Team USA in Under-18 championship: Chance to threepeat

USA Hockey announced the roster for April's World Under-18 Championship squad, which will travel to Dresden, Germany to compete in the final IIHF tourney for most young draft eligibles before the 2011 NHL Draft.

Here's a quick look at some of the key roster players and what they bring to the mix. Not every roster player is featured here, but we're just going to cut to the chase and based on results, may cover some of the other players later on.

Not every player on the roster is a 2011 draft candidate, with a few '94s and even one late '94 (Seth Jones) who can't be drafted until 2013. In a later post, we'll take a 2012 and 2013 look ahead with some of the young players on the squad.

Conspicuously absent from the '94s is Sarnia Sting center Alex Galchenyuk, a Russian dual-citizen who recently declared his intention of playing for USA in the various international competitions. His omission is a topic for another day, but is certainly a hot button topic today.

Cole Bardreau, F- Hustling energy forward is a smart, gritty kid who can play a variety of roles for coach Ron Rolston and brings leadership and a sterling work ethic to the mix. Although undersized, he compensates for the lack of strength with his hockey sense and anticipation. He may not be a high-end NHL draft prospect, but he's such a competitor and smart player that he ends up being more than the sum of his parts at the end of the day. Scouts we've talked to essentially say the same thing: Bardreau doesn't have a ton of skill, but he's got a big heart. They don't want to like him, but after the game, they look back and he worked his bag off and made things happen. It's hard to say how attractive that will be to NHL teams come June, but he's certainly going to be a nice NCAA player for Cornell.

Tyler Biggs, F- If Coyotes defenseman Paul Bissonette has made a name for himself as "Biz Nasty" in the Twitterverse, then Biggs is your resident "Big Nasty" were he to decide to indulge in that social media platform. Biggs is a good skater, but his real value lies in his physical game and powerful shot. He's a momentum changer when he's banging bodies and making room for his linemates. He's shown a penchant to play with the kind of aggression and nastiness that NHL teams love. He doesn't have elite skills and the hockey sense is questionable, but Biggs's lure is such that he'll go in the first half of the 1st round or at least inside the top-20. Biggs is going to be a handful for the European opponents on the bigger ice surface in Germany, and he'll get an excellent challenge when USA takes on Canada.

Travis Boyd, F- The youngest player in 2011 draft class by virtue of Sep. 14, 1993 birthdate (the day before the cutoff), this Minnesotan could have been listed in the recent sleepers post on this blog because he is unranked by Central Scouting, but is likely on the radars of some NHL clubs as a late option. Talented byt not flashy, he has strong offensive hockey sense and makes underrated, smart plays all over the ice. He may be a tad overlooked up until now, but the Golden Gopher recruit could have a coming out party next month. He's someone to watch as a solid, well-rounded player who doesn't do anything exceptionally, but has no glaring holes in his game.

Ryan Haggerty, F- One of two New England natives on the roster (he and Paliotta are both from Connecticut), Haggerty is another unheralded, solid guy who can play a variety of roles, but doesn't bring any kind of real high-end upside to the mix. Smart, hard-working, gritty yet honest, his experience and strong performance in the Five Nations tourney in February is going to make him a useful if unspectacular part of a potential winning formula in April. He understands the system and plays it to a tee. Committed to RPI.

Rocco Grimaldi, F- This blog has covered Grimaldi in near excruciating detail of late, so there isn't much to say that we haven't already other than to opine that as the dynamic little California pepperpot goes, so do USA's hopes for a threepeat. He is absolutely suited for the wide-open play of the Under-18 tourney and could light it up the way he did in the Czech Republic last month. With his speed and skill, we believe he's going to keep raising his stock for the 2011 draft as the proverbial straw that stirs Team USA's drink on offense. If you love the USA, how can you not root for this epitome of the American dream?

Reid Boucher, F- Not very big, speedy or flashy, but this guy just knows how to get it done offensively. He led Team USA in scoring at the Five Nations and will need to again be a focal point for America's attack. Michigan State recruit is industrious and has off-the-charts hockey sense. He's not quite in Grimaldi's class offensively, but he is a dangerous scorer that opponents must account for.

Zac Larraza, F- As far as physical tools go, they don't come much better than this Arizonian. Good size? Check- 6-2, 195. Great skater? Check- rangy with quick burst and fluid stride and agility. Puck skills? Check- can make moves at speed and back defenses up. Where it gets dicey is in the intangibles department and thus far, he's not been able to put all of his impressive parts together. He's played better as the season progressed, and there is a lot of raw upside here, but some scouts just don't feel that he's ever going to get it. He's going to Denver University, so if he's going to develop into a legitimate NHL prospect, it will happen there or it won't happen anywhere. Worth a mid-round gamble because of what he brings to the table.

Adam Reid, F- Raw prospect has generated interest among NHL scouts because he's got the size, skill and upside to do more than he has in the NTDP to date. Northeastern recruit from California has a loping stride and brings some passion and intensity to the mix. He's a smart player who is starting to come on in terms of being a complete player as he grows into his nice 6-3 frame. He's more of a physical, grinding player, but with his hockey sense and soft hands, Reid could be much more even if the production hasn't arrived.

J.T. Miller, C- Another USA forward and draft prospect we've covered extensively on this blog, but Miller is heavy in the tools, not so accomplished with the production. This is a risky pick in the first round, but we're confident someone will take him because he is such a talented player. It isn't for a lack of trying that the offense has been slow in coming, and he's always willing to throw a hit or take the hit to make the play. He works hard, skates well and is a valuable presence. At the end of the day, however, you have to ask: "Where's the beef?" He and Grimaldi will get to keep working together with the Sioux in Grand Forks, N.D.

Blake Pietila, F- Stats do not tell the story for this strong defensive forward who brings a very high compete level and outstanding overall feel for the game. A relentless forechecker who has a knack for anticipating the play and intercepting errant passes, or forcing bad decisions because he's got such excellent closing ability and agility. One of the most dependable players on this squad, even if he doesn't put up big numbers. Michigan Tech is getting a good one in Pietila.

Connor Murphy, D- Team USA is thrilled to get this horse back just in time for the meaningful games. He was a big part of the silver medal-winning squad in Slovakia last August, and after battling back woes, got some action in at the Five Nations. He should have the rust knocked off his game in time to be one of the two-way anchors on defense. Good skater, big shot, solid positionally. Susceptible to the bad turnover when an aggressive forecheck takes away his time and space, but this kid could be a pretty high pick in June despite not having played many games.

Mike Paliotta, D- Solid, mobile shutdown defender has not put up the anticipated offense this season, but has the talent to be an effective player on the larger ice in Germany. We've liked Paliotta for some time, and he's a gutsy competitor who keeps it simple and doesn't try to do too much. He may not be the puck mover we thought when he was a prep standout a few years back, but he brings plenty to the table in terms of smarts and disciplined play.

Robbie Russo, D- USA needs Russo to step up and be for them what Adam Clendening was to the 2010 U18 champs. He can hit the long lead passes and has the vision/instincts to do more on the scoring ledger, so while this hasn't been a great year for the Notre Dame recruit, he has the potential to turn things around with a strong tournament. USA doesn't have the pure power shooters from the point that they did last year, so they'll need to get it done more with guile and smart distribution. It all starts with Russo and the team will be counting on him to make the right decisions.

John Gibson, G- Stud goalie is the workhorse that Team USA needs to jump on his back and ride all the way to a possible gold medal. If anyone can exhibit the requisite amount of skill and poise to win it all, Gibson can. We've talked about him enough, so check the labels and read up because aside from Grimaldi, Gibson is the one guy upon whose shoulders a threepeat rests.

A look at some NTDP forward prospects for 2011 (pt 1 of 2)

With USA's recent run of success both at the Under-17 Vladimir Dzurilla tournament and in the Under-18 Five Nations Cup played in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, traditionally viewed as the tuneup before April's Under-18 Championship tournament, we'll look at some of the key American players eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft just a few months away.

The interesting thing about USA's performance in going 4-0 at the Five Nations last week/over the weekend is that this year's team is not considered as strong as their 2010 counterparts. A year ago, the Americans dropped a game to Russia in Belarus, finishing 3-1, but this season's squad went undefeated. Of course, last year's Team USA then returned to Belarus to capture gold at the 2010 Under-18s, so the 2011 club will have the same expectations.

Here's a look at some of the forwards, with the defensemen and goalies to follow in a later post.

Tyler Biggs, RW-- Power forward prospect is Team USA's top draft prospect given his excellent hands, strength and nasty edge to his game. His lack of elite puck skills and an uneven intensity from game to game is what is holding him back from being a surefire top-10 selection, but he could still manage to find that range if he continues to play well this season given his physical gifts and the ability to dominate when he's on top of things. He can do it all, from scoring to fighting and intimidating, and he's got natural bloodlines (his father, Don Biggs, was an AHL and IHL star back in the day). At 6-2 and about 210 pounds, he's going to grow even more into his sizeable frame. His heavy, hard shot with a lightning release strikes fear into goaltenders at this level and is one of his best attributes. With 5 goals in 14 USHL games this season, he's proving himself against older, more experienced competition. He doesn't, however, handle the puck all that well, and his hockey sense/creativity is a question mark. The Ohio native is taking his game to Oxford and Miami University next season and will make the Redhawks a formidable draw.

NHL scout's take: "Power forwards like Biggs sell themselves because they have all the physical attributes that others simply don't possess and never will. I've seen him more involved this season and he's playing with some real confidence. He needs to pick up a step, but this guy is such a competitor and he'll do all the things you want in a player of his type like go hard to the net and pay the price physically. He's a nasty fighter, too. If he can continue the consistent play, then I think you could see him go off the board pretty early."


Rocco Grimaldi, C-- This pocket-sized dynamo is a draft underdog because of his small size even though he's arguably one of the top-five most skilled/talented available players in the class. He plays the game like a wild stallion, firing his 5-6, 165-pound frame up and down the ice like he was shot out of a cannon. Outstanding on his edges, he can make high-speed turns to shake defenders and rip through seams in opposing defenses. For such a small guy, he has an excellent shot that he can wire to any spot in the 4 x 6 cage from just about anywhere in the offensive zone, and he sees the ice extremely well. The North Dakota recruit lit up international hockey powers Sweden (hat trick) and Russia (two goals) in the first two games of the Five Nations, and is primed for a big spring run. The size will always be a hurdle, and some have expressed concern for whether he can fight through the traffic he's going to face at the highest level. That said, given his desire and leadership, he's the kind of gamble an NHL team should gladly make.

NHL scout's take: "The kid is such a dynamic, noticeable player whenever he's out there. You can see how competitive he is and how much he wants the puck on his stick, and I don't think the skill is in doubt at all. Where I worry a bit is in those games against the bigger, more effective checking teams where he tends to be kept to the outside and isn't as effective. But the thing with players like Grimaldi is that if they have the will and work ethic to make themselves into a player, then they usually succeed."

Adam Reid, LW-- Scouts love Reid's size (6-3, 205) and two-way game. A good straight-line skater who could stand to improve his first-step quickness, Reid has an active stick and is a heady, instinctive player. Another solid recruit in Greg Cronin's dynasty-building effort at Northeastern, Reid has some of the best raw upside of any NTDP player this season. Like Grimaldi, who is a fellow Californian, Reid has a pretty good net presence and has shown the ability to finish plays in close. Although he has a lot of physical developing to do, keep an eye on him going forward.

NHL scout's take: "To my view, Reid has come a long way from where he was a year ago. He's got that prototypical size you want, although the strength isn't there yet. He's more of a all-around forward than an offensive presence like Grimaldi or even Biggs. But, I like his intelligence and he sees the ice pretty well. I think his development curve is on the uptick and he's one of those intriguing guys who doesn't have big numbers now, but could have the potential to really take off as he matures in the next few years."

J.T. Miller, C-- A bit of a riddle this season because skill and potential-wise, Miller is right there with Biggs in terms of being the best NHL prospect the team has to offer at forward. Unfortunately, the Ohio native and former Pittsburgh Hornets standout has had a tough time living up to expectations this season. At 6-1, and approaching 200 pounds, he's got the nice size at the center position that teams love, and he has all the tools to be a scoring presence including solid skating technique and a long stride, very good stickhandling skills and a nice array of shots. Miller has the vision to make pinpoint passes, and is a fine puck distributor. He'll also initiate contact and while he's not a physical force on the level of Biggs, will hold his own when the checking increases. He's one of those players who won't have a consensus going into the draft, but could have a few teams who like him enough that he'll come off the board higher than expected.

NHL scout's take: "I expected bigger things from Miller from what I've seen, to be honest. You can tell that he has the talent, but at the end of the day, when the game is over and I'm looking back at what I saw, he's left me wanting more. He's one of those guys who can take charge of the flow of a game, but doesn't always do so. But, if you're looking at talent alone, Miller is definitely one of the better guys on that club and seems to put in the requisite work. It's just not coming together for him as much as you would expect."

Reid Boucher, LW-- Lack of size (5-9) is a bugaboo for Boucher, but he proved at the 5 Nations that he can definitely be a going concern up front for USA. Michigander has been right up there with Grimaldi this season as a player who gets it done offensively and creates a major challenge for opposing defenses with his quickness and ability to exploit soft areas in the o-zone. Currently committed to Michigan State, he's going to give the Spartans a nice option up front.

NHL scout's take: "I guess you could call him a 'poor man's Rocco Grimaldi' in that he's not quite as skilled, is a little bigger but still does a real good job in the offensive zone. I'd say Boucher is underrated; he's got all the qualities you look for except the size. I like his finish and tenacity; he's got a great nose for the net and fights hard for loose pucks. He's a project player for a team with some depth and patience to let him develop."

Cole Bardreau, C-- Big man trapped in a small man's body. Plays a sandpaper game with a lot of courage and fire. New Yorker is going to Cornell, and should be a very good NCAA player. How he projects in the NHL is something that is still up for debate, however. He's got a decent skill level, but is not elite, lacking the stickhandling and powerful shot of his smaller teammates like Grimaldi and Boucher. Still, he's a character guy and the kind of player you win with because he works hard in all zones and isn't afraid to stick his nose in. Like many smaller agitating types involved in the dirty areas of the ice, he's going to take his share of lumps and suffer the bumps and bruises that result.

NHL scout's take: I really like his intensity and courage, but wonder about the upside. He's a good player and when he competes, plays bigger than his size. But, I don't know if he's skilled enough to be able to do it in the NHL as effectively as he can at this level."


Zac Larraza, LW-- One of the bigger (6-2 frame) and most purely talented of the USA forwards, Larraza has yet to put it all together. He skates extremely well for such a tall kid, with a long, fluid stride and the ability to get off the mark quickly from a stop. Denver University recruit has the hands and finishing skills, but may not see the ice all that well and has trouble in terms of trying to do too much on his own. Definitely another raw, project pick who will need time and patience.

Blake Pietila, LW-- Another small, speed guy in this group of undersized skill forwards. Although only about 5-10, he's of stocky build and relishes physical contact. Not ultra-skilled in the hands department, he does move well and generate chances with his feet and head. Going to Northern Michigan University next season where he could join B's prospect and NTDP grad Justin Florek.