BUFFALO, N.Y. — The stands are almost full at USA Hockey Select 17 Camp games. And no, it's not because of all the local hockey fans flooding the Northtown Center in Western New York.
It's because of all the college coaches.
Coaches with quarterzips and polos from Division 1 programs flocked to Select 17 Camp last week. Even with recruiting getting older, coaches still wanted to keep tabs on the top '09s from around the United States.
There seemed to be fewer committed players than in years past. That could be because many won't become eligible to commit to a school until Aug. 1. But it's also likely due to schools — and players — waiting.
I was there for the first two days of games on July 8 and 9. I've already written about potential NHL Draft prospects from Camp, and some of the players mentioned in those stories are written about in this one. These uncommitted players across the regions caught my eye.
Let's dive in.
Cam Anderson
Soo Greyhounds, 6/16/2009, F, right shot, 6-4/251
Hometown: Lake Villa, Ill.
Final stat line: Three goals and five points in six games
Anderson's blend of size and hands isn't common among right wings. He was able to fight through coverage and overpower defenders, while still stickhandling into Grade-A ice for scoring chances. His hard-nosed, power-forward style should fit great in the OHL and then into college.
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Colton Cleaves
Brunswick, 8/31/2009, F, left shot, 5-10/156
Hometown: Riverside, Conn.
Final stat line: One goal and three points in six games
Cleaves was outstanding in my viewings. The Brunswick forward showed off his great hands to navigate around defenders and send pucks into areas that most players wouldn't be able to identify. On one sequence against Central, Cleaves took the puck all around the offensive zone and then saucered a pass to the weak side for a scoring chance. He's at his best when his linemates are finishers.
Benjamin & Peyton Collins
Avon Old Farms, 4/21/2009, F, right shot, 6-1/165
Hometown: Franklin, Tenn.
Final stat line — Benjamin: One goal and four points in six games
Final stat line — Peyton: Two goals and six points in six gamesÂ
You read that right — the Collins twins are the same size, position and shot. They played together at camp, and were dynamic skaters. Their offensive instincts and hands made them such threats every time they had the puck in the offensive zone, and they were killer on the cycle. Bad news for Housatonic teams: They're both Avon Old Farms-bound this winter.
Caleb Deanovich
Waterloo Blackhawks, 3/26/2009, D, right shot, 6-0/186
Hometown: Fond du Lac, Wisc.
Final stat line: Zero points in six games
This is a classic case where the points do not illustrate Deanovich's impact. The active defenseman was super involved in all parts of the ice and showed himself as a strong skater and crisp puck-mover. He got knocked out of his game against New England after rushing the puck and getting blindsided by Alex Strug (more on him in a bit). Deanovich looks like someone who should be productive as an offense-creating defenseman in the USHL this winter.
Ethan Gingeleskie
Avon Old Farms, 6/2/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
Final stat line: One goal and three points in six games
I'm such a fan of Gingeleskie's game because of his versatility. If I were a Division 1 coach, I'd be impressed with his hands and shot, which make him a potential top-six forward at higher levels. But what's even more impressive is his compete. He's dogged on forechecks, as was evident at Select 17 Camp, and can power into scoring areas. That makes him someone who can play anywhere in a lineup.
Rylan Hanson
Elk River High School, D, right shot, 6-2/190
Hometown: Zimmerman, Minn.
Final stat line:
I wasn't surprised to see Hanson make it to Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp. He showed himself as a true two-way threat. He was intelligent on his reads regarding when to step up at the offensive blue line, in the neutral zone and once opposing teams entered his zone. Hanson had a heavy shot and was unafraid to be physical on puck-carriers. His do-it-all-ness was intriguing.
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Julian Herrera
St. Mark's (last year), 3/13/2009, G, catches left, 6-2/185
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
Final stat line: .871 save percentage, 3.10 GAA over six games (playing halves)
This is asking a lot, but take out the final game in which he allowed six goals on 18 shots in a 10-1 loss to New York. Herrera made 11 of 12 saves against Southeastern and eight of nine against Central (both 2-1 wins). He followed that up by going 23-for-23 on saves over his next three saves. With his size and athleticism, he proved to be an intriguing '09 goalie.
Kamden Jackson
Shawinigan Cataractes, 3/4/2009, G, catches left, 6-0/187
Hometown: Manchester, N.H.
Final stat line: .892 save percentage, 2.33 GAA over six games (playing halves)
I'll say the same thing with Jackson as I did with Herrera: the final game was tough. But the overall camp for Jackson was fantastic, and he was a big reason why New England finished first in its division. His poise and athleticism stood out the most. In his first three games, he pitched shutouts in his halves of play. Colleges are usually hesitant to commit goalies at this age, but I think that feeling should be waived with Jackson.
Lance Kohnen
East Ridge High School, 8/4/2009, D, right shot, 5-9/175
Hometown: Woodbury, Minn.
Final stat line: One assist in six games
Kohnen showed himself as an effortless skater, which helped him join the offense. He consistently rushed pucks with assertiveness, looking to get into high-danger areas or make a pass to one. He had 25 points in 26 games with East Ridge in Minnesota High School hockey this past winter.
Cade Noonan
St. Sebastian's, 8/21/2009, F, left shot, 5-11/192
Hometown: Needham, Mass.
Final stat line: One goal and four points in six games
Noonan's camp started with a phenomenal pass to Chase Warsofsky (more on him in a bit) for a goal against Minnesota. Noonan's high compete was on display on penalty kills with his relentless pursuits of puck-carrying defensemen. He consistently read breakouts well, identifying what the defender's first pass would be. But through it all, Noonan showed off strong puck skills, too.
Jack O'Dell
Phillips Andover, 7/30/2009, D, right shot, 6-2/190
Hometown: Wilmette, Ill.
Final stat line: One goal and three points in six games
What's not to like about O'Dell? The Andover defenseman showed himself as a do-it-all force, and it wasn't a surprise that he made Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp. His size and two-way abilities make him someone junior, college and NHL teams covet. He will be one of the top local college commits around Aug. 1. More to come on that.
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Marshall Paul
Avon Old Farms, 2/23/2009, D, right shot, 6-2/214
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
Final stat line:
Less than a year out from the NHL Draft, Paul and O'Dell look like the two biggest NHL Draft prospects slated to be in prep. Paul showcased good puck skills at Select 17 Camp, but where he really shined was defensively. His stick and physicality allowed him to separate opposing players from pucks with relative ease. He laid big hits both in the corners and in open ice. He should be a force in prep this winter.
Michael Romano
Avon Old Farms, 6/16/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/179
Hometown: Naples, Fla.
Final stat line: One goal in six games
Watching Romano against New England, it's clear his game has taken a big step. He showed a great stick when defending the rush and was a confident, smart puck transporter, especially when making a first pass. His 1-on-1 defense was terrific, too. He will be a big add for Avon Old Farms' blue line next season.
Alex Strug
Deerfield, 5/1/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/174
Hometown: Westport, Conn.
Final stat line:
Maybe I just haven't watched enough of Strug, but he was a complete menace in the two games I watched. He hit everybody — whether they were bigger and stronger or smaller and weaker. On the forecheck, he was a pain for defenders retrieving and battling for pucks. Against Southeastern, he hit an opposing player so hard that the player went through the door.
Chase Warsofsky
Cushing, 6/20/2009, F, left shot, 5-8/156
Hometown: Northboro, Mass.
Final stat line: Three goals in six games
Warsofsky's speed served him well throughout camp. Against Minnesota, he sped past opposing defenders and got a pass in a high-danger area from Noonan, and the Cushing product finished the play with a goal. He made a smart read on a Michigan breakout in the next game, intercepting a breakout pass that he put through the Michigan goalie's legs. Warsofsky looks primed for a big senior year at Cushing.
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Brayden White
Williston Northampton, 2/16/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/174
Hometown: Wakefield, R.I.
Final stat line: Two goals and four points in six games
White's first shift of the camp set a tone — he was going to be noticeable. He made smart reads through his positioning in all parts of the ice, forcing interceptions. He was able to slow the play down when he had the puck and open up passing lanes in transition. On one play against Central, he dangled to space and then spun around, finding Luca Marenghi (Warwick, R.I.), who also had a great camp, for a scoring chance.
