Played on April 6, 2024
General Game Notes: This game was closer than the score suggests. Tri-City was just able to get out ahead early in the third period and the Stampede momentum was crushed. With no power play goals in the game being scored, this was a good match of even strength hockey.
Chris Pelosi (C, L, 6’1″, 181, Sioux Falls Stampede, 03/06/2005, Quinnipiac)
2023 round 3 #92 overall by Boston Bruins
Game Grade: B+
Pelosi possesses good puck handling skills and can weave his way into the offensive end and make plays on a consistent basis. In terms of passing, he can find a seam in a fog. A quick skater with solid acceleration for one of the bigger players on the ice and a low center of gravity. Defensively responsible when playing in the middle of the ice, keeps his opponents within reach.
JJ Wiebusch (C, R, 6’0″, 173, Sioux Falls Stampede, 02/20/2004, Penn State)
Game Grade: A-
Wiebusch’s game is all about his instincts in the offensive zone combined with lethal finishing skills from scoring areas. He recognizes space well and takes advantage of even the slightest mistakes by the opposing defenses. He has some gravitational elements as a playmaker, being able to draw in pressure before dishing the puck to an open teammate with time and space.
Grant Dillard (RW, R, 6’1″, 182, Sioux Falls Stampede, 02/03/2006)
Game Grade: B-
Dillard is a two way who excels and is noticeable more in his own end. He will finish his checks and add the extra shot to let you know he is there. The puck is usually on and off his stick, both good and bad ways. He is positional and looks to let line mates control the puck. He is reliable in his own end though almost by breaking pucks out he is defending.
John McNelis (LW, L, 5’9″, 157, Sioux Falls Stampede, 01/09/2006, Boston University)
Game Grade: A-
McNelis does a good job with pace control is a dangerous weapon, and he uses it accordingly. He explodes in two strides and is always ready to attack the puck. What really puts him ahead of his competition is using his hands at the pace he plays at. He found success using deceptive body movements and aggressive stick handling to get the puck up the ice as fast as possible and trying to beat the defense on the rush.
Nolan Roed (C, L, 5’11”, 186, Tri City Storm, 10/25/2005, St. Cloud)
Game Grade: B+
Roed has equal parts power in his release and cunning with his off puck movement to create shooting opportunities. Although not terribly big, Roed is typically strong along the boards and hard to knock off the puck. You can tell his raw style of game, wants to hold to the puck and not used to getting bumped off. He picks up on these targeting players quickly and uses his elusiveness to beat it.
Nick Roukounakis (LW, L, 6’2″, 244, Tri City Storm, 09/08/2003, Boston University)
Game Grade: B
Roukounakis is a big bodied power winger whose net front presence pays dividends at the end of the night. Strong skater, but could work on his acceleration with the puck. Transitions well and, and because of his size, likes to hang around the net and cause havoc. He is a big winger who knows how to use his size in physical battles getting his lower half stable and hard to move.
Shaun McEwen (D, L, 5’11”, 192, Tri City Storm, 01/21/2004, Miami (Ohio))
Game Grade: B
McEwen plays the game by punishing puck carriers who are glued to the wall whilst leaving the middle of the ice relatively open. He is just a physical presence at all times with a lack of remorse for whoever he is hitting and a real lack of grace, losing his stick while hitting players on two separate occasions.
Trevor Connelly (LW, L, 6’1″, 156, Tri City Storm, 02/28/2006, Providence)
Game Grade: A
Connelly is strong along the boards and around the opposing net. wants the puck on his stick, wants to be a game-breaker, wants to make something happen every shift. He keeps his top hand pushed out, handles the puck at his hip, and doesn’t mind engaging numbers. He does a good job at drawing opponents in to make the ice bigger for his teammates.
Cameron Briere (C, L, 5’10”, 153, Tri City Storm, 11/05/2005, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Grade: A-
Briere scanned the area in front of him well and could see through layers before making a play and managed to make several strong passes through the offensive zone on the power play. If he saw a line mate that he could set up with a chance, Briere could hold on to the puck and work with his puck handling and mobility to open a passing lane to complete the play.
Owen Beckner (C, L, 6’2″, 178, Tri City Storm, 02/27/2005, Colorado College)
2023 round 7 #204 overall by Ottawa Senators
Game Grade: A
Beckner is aware and deceptive. As he approaches defenders in the wide lane, he surveys his options, calculates the speed of his teammates and their routes, but does not reveal their position to defenders. He looks them off and keeps a neutral body position, stick at his hip and shoulder pointed down ice, buying time for his target to skate into position to complete a scoring chance.
Cooper Simpson (LW, L, 6’0″, 170, Shakopee HS, 02/05/2007, North Dakota)
Game Grade: A-
Simpson can break through defenses, play keep away in traffic, and drive the net with possession. He moves like a smaller sized player, with good posture, elusive, shimmy moves. He baits poke checks to try and freeze defenders and win more ice. He is a bit lanky right now but has the drive a power forward who can extend possessions.
Vladislav Lukashevich (D, L, 6’2″, 167, Tri City Storm, 05/23/2003, Northern Michigan)
2021 round 4 #120 overall by Florida Panthers
Game Grade: A-
Lukashevich can pierce through neutral-zone defenses, challenge defenders one-on-one and bump the puck laterally to a teammate skating in a nearby corridor to win the offensive blue-line, and that, repetitively. Once his team establishes itself in the opposing end, he turns mostly into a distributor, moving the puck laterally and taking his chances to shoot. As an offensive defenseman, he creates a ton of offense.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Scout: Ben Marshall