Played on Mar 7, 2026
Game Played in Resch Center
General Game Notes: The game report is for NHL Prospects on the NTDP, and grades reflect NHL potential. USA U18 team won 8-1 over Green Bay. The top prospects for the NHL Draft for the NTDP were Carter Meyer and Sammy Nelson who are not included in this report as they are in the 2027 pool.
AJ Francisco (D, R, 5’11”, 174, USA NTDP U18, 01/10/2008, Notre Dame)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: AJ looked prepared on retrievals as he looked back at the forecheckers’ distance and location, and also showed he could pick pucks off the wall and quickly wheel from pressure. His gaps to defend the rush were decent but must improve; however, his poke was quick and hidden well. One intentional poke led to a breakaway as Francisco defended with an eye on transition. His flair for offensive creativity was evident throughout the game. Team USA blew out Green Bay, leading 6-0 in the second period. AJ tried to do too much at times but the score may be a reason why. It was a point game. He showed smart net-front coverage with a quick stick, but lacked the strength and grit to move opponents from his crease. AJ picked up a secondary assist on the seventh goal. His game clearly shone in transition, as he moved pucks quickly and created exits and entries. Francisco wandered a bit in his end at times, but his skating pace and quickness bailed him out of being in bad spots. An excellent power play defender with quick hands and athleticism. His upside is high. AK does not play a physical game but generally wins puck races and battles. Slick, slippery defender who will get caught up on the ice now and again and is high-risk/high-reward. To succeed at Notre Dame and the NHL, he must become stronger but should not be put under any constraints. He just needs to be able to create and start the offense from the back to be successful. Grade is for NHL Draft Ranking for this game.
Jackson Marthaler (D, L, 6’2″, 199, USA NTDP U18, 02/10/2008, Minnesota Duluth)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Jackson looked like a bit of a throwback as he played smart hockey in his end, making solid defensive reads and excellent decisions at the blue lines. His point total for the season is deceiving, as he made several decisive keeps at the offensive blue line and picked up an assist, pushing a puck back deep into the offensive zone. Marthaler used straight-line speed to jump to loose pucks and start cycles low and high. On the rush, we had some concern about his ability to contain speed off the edge. His backward skating and mobility must improve. However, he looked strong on the wall and never hesitated in his decision to step and make contact on puck carriers or to jump into the play. His IQ was high, and he was positioned well all game. JJ used the middle of the ice on outlets and made indirects and tape-to-tape passes to his wingers. He used his partner well and put his forwards in spots to make plays. End of game type in a close contest, who has some work to do on his skating, but may pop next season before MN Duluth. Grade is as an NHL prospect. A player who should be watched closely, as his game is subtle but effective. Not a flashy athlete.
Mikey Berchild (C, L, 5’10”, 181, USA NTDP U18, 02/16/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: In his first shift, Berchild led the rush, swiveled, and moved central, shielding the puck and the defender, and then slipped a backhand pass to his winger for a great chance. It was a slick play: he forced the defenders to move, created open ice, and dished the puck off. A theme in this game as he stood out as one of the top players. On his third shift, he gained the zone and pushed central to force confusion with the defenders and snap another pass to a streaking winger. Mikey forced switches and manipulated defenses at an elite level. His passes were accurate, and his release on his shot was explosive. A partial breakaway late in the first, where he showed speed and the ability to keep his defender off his stick blade, snapping a challenging shot on net with a rapid release. Berchile blocked a shot and snapped a shot on net at the end of the first period. His ability to change direction with and without the puck impressed, as he was mobile and explosive with above-average, not elite, pace in space. Berchild’s stride can still be improved. He is on the smaller size, but athletic intelligence and a sticky blade allowed him to win puck on the wall. His game, however, thrives in the middle of the ice, and we liked that he attacked the net and centrally. High-competitive level with plenty of skill, headed to one of the best-coached college programs in the country in Denver. Grade is for NHL Draft. Size and pure pace keep him from a B+ or higher.
Casey Mutryn (RW, R, 6’3″, 201, USA NTDP U18, 02/01/2008, Boston College)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Casey showed improved but still below-average straight-line speed and mobility. As the game went on, Casey’s stride deteriorated, and he looked slower. The big winger could check back and steal pucks. His stick looked strong, and he could steal pucks and transition with a quick lift of opponents’ sticks. Casey carried with a decent pace and used delay tactics to create passing lanes upon entry into the zone. On the power play, he moved smartly along the goal line, extended to the net front and back. He caught passes with soft touches in front of his eyes around the net. His passing was average and lacked tough at times, while he hit the net with a large majority of his shots. Casey scored a power play goal home on a broken play as he received a cross-crease feed to one-time home. His wall play was average, which was concerning for a 6’3′ player. His reach disrupted passing and shooting lanes in his end and the forecheck. He was not a player who easily created his own shot. Mutryn must become a defensive animal with more bite to succeed at higher levels. His pace has improved, but we had concerns about his passing and ability to win pucks. Not consistent in a blowout win, however, he has significant upside and should generate first-round interest. He needs time and better coaching and can impact the game at the highest level. It will take time. Grade is for NHL Draft purposes. It would not be unreasonable for him to be taken in round two.
Parker Trottier (LW, L, 6’1″, 186, USA NTDP U18, 02/13/2008, Notre Dame)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Parker anticipated well and got to smart spots on both sides of the puck. He went to the net and presented well for chances in tight. Deceptively strong and long, he protected the puck well with his body and loose hips to swivel and slip from contact. He used a strong stride to carry through contact, but was knocked off his feet a few times, when we felt he should have been more aware and prepared for contact. His game is generally played in straight lines, and he was most effective when he went to the crease, where he held ice well. First touches were soft and he could catch and shoot quickly with a heavy shot. Parker’s stride was excellent, but his consistency and awareness were lacking here in a blowout win. He has the ability, but has not improved at the NTDP. His game could flourish with another year where he can become a more utilized player. Grade is for NHL Draft.
Lucas Zajic (RW, R, 5’11”, 190, NTDP U18, 01/19/2008, Wisconsin)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Zajic picked up a primary assist as he sent Meyer in on a breakaway for the seventh NTDP goal in a blowout win. A highly athletic player with enormous upside, he accelerated out of turns and from stops with real power and an explosive first few steps. He stopped and started on the wall to relieve pressure. His pace remains fast with possession. Lukas drew a penalty on the cycle by losing defenders and always looking at the net while curling off pressure on the wall. Lukas was willing to take contact at the net front. and can play in any situation. His overall strength and ability to protect the puck must improve before Wisconsin but his fast twitch feet and hands ooze upside. A player who will succeed in college and could be a late-round NHL pick, as his best hockey is ahead.
Logan Stuart (C, R, 5’11”, 75, NTDP U18, 04/23/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: An elite distributor who seemed to always be around the puck, Logan showed a high processor coupled with pace and skill. He skated with a wide base, which helped his balance but often led to railroading, and is an area he can improve. He showed speed and anticipated well. His hands were quick and he won faceoffs cleanly. Logan was determined all 200 feet, hunted pucks, and backchecked with purpose and effort. Stuart exposed the puck too often for our liking and must not force his skill on the game at higher levels. On the U18 team, he appeared to be one of the more college-ready players and likely will be at Danver in the Fall. Logan can play in any situation and, like most players his age, must get stronger. His IQ and processing ability with possession stood out. He had an excellent defensive stick and a quick release while on the move. One of the more intriguing NTDP players, as we believe his talents will translate nicely to the DI college level, but the NHL is much more difficult to gauge. Logan drew a couple of penalties in the blowout win and was one of the top 10 players on the ice. His versatility is a strength. Logan should be drafted as he has too much upside to pass up. Grade is for the NHL Draft.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images