Played on March 30, 2024
General Game Notes: USHL action between Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on March 30th, 2024. Despite scoring first, Cedar Rapids was never really in this one, as the Lumberjacks scored seven unanswered, winning the game by a final score of 7-1.
Colin Grable (D, R, 6’0″, 187, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 01/16/2003, Dartmouth)
Game Grade: B
Grable did a good job at reading plays in the defensive zone and breaking up passes when they came in his vicinity. Whether he was low or high in the zone, he jumped on loose pucks with the intent to create offense afterwards. In the offensive zone, he found ways to get shots towards the net and made some heads up plays utilizing his IQ and skill-set.
Joel Kjellberg (D, R, 6’0″, 190, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 04/29/2004, Arizona State)
Game Grade: B
Kjellberg, a right shot defenseman showed good poise with the puck. In his own end, he collected pucks behind the net and either quickly made his breakout pass or skated it up the ice himself. He didn’t panic under pressure as he held onto pucks long enough to make the right play, typically finding his teammates in the neutral zone to start the offensive attack. He jumped into the rush at times, and owned some offensive capabilities as he could shoot and pass when given the time and space.
Elliott Groenewold (D, L, 6’2″, 200, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 02/04/2006, Quinnipiac)
Game Grade: B-
Groenwold is a taller, lengthy defenseman who retrieved pucks and did what he could to start transition the other way. He absorbed hits well, keeping his feet moving, squeezing by the fore-check and making passes up the ice. Engaged in some rough stuff and brought a physical element at times.
Drew Stewart (C, R, 5’7″, 163, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 11/03/2005, Notre Dame)
Game Grade: B+
Stewart is a smaller, skilled forward who eludes his opponents with his speed and shiftiness. He can make plays at full speed, always making him a threat once he enters into the offensive zone. He made some nifty passes, especially off the rush finding his teammates attacking the net with speed. At times, shy’d away from the physical play, but still went into corners and the hard area’s when necessary.
Amine Hajibi (LW, L, 6’2″, 165, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 05/05/2005, Northeastern)
Game Grade: B+
Hajibi creates chaos with his speed and shot. He challenges his opponents by wheeling into the offensive zone with speed, attacking wide and getting shots towards the net. On the first, and only goal scored by the RoughRiders, he attacked wide, threw a puck on net, followed his shot, and buried his own rebound. His quick release and power behind his shot created problems for the goaltender to limit second chance opportunities in front.
Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev (G, L, 6’2″, 170, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 10/26/2004)
Game Grade: A-
Gadzhiev was rock solid, doing his part to keep the goals against to one in this game. Despite the first goal going in off an iffy rebound, he did a good job at making the saves he needed to afterwards. He owns good size, but doesn’t solely rely on it. He plays athletic, yet compact. He understands when to challenge shooters and when to sit back to read the play coming into the zone. He battles and competes hard on second chance opportunities not giving up on anything, especially in tight.
Easton Young (D, R, 5’11”, 185, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 07/25/2003, Augustana)
Game Grade: C+
Young showed confidence in the offensive zone by picking up pucks and walking the blue line. He did his best to maintain puck possession and get shots towards the goal. He did so by having his head up and hands in a shooting position, whilst moving his feet.
Sacha Boisvert (C, L, 6’2″, 179, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 03/17/2006, North Dakota)
Game Grade: A
Boisvert can stick-handle in tight areas, controlling pucks that should be turned over. On multiple occasions he was able to collect pucks in the slot area, change the angle of his hands and body to avoid stick checks, and then get pucks towards the net. He has speed that he uses down the walls, especially off the rush. He owns good puck poise and a high hockey IQ that he utilizes to create offense for himself and his line-mates.
Ethan Whitcomb (RW, L, 6’4″, 209, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 05/13/2004, Connecticut)
Game Grade: B+
Whitcomb is a power-forward type player who owns a high skill-set. He can do it all, as he’s physical when needed, but controls pucks and makes plays. He uses his big body to separate himself from his opponents with or without the puck. Goes to the net with a purpose, stopping there, jamming and creating chaos. Defensively, he fills lanes and will block shots when it’s his turn. Plays a solid 2-way game.
Joe Connor (C, L, 5’10”, 174, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 03/31/2005, Northeastern)
Game Grade: B
Joe Connor has a good nose for the net as he gets to the areas where most goals are scored. He is one of those players that seems to sneak around the offensive zone and get lost behind his opponents, finding himself alone in the net-front area. He was effective on the PP, controlling pucks, and maintaining possession with crisp passes. He scored the second goal of the game by going to the back post and tapping in a back-door pass.
Justin Solovey (C, L, 6’2″, 210, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 11/29/2004, Harvard)
Game Grade: A-
Solovey does it all. He competes extremely hard in all three zones and plays pivotal minutes for the Lumberjacks. On the PK, he broke up loose plays and would block shots when counted on. He used his speed to frustrate his opponents, pick off errant passes and create offense the other way (whether it was 5 on 5 or short-handed). He isn’t afraid to play physical with a mix of skill and finish – This was evident on both goals he scored, one short-handed and the other 5 on 5.
David Klee (C, L, 6’3″, 182, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 05/10/2005, North Dakota)
Game Grade: B
Klee is a power-forward who is hard on pucks, winning 50/50 battles all over the ice. He leads with his stick and body second to create engagement and turnovers from his opponents. He owns a mix of grit and skill which he displays when taking pucks to the net. He uses his size to his advantage and can get inside the game by leaning on defenders with or without pucks.
Filip Nordberg (D, L, 6’4″, 207, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 03/05/2004)
Game Grade: B-
Nordberg is a big defender who fills a lot of space on the ice. He is heavy in his own end, killing plays early with physicality and an active stick. He owns a good gap and was hard to beat in the neutral zone, playing with an in-your-face mentality.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Mike Garteig