Games played 9/18/24 to 9/22/24.
Neutral Zone had a team of scouts at the 2024 USHL Fall Classic in Pittsburgh, PA, covering every age group of the showcase, with two scouts dedicated exclusively to the USHL games and evaluating NHL prospects. Below are evaluations of players from the event, each accompanied by corresponding grades. Teams covered in this report: Des Moines, Dubuque, Fargo, Green Bay, Lincoln, Madison, Muskegon, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Tri City and Youngstown.
Ben Kevan (RW, R, 6’0″, 179, Des Moines Buccaneers, 01/03/2007, Arizona State)
Grade: A-
Comments: Ben Kevan was one of the most dangerous players at the Fall Classic and is clearly an NHL prospect. Against Chicago, he was noticeable on nearly every shift until he got injured and did not come back. Kevan has powerful legs, and a high work rate and motor. He moves his feet while shooting and consistently generates shots and high-quality chances. On one chance he creatively put the puck between his legs in a hurry and on another he burst down the ice from a stand still to win a race to get a shot off. He also contributed an assist on the power play with a seam pass. Showing he can make plays too. Kevan carries the puck with pace and is always a dangerous scoring threat. Ben Kevan will also not shy away from phsyicality, after a Grade A chance on a 2 on 1 he hunted down a defenseman to finish his check. He’s already proven he can score in the USHL and with his high compete he will continue to elevate his offensive output.
Yaroslav Bryzgalov (LW, L, 6’3″, 202, Des Moines Buccaneers, 03/23/2007)
Grade: C+
Comments: Bryzgalov has an NHL-ready body and size. While he doesn’t appear fast initially, once he gets going, he’s quicker than expected. He has a strong, quick release, but he over-backchecked once, failing to notice a big player behind him. Bryzgalov is facing a significant learning curve, especially in terms of playing on the defensive side of the puck and using his body more effectively to protect the puck. Coming from Belarus, the hockey life adjustment may be extremely difficult for him. Despite potential growing pains, Bryzgalov possesses some tools and a big body. He should and will develop a lot this season in the USHL.
Kristian Kostadinski (D, L, 6’5″, 219, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 05/20/2005, Boston College)
Grade: B
Comments: Kristian stands at 6’6′, Kostadinski is a physically imposing defenseman with strong defensive awareness, keeping his head on a swivel. While he uses his size well, there’s room to add more consistent physicality to his game. He makes sound, responsible plays with time and space, but his offensive game is still developing. Improving his skating and hand skills will be crucial for handling pressure and making plays with less time and space at higher levels. Given his size and defensive ability, more time to round out his offensive game will make him a more complete player. As the adjustment of the speed and style of the North American game starts to slow down for him you may start to see more glimpses of offense from Kostadinski. Although, with his size Kristian can just be a extremely simple defensive defenseman who is responsible in his own end.
Gavin Cornforth (RW, R, 5’9″, 154, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 12/15/2006, Boston College)
Grade: B
Comments: Cornforth is a smooth skater who handles the puck with confidence. On his goal against Sioux City, he collected the puck near the blue line, created space for himself, and kept his eyes on the net the entire time before going down on one knee to lean on his stick and rip a shot over the glove. He also displayed strong playmaking, one-timing a pass on a 3v2 rush, and showed tenacity to attacking defenders and use his shoulder to drive to the net. Has ability make plays on his backhand. It is clear that Gavin has tools and can think the game but if he wants to be a prospect he must continue to be more consistent each and every shift. Lookout for Gavin though, he is a late 2006 so he still has time to flourish as he should get bigger and stronger.
Torkel Jennersjo (C, L, 5’9″, 170, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 10/02/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Jennersjo, who recently turned 17, had a strong showing against Tri City, contributing a goal, assist, and the shootout winner. He carried the puck in from the neutral zone to the offensive zone cut across the blue line and got two defenders to bite to feed Niedermayer all alone. His goal came from a tap-in at the net. It started at the offensive blue line with a pass around a defenseman’s stick, allowing Morello to go in alone and drive the net. Torkel went to the net and got rewarded with a tap in. Jennersjo was way more noticeable against Tri City rather than Dubuque. He plays a sound game and shows reliability in both ends of the ice.
Sam Laurila (D, L, 6’1″, 188, Fargo Force, 09/02/2006, North Dakota)
Grade: B-
Comments: Laurilla is a smooth-skating defenseman with a long and efficient stride, making him effective in transition and comfortable carrying the puck on the power play breakout. He looks poised up top on the power play, moving and walking the blue line with confidence. Laurilla can overhandle it at times, leading to questionable decisions under pressure. One notable mistake came against Green Bay when he made a risky blind spin pass from the half-wall, resulting in a shorthanded chance. Othertimes Sam makes the simple direct play. He can be steady and reliable if he settles down a bit. Laurilla logged significant minutes, but his decision-making overall can be more consistent. Sam needs to understand when to hold onto the puck and when less is more.
Lev Katzin (C, L, 5’8″, 161, Green Bay Gamblers, 05/13/2007, Harvard)
Grade: B
Comments: Katzin showcases speed for his size, although he doesn’t look like he’s moving as quick. He can navigate tight spaces with good lateral movement. He is played in all situations, contributing on the power plays and penalty kill. Katzin had a primary assist against Fargo. He fed Samuelsson from behind the net. The goalie respected that he might go wrap the puck far side but instead Lev passed the puck back where he came from to hit Samuelsson for a one timer. Despite being smaller, he engages physically and tries to use his body to shield the puck. However, Katzin sometimes could continue moving his feet instead of shielding the puck. Lev had a few turnovers. Once he he tried to toss the puck into the middle in the offensive zone from the wall, where he should have safely ate the puck or threw it below the goalline. Sharpening up some of his decision-making in these moments will make him more effective.
Daniel Shlaine (C, L, 6’1″, 172, Lincoln Stars, 10/30/2005, Minnesota Duluth)
Grade: B
Comments: Schlaine is a 6-foot, left-shot center with a knack for finding scoring opportunities. He scored a goal scorer’s goal, collecting the puck and zipping it over the goalie’s pad, inside the post. He presented himself well, waited for the puck, and slightly changed the angle by dragging it into his body before placing it just inside the pos against Madison. Even when tired at the end of a shift, Schlaine showed poise in the neutral zone, allowing the other team to change before advancing the puck up ice. He excels at finding soft spots in the slot, always presenting himself as a shooter. As an older player, he’s working to prove he can be a consistent goal scorer in the USHL before heading to college.
Dashel Oliver (RW, R, 5’10”, 187, Lincoln Stars, 02/24/2005, Notre Dame)
Grade: B-
Comments: Oliver is a smaller, skilled forward who likes to dart in and out of spaces. He’s often in the right place at the right time, as shown by his goal where he capitalized on a loose puck near the top of the crease and put it on net. Crafty and shifty, Oliver is used on both the power play and penalty kill. Having played two full seasons in the USHL, Dashel looks to increase his production and be a more consistent playmaker that can also finish.
Blake Montgomery (LW, L, 6’4″, 181, Lincoln Stars, 05/04/2005, Wisconsin)
Grade: B
Comments: Montgomery is a long 6-foot-4 winger with an efficient stride and strong straight line skating ability. His most notable play came when he recovered after getting beat on the forecheck, using strong back pressure to lift and strip the defenseman. This led to a mini offensive rush, where he set up Schlaine right in the slot. Montgomery is an up-and-down winger who creates space for more skilled players. Going forward, Blake can use his body more consistently to win battles and protect the puck down low in the offensive zone.
Robert Cowan (RW, R, 5’11”, 176, Madison Capitols, 06/12/2006, St. Thomas)
Grade: B
Comments: Cowan is a direct forward who plays a simple, effective game. He looks like he uses a smaller stick. Cowan consistently drives the puck to the net without trying to be overly flashy. His two goals against Lincoln exemplify his straightforward approach: the first came from stopping in front of the net for an easy tap-in, while the second was a tip-in at the net front. He has a good habit of getting to the net and staying there. While Cowan is an average skater, his ability to consistently get to high-danger areas makes him an effective offensive contributor. Bobby looks to take a bigger step in his production in the USHL from his twenty games last year in Omaha.
Tynan Lawrence (F, L, 6’0″, 168, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 08/03/2008, Boston University)
Grade: B+
Comments: Tynan Lawrence was one of the more high end players at the Fall Classic. A smart, dynamic center who skates and handles the puck with his eyes up, he’s only 16 but has plenty of time to develop his game. His skates a little bent over at the waist, but is strong on his edges. Lawrence attacks defenders with both his hands and feet in motion, showing confidence with the puck. He posted a goal and an assist against Sioux Falls, setting up a one-timer for Blaricom with a smooth backhand pass after chipping the puck to himself down the right wing. He also stripped the puck from a defender behind the net and attempted a quick wraparound, then later scored after collecting a pass from the right point, and then he picked the goalie’s blocker side. A 6-foot, left-shot, Lawrence is already emerging as an NHL prospect for the 2026 draf
Jackson Crowder (C, R, 6’3″, 184, Sioux City Musketeers, 04/26/2007, Ohio State)
Grade: B
Comments: Crowder is a big hard-nosed player. who had a standout game against Dubuque, with a goal and a fight. He takes the puck hard to the net and finishes hits on the forecheck, showing a gritty, determined style of play. On his goal, he collected a rimmed puck from the point and drove straight to the net, jamming it in. Though his skating can be a bit choppy, he compensates with his compete level and desire for the puck. More special teams time would likely allow him to further impact games. Should continue to work on his skating.
Anthony Allain-Samake (D, L, 6’1″, 178, Sioux City Musketeers, 09/10/2007, Connecticut)
Grade: B
Comments: Allain-Samake is an offensive defenseman who carries the puck well on the power play and runs the top of the umbrella. While he can sometimes hold onto the puck too long, he’s shifty when walking the blue line. He executed a spin-o-rama to beat a defender in tight and delivered a backdoor pass to Pritchard for a goal against Dubuque. Anthony enjoys jumping into the offense and is very comfortable carrying the puck out of his own zone, whether at 5-on-5 or on the power play. However, he occasionally gets himself into trouble by holding onto the puck for too long or attempting overly creative plays.
Anthony Bongo (D, R, 5’10”, 158, Sioux Falls Stampede, 05/16/2007, Michigan)
Grade: B
Comments: Anthony Bongo displays maturity in his decision-making and a strong understanding of when to make plays and when to simplify. One of his standout qualities is his ability to draw in opposing players before making a pass or spinning off pressure to exit the zone. In the first period against Muskegon, he had a shift where he made impactful plays in all three zones: he absorbed a check to make a reverse pass in his own end, a patient play in the neutral zone where he decided to keep possession, and an offensive-zone rush where he created a backdoor opportunity for a teammate. In the same shift, Bongo also found himself open backdoor for a one-timer chance. He excels at reading the situation and making smart decisions, whether its moving the puck to maintain possession or holding onto it to open up space. His overall hockey sense and maturity make him an asset, and he could influence games more with increased ice time.
Ilya Morozov (C, L, 6’3″, 197, Tri City Storm, 08/03/2008, Miami (Ohio))
Grade: B-
Comments: A 2026 NHL Draft prospect, Morozov is a big left-shot forward with room to fill out physically. He’s a long, efficient skater and is involved in power play zone entries where he can also slip into the zone with his soft hands or kicking the puck to the wall. He uses his body well, once going wide on a defender and lowering his shoulder to gain body position and trying to go far side around the goalie. His size and skating give him significant upside. Should continue to shoot and will be a prospect to watch and see how his game continues to develop through Christmas.
Cameron Briere (C, L, 5’10”, 153, Tri City Storm, 11/05/2005, Nebraska Omaha)
Grade: B
Comments: Cameron Briere plays a direct, shot first game. The mid size lefty likes to post up on the half wall during the power play where he is always delivering pucks to the net. His play is direct, and he capitalizes on scoring chances. He scored a goal scorers goal against Dubuque where he faked forehand pulled it to his backhand and put it right under the bar. Briere uses his skill when he needs to but lets the game come to him and doesn’t overcomplicate it. Briere is an opportunist, who makes the most of his grade A opportunities and power plays.
Artemi Nizameyev (LW, R, 5’9″, 168, Tri City Storm, 11/20/2005)
Grade: B
Comments: Nizameyev is a smaller, shifty forward. He looks thick for his size. Artemi also shoots the puck well for his stature. One time on a set play on a power play, he came downhill from the blue line to step into a pass from from the goal line. Artemi gets the puck dropped to him on the power play where he picks up speed and darts into the zone with ease. His shiftiness and ability to stickhandle in tight spaces allows him to do so. Nizameyev isn’t scared of being creative with the puck and consistently created some solid offensive opportunities. Artemi choose better whether he should try to slip through someone and when to make the more simple boring play.
Adam Benak (C, L, 5’7″, 157, Youngstown Phantoms, 04/10/2007)
Grade: A-
Comments: Adam Benak was one of the best players at the Fall Classic. Adam is a smaller, crafty forward with a high motor and compete level. His quick twitch attributes and skill set is evident. He looked comfortable using not only his forehand, but his backhand as well.. He notched two primary assists in the game against Tri City, including an OT-winning setup where he showed poise by pulling up to create time and space before laying the puck into an area for Veronon. His other assist came on a seam pass during the power play, setting up a one-timer. Despite his size, Adam plays with surprising physicality, engaging in chippy play—throwing hits, delivering cross-checks, and hacking at opponents. He’s smooth on the power play and always finds ways to make himself available to demand the puck. Although he made a few occasionally risky plays. He uses his creativity and confidence, especially with the backhand, make him a dangerous playmaker. Benak should high end player to watch for the 25 NHL Draft. Teams may worry about his size but with iq, skill and overall compete and work ethic Adam will continue to make plays at the next level and might be a guy that gets switched to winger at some point later in his career. This will give him less responsibility defensively and let him just worry about making plays.
Luke Osburn (D, L, 6’1″, 172, Youngstown Phantoms, 09/09/2006, Wisconsin)
Grade: B-
Comments: Osburn is a solid, dependable defenseman for Youngstown, logging heavy minutes. He consistently extends his stick on the rush to close gaps. Luke skates with his head up and handles the puck confidently. He has the ability to jump up into the rush more often at 5-on-5. He is trusted in all situations 5-on-5, power play, and penalty kill. Osburn shows off his skating when he winds the puck up behind the net for a power play breakout. A few times Luke made passes around his forechecker and then jumped up into the offensive rush. Luke can play with more confidence and make a bigger impact on the game at this level with his minutes logged.
Jack Hextall (F, R, 5’11”, 172, Youngstown Phantoms, 03/23/2008, Michigan State)
Grade: B
Comments: Jack Hextall, a 2008 birth year, was given significant responsibility, playing on both the first line and first-unit power play. He’s a potential 2026 NHL Draft prospect. On the power play, he effectively opened up a seam for Benak to find him. Jack came down a little bit to position himself for a one-timer, leading to his goal against Tri City. He’s a quiet but effective winger who complements a playmaking center well. A right shot forward with time to develop consistency in his game, Hextall fit in seamlessly with Benak and will likely have more goal-scoring opportunities alongside him this season.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images