Played on March 13, 2024
General Game Notes: Chicago was able to win every period tonight proving their dominance both offensively and defensively during the game. With both depth and skilled players getting on the score sheet, the roles within the Steel did their job and proved to be very hard to play against.
Chris Able (D, R, 6’1″, 199, Chicago Steel, 11/04/2004, Ohio State)
Game Grade: B+
Able plays a solid two way game where he made himself noticeable tonight in all zones on the ice. In the offensive zone Able wants to pass first and probably second. He is active and uses his mobility to create passing lanes and wants to set up that back door tap in or one timer. Defensively, he uses his skating to be up on the play and shut down rushes early. He was able to create turnovers tonight just being on time forcing his opponents to make plays they were not ready to make.
Hudson Gorski (D, R, 6’3″, 183, Chicago Steel, 09/05/2005, Cornell)
Game Grade: B+
Always looking for contact, Gorski earns his stops through timely hits as well as well-timed pins, and subtle nudges to disrupt opponents. He closes on opponents in the neutral zone and steadily guides them into the boards before going for the puck. In-zone, he boxes out opponents and eliminates threats. He has a great surfing ability to cut the ice in half and force opponents in the direction he wants.
Charlie Major (C, R, 5’11”, 178, Chicago Steel, 09/14/2004, Cornell)
Game Grade: A-
Off his inside edges, he evades pressure while handling the puck and looking for options. He hooks pucks around sticks and slips them under, turning the opposition’s forecheck on its head. A give and go style, proactive off puck positioning, and a delay game combine to consistently create time and space for himself and teammates, especially in small areas.
Michael Hagens (D, L, 5’11”, 170, Chicago Steel, 02/18/2005, Boston College)
Game Grade: B+
Hagens has some interesting elements. He participates in most plays, has a physical element, and he looks for attacks to the middle of the ice and the slot. Constant deception in his passing especially on regroups where he fakes with his head and shoulders and then hits teammates in stride. He can play a fast game with and without the puck.
Mick Thompson (LW, L, 5’8″, 171, Chicago Steel, 03/01/2004, Harvard)
Game Grade: A-
Thompson is a proactive player in all three zones. He anticipates openings and changes of coverage, fills passing lanes, and supports every play effectively. Where most players chase, he subtly angles or eliminates an off puck threat, usually with his stick given his smaller stature. In the offensive end, that proactiveness appears in his well-timed dashes into the slot and between defenders positioning, capped off with a quick release.
Reid Conn (D, R, 6’4″, 205, Chicago Steel, 02/01/2004, New Hampshire)
Game Grade: B
It would be wrong to characterize Conn as just a hammer, as he also brings handling and passing skills to the table, but he does have that physicality to him that makes him hard to play against. He can slip pucks to teammates on breakouts, activate with teammates up-ice and create passing plays alongside them, and even fires the odd hard shot from the point. When he puts his entire size behind his shot, he can get a lot behind it.
Michael Hage (C, R, 6’1″, 190, Chicago Steel, 04/14/2006, Michigan)
Game Grade: A-
Hage builds his game around his handling skills. He can smoothly catch pucks, handle them, and connect with his teammates through and around defenders, on his backhand and forehand alike. Where many players rely on individual skill, he draws pressure to pass through it. Never one to settle for the low percentage plays, he prefers to attack the inside, driving the net or spinning off a check before passing inside.
Hunter Hady (D, R, 6’4″, 205, Chicago Steel, 08/02/2004, Michigan)
Game Grade: B+
Hady was able to show tonight that he is defensively sound and robust, he brings the skills one expects from a larger defenseman. He hits, clears the front of the net, and suffocates the opposition with a tight off puck gap. Details like heel pushes instead of crossovers, keeping his stick on the inside, and angling attackers to the boards manage risk like an experienced USHL player.
William Hughes (C, R, 6’2″, 215, Green Bay Gamblers, 01/14/2004, Harvard)
Game Grade: A-
Hughes is a forward who likes to come in late in the offensive zone to take advantage of a pushed-back defense and find space in the high slot. He prefers remaining high on the forecheck, too, as the F3 presence, as this puts him in a great position to profit from a turnover. If his team manages a steal, he’s right there in a one-timer position. He has great shot tonight and was able to show it putting his teams only goals on the board.
James Duerr (RW, R, 6’2″, 190, Green Bay Gamblers, 09/01/2004, UMass Amherst)
Game Grade: B
Duerr showed some really great habits on display. He was able to force a couple of turnovers by playing high, above the puck, and making perfectly timed interventions to come away with possession. Supported well in the defensive zone and always made himself available as an outlet without cheating.
Julian Lutz (LW, L, 6’2″, 187, Green Bay Gamblers, 02/29/2004)
Game Grade: B+
Lutz was able to show on the ice that he is aware. He maps out the ice well. He knows where his outlets are and uses them instantly when under pressure. He showed this by one touch passing loose pucks. He clearly cares about the defensive side of the game. He is positioned well, cuts lanes with his stick, communicates with teammates with hand raises, lots of them, reloads, and switches at a time when a teammate missed an assignment.
Josh Player (D, R, 6’0″, 191, Green Bay Gamblers, 05/13/2005, New Hampshire)
Game Grade: B+
Player had a solid defensive game and is where his game is at his best. He has some offensive tendencies where he could be an option at the point to relieve pressure, but he made more of a difference in front of his own net. Offensivly, the puck does not last long on his stick, but he does get the puck to the net and to his open teammates under pressure. Player battles hard in his own end with early box outs and pins along the wall. Similarly, the puck does not last long on his opponents stick long either, he has a good senses of where the puck is going an arrives on time to break the play up.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Ben Marshall