Although the USHL tends to be generally older on average than other comparable junior leagues in North America, the New England region was well represented during the 2020-21 season with 16- and 17-year-olds.
This series on impactful area players competing in the USA’s only Tier 1 league continues with a closer look at five forwards from the 2003 and 2004 birth years. All five played USHL games and are ranked based on performance and long-term projection, even though the sample sizes for several were not as comprehensive as others.
All five are expected to return to the USHL for their respective clubs, where we could see a considerable jump in production given their talent and overall potential.
We will be back to rank the ’03 and ’04 defenders later this week.
1. Andon Cerbone, Chicago, Stamford, Conn. (Michigan)
04/13/04, left shot, 5-9/150
2020 first-round USHL futures draftee of the high-flying Steel did not look out of place as one of the youngest players in the league. In the context of how much older, faster and more physical the USHL was in 2020-21, the Brunswick School product showed a high ceiling in limited action. Cerbone is primed for a huge offensive jump in 2021-22 as a full-time top-end junior player. Although undersized, he’s fast, highly skilled and plays with pace. Soft hands — can get his shot off quickly with little time and space. Details (puck support, D-zone awareness) are advanced for one so young. Cerbone has the ability to find quiet ice and get pucks on net. Makes everyone around him better.
NHL scout’s take: “He’s small, and Chicago protected him by not expecting too much of him too soon. You can definitely see why he was a top draft pick, and his offensive game is going to take off in his second year. I like his natural smarts and ability to make plays in all three zones.”— Eastern Conf. scout
2. Paul Davey, Des Moines, Greenwich, Conn. (Boston College)
01/11/03, right shot, 6-2/181
The numbers don’t tell the story of this raw, rangy and talented scoring winger who has a pinpoint release. The Brunswick School and Avon Old Farms winger gave the Buccaneers scoring depth when he went out to Iowa around Christmas and stuck around the rest of the season. Although he needs to focus on his consistency, he established himself as a legitimate mid- to late-round NHL draft prospect. He’s lanky and needs to put on some mass, but with his offensive instincts and ability to create, he’s going to be one of the more productive USHL forwards this season.
NHL scout’s take: "He's got size, reach and finesse. He's skilled. He flashes the ability to make plays. He must get stronger, increase his pace and improve on his interior play." — Western Conf. scout
3. Michael Stenberg, Des Moines, Needham, Mass. (Penn. State University)
09/22/04, right shot, 6-2/185
The late ’04 isn’t NHL draft eligible until 2023 but has one of the most impressive physical packages of any area player in his peer group. The Thayer Academy, Cape Cod Whalers and South Shore Kings product already has a big frame with plenty of time to put on the right kind of weight and fill out before he gets to the NCAA. He didn’t play a lot for Des Moines (nine games, one assist), but as one who barely turned 16 when the USHL campaign kicked off, he showed off his size, speed, skill and raw instincts. The introduction to the league will serve him well and open the door for him to be the Bucs’ best young player in 2021-22.
NHL scout’s take: “Intriguing player for me. It’s early because he’s two years out draft-wise, but based on what I’m seeing in terms of his size, skating, skills, I think he’s on the path to be an early-round pick, but it’s too soon to say for sure. He’ll have a lot of eyes on him.” — Western Conf. scout
4. Cam Lund, Green Bay, Bridgewater, Mass. (Northeastern)
06/07/04, right shot, 6-1/165
Cushing Academy star played in the NCDC and USHL in addition to prep this past season and scored a goal on his only USHL shot of the season (two games) vs. Dubuque. He buried the puck into a yawning net because he went right to the post and was ready for the pass. Though raw, the second-round pick by Green Bay in the futures draft has the size, skating, hands and IQ to be a pro prospect. Smooth and poised, Lund brings a less-is-more approach to the game; he doesn’t overpursue the puck. Has room to play with more urgency/up the pace. There are times when he could make more plays by moving his feet, but he has a high pro ceiling.
5. J.P. Turner, Sioux Falls, East Falmouth, Mass. (University of New Hampshire)
01/31/03, right shot, 6-0/190
It was a challenging season personally for the Avon Old Farms captain and Neponset Valley River Rats standout, who took time to adjust to the USHL with limited ice time. In fairness to Turner, he played on a club that got off to a tough start and had trouble scoring. The Stampede looked to Canada for a remedy, getting two impact WHL refugees in Cole Sillinger and Luke Toporowski. The roster changes cut into Turner’s playing time, and he never really got comfortable. A heavy forward who can get to the net and score, watch for a bump in production this season with a good offseason of training. He has the look of a solid middle-of-the-roster type in the long term but will be a good junior and NCAA player.
NHL scout’s take: “It was a disappointing year for Turner with respect to expectations. I like his game and potential, there’s something there, but he’s a project player who might be on the long road to pro hockey. It’s not his time right now, but he needs to figure out his role and be the best he can be at it.” — Eastern Conf. scout
