General Game Notes: A close game that came down to the last couple minutes but made the dramatics super intense for both teams.
| Joel Kjellberg | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 190 | Arizona State | 2024 | Nacka, SWE | 2004 | 2023-2024: C 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: His shot was gold tonight scoring two goals but just not enough to get his team the win. What Kjelberg does really well is create his own shot lanes on the blue line. He showed the creativity and patients to wait blockers out and control their skating forcing them one way then he would pop back the other. He has a smooth stride that allows him to get up and down the ice effortlessly, the way he skates he does a good job at beating opponents and keeping them tight to himself. This allows him to have more ice to work with after beating his defender.
| Joe Schiller | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | L | D | 5’11” | 189 | Northern Michigan | 2024 | Moorhead, MN | 2004 | 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Schiller consistently made smart reads, kept opponents to the outside, and disrupted scoring chances with well-timed poke checks and stickwork. He excelled at shot blocking, fearlessly throwing themselves in front of shots to protect his goaltender and prevent the opposition from getting pucks on net. His crisp breakout passes and ability to start the transition game were a reason why he did not spend a ton of time in his own zone.
| Connor Smith | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | R | RW | 5’10” | 173 | Union | 2024 | Hugo, MN | 2003 | 2020-2021: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: While Smith has some solid speed for playing more of a power forward role tonight, improving his overall agility and acceleration would make him an even more formidable force on the ice. Enhancing their stick handling and puck possession skills could lead to more controlled offensive zone entries and better playmaking opportunities for themselves and teammates. He has the IQ to enter the zone with speed and wants to make plays but needs to find better ways to create space. The predictability cutting back up the wall, defensemen were able to read that out.
| Amine Hajibi | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | L | LW | 6’2″ | 165 | Nebraska Omaha | 2024 | Ottawa, ON | 2005 | 2023-2024: B- 2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: He has great size impressive speed and agility for how big he is. This unique combination he used tonight allowed him to navigate through opponents with ease. His acceleration and quick change of direction created numerous scoring opportunities and chances at the net. With his impressive size and ability to create space, Hajibi showed tonight that he likes and wants the pressure to play under.
| Ethan Dahlmeir | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | G | 6’4″ | 225 | Lakeville, MN | 2003 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Dahlmeir made some great saves tonight stepping out of his crease and challenging shooters. Without being vulnerable with his angles, he was able to swallow shots not giving up a rebound. Likes to get out out of his net and play the puck and does a good job at finding open teammates. At times, the puck gets around the rim and but the effort to get and try to get a stick on it can make or break a breakout.
| Aiden VanRooyan | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | D | 6’2″ | 199 | Dkota Dunes, SD | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: VanRooyan showed tonight that his shot-blocking, stickwork, and ability to disrupt passing lanes were crucial in successfully killing off penalties and break up opponents extended time in zone. He reads loose pucks well and jumped out from in front of the net to beat the forward to the puck. His physicality came in handy delivering timely hits along the boards and in front of the net to separate opponents from the puck.
| Ben Kevan | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | R | RW | 6’0″ | 179 | Arizona State | 2025 | Fairfield, CA | 2007 | 2024-2025: C |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Kevan can definitely handle the puck. He does a good job at keeping the puck close to him giving options with what he wants to do. he’s got soft hands and a confidence in it, even under pressure spinning and weaving off the wall, looking to attack the net. He moves well in control, his feet and stick moving in and out of unison to shade away from opposing reach-ins. He showed tonight that he makes impact plays on the rush not afraid to cut to the middle and attack opponents in close.
| Lubomir Kupco | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | LW | 5’11” | 182 | St. Cloud | 2024 | Kosice, SVK | 2003 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: One aspect that Kupco showed was his creativity in the offensive zone, making quick dekes and creating space for themselves and his teammates. Their ability to protect the puck and generate scoring chances under pressure is why he was on the ice a lot in the offensive zone. He needs to showcase himself being more physical in board battles and in front of the net, his perimeter play was only so useful tonight when what his team needed was someone driving the net.
| Owen West | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | D | 5’11” | 181 | Michigan State | 2024 | Pittsboro, IN | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: West plays a two way role who wants to move the puck right when he gets it. Either does not like the puck on his stick too much or wants to play a fast game. Plays gaps tight and plays rushes well getting tight early even in the offensive zone or surfing through the neutral zone. Defends and looks to avoids mistakes was the name of his game tonight. He has the feet and skill that was shown when he did have the puck to extend his possession and look to make more dynamic passes.
| Alessandro Lurati | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | R | RW | 6’0″ | 186 | Sorengo, SUI | 2004 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Lurati for sure is one of the bigger players on the ice, he has a physical presence to him and when he gets the right angle and speed combination, he usually gets the best of who he is going after. Too many times tonight, was he straight legged, when he has the puck and when he is looking to bury someone, that’s when he is at his fastest. The other times, it looks like he is waiting for stuff to happen or be given to him.
Liam Watkins | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | C | 6’1″ | 199 | Nebraska Omaha | 2024 | Okotoks, AB | 2004 | 2023-2024: C 2022-2023: C+ 2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Watkins consistently found open shooting lanes and capitalized on scoring chances, finishing the game with multiple scoring chances. He does a good job at both finding lanes and creating them. He changes his shot angle with a little toe pull into his body and is able to release it around legs. Tonight he showed his speed and acceleration which allowed him to break away from defenders, creating numerous odd-man rushes putting pressure on the defenseman to keep their gaps.
| Chris Battaini Jr. | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | L | LW | 5’10” | 154 | Merrimack | 2025 | Pittsfield, MA | 2005 | 2022-2023: |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Battaini has the speed and quick start to beat any defender flat footed. He forces defenseman to respect his speed and this pushes their gaps back giving him time and space to work with. He skates the same speed with the puck then he does without it. He fore checks hard and creates turnovers catching opponents with the puck by surprise. He is fearless cutting to the middle of the ice at times and wants to win loose pucks battles regardless of the other players size.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images