150 First Impressions of the 2025 NHL Draft: USA

The US is by far the most fluctuant region so far this year. There is a wide array of opinions to be had on pretty much every player here. So I’m going to be a little bit more reckless in my approach as odds are I’m definitely holding some players too highly and I’m definitely underrating others.

FIWB.

James Hagens - Boston College (NCAA) - SSS

Luckily, James Hagens is not controversial in the slightest… right? I know we’ve had a lot of recent competitors who have earned the right to be breathed in the same conversation, but I think the consensus has forgotten how good James Hagens really is. He pops of the screen on every viewing due to his electrifying skating. He’s genuinely one of the best skaters we have seen in recent history. His straight-line speed is already well-reported on sure, but how he plays at that top speed is outstanding. His mental gears seem to turn just as quickly and he’s constantly reading the ice, looking for his next option. Needless to say, to play with his head up this much also means exceptional hands, which Hagens loves to use. Watching him burst through zones and flashing his handling is absolutely nothing new and was totally past the level of the USHL. His playmaking ability is also insanely understated, he’s so mature with the puck and has an immaculate sense of timing his passes, traffic or no. Hagens’ D-1 saw him play the full year with the NTDP sure, but also saw him put up the 2nd most points of a player ever do so for good reason.

Whether it be by results, by on-ice product, by the habits he’s shown, by the success he’s seen, there’s 0 question that James Hagens deserves his first overall hype. What he has in Boston College is a chance to solidify it, not to dissimilarly from Macklin Celebrini before him. While Hagens may have more relative competition, and his general lack of size does make him a less attractive option by straight profiling, you will not find me counting him out anytime soon. Until I am convinced otherwise, this is Hagens’ race to lose.

Cullen Potter - Arizona State University (NCAA) - SS

When I first heard Cullen Potter was going to the NCAA, I thought he was going to get killed. He was ok in the viewings I saw and definitely one of the better NTDP skaters. Still, considering his size, I didn’t see a world where he’d survive playing against the older, bigger, tougher competition.

I was way off.

Not only has Potter looked like he belonged in the lineup, he has cemented his spot on the team. While it hasn't reflected on the scoresheet yet (4 points in his first 4 were still nice though), in terms of impact, Potter may be the most important forward on Arizona to date. He’s clocking in 18-20 minutes a night on the regular due to the early season injuries the team has suffered. He’s been regularly contributing at both ends, largely thanks to his elite skating ability never leaving him out of a play. With the puck, he’s mobile as all hell and loves to challenge defenders in 1v1 situations. He tends to absorb a lot of risk doing so and isn’t super efficient, yet still wins a respectable portion of them. I could watch him in those scenarios all day. Off the puck, he plays the hound, regularly pushing play, demanding reactions to his powerful strides. His vision for passing lanes transfers over, and he’s shown to be great at taking away the passing lane and sacrificing his body to block shots.

Between the motor and the two-way play Potter does bring a lot of value, the standout trait I see in Potter is his drive; the drive to beat whoever is in front of him. There’s no player in this draft with more disdain for his opponents then Potter. I think that this is the breed of competitiveness that makes winners and I hope Potter can keep what makes him special at the highest levels. I’m a believer.

Logan Hensler - University of Wisconsin (NCAA) - S

Hensler, I believe, has been yet another victim of the NCAA’s later start date hurting his draft stock. More than that, Wisconsin is just really… really… not good. Winning one of their first six is bad, but they only have a single goal coming from players outside their top line. This is not the ideal environment for Logan Hensler or any NCAA freshman.

Hensler himself has been... alright. For what it’s worth, Logan Hensler doesn’t look any worse than when we saw him last year. The defensive acumen never left him; his reach is still reaching, his feet are still skating, and he’s still good at retrievals. However, I still feel disappointed. When I first heard Hensler was going to Wisconsin, I rationalized it by viewing it as an environment where Hensler could make all the mistakes in the world to discover his offensive game. He’s got a lot of size and agility to make him tough to defend, and while I did see it on occasion during his time with the program, I am not seeing it as much as I would like yet. I am willing to be patient and let Hensler acclimate himself to the new environment, but there’s no doubting the early returns have been disappointing.

Even if everything turns for the worse, Hensler is unlikely to sink too low considering his body of work and profile. The tools are all here; the mind to create is here; he just needs something—anything—to break right. Surely, something will give.

Adam Benak - Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) - S-

If Adam Benak was 6’1,190lbs and not 5’7, 161lb, he would probably be going first overall. I don’t think there are many players in the world who think and move as fast as Benak does. His vision and playmaking ability in motion is spectacular too; even when play breaks down, Benak has the creativity to improvise solutions that really impress.

However, I fear Benak’s speed has become a bit of a crutch. While he doesn’t tend to struggle beating players he just blasts by, when Benak is forced to slow his roll or challenge a defender in a 1v1, I find he tends to look outside of himself for options. He tends to do so pretty obviously too, completely shifting his body or stopping altogether to seam a pass. I think for Adam Benak to work in the NHL will demand he be able to win these contests through pure deception. In his current form, Benak is too honest, and when it comes time for the physicality to ramp up, I worry how he will adapt.

Clearly, playing with men last year and making the move to North America early was a step in trying to work through that. He clearly wants to make his game work at the highest level, and I can see the vision. There’s a role these players can play in the NHL; small playmakers exist, but they’re regularly some of the best players on the ice. Benak is closer to that high-end upside than many before him, and I could rationalize an NHL team throwing this hail-mary in the first round, but there's stuff to work on.

Cole McKinney - USNTDP - S-

McKinney has been by far my favorite player at the NTDP so far this season. He plays a very mature, two-way, pro-style center’s game. What stands out about him is the effort. On a team with a lot of players that seem to be lacking in their own end, McKinney stands out as a truly effective defensive forward. A true PTFG type of player, he’s got the strength, and he loves to battle in the trenches and sacrifice the body, but his anticipation has regularly stuck out as a positive. He reads plays remarkably well. I do think he needs work on his lateral mobility. Due to being so defensively minded, he’s on his backfoot quite often but doesn’t seem totally comfortable being in those positions yet.

When the puck gets on his stick, McKinney regularly opts to carry the puck rather than distribute it; dropping the shoulder and being firm on his skates makes him a tough dude to knock off the puck. However, it does lend to him being a bit turnover-prone, as he overextends himself on occasion. I was pleased to see that he never failed to haul ass on the backcheck whenever that happened. He has a definite offensive dimension too in his shot.

What holds McKinney back is he doesn’t really have the playmaking IQ or the speed to be an NHL player; even at his current level, it’s just about average, if not a little above. Still, the effort and defensive play give him a very high floor to work with.

Ben Kevan - Des Moines Buccaneers - S-

I should like Kevan a lot more than I do. He’s got a great motor and uses it to be a great north-south puck carrier. His off-puck effort isn’t a weakness either, and his good anticipation serves to enable the dynamic style he wants to play at. Kevan is all about getting the puck in motion and flat-out beating defenders with his raw speed and handling. I think he leans more playmaker than he does finisher, but he’s a genuine dual threat, making him a tough player to defend, especially off the rush.

However, what I noticed about his game was the similarities between his advantage states. Kevan looks at his best when he’s in motion and can see a path to follow when the options laid out are straight-forward. He doesn’t imply the width of the ice as much as I think he could, nor does he fully use his vision to survey his options. For Kevan to make it as a genuine top-6 option at the pro level, both those things need to come up. He doesn’t scream “offensive play-driver” until that happens.

Considering his intensity and the overall lack of potential offensive swings in this range of the draft, I feel comfortable locking Kevan in as a probable late rounder. He feels like a good bet to make, and the weaknesses are things that can be taught. Even if he doesn’t make it as an NHL playdriver, the work ethic and shooting ability should lend him a decent middle-six role.

William Moore - USNTDP - S-

Moore pisses me off. Every positive point to him seems to have a corresponding negative.

He’s big, but he’s slim.

He’s physical, but it usually only shows after he’s made a mistake.

He’s a good skater but lacks speed.

He has quick hands but plays die on his stick regularly.

He’s got a fantastic shot but rarely shoots.

Drafting Moore is drafting the concept of a top-6 center. He has all the tools in the world, but putting it all together still seems like a massive work-in-progress. He’s not shown the confidence to use his wide array of skills when the situation arises. I can’t doubt there’s tangible upside here; the positives and the profile have all the attractiveness an NHL team needs to see a middle-six center without much recourse. I’m sure that the fact he doesn’t have an identity yet could make him a bit more impressionable to the needs of the team that drafts him.

As it is, Moore is likely going to land somewhere in the first round; the frustrating part is that there should be a top-10 player here. I just don’t see that player often enough to be confident in placing him at any range just yet. He’s probably the firmest “come back in a few months” player to date.

Jack Murtagh - USNTDP - A+

The player that makes me smile the most on the NTDP! Murtagh’s natural finishing ability is one of the most fun things to watch this year. His shot is shockingly accurate due to the little details he has placed into adjusting his angle of release. It’s a death sentence to goalies everywhere.

However, what stands out with Murtagh is his off-puck game. He brings a combination of high intensity and high intelligence that makes him an insanely tough player to defend. His spatial awareness regularly places him in the correct positions he needs to get the puck on his stick, and once it gets there, Murtagh can bulldoze his way into the offensive end with impunity. His game bears a striking resemblance to that of Ryan Leonard. You know Murtagh is coming, but you can’t defend against him; he’s too strong and too fast. There’s potential for a really high-end rush attacker here.

The thing gating Murtagh is his lack of natural skill; his hands and playmaking aren’t necessarily standout traits. Furthermore, his skating sacrifices some agility for its current truculence, meaning Murtagh doesn’t really use the full length of the ice as much as he potentially could. Even if these never develop to above average, Murtagh’s size gives him a really good floor as a checking forward.

I have strong faith there’s an NHLer here, but I’m not fully sold on his upside yet, probably due to a lack of exposure. I can see myself placing Murtagh in my first round as soon as next winter.

Cooper Simpson - Shakopee High (USHS-MN) - A+

Ok, this one’s a little crazy.

If the only context you have for Cooper Simpson is his Hlinka performance, you will be staring at me bug-eyed, which is fair. Simpson was frustrating throughout the tournament and struggled to live up to the role that the US asked of him in what was a generally, really weird tournament. He was snakebitten; he was getting frustrated and was up-and-down all tournament. The things that made Simpson special were not on full display.

Turning the clock back 4 months to his time with Tri-City Storm in the USHL, Simpson was a totally different player. He showcased his hockey sense brilliantly alongside Trevor Connelly, regularly creating chances through their unmatchable pace. What stood out to me was how quickly and how accurately

Simpson can read his opponents. Whether it’s playing with his acceleration to force a misstep or using his shoulders to create false reads, Simpson showcased deception above his age. I haven’t even mentioned his finishing ability yet, which is by far his strongest tool. His release from range is one of the deadliest in the class, and he has a great ability to use it off the rush, off one-timers, catch and release, the whole nine yards. Even in tough situations at the net front, Simpson finds ways to make contact happen. I really believed he had the potential to be one of the better goal scorers in this draft.

Which makes it all the more frustrating that he is going back to Shakopee this season. The biggest issue that Simpson had was the lack of intensity in his game, and going back to the high school circuit will not help him foster that. He won’t be in an environment where developing his physical tools or playing at a higher pace will take priority. I’m still insanely high on him; I believe he has all the talent in the world, but eventually the things he’s lacking are going to matter.

Carter Amico - USNTDP - A+

Carter Amico is already 6’5, over 200lbs, and plays RD? Before he even steps foot on the ice, he’s playing with a top-10 profile.

The on-ice product is far from it. Amico is for my money the most raw prospect we’ve seen so far this decade. There’s a lack of consistency in his strengths; there is a plethora of mistakes, especially with the puck, that have me wracking my brain. If you ever played a recent game in the NHL series, you would know that if you hold the right stick up, your player enters a hitting motion and will be unable to play the puck until you hit somebody or let go off the stick. Amico never takes his finger off the stick. He’s ultraphysical, sometimes to a fault. I once caught him trying to throw a hip-check during a 1 on 1 when he noticed the carrier was going to burst past him.

Whichever NHL team drafts him probably doesn’t care and is more focused on the positive things they can get out of him, and for his part, Amico shows flashes of a lot of stuff. There are times he will make a play that shows he can be involved in transition or he can make a quick pass to show he’s keeping up with the pace. There are times where he will layer deception or slow play down to read his options. These are all workable skills.

My concern lies in how far Amico has to come to get to that point. Even defensively, Amico’s tracking of his assignments off-puck is shoddy; he can get caught flatfooted in the neutral zone, and he can get into penalty trouble because he’s often relying on keeping play in front of him.

You can definitely mold a player like this into a shutdown defender if you can just round out the mistakes and keep him on his strengths. That safety is what gives me the confidence Amico is likely going to be a first-rounder by the end of the year. There’s hints and teasers all over, and if none of it works out, he can go hit people.

Conrad Fondrk - USNTDP - A+

In contrast to his teammates, Fondrk sticks out by the good points he has across the board. Individually, he stands out by some good feet, great hands, and one of the better shots in this class. Stylistically, he is a skate-and-shoot player, but he has some creativity in how he applies those skills, making him a more dangerous offensive option. On these alone, I have little issue with projecting Fondrk to a 25-40 range.

The trouble with Fondrk lies in his off-puck game. It’s not an uncommon problem to be had, especially not with offensively gifted players like Fondrk. He doesn’t have that “edge” to go to dirty areas and battle for pucks; he doesn’t backcheck super hard; he can tend to disengage and float. When Fondrk is in that mode, he tends to be rather invisible. Considering he’s not exactly the biggest player on the ice, I worry how he handles higher levels. Watching the friendlies against Boston College and especially Michigan affirmed a lot of those concerns.

There’s still plenty of time for Fondrk to find that second gear, and there is a workable offensive player here in his current state. I can easily see him turn into a late first-rounder if he does.

Sascha Boumedienne - Boston University (NCAA) - A+

Boumedienne was one of the most impressive playmakers from the backend in his time with Youngstown. His ability to read lanes and make quick passes never let him down, and he found breakaways like nobody’s business. However, ever since taking the leap in competition with the Hlinka and at the NCAA level, I have had a much harder time getting excited for him.

There’s no secret here; Boumedinne’s skating is not good. He’s severely lacking in both agility and mobility. He’s done considerable work masking it; he jumps into the offensive zone and makes things happen with his large repertoire of passing plays; he can defend the rush and find ways to get involved in transition. All of that is great, and I do applaud his effort and his hockey sense for giving him the ability to hold his own. There’s just too many times where it’s been exposed; he’s much too rigid on his feet, much too static in his posture. This doesn’t bite him when he’s skating in straight lines, but when challenged, it often leads to Boumedienne not having any answers.

I see Boumedienne as a total lottery ticket. If you fix his skating to the point where he’s even average, you are getting a really good top-4 defenseman with good hockey sense and good playmaking vision that has serious two-way value. If you don’t, it’s hard to see him as an NHL option.

Luka Radivojevic - Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) - A+

Radivojevic is a relatively safe option in what is a risky archetype in the small puck-moving defender. Even amongst his peers, Radivojevic stands out due to his exceptional four-way mobility. It’s by far his greatest tool, and he can really be an ankle breaker when evading pressure. One could go as far as to say Radivojevic’s game revolves around outmaneuvering his opponents, and to this point he’s had little issue with that. He’s a good activator from the blueline and can push play up-ice.

The issue is, that’s not really much to go on. There’s little Radivojevic does to really set himself out from the crowd. He’s a great skater, especially on his edges, but he doesn’t have that dynamic speed. His playmaking is great in motion and off the rush, but he doesn’t really have that QB-like vision. He’s not super physical, not super defensively oriented, and at his size, likely won’t be going forward.

All this begs the question: What role can Radivojevic play at the pro level? I think I’ve yet to envision it, and I think Radivojevic missed two big chances to establish himself at the Hlinka and in the SHL. I do think the move to Muskegon is a really good fit and that they can help shore up his weaknesses and bolster his strengths, but it’s too soon to be swayed one way or the other. He’s a "wait-and-see.”

Charlie Trethewey - USNTDP - A

Trethewey is fine. Just fine. He’s a decent two-way RD that leads with his intelligence. When the game is manageable for Trethewey mentally, he can play a minimal-risk, puck-moving game while keeping his own end clean. No harm in that. The defensive game is actually quite solid; he brings the physicality, he has a really good poke check, and he can make the impressive breakout pass here and there.

Although, when the game ramps up, Trethewey’s composure lets him down. Most notably, he stops reading play and just opts to dump pucks, even if there are better options available to him. In a game that will only get faster and harder, Trethewey’s early season start didn’t bolster a lot of confidence. The negatives were ever-present and the positives farther and fewer.

I highly doubt Trethewey manages to crack my top 32 at any point this year, but he does hold his own enough for me to think he’s likely a lock for the second round. He does have some runway due to his late birthday, but results will need to come eventually. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hits an arc similar to Cole Hutson and finds another gear come new year, or have the bottom fall out from under him.

Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen - University of Michigan (NCAA) - A-

If there’s one thing DRM can hang his hat on, it’s his ability to play in constant motion. He thrives on playing off the speed of the game, and it’s turned him into a very good transition player. He has remarkable skating ability and vision to aid in breakouts and can defend the rush due to his good stick and high intelligence; he makes reads better than most. He’s all about suppressing and creating chances.

Unfortunately, the game of hockey doesn’t always play in that state, and it’s in those moments of relative calm that DRM’s cracks start to show. DRM lacks the creativity to be a real offensive quarterback and often ends up playing reactively when forced into those spots. I still believe that his good hockey sense is a general offensive boon, but DRM’s never going to be an offensive producer.

How DRM diversifies his game will be the next step forward. Can he add that offensive element? Can he get more physical and become a better defensive option? He has a lot of the tools and the hockey sense he needs to take those steps forward; what remains to be seen is if he has the IQ to facilitate that deeper game.

L.J Mooney - USNTDP - A-

Mooney is an easy player to like, being a true underdog due to his limited size. He was an electric player, oozing speed and skill, and was just coming off a spectacular U18. Rarely during that tournament was there a moment where Mooney wasn’t blowing play open, creating high danger chance after high danger chance. He showed really spectacular play-driving prowess, some remarkable strength, and the agility to hang with players older and bigger than him.

This year was supposed to be the statement year. The year where Mooney gets the opportunity to anchor the NTDP team and solidify his NHL potential. Which makes this injury all the more tragic. The knee-on-knee he suffered vs. Notre Dame will take Mooney out long-term and may wipe out the majority of what should’ve been his comeuppance.

Time will tell if things break right for Mooney when he gets back. I just hope some team throws him a shot in the 7th round or whatever. If Mac Swanson can get drafted, there’s no reason Mooney can’t.

William Horcoff - USNTDP - B+

Horcoff is “Carter Amico,” but he plays forward. Again, the profile is super attractive. He’s got massive size, plays with a lot of physicality, and promises to play a distinct shutdown game. In my viewings, he was largely successful at doing that. He takes full advantage of his range and can play simple, effective hockey. If it weren’t for his mammoth size, he would fade into the background, which is not a knock, just a stylistic consequence of his game. Give and go, small crosses to buy time and space, short-range accurate passing—all little things that greatly compliment Horcoff’s game. It’s subtle, sweet, simple hockey.

What makes Horcoff interesting is his potential. If he adds more layers to his foundations, which he has shown the intelligence for, I think he can become an exceptionally dominant bottom-six center. If you can get his pace up, he can be a really effective screening puck carrier that draws attention on entries. If you get his playmaking up, he can get more creative with his options and drive his line. If you can get his face-off game up to the level of his dads? Oh boy. That’s best PKer in the league potential.

A lot of avenues exist for Horcoff, but I want to see a little more oomph in his step before I get too excited.

Mace’o Phillips - USNTDP - B+

The other 6’5 defender on the NTDP, Phillips, is a much more raw but much more interesting option than his right-handed counterpart. For starters, Phillips’ skating is more attuned to what you expect of hulking defenders. He’s alright for his size, but it’s still somewhat slow. It’s especially noticeable when Phillips defends the rush. He can generally keep pace with anyone charging along the wing but doesn’t close his angles very well and is often beaten by that extra step.

That “slowness” persists in his offensive game. He is slow to find his reads and can be prone to making the odd passing decision. However, there are offensive moments that standout. Phillips’ will confidently pinch into the offensive zone to make a play or make a pass through a layer that lands right on his teammates tape. These moments are fleeting, but impressive when they happen nonetheless.

There are still a lot of refinements to be had with Phillips. He is held back by that “hit-stick-up” defending style Amico brings. He has a really tough time settling pucks and doesn’t have the processing speed to make a play on the ones he does. There’s no question that he’s a good deal further off from the NHL than some of his peers; you will need to sand off some of his edges. Regardless, I think a patient NHL team could be surprised with what they get out of him if he breaks right, especially where his on-puck skills are considered. He may have a bit more offensive potential than he lets on, but it will take Phillips’ a longer road to get there.

Ryker Lee - Madison Capitals (USHL) - B+

My introduction to Lee actually came while watching him alongside Will Zellers in Shattuck last year, where Lee regularly dazzled with his hands. He was an undersized forward that knew he couldn’t outmuscle you, so he deked around you. The creativity and the effort he put into standing out at the high school level was impressive, and I was excited to see him find early success at the USHL level in his brief stint (just don’t look at his results in the playoffs).

His rookie season in the USHL has seen a muting of sorts. Lee is relying less on his hands and more on his intelligence. Less on his agility, more on his strength, of which he added a lot last summer. The results have been positive on the scoreboard, but I come out of it feeling mixed. This isn’t the dynamic player that tore apart the prep circuit. A lot of his comes down to his skating, which has taken a massive hit. His mechanics were never perfect, but adding 2 inches and a little over 20 pounds over the course of a calendar year has forced Lee into a situation that isn’t tenable.

As it is, Lee reminds me a lot of a more offensively leaning Terik Parascak. The creativity and intelligence are present, but the skating comes through their strength, which is not their forte, and I bet it will not hold up at higher levels. Still, there’s a lot to like in the way Lee is wired to give him the benefit of the doubt. That dynamism can still be unlocked.

William Belle - USNTDP - B+

Belle initially stood out for how quickly he could move his giant body. Few players that stand at 6'4 and 200 lbs. can move as fast as he does. His hustle was immediately evident. My word, if I were a defender seeing William Belle come at me on the forecheck or a goalie watching him drive to my net, I would be terrified. He’s a great athlete as is and seems to be growing into his body exceptionally fast.

The issues with Belle usually involve his decision-making. He simply moves faster than he can think, not too dissimilarly from Kristian Epperson last year. Without the puck as his focus, he can tend to disengage from play, particularly on his own end. He’s lacking a true offensive dimension as well, and while he is trying to drive play, he often ends up forcing it to little avail.

I think Belle is still trying to figure himself out offensively. Still, between the physicality and the intensity that he can bring, there’s a safe floor to round out a bottom-six energy option regardless of if that develops. While Belle may rely on playing the rush a lot, I wonder what would happen if he really focused on his shot. It’s not bad by any means, but if he were able to teach himself to release it from more varied areas, I think there’s potential for a decent finisher here. He’d be a nice consolation prize to a team that missed out on Malcolm Spence.

Shane Vansaghi - Michigan State (NCAA) - B

Vansaghi is the last of the NTDP graduates to make the jump to the NCAA, and to his credit, he doesn’t seem out of place in the slightest. He reminds me of William Horcoff in the right ways. Big, tanky, lots of range, and plays a simple, effective game. More of a net-front option than a playmaker, Vansaghi is all about going to dirty areas and creating space for teammates. He crashes and bangs with the best of them and earns himself juicy rebounds or great setups in the process.

Like Horcoff, Vansaghi’s skating holds him back. He’s quite straight-lined and doesn’t have the problem-solving skills to be a reliable option in open ice. There are ways to add that to his game, but he’s struggling to fall out of his junior’s shadow for me. There’s just very little in terms of ceiling here, but he makes up for it with a safe projection. It’s easy to see Vansaghi play bottom-six minutes somewhere in the NHL, whether it be at center or on the wing, but how much value can he provide if he gets there remains a mystery.

Nicholas Sykora - Omaha Lancers (USHL) - B-

Part of me mourns Sykora. Having to play not just one but two seasons with the recent versions of the Omaha Lancers cannot be a pleasant cross to bear. Bless his heart; he is trying, but he simply doesn’t have the support in Omaha to take that offensive game up at the moment.

Which made his Hlinka tape all the more impressive. Finally, alongside some offensive talent, Sykora’s engagement soared, and I was really starting to get a feel for his offensive game. He’s really detailed and manipulates the way he controls the puck very precisely with his curls and drags. His sense of timing on his passes and his release is good, and he's got the vision to put them to use. I am slowly being converted into a believer. 

However, Sykora’s overall intensity didn’t increase with that engagement. He’s naturally a calm and cool player, but he doesn’t engage with the physical side of the game enough to be seen as a very projectable option. While his offensive game is polished, he feels more like a complimentary piece than a true offensive carry. I don’t think that changes over the course of the year, but maybe Sykora can flesh out his offensive game to be more dynamic. Regardless of projectability, there is an interesting player in Sykora at this moment, but NHL or NCAA intervention will be required for him to take that step up.

Masun Fleece - Fargo Force (USHL) - B-

Fleece is a wild one. He brings a lot of intensity, and I think he carries a lot of value for his game off the puck. He’s a great forechecker, remarkably strong on his feet, and generates good speed. The fundamentals to play a high-pressure game are here.

My main thing to monitor is his shift-to-shift consistency, which I find does waver. There’s simply not always an opportunity for Fleece to throw his body at something, and in those slower moments, he struggles to find a role, and his ability to read the game diminishes. If he does make the NHL, I believe it would be in a bottom-six role, but I do see flashes of Tyler Motte in him. Since I like Tyler Motte a lot, I am rooting for him.

Jacob Rombach - Lincoln Stars (USHL) - C+

I am almost stunned at how much Rombach resembles Adam Kleber. Needless to say, the Lincoln Stars have a type. Like Kleber, Rombach is a hulking defenseman that leads with his hockey IQ. He makes intelligent decisions off the puck, defends the rush, and flattens people.

However, the things that made me like Adam Kleber, I don’t think I see in Rombach yet. Namely, Rombach’s mobility is not as developed, especially in small areas. Furthermore, Rombach is a bit more adventurous, with the puck being more daring on breakouts or simply being more willing to carry it himself. His top speed is definitely better than Kleber’s was at this time last season, which enables this style, but he’s also much more prone to turnovers. Speaking of turnovers, his outlet passes are remarkable for creating them. Sometimes he’s not paying attention; sometimes it’s just pure recklessness, but no matter the cause, cleaning up his play will be a necessity for Rombach going forward.

Still, I can’t deny he’s in the perfect spot to fix his issues. I had a lot of similar concerns with Adam Kleber last season, and he managed to greatly improve as the season went on. Maybe Rombach follows his senior’s footsteps?

Mason Moe - Madison Capitals (USHL) - C+

Moe was one of the few American players to really benefit from the Hlinka-Gretzky. I think he carries good skill and a decent finishing touch, but he’s much more suited to a defensive role. Which he performs admirably in; he has great hockey IQ and really thrives when play slows down, especially in the cycle. When possession is established in either end, Moe’s regularly in position and never a hindrance.

He’s just too slow. Way too slow. On his feet, on his reads, in his hands, just generally slow. Moe can read play with the best of them, but he’s a player that plays reactively and doesn’t have good reactions. It’s untenable. If everything can come faster, it’s much easier to get excited about Moe’s projection, but personally, this lack of overall speed is a deal-breaker.

Lev Katzin - Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) - C

Katzin is fun in a way that you generally don’t find in undersized players. He’s insanely violent and seems to not only take pleasure but thrive in the contact of the game. The game of hockey exists so that Lev Katzin can assault somebody without legal recourse. Puck in the offensive end? Katzin is bullying someone in the corner. Puck in the defensive end? Katzin is waiting for his assignment to get the puck so he can hit them. Breaking out? Katzin is waiting so he can pounce on whoever collects the turnover.

I’m being a smidge hyperbolic, but it serves to highlight how deeply physicality is ingrained into Katzin’s game. Away from it, Katzin struggles to make much of an impact. He does have decent puck skills when called on, but the nagging question of whether he is skilled enough to play at the NHL level is a nagging one. Considering his size, it’s doubtful to believe he can keep playing this game at higher levels.

But forget all of that; Lev Katzin is fun and hits people, and that’s all that matters. You’re telling me you don’t want a 5’8 Ryan Reaves? Come on. Do the right thing and pick him in the 6th or 7th or whatever and go home knowing you made the great ghosts of hockey proud.

Chase Jette - Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL) - C

Jette’s issue is a common one among a lot of NTDP players. Fast feet, but they can’t mentally keep up with their own speed. While players like William Belle and Jack Murtagh have complimentary tools that make up for that deficiency, Jette kind of doesn’t. And he’s undersized. Jette’s not quick enough that he can get away with it either. At the Hlinka-Gretzky, he was at times placed on the top unit between Ben Kevan and Cooper Simpson, where he was basically forced into playing the trailer. Hopefully, he can carve a role for himself with his hockey IQ. He does show promising potential to connect plays, particularly in transition and as a penalty killer. Maybe there’s some role out there where he can combine his strengths, but I don’t see it yet.

Teddy Mutryn - Chicago Steel (USHL) - C

Mutryn was a player that regularly struggled to keep pace of play in my viewings. He leans forward noticeably when he skates, which hurts his ability to make adjustments in motion. He does bring a decent hockey mind, but he’s largely an opportunist and struggles to create for himself, especially by himself. He’s not a particularly good off-puck either, meaning his puck touches tend to be sporadic if not outright spontaneous. I just don’t know if he has the tools to carve out an NHL role yet, but I do think he should have no issue lighting the lamp at the USHL level.

He’s going to be someone to re-visit.

Gavin Cornforth - Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) - C

Cornforth has always had a level of hype behind him, and it’s easy to see why. He’s going on his 3rd USHL season and has been steadily climbing the ladder, performing admirably with every challenge presented to him. This year, with Cornfroth being given the keys to the kingdom in Dubuque, was no exception. He is tied for the lead in Dubuque scoring, wearing the A, and is playing at times up to 22 minutes a night.

On the ice, Cornforth draws attention with his offensive game. He’s exceptionally good at controlling small spaces to be suppressive in dirty areas and finding options out of scrums. He’s a force in transition, being relied on as the premier puck carrier, and is a great route runner. He has good playmaking vision, a good shot, and good habits. He’s good across the board.

I just am worried that Cornforth’s size limits him. He’s got plenty to work with, but nothing exceptional enough to make me forget that he’s not even 5’10. He’s improving, sure, but it’s not at a pace rapid enough to make me believe he can be an NHL player in a reasonable timeline. He’s definitely a project, and while I think he’d be a good one, I can’t fault people who don’t see the vision.

Cameron Aucoin - Musekgon Lumberjacks (USHL) - C-

Aucoin frustrated me the same way Xavier Veilleux did last season. He’s an offensive defenseman that just doesn’t connect enough of his passes. I do like his ambition at times, and I am a believer in Aucoin’s vision, but whether it's a low percentage or high percentage play, there are times he will just whiff.

I believe it starts with his feet. Aucoin is a decently mobile skater, but he struggles to control his edges very well and can at times look off-balance. He generally reads play well defensively, but his average frame means that faster, stronger players tend to not have much of an issue with him. He’s very much a “keep play in front of me” player.

I do think that being in Muskegon is a good place for him to land, and I think they know how to handle players of this style, so I’m reserving most of my judgments until I can see him further down the year. Regardless, Aucoin seems like an okay player; I just don’t see enough to bang the drum yet.

Mikhail Katin - Omaha Lancers (USHL) - D+

Katin stood out among the squad of Omaha defenders, literally. I didn’t see anything to particularly wow me, but I have definitely seen worse 6’5 defenders. He reads pressure fairly well, is decent in 1v1s, and is decently capable at moving the puck.

Most of the things I want out of Katin are getting better in specific situations. He is too easily pressured behind his own net and doesn’t have a solution if a forechecker closes the distance because he doesn’t have the deception or feet to get himself out of danger. He’s a little too conservative with the puck on his stick. Doesn’t use his range fully.

Most importantly, he fails to adjust when he’s committed to doing something. If Katin has it in his mind to dump the puck, he will do that regardless if there’s a winger begging to spring him on a breakaway. Even defensively, he will commit to his hits very early, and if the hit is late, the hit is late, so be it.

There’s still potential for a bottom unit PKer due to his size, but there are just too many others I would take before Katin.

Alexander Donovan - Shattuck St. Mary (USHS-Prep) - D+

Donovan stood out at the Hlinka for being the leading scorer on a US team that largely underperformed. What that sentence doesn’t tell you is that all five of his points came in the same 12-3 blowout to Germany.

Donovan, for his part, was just too slippery for the German defenders to handle. He regularly leveraged his speed and upper body strength to shake them off and kept himself at a distance to be uncontested. I don’t think this is a very projectable skill going forward, and Donovan’s offensive woes in the other 4 games paint that picture. Still, his effort level never dipped, and he showed defensive prowess on the penalty kill.

Getting glimpses of him will be tough considering he’s at Shattuck, but his small frame makes it less likely a team is willing to gamble with him anyway. Maybe he left a strong enough impression in the Germany game to be remembered come June, but the barrier for players out of Prep to see NHL draft lights is a high one.

Aiden Janz - Lincoln Stars (USHL) - D

Janz has really struggled at the USHL level, as he’s still waiting for his first regular season goal 43 games in (and counting). While I do think he has a good ability to apply pressure and force opponents into tough situations, he doesn’t really have an answer to defenders smart enough to solve his problems. His offensive knack has failed to translate from his AAA days, and Janz is quickly getting left behind by the rest of the class. Eventually, he’s going to have to show some results.

Edison Engle - Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) - D

Engle stood out to me during the Hlinka for largely how much time he played in the defensive zone. For his part, he handled wave after wave of offense and managed to hold his own quite nicely.

I have serious doubts about his on-puck ability, especially where the offensive zone is concerned. But for now, Engle promises to take that defensive game of his to Des Moines. If you like dudes who keep their ends clean and keep their ends clean, then Engle might be a good option.

Cullen McCrate - Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) - D-

McCrate got placed in a myriad of tough situations at the Hlinka and showed an exemplary work ethic, but he was not equipped to handle the ice time he was given. He had good moments, and the skating ability is a plus, but the decision-making I saw on display put a sour note for the time being. He was simply too passive to leave much of an impression, but the lack of “stuff” happening while he’s on the ice is a positive in some eyes.

I’ll give him a second shot later.

Matthew Grimes - Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) - D-

Oh boy. My Hlinka viewing of Grimes was well... bad. He had a few good rush attempts, a good shot, and a few decent hits. Showed good hustle.

His overall performance was bad. There’s no saving that. He had way too much confidence in his abilities, especially in transition. Holding the puck for no reason instead of completing his passes. Skating into nothing and not having the dexterity in his hands to put up second efforts. It was rough. There’s 0 question about it.

However, Grimes has a lot of skill and a lot of agility to work with. He should be better than this rank, and I am looking to him to head over to the USHL and make me look silly. He’s too skilled to be this reckless.

Gleb Semyonov - Omaha Lancers (USHL) - D-

Semeyonov is a bit of a mystery. The only tape I have to go off with him is his brief cups of coffee in the MHL, where he looked like the part of an “eh” defensive-oriented grinder. A spot he can easily fill at lower levels with his size.

Overall, he seemed too unrefined to make any heavy-handed judgments. I didn’t really see much of his offensive game, and he looked like a fish out of water in most situations. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Only so much can you deduce out of 15 minutes of ice time; maybe he has more to give that hasn’t been given the stage to display yet.

Watchlist

• Aidan Lane (St. Andrew’s College, PHC)

• Alexander Zetterberg (Boston University, NCAA) Re-Entry

• Andrew O’Neill (USNTDP)

• Anthony Allain-Samaké (Sioux City Musketeers, USHL)

• Asher Barnett (USNTDP)

• Blake Vanek (USNTDP)

• Brendan McMorrow (Waterloo Blackhawks, USHL) Re-Entry

• Carter Murphy (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL)

• Donato Bracco (USNTDP)

• Drew Schock (USNTDP)

• Ethan Wyttenbach (Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL)

• Mason West (Edina High, USHS-MN)

• Matthew Lansing (Waterloo Blackhawks, USHL)

• Ritter Coombs (Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL)

• Sam Spehar (Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL)

• Sean Barnhill (Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL)

• Tyler Borgula (Quinnipiac University, NCAA) Re-Entry

• Vaclav Nestrasil (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL)

• Yaroslav Bryzgalov (Des Moines Buccaneers, USHL)

Thanks for reading everyone! We are back tomorrow with the WHL.