Last weekend we went on Allan Mitchell's Nation Radio show, which is broadcast on Team 1260 in Edmonton every Saturday.
Click on this link to visit the Nation Radio website to hear to interview.
In it, we're talking Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Adam Larsson, Sean Couturier, Jonathan Huberdeau, Dougie Hamilton and some of the Team USA guys at the Under-18s like Rocco Grimaldi Connor Murphy and John Gibson. We close out the segment with talk about one of our favorite sleepers- Belmont Hill winger Jimmy Vesey and the intriguing Moose Jaw gigantor D Joel Edmundson.
As always, it's a pleasure to go on with Allan, whose Lowetide blog is one of the most respected and popular hockey blogs out there.
*(Not affiliated with the Boston Bruins or the New England Hockey Journal)
Showing posts with label Jimmy Vesey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jimmy Vesey. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Central North American final rankings: Goalies and sleepers
We're not going to spend a great deal of time on the goaltenders in this post, because this blog has covered the key netminders in detail just last month.
The Gibsons- John and Christopher- top the list, with the American who compares to Jack Campbell getting the edge. He's big, quick and has the composure under fire that NHL teams love. His fundamentals are sound, and he's put up impressive numbers in the USHL this season and in international tournaments. The Under18 tournament is going to be a major factor in where he goes- whether he can slip into the first round, or is a solid early second-round pick in our view.
"(John) Gibson's the most talented goalie in this class," one NHL scout told B2011DW recently. "But I think he'll take a hit in terms of where he goes because of the struggles (Jack) Campbell had making the jump to the OHL. There are a lot of top goalies in the NHL who weren't first- or second-round picks, and I think you're going to see a trend where clubs spend the early picks on skill position players and find some project guys later on."
We've talked before about how teams are figuring out that they don't need to spend high draft picks on goalies given the risk these players pose as teens and how they develop later.
Christopher Gibson also put up excellent numbers with a pretty average to below average team in Chicoutimi, but Red Line Report had him in the April "overrated" section and picked apart his game, namely his lack of smooth, economical lateral movement and a weak glove hand. It will be interesting to see if NHL teams share this view and the Finnish native drops a bit lower than expected.
The Owen Sound (OHL) Attack's Jordan Binnington rounds out the top-three for North American goalies. He's been fairly mediocre in the OHL playoffs thus far, posting a 2-2 record, 3.91 GAA and .864 save percentage. Scott Stajcer is back in action from injury and playing well for the Attack who lead their second-round series over Plymouth, 3-0.
J. Gibson's backup at the NTDP, Matt McNeely is No. 4 on Central's list and this makes sense. Even though he doesn't see a ton of playing time, he's big, athletic and has a lot of raw potential in time. The University of Minnesota-Duluth recruit isn't as refined a product as Gibson is at this stage, but brings similar attributes to the table. Not quite the technician, he nevertheless should develop into a pretty nice prospect in the next several years.
B2011DW favorite Steve Michalek rounds out the top-five. He confirmed to us Monday that he has been invited to the NHL's draft combine and is looking forward to the challenge of proving to NHL teams that he's an excellent athlete and goaltender at the testing portion. He saw more rubber than just about anyone last season, averaging nearly 50 shots on goal per contest, and still managed to stop nearly 92 percent of them. He's tall, has quick pads and takes up a lot of the net. He played very well for Team USA in August, leading them to a silver medal at the Ivan Hlinka. Some criticize his tendency to overcommit on shots and leave the backdoor open, but he has some serious mental toughness and is a highly competitive and intelligent kid. He'll be at Harvard next season.
Liam Liston (9) Matej Matovsky (11) and David Honzik (13) took big dives down the Central rankings- Matovsky from 3, Liston from 4 and Honzik from 5 at mid-season- and we're not sure why. Honzik has been terrific in the QMJHL playoffs and had a solid season after struggling a bit early with the transition, while Matovsky is seen as a pretty underrated goalie with all the physical tools. He reversed his fortunes after getting traded to Brampton and finished strong.
Edmonton goalie Laurent Brossoit moved up six spots from 13 at halfway point and is another big, athletic netminder with upside. Though we'll admit we're not sure how he leapfrogged the aforementioned Liston, Matovsky and Honzik. And based on what we've been told from NHL scouts out west, they're not sure about Central's reasoning either.
One curious omission from the final list: Robert Steeves of the QMJHL who didn't see a lot of action, but probably should be on there based on his raw upside and potential, even though he didn't see a lot of action playing for the Bathurst Titan this year.
Sleepers
We'll come back with a few more later once we've covered Europe and had some time to digest the list in more detail, but here are a few sleepers we think Central has pretty low who might get a call in June.
Jim Vesey, LW Belmont Hill (High-MA)- We've done some research, and Vesey's numbers are more like: 28 goals, 49 points in 32 games and not the 23, 35 points Central has for him. The problem is that the team made a decision not to turn in scoresheets after games so that guys weren't focused on their stats, but the downside is that the team's most productive player is getting shorted and given the view on competition level, that hurts Vesey a bit. He has nice size, hands and excellent hockey sense. His dad, Jim Sr., is from Charlestown, Mass. and was a legend at Merrimack College in the mid-80's when he racked up goals and points in bunches. His son is a better skater than he was, and the senior Vesey tallied 126 goals in three seasons with the IHL's Peoria Rivermen when he was a Blues farmhand in the late 80's. Jimmy is proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and has some real potential for an NHL team that can look past the competition level and envision him as a long-term prospect worth investing a pick on. We think 150 is too low for this player, but also recognize that Vesey is not a sure bet to be drafted.
Troy Vance, D Victoriaville (QMJHL)- Gigantic 6-6 defenseman joined les Tigres at mid-season and was a revelation as a hard-nosed shutdown defender with some decent mobility and better skills than his statistics might indicate. The New York native who grew up in Pennsylvania needs to improve his footwork and get a little stronger on his skates, but he has some potential as a sleeper and poor man's Jamie Oleksiak at least. His size can't be taught, and while extremely raw, has the kind of projectable tools NHL clubs are willing to take a chance on.
Dylan Willick, LW Kamloops (WHL)- After getting snubbed on Central's mid-term rankings, Willick makes his debut at 164. We talked about him recently as a guy you should know, and after doing more looking into him, feel he is a promising mid-round draft option because he is more than the sum of his parts. He may not be all that big at 5-10, but he's a solid 191-pounds can really skate, has a nonstop motor and is an intelligent player. We like the way he closed out the season and is a character player- we have yet to find anyone who will say a bad word about his attitude or compete level. When we look at Willick, we keep thinking of the old scouting adage that says those who want to be a player badly enough, usually get there.
Joakim Ryan, D Dubuque (USHL)- New Jersey-born and raised defender has some raw potential and excellent bloodlines as son of Swedish tennish pro Catherine Lindqvist. He's small at 5-10, but skates very well and moves the puck effectively. He tallied 3 goals and 32 points in 53 points with the Fighting Saints as a rookie. He needs to get stronger and work on adding velocity to his shot, but he's a smart, hard-working player. He was snubbed by Team USA, so accepted an invite from Team Sweden to play for them in the Ivan Hlinka in August.
The Gibsons- John and Christopher- top the list, with the American who compares to Jack Campbell getting the edge. He's big, quick and has the composure under fire that NHL teams love. His fundamentals are sound, and he's put up impressive numbers in the USHL this season and in international tournaments. The Under18 tournament is going to be a major factor in where he goes- whether he can slip into the first round, or is a solid early second-round pick in our view.
"(John) Gibson's the most talented goalie in this class," one NHL scout told B2011DW recently. "But I think he'll take a hit in terms of where he goes because of the struggles (Jack) Campbell had making the jump to the OHL. There are a lot of top goalies in the NHL who weren't first- or second-round picks, and I think you're going to see a trend where clubs spend the early picks on skill position players and find some project guys later on."
We've talked before about how teams are figuring out that they don't need to spend high draft picks on goalies given the risk these players pose as teens and how they develop later.
Christopher Gibson also put up excellent numbers with a pretty average to below average team in Chicoutimi, but Red Line Report had him in the April "overrated" section and picked apart his game, namely his lack of smooth, economical lateral movement and a weak glove hand. It will be interesting to see if NHL teams share this view and the Finnish native drops a bit lower than expected.
The Owen Sound (OHL) Attack's Jordan Binnington rounds out the top-three for North American goalies. He's been fairly mediocre in the OHL playoffs thus far, posting a 2-2 record, 3.91 GAA and .864 save percentage. Scott Stajcer is back in action from injury and playing well for the Attack who lead their second-round series over Plymouth, 3-0.
J. Gibson's backup at the NTDP, Matt McNeely is No. 4 on Central's list and this makes sense. Even though he doesn't see a ton of playing time, he's big, athletic and has a lot of raw potential in time. The University of Minnesota-Duluth recruit isn't as refined a product as Gibson is at this stage, but brings similar attributes to the table. Not quite the technician, he nevertheless should develop into a pretty nice prospect in the next several years.
B2011DW favorite Steve Michalek rounds out the top-five. He confirmed to us Monday that he has been invited to the NHL's draft combine and is looking forward to the challenge of proving to NHL teams that he's an excellent athlete and goaltender at the testing portion. He saw more rubber than just about anyone last season, averaging nearly 50 shots on goal per contest, and still managed to stop nearly 92 percent of them. He's tall, has quick pads and takes up a lot of the net. He played very well for Team USA in August, leading them to a silver medal at the Ivan Hlinka. Some criticize his tendency to overcommit on shots and leave the backdoor open, but he has some serious mental toughness and is a highly competitive and intelligent kid. He'll be at Harvard next season.
Liam Liston (9) Matej Matovsky (11) and David Honzik (13) took big dives down the Central rankings- Matovsky from 3, Liston from 4 and Honzik from 5 at mid-season- and we're not sure why. Honzik has been terrific in the QMJHL playoffs and had a solid season after struggling a bit early with the transition, while Matovsky is seen as a pretty underrated goalie with all the physical tools. He reversed his fortunes after getting traded to Brampton and finished strong.
Edmonton goalie Laurent Brossoit moved up six spots from 13 at halfway point and is another big, athletic netminder with upside. Though we'll admit we're not sure how he leapfrogged the aforementioned Liston, Matovsky and Honzik. And based on what we've been told from NHL scouts out west, they're not sure about Central's reasoning either.
One curious omission from the final list: Robert Steeves of the QMJHL who didn't see a lot of action, but probably should be on there based on his raw upside and potential, even though he didn't see a lot of action playing for the Bathurst Titan this year.
Sleepers
We'll come back with a few more later once we've covered Europe and had some time to digest the list in more detail, but here are a few sleepers we think Central has pretty low who might get a call in June.
Jim Vesey, LW Belmont Hill (High-MA)- We've done some research, and Vesey's numbers are more like: 28 goals, 49 points in 32 games and not the 23, 35 points Central has for him. The problem is that the team made a decision not to turn in scoresheets after games so that guys weren't focused on their stats, but the downside is that the team's most productive player is getting shorted and given the view on competition level, that hurts Vesey a bit. He has nice size, hands and excellent hockey sense. His dad, Jim Sr., is from Charlestown, Mass. and was a legend at Merrimack College in the mid-80's when he racked up goals and points in bunches. His son is a better skater than he was, and the senior Vesey tallied 126 goals in three seasons with the IHL's Peoria Rivermen when he was a Blues farmhand in the late 80's. Jimmy is proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and has some real potential for an NHL team that can look past the competition level and envision him as a long-term prospect worth investing a pick on. We think 150 is too low for this player, but also recognize that Vesey is not a sure bet to be drafted.
Troy Vance, D Victoriaville (QMJHL)- Gigantic 6-6 defenseman joined les Tigres at mid-season and was a revelation as a hard-nosed shutdown defender with some decent mobility and better skills than his statistics might indicate. The New York native who grew up in Pennsylvania needs to improve his footwork and get a little stronger on his skates, but he has some potential as a sleeper and poor man's Jamie Oleksiak at least. His size can't be taught, and while extremely raw, has the kind of projectable tools NHL clubs are willing to take a chance on.
Dylan Willick, LW Kamloops (WHL)- After getting snubbed on Central's mid-term rankings, Willick makes his debut at 164. We talked about him recently as a guy you should know, and after doing more looking into him, feel he is a promising mid-round draft option because he is more than the sum of his parts. He may not be all that big at 5-10, but he's a solid 191-pounds can really skate, has a nonstop motor and is an intelligent player. We like the way he closed out the season and is a character player- we have yet to find anyone who will say a bad word about his attitude or compete level. When we look at Willick, we keep thinking of the old scouting adage that says those who want to be a player badly enough, usually get there.
Joakim Ryan, D Dubuque (USHL)- New Jersey-born and raised defender has some raw potential and excellent bloodlines as son of Swedish tennish pro Catherine Lindqvist. He's small at 5-10, but skates very well and moves the puck effectively. He tallied 3 goals and 32 points in 53 points with the Fighting Saints as a rookie. He needs to get stronger and work on adding velocity to his shot, but he's a smart, hard-working player. He was snubbed by Team USA, so accepted an invite from Team Sweden to play for them in the Ivan Hlinka in August.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
U.S. High School prospects 2010-11 season review
Welcome to the final installment of our comprehensive look at 2011 NHL Draft options from the various feeder leagues in hockey across North America and Europe.
This closes out the regular season series, and we'll be back with some shorter posts and content in the coming weeks. While fun, putting these reports together is extremely time-consuming and requires a lot of cross-coordination with our various sources.
Thanks for reading!
1. Mario Lucia, LW Wayzata H.S. (Minnesota)- The son of University of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia is arguably the top high school player for the 2011 draft, and as a junior, expected to play in the USHL next year before moving on to the NCAA ranks. He's 6-2 and about 185 and has excellent hockey sense and a real good shot. He was highly productive and looks like he could be a very good player eventually.
"I like Mario," said Max Giese, Red Line Report scout in the Midwest. "He looks like a second-round projection; I've seen nights when he's been dominant and nights when there doesn't appear to be a lot there. He lacks the physical strength and power in his stride, so he's going to take a long time for any team that drafts him." Lucia has the highest upside of any of the high school/prep players in class in our view based on what we're hearing, but if he does crack the 1st round, it would be like Brock Nelson last year- in the final pick or so. As a 31-60 selection, he's a nice option albeit one who will take the long road as Giese mentioned. He scored 30 goals and 54 points in 27 games for Wayzata.
2. Mike McKee, D Kent School (Connecticut)- We've covered McKee in great detail this month after watching him compete in the New England prep championship tournament for runner-up Kent. The Newmarket, Ontario native is a remarkable physical specimen (6-5, 230), who is literally a manchild and was able to ragdoll opponents in the prep ranks like one whenever he decided to do so. He's also an excellent skater who was able to jump up into the play and was quite noticeable at that level. The concerns with him stem from the hockey sense and whether he can process/make decisions quickly enough to play defense at the highest level. He is a converted forward, so scouts have to take that into account, but we don't know that we've seen more of a disparity in opinions with any player as we've discovered when talking to NHL sources about McKee.
3. Philippe Hudon, RW Choate Rosemary Hall (Connecticut)- Power forward and Cornell-bound prospect is from Quebec and is a bright, intelligent kid. Scored 10 goals and 20 points in 22 games for the Wild Boars- It was a disappointing year for Hudon, who didn't have the kind of dominant prep season expected of him in his third year at that level, and this will hurt him a bit when draft day comes. At 6-2, 185, he's got raw size and the frame to get much stronger. He's a good skater with nice initial burst and a top gear, but his agility and footwork could be improved as he continues to develop. Hudon handles the puck well and seems to have the size and skills to be a scorer, but simply hasn't developed the production in his game, finishing with 20, 19 and 20 points in each of his prep seasons. Has the size and skating to be an NHL player, but if you're looking for him to score for you, that is probably not likely to happen. Hard working, solid kid (even though he got into academic hot water as a junior) who is mature and wants to be a player. If he's more of a late-bloomer, could surprise at the next level, but scouts feel he should have done a lot more in prep.
4. Joseph LaBate, C Holy Angels Academy (Minnesota)- At 6-4, 180 pounds this Mr. Hockey finalist is a total stringbean, but has some of the nicest projectable physical upside of any of his peers. He's got a nose for the net and does some great work in close when the puck is on his stick. Pretty good skater, but needs to improve his initial burst and overall east-west mobility. Scouts think a lot of that will come when he adds strength and mass to his legs to generate more force behind his stride. He's going straight to the Wisconsin Badgers next season, and some scouts wonder if he's physically ready for that kind of challenge, but we'll find out.
"He's very talented and his nice offensive ability," Giese said of LaBate. "He's lanky and reminds me a lot of Nick Bjugstad in terms of his style and the fact that he needs to physically mature." On the downside, LaBate doesn't always play with the kind of hustle and intensity folks want to see from him. "He picks his spots, but when he's on his game, he's dangerous," said Giese.
5. Eddie Wittchow, D Burnsville H.S. (Minnesota)- B2011DW got a very nice tip on Wittchow back in early February and we made him one of our "sleeper alert" prospects- you can read the original post here. Suffice to say that the cat is out of the bag on this 6-3, 185-pounder, as NHL scouts flocked to see the Burnsville-Edina matchup in the Minnesota tourney recently. Unfortunately for Wittchow, we're told it was his worst game of the season. "The game was a good reminder that the kid is raw and is a project," Giese said of Wittchow's struggles against Edina. "Let's be patient with him."
He's an outstanding skater for a guy of his size and shows off some pretty good hockey sense and puck skills even if he is a late-bloomer and pretty raw product. Also in his favor, he's a mean and aggressive hitter; what's not to love about that, especially when he fills out to the 215-220 pounds he'll likely hit at his physical peak? We're not even sure where he will end up in the NCAA yet, he was that much of a recent find by scouts. In any case, we know that NHL clubs are hot on his trail and even though he had a rough game in the spotlight, Wittchow showed enough pure promise that he's going to be a pick in the draft. The only questions we need answered are- where and when will he go?
6. Petr Placek, RW Hotchkiss School (Connecticut)- Another disappointment in New England prep hockey this season along the lines of Hudon. The big and talented Czech winger battled two major obstacles this season" injuries and playing on a really poor team that didn't give him a lot of help. He missed time to a knee injury early and took a while to round into form. Even when he did, the aforementioned lack of depth forced Placek to try and do too much himself. He reminds us of Bobby Holik in terms of his skating in that he doesn't have a great first couple of steps, but once he gets going is very difficult to knock off stride. He's got a big shot but needs to work on accuracy and on taking the puck to the net more consistently. Like Kevin Hayes last year, when open lanes are there for him to drive through, he tends to spin off and try to work it from the outside. Not many perimeter players can finish from that far out, and Placek is no exception. With his size (6-4, 200) and strength, he should be doing a hell of a lot more in close than he does.
7. Colin Sullivan, D Avon Old Farms (Connecticut)- When we saw Sullivan help the Winged Beavers to the 2010 prep title a year ago, we saw a solid, decent player who was responsible in his own end but didn't do a great deal to stand out. What a difference a year makes! His skating noticeably improved, and it was impressive a year ago. He explodes out of a standstill or glide with a powerful stride and the ability to generate top speed very quickly. He's also tremendous on his edges, making very tight turns and able to shake would-be checkers with ease. In fact, we talked to one NHL scout who was staying at the same hotel when we were at the World Jr. Championship about Sullivan and all he wanted to talk about was the Yale recruit's wheels. On the downside, Sullivan was not all that productive this season and some scouts question his vision and hockey instincts to read the play and jump into the natural offensive flow. He's a solid defensive player otherwise, however. We talked to Sullivan's coach, John Gardner, who knows a thing or two about producing NHL players, having coached Brian Leetch and Jonathan Quick to name just two, and he said the most impressive thing about Sullivan's progress from last season to this was that he increased his skating speed and also got a lot stronger. Sullivan is a gym rat who works harder than anyone on the team at his off-ice conditioning. He's a solid 6-2, 205 right now and will still add some more mass to his frame. The big question Sullivan will have to answer is where he will play next season. He won't report to Yale until 2012, and can go back to AOF for a third season or may go out to the USHL- he's reportedly drawn a lot of interest from teams in that league.
8. Max Everson, D Edina H.S. (Minnesota)- He may not have slightly below average size at 6-0 and about 185 pounds, but Everson is a smart, instinctive, two-way defenseman. Nifty skater who isn't quite as explosive or dynamic as Sullivan but can bring the speed and carry the puck out on his own.
"He had a very good state tournament," Giese said. "He's very smart and poised; he moves the puck well and is one of those steady guys who makes the right decisions." He logged a lot of minutes and was a leader for Edina this season, a perennial contender in Minnesota H.S. competition. Interestingly enough, Everson is taking his game to Harvard next season instead of following the more traditional path of big ticket hockey schools in Minnesota, North Dakota or Wisconsin like many of his peers. Not a ton of upside with this kid, but is just one of those guys who has so many nice intangibles that he could eventually force an NHL team to give him a spot.
9. Robby O'Gara, D Milton Academy (Massachusetts)- We really liked this smooth, mobile defensive-minded rearguard with some offensive upside when we watched him help lead his team to the 2011 prep title in Salem, NH. The native of Long Island didn't have a great deal of points for the Milton Academy Mustangs, but he did assist on the championship-winning goal scored by Sean Okita earlier this month. O'Gara isn't a dynamic skater, but he has a long, fluid stride and has very good footwork with superb four-way mobility. He's sharp and disciplined; you won't see him gambling with the puck or making too many bad decisions. O'Gara plays a responsible, physical game in his own end, using his 6-3, 190-pound body to separate opponents from the puck. He's quietly intense, fighting for loose pucks and using his long reach to gain an advantage. One more Yale recruit (and we'll cover yet another Yalie just a few spots lower) to add to the mix of a neat corps of mobile guys with size that Keith Allain is assembling in New Haven.
10. Steven Fogarty, C Edina H.S. (Minnesota)- Underrated and skilled centerman with size makes his B2011DW debut on this post and has some real interesting long-term potential. The proverbial rink rat who eats, sleeps, breathes hockey- Fogarty finished his HS career at Edina and then jumped to the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he's been drinking from the fire hose of late. You have to credit the kid for risking his draft stock a little, which was pretty high given how well he played as a senior, by going to the USHL where his lack of strength and defensive awareness is being exposed a bit on a weak team and against older, stronger players. Still, there is a lot to like about this playmaking pivot who has a long stride and gets up the ice quickly. He has soft hands and superb vision for finding teammates in open ice. His work ethic is laudable- he wants to play and loves to compete; goes above and beyond to make himself better and put himself into situations that will put him in position to improve. He's raw and needs significant work, but will spend the entire 2011-12 season in the USHL. At 6-1, 195, he's got the physical tools to be a solid NHL prospect and watch for him to go relatively high (3rd-4th rounds) in the draft.
11. Jimmy Vesey, LW Belmont Hill Academy (Massachusetts)- The son of former NHL forward Jim Vesey is an impressive scoring winger coming out of New England this season. Although he told B2011DW that his team didn't keep stats this season per the suggestion of the captain and voted on by the team, Vesey scored about 28 goals for Belmont Hill, who advanced to the large school semi-final before falling to eventual champion Westminster School. He's a pretty good skater who could stand to pick up a first step or two, but has good straight-line speed and is a shifty, elusive guy when he has the puck on his stick. He has excellent hockey sense and is one of those guys who always seems to be around the puck when you watch him. He has good hands, but admittedly in the semi-final game, seemed to let the pressure get to him, as he was unable to finish several chances in close. He had a much stronger offensive performance in the Beantown Classic exhibition tournament a couple of weeks later, making a lot happen on a line with fellow prep schooler Nick Bligh. Some scouts have said Vesey is soft, but we didn't see any of that. If anything, he is willing to initiate contact and make some hits, but at 6-2, 185 is still growing into his body and improving his strength. Vesey is a hard worker and he gets a lot of that from his dad who came from very humble roots to make himself into an NHL player after a stellar collegiate career at Merrimack College in the mid-80s. It looks like Vesey will not be back in prep next season, and his situation is up in the air in terms of where he'll end up as numerous USHL teams are interested. He will be at Harvard in the fall of 2012. This kid is a legitimate sleeper in the draft- we've heard him described as a poor man's Charlie Coyle and we have no issue with that assessment.
12. Matt Killian, D Delbarton School (New Jersey)- Good skater and bright kid who plays for the New Jersey powerhouse Delbarton Green Wave, who recently won yet another state title. He's a pretty steady, unspectacular kind of defender who moves well and is a fluid skater, but doesn't really rush the puck a ton or demonstrate a kind of dangerous offensive element to his game that will translate at the next level. Admittedly, the game we saw Killian last play in February was a brutal, one-sided affair. And, you can clearly see that the kid has the size, wheels and poise to play the game well. It's just exceedingly difficult to get a read on his upside given the level of competition he faced on most nights. Killian is going to Yale, and the idea of him one day forming a potential three-of-six Bulldog defenders on the backline is intriguing indeed as all three can skate well and bring good size to the mix. Killian is safe and steady, but is another long-term project player who is going to require much time and patience to develop properly.
13. Kyle Rau, C Eden Prairie H.S. (Minnesota)- Winner of the 2011 Mr. Hockey award as top Minnesota high school senior, Rau scored 41 goals and 81 points, even scoring the 2A state championship-winning goal in OT for Eden Prairie. This kid is a real winner, but at 5-8, doesn't project as a high-end NHL draft prospect. He's headed to the University of Minnesota and will have to work his backside off to put himself into the big league mix. More of a shifty skater than a blazer, he's an outstanding stickhandler with terrific offensive hockey sense as is as productive as they come. He finished out the season in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampeders. Could be another Cam Atkinson- undersized high school ace scorer who went in the 6th-round to Columbus in '08 after gazillions of points at AOF, and just signed after back-to-back 30-goal seasons at Boston College.
14. Tony Cameranesi, C Wayzata H.S. (Minnesota)- The 5-9, 160-pounder is on this list for one reason and one only: his skating. He is perhaps the best skater in the entire draft with tremendous acceleration, speed and agility. He plays with a high energy level and never stops moving his feet. The explosive little waterbug is going to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is a draft wildcard for sure, but is someone to watch as he matures and develops. If he can prove he has the sense to go with his wheels, he could get a shot in the big show eventually.
15. Steve Michalek, G Loomis-Chaffee- Admittedly, a B2011DW fave because he makes a living out of standing on his head, this Harvard-bound goalie was tremendous at the Ivan Hlinka. We love his size and competitiveness and athleticism. His technique will need refining as he has a tendency to overcommit to the shooter and get himself out of position for the trailer and backdoor play, but we like him a lot as a draft darkhorse because he was under siege all season, yet kept his team competitive and demonstrated remarkable mental toughness to stay composed. A real battler and competitor with a ton of raw potential.
This closes out the regular season series, and we'll be back with some shorter posts and content in the coming weeks. While fun, putting these reports together is extremely time-consuming and requires a lot of cross-coordination with our various sources.
Thanks for reading!
1. Mario Lucia, LW Wayzata H.S. (Minnesota)- The son of University of Minnesota head coach Don Lucia is arguably the top high school player for the 2011 draft, and as a junior, expected to play in the USHL next year before moving on to the NCAA ranks. He's 6-2 and about 185 and has excellent hockey sense and a real good shot. He was highly productive and looks like he could be a very good player eventually.
"I like Mario," said Max Giese, Red Line Report scout in the Midwest. "He looks like a second-round projection; I've seen nights when he's been dominant and nights when there doesn't appear to be a lot there. He lacks the physical strength and power in his stride, so he's going to take a long time for any team that drafts him." Lucia has the highest upside of any of the high school/prep players in class in our view based on what we're hearing, but if he does crack the 1st round, it would be like Brock Nelson last year- in the final pick or so. As a 31-60 selection, he's a nice option albeit one who will take the long road as Giese mentioned. He scored 30 goals and 54 points in 27 games for Wayzata.
2. Mike McKee, D Kent School (Connecticut)- We've covered McKee in great detail this month after watching him compete in the New England prep championship tournament for runner-up Kent. The Newmarket, Ontario native is a remarkable physical specimen (6-5, 230), who is literally a manchild and was able to ragdoll opponents in the prep ranks like one whenever he decided to do so. He's also an excellent skater who was able to jump up into the play and was quite noticeable at that level. The concerns with him stem from the hockey sense and whether he can process/make decisions quickly enough to play defense at the highest level. He is a converted forward, so scouts have to take that into account, but we don't know that we've seen more of a disparity in opinions with any player as we've discovered when talking to NHL sources about McKee.
3. Philippe Hudon, RW Choate Rosemary Hall (Connecticut)- Power forward and Cornell-bound prospect is from Quebec and is a bright, intelligent kid. Scored 10 goals and 20 points in 22 games for the Wild Boars- It was a disappointing year for Hudon, who didn't have the kind of dominant prep season expected of him in his third year at that level, and this will hurt him a bit when draft day comes. At 6-2, 185, he's got raw size and the frame to get much stronger. He's a good skater with nice initial burst and a top gear, but his agility and footwork could be improved as he continues to develop. Hudon handles the puck well and seems to have the size and skills to be a scorer, but simply hasn't developed the production in his game, finishing with 20, 19 and 20 points in each of his prep seasons. Has the size and skating to be an NHL player, but if you're looking for him to score for you, that is probably not likely to happen. Hard working, solid kid (even though he got into academic hot water as a junior) who is mature and wants to be a player. If he's more of a late-bloomer, could surprise at the next level, but scouts feel he should have done a lot more in prep.
4. Joseph LaBate, C Holy Angels Academy (Minnesota)- At 6-4, 180 pounds this Mr. Hockey finalist is a total stringbean, but has some of the nicest projectable physical upside of any of his peers. He's got a nose for the net and does some great work in close when the puck is on his stick. Pretty good skater, but needs to improve his initial burst and overall east-west mobility. Scouts think a lot of that will come when he adds strength and mass to his legs to generate more force behind his stride. He's going straight to the Wisconsin Badgers next season, and some scouts wonder if he's physically ready for that kind of challenge, but we'll find out.
"He's very talented and his nice offensive ability," Giese said of LaBate. "He's lanky and reminds me a lot of Nick Bjugstad in terms of his style and the fact that he needs to physically mature." On the downside, LaBate doesn't always play with the kind of hustle and intensity folks want to see from him. "He picks his spots, but when he's on his game, he's dangerous," said Giese.
5. Eddie Wittchow, D Burnsville H.S. (Minnesota)- B2011DW got a very nice tip on Wittchow back in early February and we made him one of our "sleeper alert" prospects- you can read the original post here. Suffice to say that the cat is out of the bag on this 6-3, 185-pounder, as NHL scouts flocked to see the Burnsville-Edina matchup in the Minnesota tourney recently. Unfortunately for Wittchow, we're told it was his worst game of the season. "The game was a good reminder that the kid is raw and is a project," Giese said of Wittchow's struggles against Edina. "Let's be patient with him."
He's an outstanding skater for a guy of his size and shows off some pretty good hockey sense and puck skills even if he is a late-bloomer and pretty raw product. Also in his favor, he's a mean and aggressive hitter; what's not to love about that, especially when he fills out to the 215-220 pounds he'll likely hit at his physical peak? We're not even sure where he will end up in the NCAA yet, he was that much of a recent find by scouts. In any case, we know that NHL clubs are hot on his trail and even though he had a rough game in the spotlight, Wittchow showed enough pure promise that he's going to be a pick in the draft. The only questions we need answered are- where and when will he go?
6. Petr Placek, RW Hotchkiss School (Connecticut)- Another disappointment in New England prep hockey this season along the lines of Hudon. The big and talented Czech winger battled two major obstacles this season" injuries and playing on a really poor team that didn't give him a lot of help. He missed time to a knee injury early and took a while to round into form. Even when he did, the aforementioned lack of depth forced Placek to try and do too much himself. He reminds us of Bobby Holik in terms of his skating in that he doesn't have a great first couple of steps, but once he gets going is very difficult to knock off stride. He's got a big shot but needs to work on accuracy and on taking the puck to the net more consistently. Like Kevin Hayes last year, when open lanes are there for him to drive through, he tends to spin off and try to work it from the outside. Not many perimeter players can finish from that far out, and Placek is no exception. With his size (6-4, 200) and strength, he should be doing a hell of a lot more in close than he does.
7. Colin Sullivan, D Avon Old Farms (Connecticut)- When we saw Sullivan help the Winged Beavers to the 2010 prep title a year ago, we saw a solid, decent player who was responsible in his own end but didn't do a great deal to stand out. What a difference a year makes! His skating noticeably improved, and it was impressive a year ago. He explodes out of a standstill or glide with a powerful stride and the ability to generate top speed very quickly. He's also tremendous on his edges, making very tight turns and able to shake would-be checkers with ease. In fact, we talked to one NHL scout who was staying at the same hotel when we were at the World Jr. Championship about Sullivan and all he wanted to talk about was the Yale recruit's wheels. On the downside, Sullivan was not all that productive this season and some scouts question his vision and hockey instincts to read the play and jump into the natural offensive flow. He's a solid defensive player otherwise, however. We talked to Sullivan's coach, John Gardner, who knows a thing or two about producing NHL players, having coached Brian Leetch and Jonathan Quick to name just two, and he said the most impressive thing about Sullivan's progress from last season to this was that he increased his skating speed and also got a lot stronger. Sullivan is a gym rat who works harder than anyone on the team at his off-ice conditioning. He's a solid 6-2, 205 right now and will still add some more mass to his frame. The big question Sullivan will have to answer is where he will play next season. He won't report to Yale until 2012, and can go back to AOF for a third season or may go out to the USHL- he's reportedly drawn a lot of interest from teams in that league.
8. Max Everson, D Edina H.S. (Minnesota)- He may not have slightly below average size at 6-0 and about 185 pounds, but Everson is a smart, instinctive, two-way defenseman. Nifty skater who isn't quite as explosive or dynamic as Sullivan but can bring the speed and carry the puck out on his own.
"He had a very good state tournament," Giese said. "He's very smart and poised; he moves the puck well and is one of those steady guys who makes the right decisions." He logged a lot of minutes and was a leader for Edina this season, a perennial contender in Minnesota H.S. competition. Interestingly enough, Everson is taking his game to Harvard next season instead of following the more traditional path of big ticket hockey schools in Minnesota, North Dakota or Wisconsin like many of his peers. Not a ton of upside with this kid, but is just one of those guys who has so many nice intangibles that he could eventually force an NHL team to give him a spot.
9. Robby O'Gara, D Milton Academy (Massachusetts)- We really liked this smooth, mobile defensive-minded rearguard with some offensive upside when we watched him help lead his team to the 2011 prep title in Salem, NH. The native of Long Island didn't have a great deal of points for the Milton Academy Mustangs, but he did assist on the championship-winning goal scored by Sean Okita earlier this month. O'Gara isn't a dynamic skater, but he has a long, fluid stride and has very good footwork with superb four-way mobility. He's sharp and disciplined; you won't see him gambling with the puck or making too many bad decisions. O'Gara plays a responsible, physical game in his own end, using his 6-3, 190-pound body to separate opponents from the puck. He's quietly intense, fighting for loose pucks and using his long reach to gain an advantage. One more Yale recruit (and we'll cover yet another Yalie just a few spots lower) to add to the mix of a neat corps of mobile guys with size that Keith Allain is assembling in New Haven.
10. Steven Fogarty, C Edina H.S. (Minnesota)- Underrated and skilled centerman with size makes his B2011DW debut on this post and has some real interesting long-term potential. The proverbial rink rat who eats, sleeps, breathes hockey- Fogarty finished his HS career at Edina and then jumped to the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he's been drinking from the fire hose of late. You have to credit the kid for risking his draft stock a little, which was pretty high given how well he played as a senior, by going to the USHL where his lack of strength and defensive awareness is being exposed a bit on a weak team and against older, stronger players. Still, there is a lot to like about this playmaking pivot who has a long stride and gets up the ice quickly. He has soft hands and superb vision for finding teammates in open ice. His work ethic is laudable- he wants to play and loves to compete; goes above and beyond to make himself better and put himself into situations that will put him in position to improve. He's raw and needs significant work, but will spend the entire 2011-12 season in the USHL. At 6-1, 195, he's got the physical tools to be a solid NHL prospect and watch for him to go relatively high (3rd-4th rounds) in the draft.
11. Jimmy Vesey, LW Belmont Hill Academy (Massachusetts)- The son of former NHL forward Jim Vesey is an impressive scoring winger coming out of New England this season. Although he told B2011DW that his team didn't keep stats this season per the suggestion of the captain and voted on by the team, Vesey scored about 28 goals for Belmont Hill, who advanced to the large school semi-final before falling to eventual champion Westminster School. He's a pretty good skater who could stand to pick up a first step or two, but has good straight-line speed and is a shifty, elusive guy when he has the puck on his stick. He has excellent hockey sense and is one of those guys who always seems to be around the puck when you watch him. He has good hands, but admittedly in the semi-final game, seemed to let the pressure get to him, as he was unable to finish several chances in close. He had a much stronger offensive performance in the Beantown Classic exhibition tournament a couple of weeks later, making a lot happen on a line with fellow prep schooler Nick Bligh. Some scouts have said Vesey is soft, but we didn't see any of that. If anything, he is willing to initiate contact and make some hits, but at 6-2, 185 is still growing into his body and improving his strength. Vesey is a hard worker and he gets a lot of that from his dad who came from very humble roots to make himself into an NHL player after a stellar collegiate career at Merrimack College in the mid-80s. It looks like Vesey will not be back in prep next season, and his situation is up in the air in terms of where he'll end up as numerous USHL teams are interested. He will be at Harvard in the fall of 2012. This kid is a legitimate sleeper in the draft- we've heard him described as a poor man's Charlie Coyle and we have no issue with that assessment.
12. Matt Killian, D Delbarton School (New Jersey)- Good skater and bright kid who plays for the New Jersey powerhouse Delbarton Green Wave, who recently won yet another state title. He's a pretty steady, unspectacular kind of defender who moves well and is a fluid skater, but doesn't really rush the puck a ton or demonstrate a kind of dangerous offensive element to his game that will translate at the next level. Admittedly, the game we saw Killian last play in February was a brutal, one-sided affair. And, you can clearly see that the kid has the size, wheels and poise to play the game well. It's just exceedingly difficult to get a read on his upside given the level of competition he faced on most nights. Killian is going to Yale, and the idea of him one day forming a potential three-of-six Bulldog defenders on the backline is intriguing indeed as all three can skate well and bring good size to the mix. Killian is safe and steady, but is another long-term project player who is going to require much time and patience to develop properly.
13. Kyle Rau, C Eden Prairie H.S. (Minnesota)- Winner of the 2011 Mr. Hockey award as top Minnesota high school senior, Rau scored 41 goals and 81 points, even scoring the 2A state championship-winning goal in OT for Eden Prairie. This kid is a real winner, but at 5-8, doesn't project as a high-end NHL draft prospect. He's headed to the University of Minnesota and will have to work his backside off to put himself into the big league mix. More of a shifty skater than a blazer, he's an outstanding stickhandler with terrific offensive hockey sense as is as productive as they come. He finished out the season in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampeders. Could be another Cam Atkinson- undersized high school ace scorer who went in the 6th-round to Columbus in '08 after gazillions of points at AOF, and just signed after back-to-back 30-goal seasons at Boston College.
14. Tony Cameranesi, C Wayzata H.S. (Minnesota)- The 5-9, 160-pounder is on this list for one reason and one only: his skating. He is perhaps the best skater in the entire draft with tremendous acceleration, speed and agility. He plays with a high energy level and never stops moving his feet. The explosive little waterbug is going to the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is a draft wildcard for sure, but is someone to watch as he matures and develops. If he can prove he has the sense to go with his wheels, he could get a shot in the big show eventually.
15. Steve Michalek, G Loomis-Chaffee- Admittedly, a B2011DW fave because he makes a living out of standing on his head, this Harvard-bound goalie was tremendous at the Ivan Hlinka. We love his size and competitiveness and athleticism. His technique will need refining as he has a tendency to overcommit to the shooter and get himself out of position for the trailer and backdoor play, but we like him a lot as a draft darkhorse because he was under siege all season, yet kept his team competitive and demonstrated remarkable mental toughness to stay composed. A real battler and competitor with a ton of raw potential.
Monday, March 7, 2011
NEPSIHA tournament scouting reports: Mike McKee, Boo Nieves
Although this wasn't as good a year talent-wise as in the previous couple of NEPSIHA tournaments, there were enough NHL draft prospects competing to make the trip worthwhile.
The most visible 2011 prospect in both stature and on the Central and Red Line Report rankings was Kent School defenseman Mike McKee, a manchild at 6-5, 230 pounds, and those are legit vitals, not inflated; he is one big boy. Teammate Boo Nieves was also quite good in the competition, but he's a year away as a '94. Depending on where he plays next year, Nieves could very well land in the first round.
Another player who was pretty impressive as a solid, unspectacular defenseman with some upside was Milton's Robby O'Gara. He's lean but is about 6-2 or 6-3 and is extremely smart. He has a long, smooth skating stride and will jump up into the play on occasion. He doesn't have teammate Pat McNally's points or aggressive style, but we think O'Gara is going to be a better pro because he's much more disciplined.
Dexter School's Nick Bligh was excellent, racking up two goals and four assists in the semi-final and championship games of the Piatelli/Simmons small school tourney. The very bright, but physically slight centerman has the skills and production in his favor, but NHL scouts mark him down for the level of competition and the fact that he's lacking in strength right now. His plan to return to Dexter for his senior season will also work against him, but he's a quality kid who doesn't seem too bothered by that and is focused on the academics and getting ready for his next challenge at Dartmouth.
Belmont Hill winger Jimmy Vesey showed off the kinds of tools that will stand him in good stead as a collegian and might even get him an NHL look at the draft, but his game against Westminster in the semi-final contest was a disappointing one and didn't allow him to spread his wings. His impact and compete levels in the game wavered, but you could clearly see that he was 28-goal scorer during the season.
For more on Milton's win over Kent, you can follow this link.
Also, for the scoop on Dexter and Westminster victories in the small and large school tourneys, slide on over here.
Below are some scouting reports on two key players for Kent, McKee and Nieves, who unfortunately is not a member of the 2011 draft class.
Mike McKee, D Kent School
At 6-5, 230, tremendous size and physical maturity for a kid who won't turn 18 until August. Newmarket, Ontario native is an excellent skater for his size, with good first step and a powerful stride. Very good balance and lateral agility/edgework as well.
Has a big shot, but doesn't use it all that much, preferring to distribute the puck. Nice heavy wrist shot that he shoots low on net for deflections. Average passer; can make the basic plays and short-to-intermediate breakouts but doesn't stand out as an exceptional puck mover who can stretch defenses. Hockey sense and vision are questionable. Seems to take a while to process and misses open teammates and passing windows. Used by coach Matt Herr to set up the screen in front of the goaltender when Kent was on the power play, taking away the goaltender's sight lines. Powerful bodychecker who played with a nasty edge in both weekend tournament games. Was penalized at least twice for being a manchild who crushed kids about 100 pounds lighter with clean hits rather than playing dirty. In the championship game, crashed the Milton net, brushing goaltender Sean Dougherty. He then took on three Milton players who swarmed him, knocking all three to the ice at various times while not giving any ground. Got a 4-minute roughing penalty for his efforts, but the way he manhandled those guys sent a clear message. Whispers from NHL scouts at the tournament say that he might be best off converting back to forward (he is in his second full season on D after switching) because of the concerns about his instincts for the game and concerns with processing what goes on. One thing is for certain: after watching McKee, there is nothing more for him to do at the prep level. He needs to move on and up (Ottawa owns his OHL rights, Lincoln his USHL rights) for the sake of his development and viability as an NHL prospect going forward. He was only 113th on Central's mid-term list for North American skaters, but have to believe the size and physical tools will see him come off the board as high as the second round. If he develops an ability to fight, he could be an even more valuable commodity.
Cristoval "Boo" Nieves, RW Kent
A 2012-eligible, but excellent NHL prospect given his natural size, skating and offensive skills. At 6-3, 185 has the frame to be an attractive option in the pros when he fills out. Outstanding skater who accelerates quickly and is extremely agile and elusive. Explosive burst and separation gear; can turn defenders easily as he attacks with speed to the outside and isn't afraid to go into traffic. Excellent stickhandler; confident with the puck and wants it on his stick. Highly creative and just seems to have a knack for making plays all over the offensive zone. Scored a brilliant goal in the semi-final game when he gained the zone by himself, skated around the back of the net and then after being stuffed, found the rebound and subsequent clearing attempts by Salisbury out in the high slot, roofing a backhander that the sprawling Gabe Antoni had no chance on. After hearing the buzz on this guy for several years, you could see it all coming together for him at the right time. Could be a top-30 pick next year, even if he stays at Kent. Other forwards in recent years with the skills to be first-rounders have been picked (Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes), so as long as he produces, Nieves has a shot to do it. Has legitimate NHL upside. Was Kent's best player and if he returns to Kent, could really tear it up next season. OHL rights owned by Niagara IceDogs, but committed to University of Michigan in 2012.
The most visible 2011 prospect in both stature and on the Central and Red Line Report rankings was Kent School defenseman Mike McKee, a manchild at 6-5, 230 pounds, and those are legit vitals, not inflated; he is one big boy. Teammate Boo Nieves was also quite good in the competition, but he's a year away as a '94. Depending on where he plays next year, Nieves could very well land in the first round.
Another player who was pretty impressive as a solid, unspectacular defenseman with some upside was Milton's Robby O'Gara. He's lean but is about 6-2 or 6-3 and is extremely smart. He has a long, smooth skating stride and will jump up into the play on occasion. He doesn't have teammate Pat McNally's points or aggressive style, but we think O'Gara is going to be a better pro because he's much more disciplined.
Dexter School's Nick Bligh was excellent, racking up two goals and four assists in the semi-final and championship games of the Piatelli/Simmons small school tourney. The very bright, but physically slight centerman has the skills and production in his favor, but NHL scouts mark him down for the level of competition and the fact that he's lacking in strength right now. His plan to return to Dexter for his senior season will also work against him, but he's a quality kid who doesn't seem too bothered by that and is focused on the academics and getting ready for his next challenge at Dartmouth.
Belmont Hill winger Jimmy Vesey showed off the kinds of tools that will stand him in good stead as a collegian and might even get him an NHL look at the draft, but his game against Westminster in the semi-final contest was a disappointing one and didn't allow him to spread his wings. His impact and compete levels in the game wavered, but you could clearly see that he was 28-goal scorer during the season.
For more on Milton's win over Kent, you can follow this link.
Also, for the scoop on Dexter and Westminster victories in the small and large school tourneys, slide on over here.
Below are some scouting reports on two key players for Kent, McKee and Nieves, who unfortunately is not a member of the 2011 draft class.
Mike McKee, D Kent School
At 6-5, 230, tremendous size and physical maturity for a kid who won't turn 18 until August. Newmarket, Ontario native is an excellent skater for his size, with good first step and a powerful stride. Very good balance and lateral agility/edgework as well.
Has a big shot, but doesn't use it all that much, preferring to distribute the puck. Nice heavy wrist shot that he shoots low on net for deflections. Average passer; can make the basic plays and short-to-intermediate breakouts but doesn't stand out as an exceptional puck mover who can stretch defenses. Hockey sense and vision are questionable. Seems to take a while to process and misses open teammates and passing windows. Used by coach Matt Herr to set up the screen in front of the goaltender when Kent was on the power play, taking away the goaltender's sight lines. Powerful bodychecker who played with a nasty edge in both weekend tournament games. Was penalized at least twice for being a manchild who crushed kids about 100 pounds lighter with clean hits rather than playing dirty. In the championship game, crashed the Milton net, brushing goaltender Sean Dougherty. He then took on three Milton players who swarmed him, knocking all three to the ice at various times while not giving any ground. Got a 4-minute roughing penalty for his efforts, but the way he manhandled those guys sent a clear message. Whispers from NHL scouts at the tournament say that he might be best off converting back to forward (he is in his second full season on D after switching) because of the concerns about his instincts for the game and concerns with processing what goes on. One thing is for certain: after watching McKee, there is nothing more for him to do at the prep level. He needs to move on and up (Ottawa owns his OHL rights, Lincoln his USHL rights) for the sake of his development and viability as an NHL prospect going forward. He was only 113th on Central's mid-term list for North American skaters, but have to believe the size and physical tools will see him come off the board as high as the second round. If he develops an ability to fight, he could be an even more valuable commodity.
Cristoval "Boo" Nieves, RW Kent
A 2012-eligible, but excellent NHL prospect given his natural size, skating and offensive skills. At 6-3, 185 has the frame to be an attractive option in the pros when he fills out. Outstanding skater who accelerates quickly and is extremely agile and elusive. Explosive burst and separation gear; can turn defenders easily as he attacks with speed to the outside and isn't afraid to go into traffic. Excellent stickhandler; confident with the puck and wants it on his stick. Highly creative and just seems to have a knack for making plays all over the offensive zone. Scored a brilliant goal in the semi-final game when he gained the zone by himself, skated around the back of the net and then after being stuffed, found the rebound and subsequent clearing attempts by Salisbury out in the high slot, roofing a backhander that the sprawling Gabe Antoni had no chance on. After hearing the buzz on this guy for several years, you could see it all coming together for him at the right time. Could be a top-30 pick next year, even if he stays at Kent. Other forwards in recent years with the skills to be first-rounders have been picked (Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes), so as long as he produces, Nieves has a shot to do it. Has legitimate NHL upside. Was Kent's best player and if he returns to Kent, could really tear it up next season. OHL rights owned by Niagara IceDogs, but committed to University of Michigan in 2012.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sunday's prep final matchups
The small and large school semifinals took place at the Salem Icenter on Saturday.
Didn't see New Hampton defeat the Gunnery or Dexter School win their match against Tilton. Dexter gets a chance to avenge their double-OT loss to KUA a year ago, and it's cool that goalie Kevin Green is still in net for them. He stood on his head a year ago in an epic goalie duel with Panthers prospect and University of Maine freshman Martin Ouellette. Someone had to lose that game, and it was Dexter, but if Green plays today the way he did in 2010, I like Dexter's chances to grab the small school crown. Dexter center Nick Bligh is a draft eligible so we'll check him out tomorrow.
Governor's also beat Albany Academy to advance to the large school final, where they will take on Westminster.
Got over in time to see the final match of the day: Belmont Hill against Westminster. It was a disappointing game for Belmont Hill, who lost by a 3-1 score after taking a 1-0 lead early. The guys looked like they were gripping their sticks pretty tight and failed to execute plays in close to the Westminster net, who got a very good game in net from Patrick Spano.
Belmont Hill had left winger Jimmy Vesey, son of former Boston Bruin and Merrimack College scoring legend Jim Vesey of Charlestown. Central Scouting has Vesey 84th on their mid-term list, and I could see why. He's got good size and is a better skater than he's been given credit for (his father told us that his own heavy feet from his playing days has often erroneously been linked to his son). The younger Vesey's first few steps are just average, but he's got fine top-end speed and is a pretty shifty player when he gets some open ice to work with. He should be able to pick up an extra step if he works at it, and by all accounts, he pushes himself pretty hard. Unfortunately for Vesey, who had 28 goals this season, today was just not his day. He hustled and had some chances, but just couldn't get the puck to settle down and wasn't able to get anything past Spano. You can see that he's a strong puckhandler and has some raw tools to work with, but nobody on Belmont Hill was able to get much of anything going on Saturday.
Teammate Brandon McNally, a '92 who was on Central's list last year but was not drafted is a big winger, but he's lacking in speed and agility. You could see today why the 30 NHL clubs passed on him last June. He's got a big frame and can do some honest work in front of the net, but he just couldn't keep up with the play as effectively as he needed to. Maybe it was just the one game, but McNally was underwhelming to say the least.
So there we have it- each category will have new champions in 2011, with only Dexter returning to the finals from a year ago. KUA, Choate-Rosemary and Avon did not even make the semis.
Piatelli Simmons (small school)
New Hampton vs. Dexter
Martin-Earl (large school)
Governor's vs. Westminster
Stuart Corkery (Elite 8- open)
Kent vs. Milton
Getting on a plane immediately after the final game, so updates will be a little slow in coming, but if you follow @kluedeke29 on Twitter, will try to tweet some of the game action as it occurs and will follow up on the blog here Monday and Tuesday.
Didn't see New Hampton defeat the Gunnery or Dexter School win their match against Tilton. Dexter gets a chance to avenge their double-OT loss to KUA a year ago, and it's cool that goalie Kevin Green is still in net for them. He stood on his head a year ago in an epic goalie duel with Panthers prospect and University of Maine freshman Martin Ouellette. Someone had to lose that game, and it was Dexter, but if Green plays today the way he did in 2010, I like Dexter's chances to grab the small school crown. Dexter center Nick Bligh is a draft eligible so we'll check him out tomorrow.
Governor's also beat Albany Academy to advance to the large school final, where they will take on Westminster.
Got over in time to see the final match of the day: Belmont Hill against Westminster. It was a disappointing game for Belmont Hill, who lost by a 3-1 score after taking a 1-0 lead early. The guys looked like they were gripping their sticks pretty tight and failed to execute plays in close to the Westminster net, who got a very good game in net from Patrick Spano.
Belmont Hill had left winger Jimmy Vesey, son of former Boston Bruin and Merrimack College scoring legend Jim Vesey of Charlestown. Central Scouting has Vesey 84th on their mid-term list, and I could see why. He's got good size and is a better skater than he's been given credit for (his father told us that his own heavy feet from his playing days has often erroneously been linked to his son). The younger Vesey's first few steps are just average, but he's got fine top-end speed and is a pretty shifty player when he gets some open ice to work with. He should be able to pick up an extra step if he works at it, and by all accounts, he pushes himself pretty hard. Unfortunately for Vesey, who had 28 goals this season, today was just not his day. He hustled and had some chances, but just couldn't get the puck to settle down and wasn't able to get anything past Spano. You can see that he's a strong puckhandler and has some raw tools to work with, but nobody on Belmont Hill was able to get much of anything going on Saturday.
Teammate Brandon McNally, a '92 who was on Central's list last year but was not drafted is a big winger, but he's lacking in speed and agility. You could see today why the 30 NHL clubs passed on him last June. He's got a big frame and can do some honest work in front of the net, but he just couldn't keep up with the play as effectively as he needed to. Maybe it was just the one game, but McNally was underwhelming to say the least.
So there we have it- each category will have new champions in 2011, with only Dexter returning to the finals from a year ago. KUA, Choate-Rosemary and Avon did not even make the semis.
Piatelli Simmons (small school)
New Hampton vs. Dexter
Martin-Earl (large school)
Governor's vs. Westminster
Stuart Corkery (Elite 8- open)
Kent vs. Milton
Getting on a plane immediately after the final game, so updates will be a little slow in coming, but if you follow @kluedeke29 on Twitter, will try to tweet some of the game action as it occurs and will follow up on the blog here Monday and Tuesday.
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