The 2003-born defensemen group is deep and talented in the United States. Many of the top ’03 blue liners have already made their college commitments, but there are still quite a few top uncommitted prospects.
This is the first age group whose college recruiting process has been complicated by new NCAA legislation that prevents contact, offers and commitments before specific dates. Numerous ‘03s obviously committed prior to the legislation going into effect last May, but others have had their recruiting process slowed down.
Here’s a look at the top 15 uncommitted, 2003-born defensemen in the United States, and their player types, strengths, weaknesses, and possible college destinations:
1. Tyler Dunbar
Muskegon Lumberjacks, 12/18/03, D, left shot, 6-0/181
There is absolutely no doubt who is the top uncommitted ’03 defenseman in the country, at least in my opinion. Dunbar has two goals and six assists in 20 USHL games played for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Dunbar projects as a two-way defenseman with offensive skill, but he also has the ability to defend with his stick and reach.
A dual-citizen, he’s from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, specifically Sault Ste. Marie. He’ll have a ton of offers, and smart money would be on him heading to the in-state Wolverines. A late ’03, Dunbar could be a first round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
2. Ty Murchison
USA U-17, 2/2/03, D, left shot, 6-1/173
Murchison is somewhat of an old school defenseman. The Corona, Calif., native has good size and likes to play physically. He’s racked up the equivalent of one penalty per game in 28 USHL games. He’s not flashy, but he’s an above average skater with size and length to go with it. He’ll join the rush and he can make a good tape-to-tape breakout pass. There is the fear of some that he’d choose the WHL instead of NCAA after his time with the NTDP.
3. Declan Loughnane
Thayer Academy, 11/22/03, D, right shot, 6-0/194
Loughnane continues to grow on me and he’ll likely have his pick of Beanpot schools come August. Don’t be surprised if a few big schools from out west try to get involved. The Milton, Mass., native has good offensive instincts, can shoot a puck, and he’s poised beyond his age. When he retrieves pucks, he can slow the game down and not rush decisions on breakout passes. While the offensive part of his game is what he’s known for, he plays with a mean streak and can throw his weight around.
4. Drew Jeffers
Omaha Lancers, 5/2/03, D, right shot, 6-3/198
Jeffers is more of a raw talent than the players listed above. The St. Clair Shores, Mich., native started the season with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16-U, but has joined the Omaha Lancers full-time. In his first four USHL games, he has one goal. Jeffers’ size is intriguing and he projects as a rangy, defensive defenseman.
5. Tyler Procious
Buffalo Jr. Sabres 16-U, 5/29/03, D, right shot, 5-10/163
Procious, from Pittsford, N.Y., is a good student who will surely get offers from some top academic schools. Cornell would be a perfect geographic fit, and there are some Hockey East schools in the mix. Procious isn’t an elite skater, but his brain sets him apart. He’s steady and makes smart decisions with the puck on his stick.
6. Colin Doherty
Team Illinois 16-U, 7/7/03, D, left shot, 6-0/190
Th Gurnee, Ill., native is a solid two-way defender who can chip in offensively from time to time. His bread and butter will be as a mobile, rangy blue liner who closes time and space on opposing forwards. Doherty does a good job of getting in shooting and passing lanes and using his stick and body positioning to defend. Look for Doherty to land at a NCHC school with several prominent programs in that league showing considerable interest.
7. Brendan Fitzgerald
Governor’s Academy, 3/6/03, D, left shot, 5-11/147
Fitzgerald, from North Reading, Mass., is a solid offensive defenseman who can make plays. He also does a very good job defending the rush and playing the game with a mean streak. He’s strong and isn’t beaten wide easily. Between his father, Tom, at Providence, and brothers, Ryan and Casey, at Boston College, there’s plenty of Hockey East pedigree. Smart money is on the Eagles, but there will be other Hockey East schools in the mix.
8. Nicky Wallace
North Jersey Avalanche 16-U, 3/7/03, D, left shot, 5-8/159
Wallace, from Atlantic Highlands, N.J., is an elite skater who can escape trouble and break pucks out of his own zone. He does have a weakness of skating into trouble and not being as good at zone entries. However, a college program will absolutely fall in love with his feet over the next few years. His offensive instincts have gotten better and his big shot found the back of the net a few times at a recent Northeast Pack showcase in Hackensack, N.J.
9. Gunnar Williams
Team Illinois 16-U, 6/11/03, D, right shot, 5-11/165
The Elgin, Ill., native is another very good skater who can me a mobile, puck transporter. He has five goals and 19 assists in 40 midget games with Team Illinois this winter. He impressed with his skating at the Beantown Fall Classic.
10. Finnegan Kilbride
Compuware 16-U, 4/3/03, D, right shot, 5-11/161
Kilbride has good size, skates well, and plays with some jam. He projects as a solid defensive defenseman. Another thing to like about Kilbride is his game is trending in the right direction. The Detroit, Mich., native has played up with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers for four games this season.
11. William Brenner
Dallas Stars Elite 16-U, 6/10/03, D, right shot, 6-2/180
Brenner projects as a physical, defensive defenseman. He can throw his weight around and was one of the surprise participants in the All-Star Game at the 2019 USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp.
12. Riley Rosenthal
South Florida Hockey Academy 16-U, 12/10/03, D, right shot, 6-1/236
Rosenthal is a monster on the blue line. Hailing from Boca Raton, Fla., he’s a big defender who sees the ice well and can make some flashy passes to jumpstart the offense. He’s hard to knock off the puck and is producing at close to a point per game clip in midget hockey. If he can improve his skating and use his size to be a little more physical, he’ll surely land a commitment.
13. Liam Lesakowski
Buffalo Jr. Sabres 16-U, 12/12/03, D, left shot, 6-3/201
Lesakowski is another raw defenseman who has some upside due to his size and overall physical tools. His offensive instincts are getting better, but his strengths will always be his size and range defensively. Lesakowski is getting better and it would be unwise for colleges to sleep on him.
14. Joseph Greniuk
Elk River HS, 1/4/03, D, left shot, 6-0/190
Greniuk projects as a shutdown defender with good size. From Elk River, Minn., his puck skills are somewhat of a weakness, but he’s tough to play against and does a good job containing opposing forwards in his own zone. Greniuk was a solid performer at the 2018 USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp.
15. Easton Zueger
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 16-U, 6/7/03, D, right shot, 5-8/183
Zueger impressed me at last summer’s USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp. His skating ability afforded him the opportunity to jump into the rush and he also made a couple of solid plays defensively. If he can learn to pick and choose his spots more wisely, he’ll be an even better prospect.
