever deke in tight for the goal. He’ll need to get a bit stronger and improve his puck control at full speed as he had a few rushes with a backchecker on him where he mishandled the puck or lost control. He finished the week with an impressive 2-5-7 line and made the All-Star Game. He was a late round pick in the Phase II USHL Draft by Cedar Rapids but will play for Mercer Chiefs next season. College: Colgate
U16: Jr. Flyers @ NJ Avs; Selects Academy @ NJ Avs, December 2017: Mike showed some flashes he has great hands and nice wheels. He has to distribute a bit more as today he over carried a bit.
Atlantic District Festival ’00, ’01, ’02, May 2017: Mike played well but must get more consistent. He has skills, is great in tight, has a good burst and a scorer’s eye for going to the right places. Overall he is a good finisher that when put with other good players, can put nice numbers up.