USHL action. Lincoln Stars vs Youngstown Phantoms on October 14th, 2023. A three goal 3rd period was enough to get a lead and hold it for the Lincoln Stars as they prevailed by a score of 4-1 over the Phantoms.
| Adam Kleber | Lincoln Stars | USHL | R | D | 6’5″ | 204 | Minnesota Duluth | 2024 | Chaska, MN | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: A towering defender on the back-end who lets his presence be felt every time he is on the ice. Was excellent on the PK, planting himself net front, not over complicated his movements and attacking the low plays with an active stick and shot blocks. Uses his size and strength to win battles and clear the puck out of harms way. Defensively is sound and isn’t afraid to line up his opponents along the walls. His size is intimidating, but his strength is what creates chaos and separation for the opposing players. In addition to his defensive game, owns good offensive instincts, finding gaps to receive pucks and get them on net. Not afraid to jump into the rush and attack the net, despite being a defenseman.
| Yan Shostak | Lincoln Stars | USHL | L | G | 6’0″ | 179 | Minsk, BLR | 2004 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Played an excellent game for the Stars, making many stops throughout the game at important times. Was the best penalty killer on the ice, particularly stopping the one-timer shots from the flank areas. Battled hard to find pucks through screens, was quick on his feet, allowing him to get square to the shooters and make his saves accordingly. A good mix of technical ability with athleticism. Competes hard for pucks, no matter the situation allowing himself to make some harder, in tight saves.
| Keaton Peters | Lincoln Stars | USHL | R | F | 5’10” | 187 | Northern Michigan | 2024 | Sussex, WI | 2004 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Did an incredible job in the faceoff dot all night. Regardless of the zone, he was engaged and continually won draws cleanly. Took the important draws, especially on the penalty kill.
| Mason Kesselring | Lincoln Stars | USHL | L | F | 6’3″ | 189 | Connecticut | 2024 | Manchester, NH | 2004 | 2023-2024: C2021-2022: C |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Wasn’t overly offensive in the game, but did a lot of little details right. Was effective on the walls, regardless of what zone it was in. Made simple, hard plays that resulting in team possession, instead of turnovers. Protected pucks in the OZ, and was able to have cycle plays with his line-mates. Played physical when necessary as he used his size effectively.
| Kai Janviriya | Lincoln Stars | USHL | R | D | 5’8″ | 158 | Boston University | 2024 | West Bloomfield, MN | 2005 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Smaller, undersized defenseman with a high skill-set. Wants the puck on his stick on the PP as he quarterbacks the play and dictates where the pucks will go. Makes clean passes and shows off his nice hands by holding onto pucks, beating his opponents and getting shots to the net. When he doesn’t have the puck, filters into positions where he can catch and release or one-time shots with authority towards the goal. Didn’t score, but created chances all night with his ability to find shooting lanes and create open space.
| Dashel Oliver | Lincoln Stars | USHL | R | F | 5’9″ | 179 | Nebraska Omaha | 2025 | Bloomington, IN | 2005 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Smaller forward who works hard and keeps his feet moving in all three zones. Was able to forecheck hard and with a purpose by chipping pucks in and out-working his opponents to get the puck back. One of those players that might seem down and out, but will find a way to get ahold of a puck and make a play. Infectious energy as he’s always moving his feet and is willing to take a high to make the play for his team.
| Jared Mangan | Lincoln Stars | USHL | L | C | 5’10” | 171 | Clarkson | 2024 | Lancaster, NY | 2003 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Scored the 1st goal of the game for Lincoln on a beautiful individual effort. Hunted a puck down, didn’t quit on the play, lifted a stick and gained full possession of the puck. Once getting possession, he flipped the puck through a defenders legs, kept his feet moving and attacked the net on a partial breakaway situation. From here, he went back-hand to fore-hand and shelved a shot past an outstretched goaltender. The goal itself exemplified what he does best. Hunts pucks down, moves his feet and gets pucks towards the net at all costs.
| Blake Montgomery | Lincoln Stars | USHL | L | F | 6’3″ | 174 | Maine | 2024 | Bowie, MD | 2005 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Played an excellent all around game for the Stars in their victory. As a bigger forward, he plays a mix between skill and grit. He’s fast and physical making him hard to play against. Displayed his speed on the 2nd goal of the game for the Stars by picking off a pass in the DZ, blowing by the flat-footed defenders, going in alone on a breakaway and making no mistake scoring. For a bigger forward, his skating ability is impressive. Long, fast strides that are powerful and quick. Not afraid to make higher end, risky plays to give his team better looks offensively (including himself).
| Ryan Botterill | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | L | C | 5’11” | 177 | Portage La Prairie, MB | 2003 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Has that low, strong skating stride. Picks pucks up in his own end and attacks north right away. Skates through the middle and makes nifty passes to his line-mates entering the offensive zone with speed. Shifty with the puck as he’s able to beat defenders in 1 on 1 situations with speed and skill. Creating offense off rush plays and was quick on the transition game.
| Andrew Strathmann | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | L | D | 5’11” | 190 | North Dakota | 2024 | Beach Park, IL | 2005 | 2022-2023: B- |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Smooth skating defenseman who can make the play look effortless at times. Skates well, with his head up and hands in good positions to make clean passes. Reads the play well, especially from the back-end. Surveys the ice with his head up and makes his plays accordingly to where the pressure is or isn’t. Has good offensive upside as well as he can control pucks on the blue line without panic. Instead, he holds onto them, finds shot lanes and gets quick shots towards the net.
| Sascha Boumedienne | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 176 | Stockholm | 2007 | 2024-2025: B |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Plenty of upside to his game as he is a younger player. Tall, lanky defenseman who shows good confidence with and without the puck. Not afraid to skate pucks out, dump them into the offensive zone and forecheck. Not the most physical player, but owns an active stick and can break up plays this way. With a longer reach, was able to find shooting lanes and get pucks towards the net with traffic.
| Brecken Smith | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | R | RW | 5’9″ | 179 | Miami (Ohio) | 2025 | Jackson, MI | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Scored the only goal of the game for the Phantoms by finding a loose puck in the slot, taking a few hard strides and absolutely leaning into a cannon of a shot that beat the goaltender clean.
| Adam Pietila | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | R | F | 6’0″ | 190 | Northern Michigan | 2024 | Hartland, MI | 2003 | Free Agent |
Game Grade: B
Comments: Dangerous player when in the offensive zone. Works hard and plays a hard game. Committed to stopping on pucks in the defensive zone, and isn’t afraid to play physical at times. Wins puck battles because his will and want to get the puck. Offensively, has that unique ability to beat a defender in 1 on 1 situations, and can do it using his speed and hands. Showed off his hands in multiple occasions, making plays where it looked as if he had lost the puck and somehow regained control and got a shot on net or made a pass to his teammates in scoring positions.
| Kuzma Voronin | Youngstown Phantoms | USHL | L | RW | 5’9″ | 175 | Moscow, RUS | 2006 | 2023-2024: |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Created some plays off the rush that were dangerous. For example, was able to collect pucks in the neutral zone with speed and instead of cutting wide, he would cut middle, attack straight on and challenge the defenders with quick release shots, using them as screens. Shifty and fast, but at times a little to perimeter in the offensive zone.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images