11 standouts from the ’09s at Harvard’s Crimson Combine

BOSTON — Last week, some of the best 2009-born players from around the world descended upon Harvard for the Crimson Combine.

It took place over the course of Thursday and Friday, with players getting on- and off-ice sessions, seminars from the USHL, Q&As with Harvard staff and players and games in the back half of the day.

This was my first time watching most of the '09s, so it was interesting to get to see the next crop of prospects.

I only took in Thursday's games, so these 11 standouts are based on those two matchups.

Eben Alden (Team 2, White 6)

Boston Junior Eagles, 6/25/2009, D, right shot,

Alden stood out for his stable play on defense. He showcased a good stick, especially when defending the rush. He was able to shut down the opposition when they had sustained zone time. At the other end, he got his shots through from the point and made smart plays with the puck.

Isaac Davis (Team 2, White 77)

Boston Junior Terriers, 1/27/2009, D, left shot, 

It was hard not to notice Davis in Thursday's first game. The rosters had him listed as a defenseman, but he mainly saw time at left wing. He showcased a really quick release on shots and a ton of offensive confidence. He was able to carry the puck well through the neutral zone and gain offensive zone entries. He also showed off nice hands and even tried The Michigan.

Paulo Gualberto (Team 3, Crimson 71)

Mount St. Charles, 4/9/2009, F, left shot, 

Gualberto got better as the game progressed Thursday. His frame helps him protect pucks and fend off the opposition. He scored his first goal of the day late in the first half when he fired a puck through a net-front scramble. His second goal was a snipe from the top of the circle in the second half. Along with good offensive instincts, Gualberto plays with an edge, as he finished all his checks.

HARVARD COLLEGE HOCKEY EXPERIENCE: 13 standout forwards | 8 standout defensemen and goalies

Owen Kailher (Team 2, White 97)

Boston Advantage, 4/7/2009, F, right shot 

Kailher had a goal and an assist in Thursday's game. The goal came from tipping a point shot. The assist was more impressive with Kailher earning a 3-on-1 and dishing a nice backhanded saucer pass over the defender's stick to Bradley Whang for a goal. Kailher was great coming off the half-wall with the puck, showing off good hands and evading defenders to make plays happen.

Cameron Minella (Team 4, White 2)

Mid Fairfield, 8/29/2009, D, left shot 

Minella was arguably the best player in the second game on Thursday. His biggest asset was his skating. His good footwork helped him push the pace with the puck leaving his own zone and joining the rush. At one point, an opposing forward looked to have an uncontested breakaway, but Minella zipped back, caught up and broke up the play, negating a shot. He also showed a good stick and defended the rush well. When he possessed the puck in the neutral zone, he made smart plays and crisp passes through a lot of moving players.

Artem Petrov (Team 4, White 9)

PAL Junior Islanders, 5/28/2009, F, right shot 

Petrov and Liam Young, who we'll get to later, were dominant in Thursday's game. In the first half, Petrov earned a 3-on-1 chance and sniped one top corner over the goalie. Moments later, Petrov got a pass from Young and deposited it over the goalie's glove. Petrov used his size and skill to create separation from opposing defenders and earn scoring chances.

FORWARDS: 10 standout forwards from the '08s at Crimson Combine 

Ryland Rooney (Team 3, Crimson 14)

Gentry Academy, 3/24/2009, F, right shot 

Rooney played an assertive game and for good reason. The Dellwood, Minn., native showed off a good shot with a quick release, as was evident on his goal in the first half. He got the puck and ripped a shot below the goalie's glove in tight. He was great on the cycle game too, working hard down low and working hard to grab loose pucks. At one point, he dished a behind-the-back pass from behind the net to a teammate in front.

Christian Semetsis (Team 1, Crimson 7)

Long Island Royals, 10/14/2009, D, left shot 

I thought Semtsis was the best all-around player across both games. The biggest piece of his game that I liked was his IQ and one play showed that well. Early in the first half, he had the puck inside the blue line of his own zone. As he skated with it, he made a head fake toward center ice and got the opposing forward to bite, giving him a ton of room along the boards to skate. He moved the puck effortlessly on breakouts and when he had possession in the neutral zone. At one point, he earned a breakaway, pushing the puck ahead and blistering passed a defender. When he defended the rush, he did a good job of using his stick to break up the play and watching the forward's chest. Semetsis is an intriguing prospect to watch over the next 12 months.

Colton Stecchini (Team 4, White 71)

New Jersey Rockets, 4/3/2009, F, right shot, 5-6/134 

Stecchini's most noticeable trait was his compete. His hard forecheck created a goal for Trace Wozniak in the first half. Later in the game, he stole the puck from a player at center ice, re-entered the offensive zone and scored on a shot that went low blocker. He always seemed to be around the puck, getting numerous scoring chances and creating problems for the opposition.

DEFENDERS: 5 standout defensemen and goalies from the '08s at Crimson Combine

Liam Young (Team 4, White 91)

PAL Junior Islanders, 2/2/2009, F, right shot 

Young was one of the more physically dominant players across both games on Thursday. I counted one goal and two assists for the PAL Junior Islanders product. His size and pure skill helped him create and set up numerous scoring chances. In the first half, he made a nice pass from behind the net to Jack Hinteman for a goal. Later in the half, Young fed Petrov, his Junior Islanders teammate, for a goal. Young finally scored one for himself when he finished off a 2-on-1 chance with Hinteman. Young had a really slick play in the second half when he dangled a defender in the slot, realized he had space and backhanded a shot off the crossbar.

Leo Zhu (Team 3, Crimson 19)

Neponset Valley River Rats, 3/4/2009, F, left shot

Zhu consistently showed off his strength and good skating abilities on Thursday. In the first half, he forced a turnover that led to Owen LaCamera scoring a goal. Zhu followed that up with a great rush, sifting through the opposition in the neutral zone, poking the puck past the final defender back and sniping one under the goalie's arm for a goal. He played with a high compete and was able to protect the puck well, especially in open ice.