Game played on 12/28/2024.
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone was in attendance for this USHL matchup between the USA U-17 NTDP and the Chicago Steel. Chicago defeated the NTDP 8-3 for the second time in as many days. Notable performers including Chicago’s: Kolin Sissons (Hat Trick, 1 Assist), Ben Yurchuck (2 Goals, 2 Assists), and NTDP’s: Jaime Glance (1 Goal, 1 Assist).
Benjamin Yurchuk (C, L, 5’8″, 169, Chicago Steel, 02/01/2005, Merrimack)
Grade: A-
Comments: Ben is an undersized, skilled forward, who pushes pace while combining impressive mobility and puck distribution. A player who is known more for his playmaking/passing abilities, he took more of a ‘shoot first’ approach tonight as he netted 2 goals and finished with 4 points overall (2G, 2A). His first goal came as Mutryn found him streaking down the high slot and darted straight for the net with speed and anticipation. However, his second goal was more eye catching as he was the trigger man for a 2 on 1 chance, where to many people’s surprises, he looked off his linemate at the last second and went top shelf on the backhand. Ben’s usual M.O. is to motor over the offensive blueline and then look to create time and space for his linemates, yet it was refreshing to see him play more of a multidimensional game tonight.
Kolin Sisson (RW, R, 5’9″, 172, Chicago Steel, 09/30/2006, Providence)
Grade: A
Comments: Kolin is a smaller in size, skillful, winger who provided a lot of entertainment in tonight’s game and was the catalyst for Chicago’s offense. He started the scoring only 28 seconds into the opening frame as he slid his way to the high slot and ripped a one-timer for his first goal. Several minutes later, he would extend the Steel’s lead, as he took advantage of blown neutral zone coverage, and slipped behind a USA defenseman, catching a stretch feed at the offensive blueline, and roofing a shot to the blocker side for his second goal. Kolin was agile on his feet and showed good decision-making abilities when controlling the puck. His footwork helped him to win some 50/50 pucks along the wall, which ultimately led to lengthy puck possession time as a team. He was arguably the best player on the ice tonight as he posted a hat trick and added an assist (3G, 1A).
Reid Conn (D, R, 6’4″, 205, Chicago Steel, 02/01/2004, New Hampshire)
Grade: B+
Comments: Reid finished the evening with 2 points (1G, 1A) and continues to try and prove that he is a big and able-bodied defenseman who can provide a competitive scoring touch on the backend. He loves to consistently jump into the play and use his body to create skating lanes, especially through the neutral zone and atop the offensive blueline. For example, Reid was able to catch a feed at USA’s blueline, then walked the line, head up all while opening his hips to create pivot options, down the near side wall. He then ripped a wrist shot from the near dot, which deflected off a defender’s shaft and in. In the past, Reid has sometimes became too caught up in jumping in the play, and could get caught below the goal line, however he appeared more disciplined in that aspect tonight, as he remained cognizant of when to get back on his blueline.
Jonas Kemps (D, L, 6’6″, 185, USA NTDP U17, 01/16/2008, Minnesota State)
Grade: B
Comments: Jonas is an above average sized, defensive defenseman, with a left shot. He can cover a lot of ground with his fluid skating ability and long reach, which helps him control the defensive blueline. Jonas was able to chip pucks up and out of the zone, as well as make safe pays to move the puck to his forward lines, however his play appears somewhat only two-dimensional; relying simply on his tall/lanky build, combined with his smooth stride. There was virtually no physicality in his game, and he did not make it difficult for Steel forwards along the wall or below the goal line. He is relying too much on his stick positioning/gap control to defend and not using his giant frame to finish off attackers. Oddly enough, at the end of the night, he finished as a plus 1, in a game that saw his team surrender 8 goals, so it is evident that he is doing something right on the defensive side of the puck. Offensively, he did not have any shots on goal and only has 2 assists in 25 games. Simply put, he needs to step outside of his comfort zone and become more of a two-way defenseman that he has originally been projected to be.
Aurelio Garcia (C, L, 5’9″, 180, NTDP U17, 06/03/2008, Notre Dame)
Grade: B-
Comments: AJ is a slightly average sized, two-way centerman, with a left shot. He picked up a nice goal in this contest as he snuck past a defenseman in the neutral zone and caught a breaking feed for a breakaway chance where he sniped a shot, top shelf, to the blocker side, to pull the NTDP to their closest deficit of the evening. AJ would factor into another goal, although he did not make the scoresheet, as he created a screen in front for a Zajic powerplay goal. This was one area of his game that looked strong on the evening, as he was able to rotate in and out of the high slot area on the powerplay, solidifying a strong net front presence in an attempt to stir up some sort of offensive havoc. AJ is a strong balanced skater, but what is impressive about his play in general, is his hockey IQ, and ability to make good decisions. Sure, he could have just parked himself in front of the net on the powerplay, but instead he chose to cycle out and create another option for his teammates on the perimeter. The same goes for his defensive zone decisions. In a game, where his squad was down substantially right out of the gate, AJ could have brough his compete level down, or worse yet started ‘cherry-picking.’ Instead, he continued to support his defensemen along the wall, attempting to dig out loose pucks. Unfortunately, he did not win the majority of these 50/50 puck battles tonight as the score might suggest. He’s a 200-foot player, who plays a north/south and east/west style of game. As he gains more experience with the NTDP, he should become more of a scoring threat. He should project as a top 6 forward going into next year.
Jamie Glance (F, R, 5’10”, 170, USA NTDP U17, 09/23/2008)
Grade: B+
Comments: Jaime is an average sized, two-way forward, with a right shot. Although somewhat quiet in the first period, he really came alive in the second and third period, finishing the game with 2 points (1G, 1A) and a team leading (5) five shots on goal. His lone goal came when he broke down the near boards and put a shot top shelf, to the blocker side. He had another eye-popping chance, when he created a shorthanded rush, playing catch with a teammate, and nearly picked up another assist, as the puck was tipped just wide of the post. Jaime has a powerful stride and consistently played the game at a quick pace. He showed confidence and a high compete level, despite his squad being down 5-0, five minutes into the second period. His backchecking was on full display, as he refused to give up on plays, as he grinded his way along the wall, to dig out pucks. Prior to this season, he was more of a first line power performer but has now settled into a bottom 6 role with the NTDP. Jaime has shown that there is quite a bit of versatility in his game, and it will be interesting going forward to see if he can find himself back in a top 6 role as he gains more experience. There was a lot to like about his relentless puck pursuit and pesky attributes away from the puck tonight.
Dayne Beuker (F, R, 5’10”, 158, USA NTDP U17, 03/23/2008)
Grade: B
Comments: Dayne is a slightly average, two-way forward, with a right shot. He was quietly one of the bright spots for the NTDP tonight as he posted (2) two assists on the night. Dayne’s best attributes tonight were puck protection and grit. You do not often see the 4th line center leading a team in points, but Dayne breaks that traditional build. You want to say he is an offensive forward, but he classifies more of a two-way, versatile, grinder. Much like his linemate Glance, his compete level was on full display, as he forechecked, backchecked, and created turnovers. Even though this line was listed as the fourth, it might as well have been the first, because it was by far the most effective for the NTDP tonight. Although, he finished with a couple of assists, it would have been nice to see him shoot the puck and drive the net more tonight, as he was only credited with one shot on goal.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images