Played on Apr 4, 2025
United States Hockey League
Game Played in Covelli Centre
Carter Casey (G, L, 6’1″, 163, Waterloo Black Hawks, 12/03/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Casey came in relief about mid-way through the 2nd period after Waterloo was down 5-0. It was his 1st USHL action after spending the season in the Minnesota High School ranks. He looked calm and composed as he was good positionally, square to the shooters, and showed good rebound control. His athleticism allows Casey to make saves as he moves post-to-post well. The one goal against came on the crease as he initially stopped #89 Stengrim, yet the Youngstown forward was able to get a 2nd chance and chipped it over the blocker. With the very late ’07-birthdate, he should have good interest for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Brady Peddle (D, L, 6’3″, 191, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/23/2007, Michigan State)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Peddle in his rookie USHL season did not perform his best on this night. He is a good-sized, mobile, left-handed defenseman who was very solid last season at BK Selects U16. He looked uncomfortable as he mishandled passes from his partner and puck decisions were questionable as failed to to make tape-to-tape passes and was very unsure of developing plays both with and without the puck. Peddle was on the ice for three goals against. The Waterloo team looked asleep for the first 60 minutes, so could have been a one-off game.
Nick Bogas (D, L, 6’0″, 176, Waterloo Black Hawks, 07/23/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Bogas is an average-size, left-handed defenseman with good mobility and puck-handling skills. He was pretty quiet throughout the night offensively, as Waterloo was outplayed from the start on both sides of the puck. He did show his ability in spots to be a quick puck-moving blue liner, excelling in starting transitions from the defensive zone to the offensive zone with a pass or transporting the puck. He showed the ability to find shooting lanes. He will need to gain added muscle and strength for his commitment away from the puck and battles out front of the net and along the boards.
Hunter Ramos (LW, L, 5’9″, 162, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/09/2005, Lake Superior)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Ramos is an undersized, speedy, left-shot forward who used his skating ability to create offensive chances. He liked to attack the offensive zone with pace, challenging defenders off the rush. While he was not a constant threat on the night, he tried winning puck races. Despite the smaller stature, there were shifts where Ramos was noticeable, even though Waterloo laid an egg overall as a team.
Kaeden Hawkins (LW, L, 6’1″, 190, Waterloo Black Hawks, 07/25/2005, St. Thomas)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Hawkins, like the entire Waterloo roster, underachieved on this night. However, the left-shot forward, who has been bypassed the last two years in the NHL Draft, has put together a solid rookie USHL season after playing at Shattuck Prep last season. Hawkins is a dependable, two-way forward who did manage a couple of shots on goal and was only caught on the ice on the 5th goal against. He still plays the role of a sleeper and possible late-round flyer, who should be a big presence at St. Thomas next season.
Morgan Brady (D, R, 6’3″, 208, Waterloo Black Hawks, 05/21/2005, Arizona State)
Game Rating
C+
1 Viewing
Comments: Brady is a big, right-handed defenseman who played the role of a physical, intimidating blue liner. While he has a thicker frame and strength, his foot speed was exposed several times during the game. Not only did he take a bad, lazy tripping penalty, but he was also on the ice for a couple of goals against. Brady struggled most of the night as did most of his team.
Nicholas Kosiba (RW, R, 6’0″, 176, Waterloo Black Hawks, 01/17/2007, Western Michigan)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Kosiba is an average-sized, right-shot forward who was pretty quiet and perimeter throughout the night. While she showed puck skills and offensive thoughts, there was a lack of consistency. His best shift came in the 3rd period off a 2v1 rush where Kosiba elected to hold the puck after selling a pass and then zipped a quick shot off the crossbar. Kosiba will need to gain strength for the higher levels.
Chase Jette (RW, R, 5’10”, 174, Waterloo Black Hawks, 04/09/2007, Wisconsin)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Jette was pretty ineffective all night. The right-shot forward was caught out on the ice for four goals against, three in the 1st period alone. While the entire Waterloo team looked lethargic, Jette seemed to be going through the motions defensively and executing the breakout on the wing. The little details of puck mishandling and positioning led to goals against. Like many Black Hawks, it was a night to forget about.
Michael Mesic (C, L, 5’11”, 177, Youngstown Phantoms, 08/15/2004, Northern Michigan)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Mesic is an average-sized, left-shot center who plays smartly with the puck as he is an overager and also has a season of NCAA Hockey under his belt. He made a wise play on zone entry on the 2nd goal as he stopped, curled away from pressure, and then made a crafty, short pass to #91 Sluys that led to the #38 Cisar goal. Later in the game, he created the turnover on the forecheck pressure which again led to #91 Sluys’ puck possession and #38 Cisar’s goal. Mesic was given 1st line duties as he sees the ice and is aware of developing plays.
Jakub Hes (C, L, 6’2″, 172, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/30/2006, Nebraska Omaha)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Hes is a good-sized, left-shot forward who was given 4th line center duties on the night. He started the scoring off a broken play as received the puck off a turnover on the wall just inside the blue line in the offensive zone, wiring a quick shot over the glove for the 1st goal. He also picked up an assist on the forecheck on the 6th goal in the 3rd period creating puck possession that led to the goal. He played a mature, 2-way style with good defensive responsibility.
Peter Cisar (LW, L, 6’0″, 183, Youngstown Phantoms, 03/30/2005, Northern Michigan)
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Cisar possesses exceptional skill sets as a hockey player. He excels at recognizing defensive pressure and using it to his advantage, allowing him to create space on the ice. His wrist shot is particularly noteworthy, boasting power and accuracy, which can be released quickly after corraling a puck behind him. On the physical side, Cisar has a strong motor that enables him to lead rushes and quickly transition into defensive shifts. While there is room for improvement in his defensive game, particularly in taking body checks, Cisar’s overall skill sets makes him a formidable player on the ice. He potted a hat trick on the night, first tapping in a goal at the net off #18 Mesic and #91 Sluys playmaking. He then showcased his quick shot receiving the #91 Sluys below the goal line pass in the slot, quickly beating the goalie over the glove. Then would go hard to the net off the rush and finish #56 Rucinski’s pass for a re-direct goal.
Ryan Rucinski (C, R, 5’10”, 175, Youngstown Phantoms, 12/01/2006, Ohio State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Rucinski is an average-sized, right-shot forward who displayed his offensive thoughts and puck skills in spurts. His game has certainly developed from last season and he has been rewarded with more ice time and power play opportunities. He made a nice play on the 4th goal picking up the primary assist as he drove wide around the defense and below the goal line hitting #38 Cisar going to the net for his hat trick goal. He has underrated puck skills, as on one shift he craftily toe-dragged, faked a shot, and then slid a pass through the box on the power play for a high-end scoring chance for a teammate. He also showed how he can change the release point of his shot off the rush and wisely uses defense as a screen to challenge the goalie. Rucinski should develop well in the NCAA ranks at Ohio State and opportunity to play beyond.
Kade Stengrim (C, L, 6’4″, 205, Youngstown Phantoms, 06/09/2007, St. Cloud)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Stengrim had one of those nights taking advantage of his opportunities. He scored two goals on two shots. The 1st goal in the 2nd period was a display of his shooting mechanics with a quick, heavy release he nipped the goalie bar-down from the high slot on entry. He scored his 2nd goal of the night simply by going to the net, re-directing #39 Smith’s pass on the crease, and while the initial shot was saved he batted the puck out of mid-air on a 2nd chance rebound for the tally over the goalie’s blocker.
Jamison Sluys (C, L, 5’10”, 195, Youngstown Phantoms, 09/03/2005, Western Michigan)
Apr 4/25Russ Bitely#91 Sluys, Jamison (Youngstown)Birth Date: Sep 3, 2005Line: 1Position: LW5.09.5 / 193Draft Eligible
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Sluys is an undersized, skilled, and smart left-shot forward. He did a good job navigating the ice in puck possession to gain zone entry and set up scoring opportunities. He received the primary assist on the 2nd goal as he made a nice diagonal seam pass to #38 Cisar for the goal at the net. Later in the game, he would again find #38 Cisar in the open ice in the slot for the goal. Sluys plays the role of the playmaker with his vision and puck skills, rather than the finishing type.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images