Played on November 24, 2023
Ryan Conmy (RW, R, 5’10”, 188, University of New Hampshire, 10/23/2004, New Hampshire)
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Conmy was easily the best player on the ice and a freshman with a late ’04 birthdate too. Viewings of Conmy have come through the years at the Jr Sabs program BK Selects (U18) and in USHL last season. His best attribute is his shot release & accuracy. He scored a goal in 2nd period as took a pass in the neutral zone went down the strong side wing in a 1v1 situation and beat the goalie over with a bullet wrist shot from the circle over the blocker, far-side. He scored 2nd goal in 3rd period on power again top circle wrist shot to far-side over the glove this time. He had a couple of 1-timers on a 5v3 power play the goalie made key saves. Led with game-high 8 SOG. While scoring 2 goals he also drew a penalty slipping by the defender at the offensive zone blue line and still managed to set up #26 Winters coming in down slot from his belly with one hand on the stick in the 3rd period. Also had a good set-up after zone entry in 1st period to linemate as wrapped a pass around the defender from the outside wall to the slot area for a high-end scoring chance. He also made a great play in 2nd period on the penalty kill, and takeaway inside the defensive zone, creating a semi, self-breakaway opportunity with his speed from a dead start. He is the player that stirs UNH offense. He possesses good offensive instincts, puck skills, playmaking, and of course his ability to shoot and change his release angle. Unfortunately not a big kid, yet it does not stop him with body contact as fights through checks and was a very effective player in all three zones. He thrives on the power play like any offense player, yet also was out on the penalty kill a couple of times. LA Kings prospect is developing well in the early going of the college ranks.
Gianfranco Cassaro (D, L, 5’11”, 186, RIT, 03/30/1999, UMass Amherst)
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Cassaro is an undersized left-shot defenseman who has good mobility and puck-handling skills. He is a good puck mover with solid puck decisions from the back end. He did not try forcing passes or turnover puck. Cassaro smartly used his partner and forward options well. He showed good puck retrievals and used his net well under pressure in the defensive zone to elude pressure. He scored two power-play goals from top circle on 1-timers. Beat the goalie both times over the glove. Keep in mind he is an older player in college at 24 years old. A free agent with an opportunity in the minor league in the ECHL or even AHL perhaps.
Carter Wilkie (C, R, 6’1″, 191, RIT, 04/03/2000, RIT)
Game Grade: B
Comments: Wilkie has attended NHL development camps with Calgary & Vegas in the past. In past seasons has played wing, though he was center here in this game. He struggled at face-off dot all night. While his straight-line speed is decent, lateral movements are average as times you see crossovers lack smoothness and acceleration. His best opportunity came in 1st period on the power play off face-off as he was set up in the slot in a soft area from below the goal line and shot high with the goalie out of position. He had a good shift in 1st period on the penalty kill as gained puck possession inside the defensive zone blue, created a scoring chance off the rush individually, and killed time on the penalty. Late in the 2nd period, he fluttered a 1-timer on a 5-minute power play from the top circle. Overall he was a non-factor offensively. He did finish his checks a few times. Viewings of Wilkie have come a few times over the three seasons at RIT, he has always performed average. He is an AHL player at this point. He has some attributes and skill sets for the pro levels, yet doesn’t really, truly excel in one aspect
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Russ Bitely