Neutral Zone focused on players we feel could turn into NHL prospects
| Ty Hanson | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | R | D | 5’9″ | 175 | Minnesota Duluth | 2024 | Hermantown, MN | 2005 | 2023-2024: C2022-2023: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Hanson is an undersized right shot defenseman who played a high risk high reward game. He likes to defend by moving forward and attacking his opponents whenever possible. He was -1 on the first Sioux Falls where he got caught along the left side wall in the neutral zone to give up a partial 2 on 0. The Stampede did not score on the 2 on 0 but the resulting chaos turned into a point shot from the high slot that went in. He showed nice puck poise and played the game with his eyes up looking to make a play. There were times when he forced things offensively and joined the rush at the same depth and pace as his forwards but overall he is an offensive minded defender who provides a spark from the backend. On the night he earned a game high 21:46 of ice time including a game high 4:24 on the power play and a Sioux City defenseman high 2:54 while shorthanded. He finished the game -1 with 0 points, 2 shots, 2 grade ‘A’ opportunities, 2 PIMs, ) hits, received 1 hit, had 3 shots blocked, 6 giveaways, 12 takeaways and on the season he is winning 50% of his puck battles.
| Easton Jacobs | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | C | 6’3″ | 176 | UMass Lowell | 2025 | Muskegon, MI | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Jacobs is a big strong long limbed left shot forward who used his reach to force turnovers and to get defenders to lean. There were times when he tried to over complicate things offensively but when he kept things simple and used his size to his advantage he showed the makings of a professional power forward. On the night he finished twelfth among Sioux City forwards with 12:19 in total ice time including 2:00 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. He finished with 2 shots, 1 grade ‘A’ opportunity, 1/1 on face-offs, 1 hit, received 1 hit, 5 giveaways, 4 takeaways and on the season he is winning 55% of his 50/50 puck battles.
| Hagen Burrows | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | R | C | 6’2″ | 165 | Denver | 2025 | Long Lake, MN | 2005 | 2023-2024: B |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Burrows is a right shot right wing with a shoulder width skating base and a 3/4 length stride that returns on his flat edge. He showed power along the walls as he made contact to either pin his man to the wall or beat him back into the valuable ice. He had a very nice power play primary helper as he was positioned along the left goal line and found a seam to a streaking teammate coming to the backdoor for a one-timer. On the night he finished third among Sioux City forwards with 17:08 in total ice time including 4:08 on the power play. He did not play on the penalty kill. He finished -1 with 1 assist, 1 shot, 1 shot, 2 grade ‘A’ opportunities, 0 hits, received 1 hit, 3 giveaways, 6 takeaways and on the season he is winning 52% of his puck battles.
| Joseph Mense | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | R | D | 6’2″ | 221 | Port Jefferson Station, NY | 2006 | 2023-2024: B- |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Mense is a right shot defender with an NHL frame. He has an A-frame skating base with quick hoppy strides and a return leg that lands on his inside edge. His physicality is his biggest asset as when he makes contact with an opponent they feel it and often times go down. He also used his strength to fire two quick release snapshots from the point that led to rebounds and net front chaos. On the night he was sixth among Sioux City defenders with 12:45 in total ice time including 1:18 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. He finished even with 0 points, 2 hits, received 1 hit, 4 giveaways, 6 takeaways and on the season he is winning 51% of hid 50/50 puck battles. As the season progresses NHL organizations will be watching his feet for improved efficiency and first step quickness.
| Matthew Grimes | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | L | D | 5’11” | 177 | Minnesota | 2025 | Locust Valley, NY | 2007 | 2024-2025: B |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Grimes is a smart smooth skating left shot 2007 who simply does not look like a rookie. His passes are hard flat and on time. He did not force plays but when he did not have a passing option he moved his feet to open passing lanes or to gain the next zone. He dumped the puck with purpose and did not chase high light reel plays. On the night he finished third among Sioux Fall defenders with 15:34 in total ice time including 3:01 while on the power play. He did not kill penalties. He earned a secondary assist by recognizing his forecheckers were taking away time and space so he moved on puck up the right wall. He then showed nice edge work by pulling the puck off the wall and firing a puck to his extended goal line option. The play was smooth quick and decisive. He finished +2 with 1 assist, 1 shot, 1 hit, received 2 hits, had 1 shot blocked, 4 giveaways, 6 takeaways and on the season he is winning 49% of his puck battles.
| Egor Barabanov | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | L | LW | 5’9″ | 160 | Penn State | 2025 | Basking Ridge, NJ | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Barabanov totaled 9:26 in ice time. He did not play special teams. He finished even with 0 points, 0 hits, received 1 hit, had 8 giveaways. 1 takeaways and for the season he is winning 31% of his 50/50 puck battles.
| Hayden Reid | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | L | C | 5’10” | 178 | Minnesota | 2025 | Clarington, ON | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Reid is an undersized defensively responsible 200′ center. He showed a shoulder width skating base with a powerful stride. He stopped on pucks and looked to provide low support both offensively and defensively. He earned an assist after winning an offensive zone face-off directly back to his middle defenseman. On the night he finished tenth among Sioux Fall forwards with 10:31 in total ice time. He did not play on either special teams unit. He finished +1 with 1 assist, 2 shots, 2 grade ‘A’ opportunities, 6/10 on face-offs, 1 hit, received 1 hit 7 giveaways, 9 takeaways and on he season he is winning 45% of his 50/50 puck battles.
| Grant Dillard | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | RW | 6’1″ | 182 | Champaign, IL | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Dillard totaled a Sioux Falls forward low of 8:59. He did not play on either special teams unit. On the night he finished even with ) points, 0 shots, 4/6 on face-offs, 0 hits, received 1 hit, 5 giveaways, 5 takeaways and on the season he is winning 54% of his 50/50 puck battles.
| Tyler Borgula | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | RW | 5’9″ | 164 | Quinnipiac | 2024 | Livonia, MI | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Borgula is an undersized right shot forward with an ‘A frame’ skating base who uses his inside edges to protect the puck and spin off of contact. He is a hard working honest second effort type player and this was exemplified on his first period primary assist when he was tripped and while sliding still showed the body control to get a pass to his defenseman in the high slot. His goal came off a turnover in the neutral zone where he read the bounce off the wall to attack through the left dot lane. Before he shot he sild pass and fired a 16′ curl and drag snap shot over the goalie’s left pad. It was a quick release bullet. On the night he finished ninth among Sioux Falls forwards with 11:57 in total ice time including 2:57 on the power play. He did not kill penalties. He finished +1 with 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots, 2 grade ‘A’ opportunities, 1 hit, 6 giveaways, 9 takeaways and on the season he is winning 46% of his 50/50 puck battles.
| John McNelis | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | L | LW | 5’9″ | 154 | Boston University | 2025 | Potomac, MD | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: McNelis is a quick undersized left shot left wing who showed good puck anticipation and passing skills. His quickness and consistent effort made him impactful. He earned a secondary assist after misfiring on a one-timer in the slot that went below the goal line to a teammate who found the goal scorer on the goal line. The point may have been a bit lucky but we love the fact that he timed his entry into the high slot for the one-timer. On the night he earned 13:56 of total ice time including 0:46 while shorthanded. He did not play on the power play. He finished +2 with 1 assist, 1 shot, 0/1 on face-offs, 0 hits, received 1 hit, 4 giveaways, 6 takeaways and on the season he is winning 41% of his 50/50 puck battles.
| Jordan Geike | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | R | F | 5’10” | 179 | UMass Amherst | 2025 | Rochester, MN | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Did not play
| Caleb Heil | Sioux Falls Stampede | USHL | L | G | 6’2″ | 184 | North Dakota | 2024 | Victoria, MN | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Did not play
| Makaio Van Tassel | Sioux City Musketeers | USHL | L | LW | 5’8″ | 153 | Brentwood, TN | 2006 | Not yet rated |
Did not play
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images