USA Hockey has already begun scouting the ‘04s who will make up the 2020-21 U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) team.
Typically, USA Hockey’s NTDP Assistant Director of Player Personnel, in this case Rod Braceful, keeps close tabs on the age group that is mostly bantam major players. One of the reasons USA Hockey does this is to be able to track whether players are trending in a positive or negative direction prior to next March when the final decision has to be made.
This upcoming weekend begins a busy few months as the ’04 class starts playing in showcases that are scouted heavily. The 2019 World Selects Invite in Philadelphia suburbs starts Saturday and continues until Wednesday. In July, the top American ‘04s take part in the USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp.
While the U.S. ’04 class isn’t expected to be as strong as the ’01 group, there are many good players in the age group. Twenty-nine American ’04s have already committed to playing college hockey, prior to new NCAA legislation going on the books Wednesday.
Having followed this process closely for a few years now, there typically are a few players who project to make the team at this stage, but ultimately end up off the roster. On the other end of the spectrum, there are players who make big jumps in their development and end up on the roster, despite not being as high on the radar now.
Broken down by position, here’s a look at the ‘04s who project to be on the roster, followed by those who project to be invited to the NTDP Evaluation Camp. Please keep in mind that every year there are a couple of dual citizens that aren’t yet known about as well as players who opt to decline the invite to stay in Minnesota high school or play major junior. For purposes of this list, everyone would accept the invite.
2020-21 USA Hockey NTDP U-17 Team
Forwards
Seamus Casey
Compuware, 1/8/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Michigan
Casey, from Estero, Fla., is without a doubt the top player in this age group at the moment. He’s an explosive player with the skating ability to be a game changer. He sees the ice well and can cut and juke to beat defenders. He’s a complete offensive player, who has also played defense in the past.
Rutger McGroarty
Honeybaked, 3/30/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
The Lincoln, Neb., native is the best pure goal scorer in this class. He has a hard shot that he gets off quickly and accurately. In several viewings, he’s scored absolute highlight reel goals. He’s heavy on pucks and goes a good job below the dots. His skating is the one area of his game that could use improvement.
Gavin Brindley
Florida Alliance, 10/5/04, Right Shot
Another Floridian who is among the top players in this age group, Brindley is an elite skater and playmaker. He’s able to use his speed to open up room for his linemates. He can accelerate and beat defenders wide, he can be nifty in small areas, and he has good vision.
Isaac Howard
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 3/30/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Minnesota-Duluth
Howard had eight goals at USA Hockey Nationals, which led to his commitment to the Bulldogs. He’s one of the elite skaters in this age group. He can flat-out fly, which allows him to separate from opposing defenders, as well as being able to hunt pucks.
Nick Pierre
Hill-Murray HS, 4/9/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Wisconsin
Pierre has already played two seasons of high school hockey in Minnesota and was one of the first ‘04s to commit to a college. He is a great skater who has that second gear to blow by defenders. Pierre is a very good passer and sees the ice well after creating time and space for his teammates. He can shoot it, too, and plays with an edge.
Maddox Fleming
Rochester Mayo, 2/13/04, Right Shot
Fleming is a cerebral, 200-foot player who can produce offensively. He has a hard shot, drives the net and can wait for defenders to come to him before finding open linemates. His passing and playmaking abilities are both elite for this age group. He competes hard and creates a lot of his offense by his high motor.
Cutter Gauthier
Honeybaked U-16, 1/19/04, Left Shot
Gauthier played up with ‘02s and ‘03s this winter. He’s physically mature and has good size, which allows him to be heavy on pucks, cycle well, and dominate below the dots. He has a hard shot and can get to the dirty areas.
Charlie Stramel
Rousemount Bantam, 10/15/04, Right Shot
A huge physical specimen for a late ’04, Stramel could develop into a big time power forward. He uses his size and strength to bring it physically each shift. He hits everything that moves on the other team. He can finish and he’s able to cycle well and be an impact player below the dots and along the walls.
Jaksen Panzer
Grand Forks Bantam, 4/1/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: North Dakota
Panzer is an elite skater who can make plays with his skill and compete level. His work ethic on the ice is off the charts, allowing him to hunt pucks and make plays. With his somewhat small stature, he plays with a chip on his shoulder.
Jackson Graber
Florida Alliance, 10/20/04, Right Shot
Graber is yet another standout Floridian in this class. His playmaking abilities are what have stood out in each viewing. He sees the ice well and has quickness to get passes around defenders and through lanes.
Devin Kaplan
North Jersey Avalanche U-16, 1/10/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Kaplan is physically advanced for his age and is able to use his size and strength to his advantage, even when playing up with ‘02s and ‘03s as he did this past season. He has a hard shot and is able to bull his way to the scoring areas.
Cruz Lucius
Gentry 15U, 4/4/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Minnesota
Lucius is a small winger who zips around the ice and makes plays by setting up his linemates. He has good vision and can thread the needle on passes.
Cole Spicer
Grand Forks Central HS, 6/13/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: North Dakota
Spicer is another elite goal scorer in this year’s class. He’s proven over the past year that he can finish as well as play a solid all-around game with his size.
Defensemen
Tyler Duke
Compuware U-16, 7/19/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
When watching Duke play up, it’s impossible to tell. He’s just that mature, smart, and has the skill set necessary to not look out of place one bit. He does a fairly good job defensively and quickly transitions from defense to offense. His skating and stick skills are both elite.
Ryan Chesley
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 2/27/04, Right Shot
Chesley has incredible mobility and likes to jump into the rush. He’s a smooth skater and always has his head up. He quickly pushes the pace in transition.
Thomas Budnick
Honeybaked, 2/14/04, Left Shot
Budnick has good size and physical tools. He’s tough and reads plays well. He’s obviously more of a shutdown defender, but his instincts allow him to contribute to the transition and offense from time to time.
Aiden Dubinsky
Florida Alliance, 4/28/04, Right Shot
Dubinsky is an excellent, two-way defender at this age group. He always seems to be in the right position. His body and stick positioning are good, which allows him to defend well. He isn’t flashy, but he makes smart, effective plays with the puck on his stick, to get the transition moving north.
Landon Fleming
Madison Capitals, 2/24/04, Left Shot
Fleming is a strong skater who can make an impact in all three zones while defending responsibly. His hockey sense is immense and he keeps things simple and smart. He consistently makes good reads.
Lane Hutson
Honeybaked, 2/14/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Hutson is a small, offensive-defenseman who uses his exceptional vision to make plays in transit and quarterback a power play. His feet and passing skills are both off the charts.
Joseph Peters
St. Louis Blues AAA, 3/19/04, Left Shot
Peters is a good-sized defender who plays a throwback, pro-style. He’s not going to jump into the offense or contribute much to the score sheet. However, he’s able to close on opposing forwards and use his length and reach to shutdown shooting and passing lanes.
Vinny Borgesi
Valley Forge Minutemen, 3/2/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Borgesi is on the smaller side, but he’s an extremely smart, puck-moving defenseman. He exudes poise with the puck on his stick and is a dynamic playmaker from the blue line. His footwork is good and he has the agility to escape trouble and sidestep forecheckers to get shots through from the point.
Goaltenders
Lucas Szyszka
Chicago Mission, 4/23/04, Catches Left
Szyszka is a technically strong goaltender who squares up to shooters, makes saves look easy, and has good lateral movement when he needs it to make a more acrobatic save.
Ben Behrens
St. Louis Blues AAA, 5/23/04, Catches Left
Behrens has good size and a good glove. He put up terrific save percentage numbers with the St. Louis Blues AAA this season.
Potential 2020 USA Hockey NTDP Camp Invites
Forwards
Owen Baker
Compuware, 1/29/04, Right Shot
Jonah Aegerter
Madison Capitols, 1/21/04, Right Shot
Maxim Namestnikov
Compuware, 2/6/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Michigan State
Zachary Filak
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U-16, 1/21/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Michigan State
Frank Nazar
Little Caesars, 1/14/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Michigan
Michael Stenberg
Thayer, 9/22/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Jack Larrigan
St. Louis Blues AAA, 4/9/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
Ryan Abraham
Compuware, 4/5/04, Left Shot
Logan Cooley
Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 5/14/04, Left Shot
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
William Hughes
Phillips Andover, 1/4/04, Right Shot
Ryan Conmy
Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 10/23/04, Right Shot
Braedon Ford
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 1/19/04, Left Shot
Bobby Landry
Boston Advantage, 3/22/04, Right Shot
Ryan Comishock
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 5/13/04, Right Shot
Defensemen
Chris Able
Chicago Mission, 11/4/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Ohio State
Hunter Brzustewicz
Honeybaked, 11/29/04, Right Shot
NCAA Commit: Michigan
Ryan Healey
Boston Advantage, 4/1/04, Right Shot
Charlie Leddy
Mid Fairfield, 1/11/04, Right Shot
Seamus Powell
Syracuse Nationals, 4/26/04, Left Shot
Chris Romaine
BC High, 2/21/04, Right Shot
Broderick Williams
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 2/3/04, Right Shot
Jackson Dorrington
Cushing, 4/13/04, Left Shot
Lucas DiChiara
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 2/18/04, Right Shot
Goaltenders
Christian Manz
Shattuck St. Mary’s, 1/13/04, Catches Left
Trent Boryszcuk
Little Caesars, 1/8/04, Catches Left
Brendan Holohan
Mid Fairfield, 6/15/04, Catches Left
Tyler Silverstein
Islanders HC U-16, 2/7/04, Catches Left
