The 2023 NHL Draft season is looming and looking like a potentially groundbreaking year for American hockey. While it may be one of the weakest in terms of talent, it could be the first year that the USHL truly leapfrogs the NTDP in terms of producing Draft-ready talents. A weak year for the Program gives players like Gavin Brindley, William Whitelaw, and Mikey DeAngelo a chance to take hold of a title that the NTDP has hounded for years. High-end names in the CHL are only helping the case against the NTDP, with Quentin Musty, Matteo Michaels, and Matthew Mania all fighting to take hype away from the usual American focal point.
But while a potentially historic year for hockey in the States, it’s still not a very optimistic one. As it stands, the Americans find themselves largely spread among the middle rounds, with only a handful breaking through the notable ranks. With the USHL season starting soon, let’s dive into my pre-season Draft rankings for this year’s American class.
Early Ranking of the 2023 NHL Draft-Eligible Americans
Tier 1 – Top-20 Candidates
#1 – Oliver Moore – Center, U.S. NTDP U18 (NTDP), 5’11” / 176 lbs., Jan. 22, 2005
Oliver Moore is defiantly the top American in this class. Some early hot takes have slated players like Charlie Stramel, Will Smith or Quentin Musty above him but when it all boils down, Moore has an engine that no other American, and nearly no other Draft-eligible, has. He is an absolute workhorse, showing tireless tenacity in all three zones. Combining that with strong positioning, smooth and quick skating, and a strong awareness of where his teammates are turns Moore into a next-level playmaker. He isn’t quite Logan Cooley but the talent he brings to the offensive zone, in a lankier package, is certainly reminiscent of the most-recent 3rd-overall pick. Moore’s hold on this #1 spot is emphatic. Now he’ll work to crack the Draft’s top-10.
#2 – Charlie Stramel – Center, Univ. of Wisconsin (NCAA), 6’3” / 213 lbs., Oct. 15, 2004
It’s taken me years to buy into the hype that Charlie Stramel receives. While he’s certainly skilled, there always seemed to be a piece of integrity missing from his game, making him stumble in team-focused systems and off-puck play. But at the end of the day, I get it. Stramel is a massive 6’3” forward who skates fluidly and has the hands to get out of almost any sticky situation. I am concerned about his off-puck play but the NCAA is notorious for instilling team-first, defensively-strong thinking in its players. If Stramel even gets a whiff of that, I could buy into the hype he’s received early on. Stramel is a tremendous talent, just missing some pieces to turn him into the star he could be.
Tier 2 – First Round Candidates
#3 – Danny Nelson – Center, U.S. NTDP U18 (NTDP), 6’2” / 192 lbs., Aug. 3, 2005
Hey, a hot take! At least in the public sphere. Privately, Danny Nelson is already making NHL teams drool. And it’s not too dissimilar from the love Stramel is getting. Nelson is a large-frame centerman that can move smoothly and work around opponents. While he doesn’t have quite the flash of Stramel, his booming shot more than makes up for it. I am worried about Nelson’s motor, or lack thereof, especially on an NTDP team that isn’t going to give you anything more than you work for. But his talent shines through nonetheless. Not to be a criminal to recency but there is a real parallel between Nelson and the most-recent fifth overall pick Cutter Gauthier. I wonder if Nelson can find the edge that Gauthier did.
Sources have told me that Nelson is sat as the #1 American on some NHL team’s early boards.
#4 – Quentin Musty, Center, Sudbury Wolves (OHL), 6’2” / 205 lbs., Jul. 6, 2005
Maybe I should rethink this whole, “smooth-moving big-boys don’t grow on trees” trope because Quentin Musty is yet another American that can say they are both over 6’1” and a good skater. But I’m not buying all of the hype just yet. While Musty, a former #1-overall pick in the OHL Draft, certainly has some flash, he seems to be stop-and-start with some of his play. Pressing penalty concerns only make the cold-spurts worse, with Musty ranking third in penalty minutes among OHL rookies last season. Maybe it’s cynical but I want to see more from a player that was supposed to be America’s next-big-thing. But Musty’s skill does still earn him a high ranking, albeit not Top 20. He’s a flashy forward with a nose for the net, love for having the puck on his stick, and determination to make anything he tries work. If he can start working more fluidly with linemates, or find a way to really be the star of a line, he could have boundless upside. But other concerns might make him a bit boom-or-bust.
#5 – Jacob Fowler, Goalie, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), 6’2” / 201 lbs., Nov. 24, 2004
The Americans have an undeniable First Round goalie talent this year and nobody is talking about him!! It’s insane, especially when you consider the fact that Fowler’s .927 save percentage was the highest save percentage a USHL goalie has ever put up in their DY-1 (Year before their draft year) season. That’s incredible and deserves much more hype. But even beyond the numbers, Fowler is a phenomenal talent. NHL comparisons are always a little premature in this age group but Fowler is incredibly reminiscent of Jordan Binnington in his aggression in the crease, ability to play the puck, and side-to-side ability. You are not going to beat Fowler cleanly with a cross-crease pass or quick deke because he is going to be faster than you. That means you have to face the large-bodied goalie straight-on and simply out-skill him if you want to get the puck by him. It’s tremendous and fun to watch. Goalies are always hard to predict at this age, so take this top-five ranking with a grain of salt, but if Fowler can repeat his historic rookie season, he could join the ranks of Jake Oettinger and Spencer Knight in terms of Draft-year buzz.
#6 – Hunter Brzustewicz, Right Defense, Kitchener Rangers (OHL), 5’11” / 187 lbs., Nov. 29, 2004
Playing with the U18 NTDP team in your DY-1 is an incredible feat for any defenseman. It’s also incredibly difficult. Even the tremendous Hughes brothers – Quinn, who played his DY-1 with the NTDP, and Luke, who is so young it may as well have been his DY-1 – left their final year with the Program with notable pieces of their game to improve. Brzustewicz is facing the same conversation after a year that left a lot of scouts outside of America a bit perplexed. Brzustewicz showed off his usual strengths of driving play along the boards, playing laterally along the blue, and creating chances in the offensive zone but couldn’t convert scoring chances at the rate that many expected.
He stays in the First Round conversation because of his improvements on the defensive end, though. Brzustewicz grew exponentially in his confidence playing a physical game, ability to angle off the rush, and net-front presence, making him a much more well-rounded prospect. If he can find his scoring touch again in the OHL, there’s room for Brzustewicz to return to the Top 15-glory he once had in this Draft class. For now, though, pressing concerns and desire to want to see more move him to the latter half of the First Round conversation.
#7 – Will Smith, Right Wing/Center, U.S. NTDP U18 (NTDP), 6’0” / 172 lbs., Mar. 17, 2005
A lot has been made about Will Smith early in his draft year. His highest rankers say he’s a top-15 talent in this draft class, well above anyone else on the NTDP, while his detractors argue his cold spells make him far too questionable to take in the First Round. I exist somewhere between the two extremes. At the end of the day, the argument surrounding Smith is simple: he has a special skillset that NHL teams actively seek out. The way Smith reads the ice and finds teammates is truly spectacular. At his heart, he’s a true playmaker with an absolute love to set up his teammates. But that shouldn’t take away from the excellent ability Smith’s hands and offensive instinct lend themselves to. He is a legitimate scorer, capable of lighting teams up. But… only when he wants to. There are a lot of times when Smith seems one stride behind where he needs to be. If he can iron out some inconsistencies and lean into his strengths more, this is a player who could easily hit the marks early hype have set for him.
Tier 3 – Fringe First Round
#8 – Gabe Perreault, Left Wing, U.S. NTDP U18 (NTDP), 5’10” / 154 lbs., May. 7, 2005
Will Smith has taken an early, and strong, hold of the “second-best on the NTDP” title, with a few even arguing his worth over Oliver Moore. But this buzz has left Gabe Perreault incredibly overlooked. The fact of the matter is, Gabe Perreault is the scorer on this NTDP team. He has shown off a laser-guided shot with a release that makes goalies look lost and knows how to position himself to receive passes from his playmaking centers. If he’s not in a scoring position, or his team doesn’t have the puck, Perreault will fight tirelessly to set things up, showing a surprising amount of grit for his tiny frame and an ability to turn the pace-of-play around quickly. I love Perreault’s ability to exist in a cycle-based system and think it’ll serve him incredibly well at the NHL level. This is a kid with a high-ceiling as a shoot-first winger, even if some other areas of his game aren’t as fleshed out.
#9 – Gavin Brindley, Center/Right Wing, Tri-City Storm (USHL), 5’9” / 157 lbs., Oct. 5, 2004
Gavin Brindley is the cult-favorite among American scouts and it’s easy to see why. Brindley brings a heavy chest to his play, making it easy for him to power through opponents, win puck battles, and box-out defenders. He matches it with quick thinking and strong awareness to set up his teammates well. Tri-City ran to the USHL finals this year largely on the back of Brindley serving on their top-line. I am a bit lower on Brindley than most public-sector scouts, with a ton of arguing he should be propped a bit higher. And while he’s probably the best two-way forward in the American class, I want to see a little more of Brindley before I move him too high up.
#10 – William Whitelaw, Right Wing/Center, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), 5’9” / 172 lbs., Feb. 5, 2005
William Whitelaw has done a great job of building up his own public narrative. Personality-wise, the kid has what it takes to be a fan-favorite star at every level. His skill isn’t far off either. When Whitelaw hits, he has the ability to look like the absolute best player on the ice. His hands are tremendous, his shot is dangerously-quick, and even in his frame he knows how to bully opponents to create space.
I… don’t know what to make of Whitelaw. After Hlinka, there’s genuine room to argue his value over Quentin Musty. But Musty’s prior accolades have earned him more attention, for better or for worse.
Whitelaw could benefit from more certainty in his off-puck play and a bit more gelling with his teammates. Those are both pieces it seems like he’ll get when he serves as Youngstown’s top-line center (or right winger it’s looking like?) this season and are pieces that should turn him into a great prospect, capable of leapfrogging many of the names above him on this list. But I don’t know if I have the confidence to throw him where I think he could land just yet. Add the confidence to his play-driving, add the off-puck play, and Whitelaw is one of the more dangerous scorers in this draft class.
#11 – Ryan Leonard, Right Winger/Left Winger, U.S. NTDP U18 (NTDP), 5’11” / 181 lbs., Jan. 21, 2005
Saying Gabe Perreault is the scorer on the NTDP is going to floor some scouts and fans because… Ryan Leonard is right there. And wow can Leonard score. His shot is among the best I’ve seen in the 2023 class. It’s hard, it’s accurate, and the way Leonard is able to transfer his weight and flex his stick makes it incredibly quick. There may not be a player more in-tune with their stick than Leonard and it results in a deadly shooting ability. Leonard combines that talent with – to put it bluntly – an ego that only pure goal-scorers can flaunt. It’s fun to watch… well, that is when it’s working. When it’s not, Leonard is prone to looking unmotivated, conflicted, and ineffective on the ice. He is truly a player that teams will have to build around to take advantage of his full strengths. With that said, Leonard still has a full season to find ways to create more chances for himself. If he can find an edge to his game, he could turn into a dominant talent. Until then, I’m hesitant.
#12 – Aram Minnetian, Right Defense, U.S. NTDP U18 (NTDP), 6’0” / 170 lbs., Mar. 19, 2005
We can’t discuss Aram Minnetian without discussing the flaws of the NTDP’s U18 group. Minnetian did so damn well all season long at setting himself up for high-danger opportunities but would constantly be overlooked with passes. Minnetian is flat-out smart and capable of putting himself in just the right spots in the offensive zone. But we didn’t get a good chance to see how he’d convert on those chances because of the weaknesses of the rest of the NTDP blue-line. It made Minnetian’s season inadvertently disappointing, as it always seemed like he had more to give.
Minnetian is committed to Boston College for 2023-24, meaning he’ll have one year of either OHL or USHL play before he heads to college. That year is going to be everything for this player. He has the flash to be a really dangerous offensive-defenseman in the right lineup. But on a weaker lineup that doesn’t compliment his strengths, his weaknesses – namely a lack of strength and independent playmaking ability – shine through, keeping him low on this list.
Minnetian has First Round-upside. But I don’t know if he’ll see that hype before Draft day. If you’re looking for an early sleeper to focus on, Minnetian’s chance to blow-up in his DY+1 could make him the perfect candidate.
Tier 4 – Second Round
#13 – Jimmy Clark, Right Wing/Center, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 6’0” / 174 lbs., Sep. 24, 2004
Jimmy Clark is one of the most underappreciated Americans eligible for the 2023 Draft, largely thanks to the incredibly limited minutes he got in the USHL. Even in his brightest of moments, Clark couldn’t push for a role higher than the 3rd-line with the Sioux City Musketeers.
But his skillset should not be ignored. Clark may genuinely be one of the quickest Americans in this class, flexing terrific agility and hefty strides. He combines this speed with a grittiness that’s rare to see in players with his style of play, showing a willingness to dive into play along the boards and throw shoulders around when need be. This combination of speed and physicality makes Clark a strong forechecker and his ability with the puck makes him incredibly dangerous once he wins possession from the corner. Clark has slick hands and bolstering confidence, letting him dance out of the corners easily and create chances.
I like Clark a lot. As it stands, I’ve yet to be vindicated in that love. But he’s a speedy, skilled player with a physical boost to his game that is rare to see. If he ends up in the USHL and gets a shot at big minutes (two things that are a big ‘if’ as it stands), then Clark could be poised for a big breakout this year. I’m betting on it and ranking him high.
#14 – Gavin McCarthy, Right Defense, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), 6’1” / 181 lbs., Jun. 2, 2005
Gavin McCarthy is America’s defensive-defenseman this season. He has all of the things… proper positioning in his own end, the strength to dominate the slot, heads-up breakout passes…
And while I could ramble about the technicalities of his game and how well they fit into professional systems, that wouldn’t properly respect the skill that makes him so unique: his reach. McCarthy has a large, 6’1” frame and knows how to use it as well as anyone his age. He keeps his stick active and shuts down lanes beautifully. Combined with his smarts and awareness, McCarthy is able to defend the rush incredibly well and shut down opponent opportunity from the corners.
It’s rare that we can praise rush-defense in such a young player but McCarthy has already shown tremendous proficiency in the defensive aspects of the game. There’s been very little offensive upside through his juniors career so far, even despite good instinct, smooth skating, and smart passing, but it doesn’t take away from the impact he has on the ice. This is an incredibly smart 17-year-old defenseman, already worthy of a Top 64 pick in the 2023 Draft. If he adds an offensive piece, that stock may rise even more.
#15 – Mikey DeAngelo, Center/Right Wing, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 5’11” / 181 lbs., Nov. 19, 2004
Mikey DeAngelo is an interesting prospect. He has the raw skill to become a really talented player, with sturdy hands, a hard shot, and the ability to serve as the commanding force behind a line. We saw all of this on full display when DeAngelo joined Brennan Ali, Cole Knuble, and Quinn Finley at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. But, for some reason, we didn’t see his skills on full display in Dubuque last season. It lends credence to the idea that DeAngelo really needs the right system around him; one that pushes him towards the middle lane of the ice and runs play from the outside-in, giving him the chance to powerfully work the slot and get off quick shots.
That’s all really technical for a player just entering his draft year. But I think that leaves room for optimism with DeAngelo. There’s one of three worlds for his development this season: he may fit better into a new Green Bay Gamblers system and flourish, learn how to play in a not-so-complimenting system, or simply continue to flounder. But the likelihood of the former two options, mixed with his clearly next-level skill, makes me confident in including DeAngelo in the ‘Second Round’ tier. This is a talented player that just needs to find his fit.
#16 – Tanner Adams, Left Wing/Right Wing, Tri-City Storm (USHL), 5’11” / 174 lbs., Sep. 2, 2005
There aren’t many options for power-forwards out of America in this draft class. The closest option is Tanner Adams, who ran on the wing of Tri-City this season. He’s a bit of a slow-mover but Adams does a good job of moving play up the ice and finds lanes well in the offensive zone. With a hard shot, hard pass, and probably more strength than anyone else on the ice, he can force his way into open ice and battle for possession. There’s a lot to like about Adams and it feels like his game is nowhere near its peak. Adams is a strong-bodied winger with an eye for the golden spots of the ice and the strength to serve in front of the net. While that doesn’t scream “high ceiling” it creates room for optimism, and room for a nice ranking on this list.
Adams’ is also incredibly young, making his potential all the more appetizing. As a September-born, Adams may wind up one of the bigger names from this American class.
#17 – Jayson Shaugabay, Center, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL), 5’10” / 165 lbs., Apr. 5, 2005
Jayson Shaugabay spent much of last season captaining Warroad High School, scoring a monstrous 81 points in 31 games with the school. Adjusting for strength-of-schedule, Shaugabay’s per-game scoring ranks second among 2023-eligibles and ninth among all Minnesota high school players last year. That may just be a left-field statistic but it speaks to the gumption of his game, something he brought with him to the nine USHL games he played to close the year. Shaugabay may be thee breakout candidate of the year in the 2023 NHL Draft. Not specific to America… but thee guy. I adore the fluidity that he has to his game. Shaugabay can be trusted with the puck on his stick, showing off clean stickhandling and an ability to maintain his high-end speed even while carrying the puck, but his off-puck play is really what does it for me. Shaugabay is incredibly cognizant of his positioning and is able to bend and mold to systems as they break down. He’s flexible and adjustable, meaning it’s quite rare that play breaks down because of him. He went without a point through his nine USHL games but that wasn’t a lack of trying. Shaugabay’s speed and ability to carry the puck around defenders made him a dangerous option for the Gamblers. Last year they saw Cam Lund break out into a top 35 talent. Shaugabay may be even better than Lund was at this time last year, so is he poised for an even bigger breakout? Maybe.
Tier 5 – Top 100
#18 – Brady Arneson, Left Wing/Right Wing, Chicago Steel (USHL), 5’10” / 157 lbs., Feb. 11, 2005
Whoops, spoiler alert but I fully expect Brady Arneson to make the Chicago Steel out of camp. Of course, nothing is confirmed, but there was not a person at Steel camp that wasn’t talking about Arneson. And for great reason. Arneson is a headstrong player who uses powerful strides and light-foot edgework to reach a high top-speed and accomplish quick-bursts throughout the offensive zone. The theme of quickness isn’t limited to his skating either, with Arneson flaunting a super-fast release on both shots and passes and nifty hands. It creates a great juniors talent, but one that looks like it could really develop into something special.
For name value alone, Arneson sits a little lower on this list than my gut would like. We haven’t seen him at a juniors level yet, outside of camps, so it’s not as easy to make out what he will really be. But the Chicago Steel are no slouches when it comes to picking out who their stars will be. It sounds like Arneson will be their guy next season. Their scorer. He’s a sniper at his core, with the speed and ability to really serve any purpose he needs to. That’s a recipe for success when you play on the Chicago Steel.
#19 – Andrew Kuzma, Right Wing, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), 6’0” / 194 lbs., Jan. 29, 2005
Andrew Kuzma’s name has slowly faded into the background, in favor of some other high-profile wingers that made the Hlinka lineup. But as a Draft prospect, he may be one of the most interesting names. Des Moines played a very sporadic, defense-first game last season that didn’t sit well with some players. But Kuzma thrived in it, really showing off an ability to put his large frame to good use in boxing out opponents and winning puck battles. And while he isn’t the fastest player, Kuzma did wonders with driving the puck up the ice after he regained possession, showing off nifty dekes and a great knack for boxing out opponents, helping him drive the net. There’s a niche group that’s very bullish on Kuzma and I certainly see why: he’s a hard-nosed winger that thrives in all three zones thanks to just how in-tune he is with his frame. His skillset may not be the most fit for juniors but should lend itself to a high floor at the professional level, especially if he can continue to round it out.
#20 – Teddy Townsend, Center/Left Wing, Eden Prairie High (High School), 5’10” / 165 lbs., Sep. 5, 2005
Teddy Townsend is the chief-forgotten player of this American class… which is incredibly unfortunate because his raw talent is tremendous. Townsend is a very mature playmaker, showing a solid know-how for systems and a seriously-impressive passing ability. He is, in some ways, reminiscent of Zam Plante although Townsend is a much more proficient passer at this age.
There are a lot of reasons to love Plante. And there are a lot of private-sector American scouts who do. He is a name that will almost certainly go higher in the Draft than the public may expect, on the back of a skillset largely void of any holes. If there is any concern with Townsend, it’s that he, very surprisingly, decided to return to Edina next season, instead of taking the step into juniors that would probably best help his development. This might mean he’s a bit more raw come Draft day but with his talent, that shouldn’t matter too much.
Like Tanner Adams, Townsend is also incredibly young for this class. That’s a huge deal, given how mature and skilled he already looks. Get your Townsend stock in quick because this is a kid that’s going to play in the NHL.
#21 – Ethan Fredericks, Center/Left Wing, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL), 6’2” / 187 lbs., Nov. 22, 2004
Continuing the trend of underdiscussed players, Ethan Fredericks’ low-scoring rookie season has left him largely overlooked. But there’s merit to a lot of the things Fredericks does. He’s a large body that blended nicely in Des Moines’ defense-first, heavier system. While not the quickest, Fredricks is a smooth skater with a note of pizzazz to his game. He does it all, capable of bodying his way into the slot for a dirty goal or dancing around opponents from the corner with some pretty dekes and burying a solid shot. There are concerns with Fredericks’ game: he could incorporate more stops-and-starts and will need to bolster his ability to read and create plays. But he’s a skilled player that performed well in a defense-first system. That’s encouraging as we project his professional career.
#22 – Ben Robertson, Left Defense, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL), 5’10” / 190 lbs., Sep. 18, 2004
I’m going to be wrong about Ben Robertson. I just know it. There’s no way he should be this low on the list. Robertson is absolutely seamless, one of the smoothest defensemen I’ve seen in a bit. His skating is a joy to watch and his passing is almost too good for the team he’s on. He is a fast-paced, playmaking defenseman to its truest definition, as he showed following his trade to Waterloo last season. With enough opportunity, I think he could really turn into something special, drawing really strong comparisons to Vince Dunn in a lot of different ways. Robertson ended last season well and will look to keep that train rolling after being looked over for the Hlinka team.
I’m clearly confident that he can do just that, ranking him above the top-two defenseman on the Hlinka team. I have always had a knack for defensemen with Robertson’s skillset, so call me bias, but there seems to be something special in his flash. This is a player I’m staking my flag in early this year.
#23 – Connor Brown, Center, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL), 5’10” / 170 lbs., May. 3, 2005
Connor Brown is the epitome of two-way center among this American class. There really isn’t much to say about him; he’s a great play-reader, attacks through lanes well, mans a clean breakout and gels well with his teammates. Brown is the type of centerman that is so fundamentally sound that it makes the people around him better. I wish there was more to say but his well-rounded, jack-of-all style makes it easy to view him as a bottom-six backbone for a professional team one day. I like him.
#24 – Andrew Strathmann, Left Defense, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), 5’11” / 174 lbs., Feb. 27, 2005
Maybe the most hyped up American defenseman not named Hunter Brzustewicz, Andrew Strathmann has instilled a following after a nice rookie year with Tri-City. He’s a lanky defenseman with good reach and an absolute passion for having the puck on his stick. It’s fun to watch. When Strathmann is working well, he’s one of the best American d-men in this age group. But I’ve cooled down my hype on him a little bit recently. A lot of flaws with his decision-making and poise under pressure shined through towards the end of the USHL season and into Hlinka. Now, no defensemen on either of those teams were doing particularly well with those traits during those times, so it might not all be Strathmann’s fault. But I want to see him improve on it.
#25 – Lucas St. Louis, Left Defense, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL), 5’10” / 163 lbs., Mar. 23, 2005
A year ago, Lucas St. Louis would not have been this high on the list. His name-sake got him far as he entered juniors drafts but he was plagued by an inconsistency and lack of confident decision-making that severely held him back. But I was proven incredibly wrong. While there were certainly growing pains, St. Louis was able to address his weaknesses beautifully last season. He became much more poised with his decision-making, which turned him into an absolute menace in the offensive zone and hammered out any inconsistencies enough to keep him dangerous. St. Louis has an off-puck ability that’s truly impressive. He reads plays and, even with his size, is able to slink into open ice with ease. I have concerns with his ability to finish, some on-puck decisions, and his overall raw skill but he has his dad’s smarts. That brain in a defenseman is impressive to say the least, and he has a ton of potential because of it.
#26 – Miles Roberts, Goalie, Chicago Steel (USHL), 6’2” / 194 lbs., Feb. 4, 2005
Miles Roberts is another name who has received much more hype than I would provide him. The goaltender went fourth-overall in the 2020 WHL US Prospects Draft and in the third-round of the 2021 USHL Futures Draft, two impressive placements. And I get it. He fills the net well with his size, he’s mature and poised, and his fundamentals and edgework serve him nicely. But I can’t help but think that some of his buzz is partly a benefit of the dominant 16U team he was on. I couldn’t help but be concerned with Roberts’ slow side-to-side movements when he was in his butterfly, his over-aggression in the crease, and his reaction speed.
These are all traits that can definitely be buffed out as he enters juniors… but therein lies another issue: I don’t know if he’ll get the minutes. Roberts made the very surprising decision to play with the Chicago Steel, who have two locked-in goalies already. Christian Manz is set as their starter entering the season and Jack Stark’s veteran status sits him in the backup role. Roberts is certainly talented enough… or hyped up enough… to leapfrog over both goalies but the time it takes to do so may pause his development process in its most important year. He’s a player I am hesitant to say anything grandiose about. With the excitement behind him, he’ll be a fun name to watch this year regardless of how the year goes.
#27 – Joe Connor, Center, Avon Old Farms High School (USHS)*, 5’10” / 170 lbs., Mar. 31, 2005
I don’t know where Joe Connor is going to play next season! But I do know that whoever gets him is going to be mighty-lucky. Connor destroyed Selects camp, scoring a ludicrous 11 points in four games. He followed that up with three points in four Hlinka games, continuing to look solid. Connor’s tenacity makes him an incredibly fun player to watch. He will do whatever he has to do to get the puck, and whatever he needs to do to put it in the net. Despite his small size, Connor has the ‘gut punch’ ability that Avon Old Farms instills in his players. He simply does not get tired and has a strong ability to transition from hard-nosed battler to poised playmaker in a split second, making him a scary player to go into the corners with. If size was ever a non-factor for a player, Connor would be said player. He doesn’t care that he’s smaller than his opponents, he’s going to work that much harder to beat them. That fact should make him a great pro one day, even if his upside isn’t super-high.
#28 – Benjamin Yurchuk, Center, Long Island Gulls 18U AAA (18U AAA)*, 5’10” / 168 lbs., Feb. 19, 2005
Benjamin Yurchuk wasn’t on the Chicago Steel’s pre-season camp roster, despite looking very solid at their main camp. It is not my job to speculate why that might be, or to speak about Yurchuk off of the ice, and I don’t want that to be incorporated to his ranking here.
On the ice, he is talented. Yurhcuk is another flashy American in this class. He has unfiltered confidence, to the point of being a bully on the ice when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick, in the best possible way. Yurchuk fights for the puck and knows what to do with it when he gets it. I thought he could be a serious breakout candidate in the USHL this season, if he were to get the opportunity. And there still is serious upside with Yurchuk, regardless of where he plays, because his raw skill is so strong. He is a dangerous scorer with the confidence to do what it needs to take to lead a team in points. Like many players on this list, he just needs the maturity that junior brings with it. If he can’t find get that this year, it will certainly be a must-get if he gets drafted into the NHL. If you can stomach it, Yurchuk is a certain sleeper candidate in the 2023 Draft.
#29 – Christian Kim, Center, Tri-City Storm (USHL), 5’7” / 154 lbs., Feb. 23, 2005
Fast. Christian Kim is so fast. He is just… he is so fast. I love watching him rocket around the ice. He’s a fun player that commands the viewer’s eye, with great agility and pizzazz. He has strong-enough stickhandling and a nose for the net, driving into the slot well. There’s a fun scorer in Kim, one that I think will come out easily in juniors. But that’s not to say I don’t have any concerns, he’s ranked here for a reason. I think there are certainly times where he overskates play a bit too much and his style of ‘undersized, speedy scorer’ is one that hasn’t resonated well with the private sector in recent years, drawing imagery of Brandon Lisowsky last season. I am really interested to see how Kim can find his way in juniors, after playing for a 16U team that didn’t bolster his prowess in the same way that other programs might’ve. It feels like there’s untapped potential here. We should see it next season.
#30 – Chris Pelosi, Center, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), 6’0” / 161 lbs., Mar. 6, 2005
I expanded this list to 30 names for the simple fact that I had to talk about Chris Pelosi. I love him and I know many other scouts do as well. He is a large-bodied centerman with the strength to throw around anyone else on the ice but the speed and finesse to stay pretty with the puck on his stick. He is a genuine joy to watch, even if he isn’t the absolute star of any team that he’s on. There’s a lot of potential with Pelosi’s big-boy style, giving him the flexibility to serve as a net-front presence or a passer in the offensive end. To put it in a word, Pelosi is the exact man I’d want as my buffer on the powerplay. To reach his potential, Pelosi simply needs an added layer to his game. He needs to show off some more intricate thinking, needs to add a layer of skill, and needs to take charge like his size would warrant. Those are all pieces that should come naturally as he moves onto Muskegon and the USHL. I’m really excited to follow his season, even if it doesn’t end up being all that. He’s a talented player who’s fun to watch and has some hidden upside.
Honorable Mentions
Matteo Michels (Regina Pats), Christian Manz (Chicago Steel), Connor DeTurris (Madison Capitols), Chris Delaney (Chicago Steel), Will Vote (NTDP), Philippe Blais-Savoie (Tri-City Storm), Justin Stupka (Omaha Lancers), Donovan Frias (Cranbrook Bucks), Logan Renkowski (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Gracyn Sawchyn (Seattle Thunderbirds), Dashel Oliver (Lincoln Stars), Griffin Erdman (Waterloo Black Hawks), Michael Hagens (Chicago Steel), Massimiliano Monson (Zug U20), Zachary Sharp (Sioux Falls Stampede), Matthew Mania (Sudbury Wolves), Kai Janviriya (NTDP), Tanner Walos (Fargo Force), Michael Stenberg (Des Moines Buccaneers), Charlie Cerrato (NTDP), Hunter Anderson (Des Moines Buccaneers), P.J. Forgione (Saginaw Spirit), Carey Terrance (Erie Otters), Nicholas Fascia (Madison Capitols), Landen Gunderson (Madison Capitols), Alex Weiermair (NTDP), Paul Fischer (NTDP), Juan Copeland (Niagara IceDogs)
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