Each summer, USA Hockey’s Under-17 National Development Camp in Buffalo provides one of the earliest and most valuable opportunities to evaluate top American talent eligible for the upcoming NHL Draft. This year’s group, composed primarily of 2008-born players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, offered a competitive, fast-paced look at a range of prospects from across the country. While skill, hockey sense, and compete level remain the foundational pillars of long-term success, it’s important to note that physical tools, particularly size and strength potential, continue to play a significant role in an NHL projection. The average NHL player stands 6’1.5″ and weighs 206 pounds, with NHL All-Stars averaging only slightly smaller at 6′ 1″, 201 pounds. Size alone is not a deciding factor, but when paired with pace, skill, and hockey IQ, it can and will tilt evaluations. The following player evaluations were compiled by Neutral Zone scouts and focus solely on players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, offering a snapshot of which U17 American prospects not in the National Team Development Program are trending upward as we move into the 2025–26 season.
Colin Feeley (D, L, 6’8″, 195, Oshawa Generals, 03/07/2008, Harvard) Colin Feeley is a towering 6’8″, 192-pound left-shot defenseman who remains a long-term project but showed encouraging flashes at the Under-17 National Camp, blending his size, reach, and developing coordination into an effective, positionally sound game. His physical presence alone made him difficult to play against—he stood up attackers in the neutral zone with force, used his long stick to consistently disrupt plays, and kept opponents honest with occasional bite to his game. While his lateral quickness and foot speed remain below average, Feeley has begun to show signs of improved fluidity and timing after a recent growth spurt. He was confident defending in-zone, closed gaps effectively, and made intelligent, simple puck decisions under pressure. Offensively, he moved well along the blue line, put pucks on net through traffic, and showed an understanding of how to extend offensive zone time. However, his balance, edge control, and coordination still lag behind and were exposed when defending pace wide. To reach his long-term potential, Feeley must focus on lower body strength, edge work, and puck handling under pressure to keep pace with faster opponents and handle heavy hard physical forechecking more cleanly. His size and improving awareness give him a clear foundation, but to project toward professional success he must continue to add mass, play consistently harder in contested areas, and add efficiency to his skating mechanics to keep up with the speed of the modern National League game.
Jake Gustafson (RW, R, 6’4″, 183, Portland Winterhawks, 04/03/2008, Colorado College) Jake Gustafson is a 6’4″, 183-pound right-shot forward who blends size, skill, and hockey sense into a reliable, multi-situational presence with clear long-term upside. He is at his best when he plays a power-forward style with finesse touches, using his length to protect pucks, make skillful touch plays under pressure, and maintain possession through contact. His stride is long and fluid in open ice, and while not explosive off the mark, he gets to speed with time and uses it effectively to drive wide or delay for support. Offensively, he is able to beat goalies with a quick, heavy release off the rush or make purposeful passes through seams to the wide dot-lane. He plays a detail-oriented game, helps win faceoffs, supporting low in the zone, and consistently making the right read on breakouts and forechecks. He was productive at camp, contributing to goals in multiple ways: off the rush, below the dots, and net-front. He also showed value on the penalty kill with a strong stick and smart positioning. That said, he still needs to improve his first-step quickness, core strength, and shift-to-shift pace to maximize his impact, especially given his lanky frame and the physicality of NHL play. At times he coasted in the defensive zone and relied too much on reach instead of closing space with urgency. As he enters the 2025/26 season, his focus should be on improving his first step acceleration, playing with greater physical engagement in the defensive end, and adding mass to his frame to support a more imposing power forward net-front and board game. Given his current trajectory and tools, Gustafson profiles as a projectable power forward with middle-six NHL potential if he continues to round out his game and increase his pace.
Brooks Rogowski (C, R, 6’7″, 240, Oshawa Generals, 06/24/2008) Brooks Rogowski is a 6’7″, 240-pound right-shot center who brings rare size and natural strength to the ice, projecting as a power forward with intriguing long-term potential if he continues to develop at his current pace. His best asset is his ability to generate offense through a shoot-first mentality, particularly in high-traffic areas where his frame is difficult to move and his reach gives him an advantage in puck protection and rebound recovery. Despite his rawness, he shows a good understanding of how to use his size by getting inside, screening goalies, and capitalizing on secondary scoring chances at the crease. He’s also shown promise on the penalty kill by using his length to take away space and passing lanes. Offensively, he keeps things simple and can execute basic passes effectively, though at times he’ll throw pucks away under pressure instead of moving his feet or using his frame to extend plays. His skating is functional north-south, but he lacks first-step quickness, agility, and overall coordination, leading to occasional stumbles and difficulty creating space in tight areas. Over the 2025/26 season, Rogowski needs to improve his lower-body strength, mobility, and shift-to-shift intensity to become more of a consistent physical presence and a reliable two-way center. If he can smooth out his stride mechanics and play with more pace, his physical tools and net-front ability could translate to a specialized bottom-six NHL role, but right now, he remains a developmental project with situational value and the raw foundation of a potential late-blooming power forward.
Joe Erickson (C, R, 6’5″, 203, Blake HS, 04/21/2008) Joe Erickson is a 6’5″, 203-pound right-shot forward who can play center or right wing and presents clear long-term upside as a power forward with soft hands and growing confidence. At the U17 National Camp, Erickson consistently created mismatches with his size, reach, and puck protection, particularly when attacking off the wall or cutting to or through the royal road with control and poise. He demonstrated above-average puck skills for his frame, including the ability to transition between hands and navigate defenders in stride. Physically, he played with an edge by engaging in scrums after whistles, finishing checks, and setting a tone that opponents had to respect. However, his skating remains a developmental area; while his stride is long and reasonably fluid, he still has a stiff, forward-leaning posture that limits his quickness, lateral mobility, and agility in transition. Over the 2025/26 season, Erickson needs to continue building his skating mechanics, adding lower-body strength with improved hip and hamstring flexibility to better support a powerful stride and allow him to better separate or recover defensively. If those areas come along, his blend of size, puck skill, and competitiveness make him a legitimate prospect to monitor closely as a potential middle-six power winger with a net-front, heavy game suited for the pro level.
Sean Burick (D, R, 6’8″, 210, Penticton Vees, 01/09/2008, Denver) Sean Burick is a 6’8″, 210-pound right-shot defenseman with rare length and a clear defensive presence who showed flashes of long-term National League potential at the U17 National Camp. His greatest asset is his reach, which he uses effectively to smother puck carriers, close gaps early in the neutral zone, and eliminate space in the defensive zone and off the rush. He displayed a physical edge with a few punishing hits, though his timing occasionally took him out of position. Offensively, Burick contributed with a heavy shot from the point and found ways to hold pucks in at the offensive blue line, but overall his puck decisions were inconsistent, at times showing vision, a plan and clean execution, while in other instances forcing plays or mishandling pucks under pressure. His skating stride is sound for his size, but agility, foot speed, and lateral mobility will need continued focused development, especially as the pace of play increases through juniors, into college and professional hockey. Over the 2025/26 season, Burick must focus on finding consistency in his first-touch execution, adding deception to his puck retrievals and outlet passing under duress, and becoming more consistently physical in high-danger areas. Given his size, tools, and glimpses of defensive awareness, he remains a raw but intriguing project with the ceiling of a shutdown, stay-at-home defenseman as his processing and skating continues to elevate in unison with his off-ice development.
Brian McFadden (D, R, 6’5″, 183, Thayer Academy, 01/08/2008) Brian McFadden is a 6’5″, 183-pound right-shot defenseman from Thayer Academy who was notable at the U17 National Camp with his combination of athleticism, compete level, and emerging two-way presence. He played with energy and purpose, showcasing a long, rangy frame that allowed him to close gaps, defend the rush effectively, and smother net-front threats with an active stick and sound body positioning. He made simple, accurate breakout passes under pressure, showed the ability to process plays quickly, and handled the puck well for a tall defender, using hands held off his body to manage bouncing pucks and catch passes cleanly. Offensively, he moved well along the blue line, kept pucks in the zone with good reach and timing, and flashed deception and vision distributing pucks into high-danger areas. He dropped to a single knee to block shots, engaged physically when needed, and was a vocal, emotional leader on the bench. While wiry for his size and still maturing physically, McFadden’s coordination, edge control, and ability to manipulate space on retrievals stood out. He did take a few risks with offensive reads and got caught up the ice more than once, but he recovered well and consistently made intelligent reads in transition. To reach his full potential, McFadden needs to continue building overall-body strength and explosiveness, improving his puck security under pressure, and finding consistency in his offensive decision-making with the puck. With continued development, particularly in adding muscle to his frame and quickening his first steps, he has the tools to develop into a reliable, mobile shutdown defenseman with second-pair potential at higher levels.
Kaiden Donia (D, R, 6’5″, 190, Groton School, 01/16/2008) Kaiden Donia is a 6’5″, 190-pound right-shot defenseman from Groton School who showed flashes of high-end athleticism and two-way potential at the U17 National Camp, though he remains a raw prospect still growing into his frame. His physical tools stand out immediately as he closes gaps quickly, takes away time and space with his long reach, and is a disruptive presence defensively, using body positioning, leverage, and a good hard stick with detail to win battles and eliminate second chances around the net. He showed a willingness to play through contact, block shots, and deliver hits, particularly as the week progressed. Offensively, Donia flashed confidence carrying pucks up ice and was active at the offensive blue line, keeping pucks in and jumping into the high slot to get shots through. However, the pace of play challenged him at times; he rushed decisions under pressure, misread line rushes, and had trouble with retrievals, often defaulting to low-percentage clears when pressured. His footwork and pivoting remain inconsistent due to him still growing into himself, and his stride, while fluid in space is still gaining explosiveness and strength. In the 2025/26 season, Donia will need to focus on strengthening his core and lower body to better handle pressure and physicality, improving his puck management under heavy forechecking pressure, and finding consistency in his skating mechanics to become more efficient and agile in small-area situations. He has clear long-term upside as a mobile, physical shutdown defenseman with the tools to be impactful at higher levels if he continues to progress in his development path.
Brady Sloper (D, R, 6’3″, 208, Lincoln Stars, 05/21/2008) Brady Sloper is a physically imposing 6’3″, 208-pound right-shot defenseman who brought a consistent, hard-nosed, and effective game to the U17 National Camp, showing why he remains one of the more intriguing ’08 blueliners in the country. His combination of size, strength, and balance made him a punishing defender in his own zone, where he routinely eliminated threats with body contact, pinned opponents in battles, and broke up plays using an active stick and smart positioning. He excelled on the penalty kill by having a plan to take away time and space, showed a willingness to block shots, was reliable defending the rush with good angles and lateral mobility, and brought an edge that forced opponents to think twice when entering his lane. Offensively, he played within himself by athletically keeping pucks in along the offensive blueline, walking the blue line to improve shooting lanes, and delivering accurate, heavy shots through traffic that created rebounds. His retrievals and puck movement under pressure have improved, though he still needs to trust his first read and avoid holding onto pucks too long. Sloper’s skating posture is upright but powerful, and he moves well for his size with strong edges and straight-line speed. While not flashy or overly dynamic, his game is built around simplicity, toughness, and effectiveness in all three zones. Over the 2025/26 season, he should focus on continuing to develop puck poise under pressure, adding deception, and maintaining a consistent tempo shift-to-shift. With NHL-ready size and a mean assertive defensive mindset, his trajectory points toward being a dependable shutdown defenseman with the tools to contribute physically and situationally at higher levels.
Nicholas Desiderio (LW, L, 6’1″, 194, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 06/16/2008, Providence) Nicholas Desiderio is a 6’1″, 194-pound left-shot winger who led the U17 National Camp in scoring with 5 goals and 8 assists in 6 games. He is a highly skilled, physically mature forward capable of driving offense through puck possession, anticipation, and effort. He consistently created scoring chances by using his frame to protect pucks, his quick release to finish in tight, and his vision to distribute hard flat passes from the half wall or below the goal line. Desiderio’s forechecking pressure caused frequent turnovers, and he was effective working along the boards where he absorbed contact and maintained possession while his eyes remained up locating the next play. His puck control, deception, and ability to dictate pace in the offensive zone allowed him to control shifts and open space for teammates. While his foot speed is only average, he compensates with smart routes, a long reach, and an ability to engage in hard areas with purpose. He was a major contributor to his team’s success, showcasing scoring touch, power elements, and situational awareness. To reach his potential as a pro prospect, Desiderio will need to continue improving his explosiveness, four-way agility, off the puck defensive details and develop more consistency in his purposeful play away from the puck to ensure that his competitiveness matches his skill level shift-to-shift. Given his frame, puck management, and offensive instincts, he projects well as he continues to elevate his skating efficiency and play with consistent defensive urgency over the 2025/26 season.
Chase Gaughan (C, R, 6’2″, 181, Sarnia Sting, 07/01/2008) Chase Gaughan is a 6’2″, 181-pound right-shot center who emerged as one of the most dynamic forwards at the U17 National Camp with his blend of size, offensive instincts, and fluid puck skill. He consistently found soft areas in coverage, made poised plays under pressure, and used his long reach to protect pucks and manipulate defenders off the rush. His puck control and patience, particularly on the power play and in transition, allowed him to generate offense through smart deceptive passing and quick-strike shooting. He was effective working along the walls and showed the ability to change angles on his release or create higher-quality chances by extending plays. However, Gaughan’s game still has some raw elements as his stride mechanics are still developing consistency, particularly to generate more fluidity, lower-body power and quickness in tight space, and his off-puck defensive commitment must improve, as he at times failed to get on the defensive side of the puck or track effectively by choosing to stay outside the dot-lane. To reach his full potential as a pro prospect, Gaughan must add power and strength, become more assertive in contested areas, and round out his 200-foot game, but his size, poise, hands, and hockey IQ make him a high-upside forward worth tracking closely over the 2025/26 season.
Leo Laschon (D, L, 6’2″, 195, Oshawa Generals, 03/19/2008, Northeastern) Leo Laschon is a 6’2″, 195-pound left-shot defenseman with a physical, low-risk style and clear defensive upside, who continues to trend upward in his development. At the U17 National Camp, he stood out for his ability to use his size, strength, and long reach to shut down opposing forwards and intimidate, particularly around the net front and in defensive-zone corners. He plays a heavy, hard-nosed game predicated on pinning opponents, blocking shots, and taking away time and space with an active stick and assertive physicality. He’s also added more mobility and deceptiveness to his puck play, showing improved escapability, cleaner acceleration, and better reads through the neutral zone, including more recognition of when to activate into the high-slot for a scoring opportunity. However, Laschon still has clear areas to address: his backward acceleration and lateral agility remain inconsistent, and he can get flat-footed or beaten wide when he mistimes his gaps or puck watches on line-rushes. While he’s begun to show more poise and instincts with the puck, his offensive skill set is still developing and at times he slowed the pace in transition or played reactive hockey in high-speed moments. Over the 2025/26 season, he’ll need to continue developing his footwork, improve his puck management under pressure on retrievals, and add fluidity to his puck movement while maintaining the edge and physicality that make him difficult to play against. Given his size, competitiveness, and defensive presence, Laschon projects as a physically mature, bottom-pair shutdown defenseman at the professional level as he cleans up his mobility and positional reads.
Jack Hextall (C, R, 6’0″, 187, Youngstown Phantoms, 03/23/2008, Michigan State) Jack Hextall is a skilled, highly competitive right-shot forward with the versatility to play both center or either wing and not miss a beat, and he consistently impacted games at the U17 National Camp with his blend of puck possession, vision, and grit. At 6’0″, 187 pounds, he may be slightly undersized relative to NHL averages, but he compensates with a wide wingspan, soft hands, and the ability to shield and control pucks under heavy pressure. Hextall was effective in all three zones by winning faceoffs, intercepting passes, making smart reads, and generating offense off the rush or down low. His puck patience, precise passing, and ability to manipulate defenders made him a consistent playmaker, especially on the power play and odd-man rushes where he created multiple high-end scoring chances. He showed a knack for drawing defenders and opening up space for linemates with savvy body positioning and strong puck protection. He played with a snarl, wasn’t afraid to get under opponents’ skin, and brought physical engagement without taking himself out of position. However, his stride mechanics remain a work in progress—his push-off lacks full extension, and his play can slow when the pace elevates, as he’s more deliberate than instinctive in high-tempo sequences. Over the 2025/26 season, Hextall will need to continue developing his explosiveness and add more pace to his decision-making while a larger defender is leaning on him, but his IQ, compete level, and offensive skill set make him one of the more intriguing two-way forwards in this age group.
George Komadoski (D, R, 6’4″, 215, Flint Firebirds, 08/03/2008) George Komadoski is a 6’4″, 215-pound right-shot defenseman with a mature, physical game that utilizes his size effectively to disrupt opposing forwards. He’s an imposing presence in front of the net and along the boards, excelling at tying up sticks and clearing the crease without getting himself tied up or on the wrong side of the puck. His physicality is coupled with a growing ability to skate, as he’s shown improvement in his mobility, agility and gap control, particularly in tight situations. While not a standout in terms of offensive production, Komadoski excels at making quick, efficient passes and can facilitate breakouts effectively, often acting as a safety valve for his team. His defensive instincts are strong, and he plays a conservative, sound game without trying to force plays, chase pucks or unnecessarily chase contact. However, his footwork, especially his heel-to-heel pivots and four-way agility, is still developing, and he has yet to prove himself against stronger, older competition. To maximize his potential, Komadoski will need to continue developing his skating mechanics, particularly his agility and transitions, while working on leveraging his physical presence to become a more dominant defender at higher levels. As he continues to develop these aspects of his game, he could develop into a reliable, shutdown defender with solid puck-moving ability.
Rowen Sang (LW, L, 6’3″, 181, Kimball Union, 03/03/2008) Rowen Sang is a 6’3″, 181-pound left-shot winger with a projectable frame and a versatile game that allows him to contribute in all situations. He skates well for his size with a long, balanced stride and solid edgework, using his reach and frame effectively to protect pucks extending possession, create separation, and pressure defenders on the forecheck. Offensively, he shows flashes of creativity and poise, with soft hands in tight, a quick release, and the ability to distribute in stride. He was impactful in transition, slipped in and out of coverage, and showed good habits defensively with disciplined positioning and awareness. While his reach and stick were disruptive defensively, he still needs to get stronger on pucks and win more 50/50 battles to fully leverage his size advantage. Additionally, adding core strength and lower body power will allow him to play in a lower stance and improving his first touch will help him become more effective in traffic and along the walls. With continued strength development and more assertiveness in physical areas, Sang has the raw tools and skating base to emerge as a reliable power winger with two-way value and long-term upside that translates to the professional game.
Jimmy Egan (C, L, 6’2″, 182, Brandon Wheat Kings, 03/19/2008, Arizona State) Jimmy Egan is a 6’2″, 182-pound left-shot power forward who plays a heavy, honest, north-south power game built on strength, competitiveness, and physical maturity. He’s effective below the dots, protects pucks with his frame, and consistently gets to the interior to create scoring chances, particularly on the power play where his catch-and-release shot and one-timer are threats. Egan showed the ability to lead his team with speed through the neutral zone, protect pucks in motion, and play a mature, two-way game by blocking shots, killing penalties, and finishing checks with purpose and authority. His motor and hockey sense allow him to read pressure, support his linemates, and make quick, decisive plays. That said, his skating is still developing fluidity and consistency, particularly explosiveness in his first few steps and lateral mobility coming out of hard hockey stops, which limits his ability to separate against faster competition. His first touch and puck management through the grey areas need improvement. As he continues to grow into his frame, Egan’s development in stride efficiency, quickness, and puck skill will be critical in determining whether he can project as more than a bottom-six, heavy-minutes forward at the higher levels. The foundation of strength, work ethic, and identity is there, but he’ll need to add pace and processing to reach his ceiling.
Caden Harvey (C, R, 6’1″, 180, Windsor Spitfires, 02/13/2008, Penn State) Caden Harvey is a 6’1″, 180-pound right-shot center with high-end athletic tools, an elite skating stride, and legitimate offensive upside, but he remains an inconsistent performer who has yet to establish a defined identity in his game. At his best, he was one of the most dangerous and complete forwards at the U17 National Camp as he was able to drive play through the middle of the ice, create separation with pace and posture, and generate grade “A” scoring opportunities from anywhere in the offensive zone with deception, hard flat passes and a quick-release shot. He’s strong on pucks, smooth in transition, and displays the ability to catch passes in motion and make high-skill plays under pressure. He excelled on special teams, played with pace, and flashed playmaking vision with clean zone entries and well-timed feeds through seams. However, at times he drifted to the perimeter, relied on his skill without urgency, and lacked second-effort detail around 50/50 puck battles. Harvey’s stride, shot, puck handling, and IQ are clear assets, and he made visible in-game adjustments to become impactful in the offensive zone. To reach his full potential in 2025–26 and maximize his long-term projection toward pro hockey, Harvey must commit to competing consistently, define a more reliable identity shift-to-shift, and improve his engagement in contested areas, particularly without the puck. The ceiling is high, but his progression will depend on whether he plays with consistent detail, purpose, and grit.
Owen Degraff (RW, R, 6’2″, 203, Waterloo Black Hawks, 01/13/2008, Penn State) Owen DeGraff is a physically mature, 6’2″, 203-pound right-shot winger who plays a classic power-forward game built on strength, puck protection, and net-driving presence. At the U17 National Camp, he consistently used his size to his advantage, shielding defenders along the walls, extending offensive zone time, and wearing down opponents below the dots. He displayed improved pace and offensive awareness, making smart passes off the rush and generating high-danger chances by attacking inside ice. While his first-step quickness and separation speed still need development, his top-end speed is effective once he gets moving, and he was able to generate clean entries and apply relentless forechecking pressure. He showed responsible two-way play, with active stick positioning, strong angles on the forecheck, and a willingness to block shots and sacrifice defensively. He consistently shows offensive tools and heavy shot, finishing camp with three goals and three assists. Overall he will need to continue improving his quickness, puck retrieval efficiency, and ability to finish under pressure to maximize his pro potential. With his frame, offensive touch, and upward trajectory, DeGraff is trending in the right direction, but his 2025–26 focus should be on developing pace, adding consistent nastiness, and continuing to round out his skill set at the top of the crease to evolve from a physically dominant junior player into a versatile National League prospect.
Brody Gillespie (C, L, 6’1″, 195, Spokane Chiefs, 02/16/2008) Brody Gillespie is a 6’1″, 195-pound left-shot center with an athletic frame, fluid skating stride, and quick game processing that allowed him to consistently impact play at both ends of the ice during the U17 National Camp through anticipation. Offensively, he displayed quick hands and footwork on the puck, highlighted by composed, high-skill plays through the neutral zone that saw him consistently attack the royal road. He sees the ice well at pace, plays with his head up, and makes smart, spatially aware passes including a high-end saucer feed on a 2-on-1 that showed vision and touch. Gillespie also showed flashes of power in his game, using his frame to protect pucks and battle physically in the defensive zone, while remaining responsible in his reads and positioning. His skating is one of his best tools, featuring a quick first step and strong straight-line acceleration that allowed him to pressure pucks and generate offense from anywhere on the ice sheet. That said, he was inconsistent shift to shift, with some long defensive-zone shifts caused by puck management lapses, and he still needs to improve his ability to finish plays and maintain intensity throughout a full game. To reach his potential, Gillespie’s focus for 2025–26 should be on improving his shift-to-shift compete, adding more edge to his game, and finishing more consistently around the net. With his frame, mobility, and two-way awareness, he projects as an NHL prospect with continued physical and skill development, but bringing consistency to his game and a 200′ identity will be key to separating himself as a high-level pro prospect.
Landon Amrhein (RW, R, 6’5″, 192, Calgary Hitmen, 04/06/2008) Landon Amrhein is a 6’5″, 192-pound right-shot winger with a long, athletic frame and an increasingly assertive power forward mindset that stood out at the U17 National Camp. His combination of reach, balance, and smooth, powerful skating allowed him to generate consistent zone entries, protect pucks with strength, and create offense off the rush and cycle. He showed soft hands for a player his size, executing high-skill moves in tight areas and displaying poise under pressure. Amrhein was a presence in all situations, using his length to disrupt plays defensively, anticipate passing lanes, and kill penalties, while also showcasing scoring instincts and puck control in the offensive zone. He is developing a true power-forward style, driving the net, maintaining possession below the dots, and drawing coverage to free up teammates. However, he still tends to play in a relatively upright posture and isn’t overly punishing despite his size, and his game-to-game consistency and decision-making, particularly with high-risk stickhandling attempts in dangerous areas, will need to improve. For the 2025–26 season, Amrhein should focus on continuing to build lower-body strength to add explosiveness to his first few strides, embracing physicality more consistently, and developing a more high percentage approach to his puck management. With his size, reach, and growing confidence, he offers intriguing upside as a modern power winger who can influence the game in all three zones and projects favorably if he rounds out his game.
Blake Zielinski (RW, L, 6’0″, 195, Des Moines Buccaneers, 03/05/2008, Providence) Blake Zielinski is a 6’0″, 195-pound right-shot right wing who plays a competitive, intelligent, and offensively versatile game. He blends grit with skill, using his strong frame, excellent hand-eye coordination, and firm puck control to consistently battle through contact and generate plays under pressure. His passing is an element to his game that is undervalued, as he shows the ability to make flat, crisp, accurate feeds in motion or through traffic, and he can create offense off the rush or cycle. Zielinski’s offensive instincts are instinctual. He supports the puck well, finds scoring pockets, and is a threat both as a shooter and playmaker. He plays with an edge, finishing checks with authority and anticipating well on the forecheck and penalty kill with details and an active stick. His shot is quick and accurate, and he’s capable of scoring from poor angles or collecting loose pucks for quick stick rebound finishes. However, his skating is his biggest area for focused development as his stride is not fluid, and he can at times stop moving his feet or get caught puck-watching when away from the puck. He also tends to force plays into traffic without surveying his option in the second layer, leading to occasional unforced turnovers. For the 2025–26 season, Zielinski needs to focus on developing his lower-body explosiveness, developing efficiency in his stride mechanics to add pace, and continuing to round out his game away from the puck. His thick frame, motor, and offensive sense give him a strong foundation, and if his skating catches up to the rest of his toolkit, he has the potential to be a difficult-to-contain power winger at higher levels.
Kase Kamzik (LW, L, 6’2″, 201, Sarnia Sting, 04/15/2008, Miami (Ohio)) Kase Kamzik is a 6’2″, 201-pound left-shot winger with a prototypical power forward frame and developing all around offensive toolkit. He plays with poise and confidence, understands how to use his hips and long arms for puck protection, smooth first touch on both his forehand or backhand, and the ability to create offense through intelligent spacing, physicality, and a heavy, quick release that creates rebounds. Kamzik is most effective when attacking downhill using his long reach to win battles, extend possession, and generate chances off the rush or from goal-line drives. He’s particularly dangerous from the hash marks down, showing strength on the puck, vision to make soft area passes, a scoring touch when attacking the net and the ability to get the puck up under the bar from in tight. He initiates contact, finishes his checks, and agitates defenders with his size and strength. That said, he can be inconsistent shift-to-shift and occasionally over-handles the puck or struggles with shot accuracy. His skating, while functional in straight lines, still is developing, particularly in his stride length, posture, and acceleration to keep pace with the faster transitions that will occur at higher levels. In order to reach his potential and elevate his projection to professional levels, Kamzik must focus in 2025–26 on improving his lower-body explosiveness, adding pace to his game, and delivering more consistent off puck three-zone effort. If he tightens his game away from the puck and becomes more efficient in his glide, his size and offensive instincts will make him a valuable long-term asset at the professional level.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 176, Kelowna Rockets, 06/24/2008) Kalder Varga is a fast, agile right-shot winger who plays with pace and skill, showing the ability to create opportunities off of broken plays and finish scoring chances from anywhere in the slot. His high-end puck skills, excellent one-timer, and sharp offensive instincts made him a consistent threat throughout the U17 National Camp, and his ability to sneak into soft ice and get pucks off quickly stood out. He plays with a never-ending compete level, regularly challenging bigger defenders, attacking the interior, and showing assertiveness with the puck in transition. However, at 5’11”, 176 pounds, he is below the average NHL size and needs to add strength to be more effective in wall battles, in the crease and withstand contact. His off-puck defensive awareness remains a work in progress, especially on the penalty kill, where quicker processing, attention to detail and improved positioning will help. As he matures physically and rounds out his defensive game, Varga’s blend of speed, skill, and tenacity gives him a strong foundation to build upon heading into the 2025–26 season.
Joseph Salandra (RW, R, 5’11”, 196, Barrie Colts, 02/15/2008, Harvard) Joseph Salandra is a dynamic, right-shot winger who put together one of the most dominant offensive performances at the U17 National Camp, leading his team in scoring and showing elite puck skills, vision, and a deceptively quick release. At 5’11”, 196 pounds, he has added strength to his frame without losing the quick feet and rapid decision-making that have long been staples of his game, making him increasingly difficult to contain in tight spaces and heavy traffic. His ability to stickhandle through defenders, deliver accurate passes from below the goal line, and score from both the rush and the cycle made him a constant threat. He was active on the forecheck, created turnovers, and showed improved balance and physical engagement, delivering open-ice hits that changed the game’s momentum and sent a message. That said, his off-puck engagement remains inconsistent—at times floating in the neutral zone or playing contently staying on the wrong side of the puck while defending away from the puck—and his overall pace lacks top gear explosiveness, requiring more work on his stride and foot speed. To reach his potential and project favorably at the National League level, Salandra must continue adding to his defensive commitment, improving his effort without the puck, and developing the strength and lower-body power to maintain pace and play through contact at the pro level.
Nolan Duskocy (RW, R, 6’2″, 187, Charlottetown Islanders, 01/26/2008, UMass Amherst) Nolan Duskocy is a strong, right-shot power forward with a pro-style frame at 6’2″, 187 pounds, and projects well with continued time training on the turf and in the weight room. A consistent offensive contributor at the U17 National Camp, he used his size effectively to protect pucks, win 50/50 puck battles below the dots, and create space for himself and teammates by initiating contact or setting picks. Duskocy excels around the net front, showing strong hands in tight, a quick release, and an accurate shot that makes him a scoring threat on both the rush and cycle. He plays an honest, 200-foot game, willing to block shots, finish checks, and forecheck with the intent of getting the puck back or sending a message. He looked confident in all situations, and displayed offensive instincts with a knack for finding scoring areas off-puck. However, his separation speed remains an area to track, as he can struggle to pull away from defenders on the rush or generate separation when attacking the net off the cycle. To reach his potential as a power winger at the next level, Duskocy will need to improve his acceleration, drive more power through his stride, and continue to build strength, particularly in his lower body. With a combination of size, skill, and competitiveness, he has the foundation to be an impactful player as he continues to spend time in the weight room.
Colemen Bumgarner (LW, L, 6’0″, 200, Fargo Force, 04/25/2008, North Dakota) Colemen Bumgarner is a physically mature left-shot winger at 6’0″, 200 pounds who blends the tools of a power forward with the poise and vision of a skilled playmaker. He protects the puck effectively using his frame and wide skating base, and he was consistently heavy on pucks, winning battles along the wall and in front of the net. Offensively, he impressed with his ability to roll off contact, generate grade “A” scoring opportunities from in tight and distribute under pressure. He made clever royal road passes, found the weakside point through traffic, and intentionally shot for rebounds from poor angles. His quick hands and deceptive release make him a legitimate threat from anywhere in the house, and his calm puck play under pressure allowed him to slow the game down and control shifts. That said, his overall urgency and first-step explosiveness remain areas that require focused training, as his pace of play early in the event lagged behind the tempo and limited his impact in transition. If Bumgarner can improve his acceleration and bring a more consistent motor shift to shift, he has the foundation to be a high-end forward with pro upside due to his rare combination of balance, finesse, and hockey sense.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images