Game played on 1/25/2025.
General Game Notes: Neutral Zone scouted the USA NTDC U-18 team’s Saturday night visit to Youngstown for a USHL matchup. The home Phantoms and the NTDP played an even first period. Both teams traded chances and goals to end a competitive opening frame 2-2. Youngstown clamped down defensively in the second. The home-side held the NTDP to one shot, but was unable to capitalize themselves. Finally a late powerplay gave Youngstown the chance they wanted, and #56 Rucinski knocked in his own rebound for a 3-2 lead. It was the USA NTDP’s turn control play in the third, but an early goal from the Phantoms sealed a 4-2 win. The victory kept Youngstown in the thick of a tight playoff race.
Richard Gallant (C, L, 5’8″, 170, NTDP U18, 06/12/2007, Harvard)
Grade: B+
Comments: Richard Gallant is a young, well-rounded forward for the U-18 NTDP, committed to Harvard and rated by Central Scouting. Gallant played a thorough game tonight in all three periods. He is a little smaller then the opponents, but faster than most and still able to play physical. On offense he cuts around the past the defense on the rush to win the puck. He had rush late in the game on the powerplay, splitting the defense on a nice individual effort up the ice for a scoring chance. Gallant plays two-way hockey. He will backcheck to win possession. He played hard until the end, making a check into the near boards at the end of the game to prevent an empty net goal. Gallant is a balanced forward (listed at Center but played Left Wing tonight) who flashed at moments and gave a full effort in tonight’s loss. If he can keep his shooting motion a little tighter, he can be a valuable contributor for the NTDP U-18 squad.
Jacob Kvasnicka (RW, R, 5’11”, 180, NTDP U18, 08/10/2007, Minnesota)
Grade: B
Comments: Jacob Kvasnicka is a speedy forward for the USA NTDP who is committed to the University of Minnesota, and rated by Central Scouting. He is fast (even for USHL) and able to beat out icing calls. He has good balance and control when skating. Kvasnicka executed well timed zone entries throughout the game. He’d beat his rushing teammates to the offensive zone then shift gears, and directions slightly, to suddenly to match their pace. He assisted on #27 Stuart’s goal in the first period. Still, he is mostly a north-south skater and was not involved in the offensive consistently. Kvasnicka kept up the pace late in the game, playing with effort until the end (despite the deficit).
William Belle (F, R, 6’4″, 220, NTDP U18, 01/14/2007, Notre Dame)
Grade: B
Comments: William Belle is a big, bodied Right Wing who is committed to Notre Dame and rated by Central Scouting. He has noticeable speed for his size. Belle flies down the ice, passing (or pushing through) everyone for the puck at times. He overcommitted a bit on his rushes and may need to improve his puck control to fully capitalize on his size and skating. When driving Belle fires low shots on target, although wasn’t able to truly bother the opposing keeper tonight. He used his bulk to deliver solid, clean hits to cancel out Youngstown’s zone entry. Belle is a developing forward with size and a bit of straight-line speed who flashed some game-changing abilities, but was unable complete the play tonight.
Cole McKinney (C, R, 6’0″, 200, NTDP U18, 03/16/2007, Michigan)
Grade:
Comments: Cole McKinney is a dynamic forward for the USA NTDP who is committed to Michigan and rated by Central Scouting. He plays a thinking-man’s game and did well in multiple situations tonight. The well-built Center with a muscular frame digs for the puck along the boards. A careful and methodical skater, he is always in motion as he processes the game-flow in front of him. He delivers straight, strong passes when in motion. McKinney shower great vision on a no-look, cross-ice pass for an assist in the first period. He stayed turned to the net to freeze the defender in place, then made the cross-body feed over to #19 Tretheway. Playing Center, he finished 50-50 on his faceoff draws. McKinney is an offensively minded Center who plays a smart, opportunistic game but can use his strength to grind for the puck when needed.
John Mooney (F, R, 5’7″, 162, NTDP U18, 03/08/2007, Minnesota)
Grade: B
Comments: John Mooney is a busy forward for the USA NTDP, who is committed to the University of Minnesota and rated by Central Scouting. Mooney was a busy-body who closes quickly in open ice. He keeps low and shows good laterally movement to zig-zap around in the slot. Mooney made a nice play, being able to step and move to out-flank the defenseman for a clean shooting lane (he missed). Playing Right Wing, but usually a Center, Mooney did well to win any faceoff draws tonight. Mooney is a full-effort, offensively minded forward who finds the openings in traffic.
Donato Bracco (D, L, 5’10”, 170, NTDP U18, 07/26/2007, Harvard)
Grade: B+
Comments: Donato Bracco is a hard-working defenseman for the USA NTDP who is committed to Harvard. He displayed calm and vision as he brings the puck out of the zone. He knows when to go and when to circle back, and always delivered effective passes up-ice. On offense he is a smooth operator, fluidly moving around the perimeter with the puck. On defense, Bracco is a willing shot-blocker. He went onto his knee twice on the penalty kill despite a two-goal deficit. Bracco is a blueliner who plays a balanced, team-friendly game.
Jack Willson (D, L, 5’8″, 174, Youngstown Phantoms, 04/15/2005, Michigan)
Grade: B+
Comments: Jack Willson is a two-way defenseman who was the star of the game tonight. Willson, a 2005-born Michigan commit, is an agile skater who moves with haste in both directions. He is slightly shorter but has a solid, athletic frame. He does not get pushed around by contact. Willson made an early defensive play, back-skating while one-on-one against the onrushing opponents. He kept the advantage on the angle, and use a stick poke to break up the scoring chance. Willson had two very different goals tonight. His first score came early on, as he rushed in with the puck on offense and blasted a shot past the NTDP goalie. Early in the third, Willson scored on a shot through traffic from the near circle that trickled in past the keeper. Willson is a well-rounded blueliner for Youngstown of the USHL.
Kazimier Sobieski (D, R, 6’1″, 184, Youngstown Phantoms, 04/12/2004)
Grade: B
Comments: Kazimier Sobieski is an offensive minded defenseman for Youngstown. He was seen moving the puck out of the defensive zone effectively tonight. He made several in-and-out passes to feed the puck up the ice as the Phantoms transitioned. On offense, he was often in a scramble for the play, but seemed uncertain and times and tended to stay on the periphery. He featured on the powerplay unit, and was credited with an assist on #56Rucinski’s second period goal. Sobieski is an aging-out, puck-moving defenseman who is uncommitted after leaving UMass.
Adam Benak (C, L, 5’7″, 160, Youngstown Phantoms, 04/10/2007)
Grade: B
Comments: Adam Benak is a dynamic and skilled 2007-born Czech player who is rated by Central Scouting. He had an impressive game tonight. The smooth-skating forward moves the puck with intent and drive. He had two primary assists early on as he set up Youngstown’s two first period goals. Benak made a few notable plays tonight. He outfoxed the defense early on, entering the zone and sliding into position to let loose a big blast for a shot on net. Benak stays on the puck and stripped an opponent of possession for an offensive zone turnover. Later he executed a spin pass to set up #56Rucinski for a high-end scoring chance. Benak is a young, well-rounded high skill forward for the Youngstown Phantoms.
Michael Mesic (C, L, 5’11”, 177, Youngstown Phantoms, 08/15/2004, Northern Michigan)
Grade: B
Comments: Michael Mesic is a winger for Youngstown who had a busy night. The older forward has an average build but doesn’t engage physically. He uses his stick when in defense. He stations at the edge of his team’s crease on defense, helping to get the puck out. He picked up the pressure on the opponents late in the game to help defend the lead. On offense Mesic brings the puck in, but can tend to carry the puck a little loose. He executed an excellent drop pass in the attack zone to set up a chance, and had an assist on #91 Sluys’ goal. Mesic will fire hard hots on net. He tended to cut out of the zone after shooting, and would do well to stay with the play. Mesic is an aging-out USHL forward who is uncommitted after spending a prior year with Northern Michigan. He made a variety of decent plays tonight but could not string together a complete effort.
Jakub Hes (C, L, 6’2″, 172, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/30/2006, Nebraska Omaha)
Grade: B+
Comments: Jakub Hes is a Youngstown forward who plays a balanced game. The 2006 born Czech Center/Winger is rated by Central Scouting. Hes is a tall, mobile player who can really push forward well with one stride. He goes the net front without hesitation when on the attack. Hes plays stronger than his listed weight would indicate. He fights in the corners for the puck. While involved in a scrum for the puck, he managed to tie up two opponents along the boards in order to let the Phantoms win the puck. Hes is a dynamic hard-nosed forward who did not have a point but was often involved in the plays.
Ryan Rucinski (C, R, 5’10”, 175, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/01/2006, Ohio State)
Grade: A-
Comments: Ryan Rucinski is a solidly built 2006-born Center who had a big night for Youngstown. The Buckeyes commit did well at the faceoff circle, winning two-thirds of his draws. Rucinski is a well built forward who is strong and scrappy. On offense he can push his way past, or through, the opponents. He made an impressive play towards the end, backstaking to split the defense for a scoring chance. Despite his hard-nosed play, he is patient with the puck. He will hold and wait for a shooting lane. Rucinski had a goal late in the second (which ended up being the game-winner). He took his time to place his shot, then followed up by knocking in his own rebound. Rucinski is a tough but smart Center for the USHL Phantoms.
Jamison Sluys (C, L, 5’10”, 195, Youngstown Phantoms, 09/03/2005, Western Michigan)
Grade: A-
Comments: Jamison Sluys is a talented winger for Youngstown of the USHL. The Western Michigan commit had himself a big night. He goes end to end to complete the play. Sluys stood up an opponent at the blueline, winning the puck from him. He defensive enthusiasm did result in a tripping penalty early on. Sluys does well to time his passes correctly in the attack zone. He quickly feeds the puck to set up his teammates for one-timers. He had an assist on the Phantoms’ opening goal, and had a score of his own at the end of the first. He scored (perhaps surprising himself) by threading a shot from the goal line just over the goalie’s back. Sluys is a two-way forward for the USHL Phantoms who played a thorough game tonight.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
