In late July, the top 2003-born hockey prospects in the United States competed in the annual USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp at the Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y.
Select 15s is one of the most important years in terms of scouting, as this class will be selected for the National Team Development Program come next March. They’ll also have the chance to get selected in the USHL, OHL, and QMJHL drafts, joining the elite junior hockey ranks in the U.S. or north of the border if they so desire.
Just about every Division 1 college program in the country had a coach or two in attendance. Junior scouts and NHLPA agents were also in abundance at this camp just outside of Buffalo, N.Y.
The following is a ranking of the top 2003-born forwards who participated in Select 15s. The top 40 includes 11 players from New England or committed to D1 programs within the region. Meanwhile, the honorable mention category features five locals.
1. Colby Saganiuk
#11 Navy, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 1/31/03, Right Shot, 5-5/135
Saganiuk was the best player at the camp. He flies all over the ice and competes hard every shift. He has great edges and he gets to pucks quickly. He seemingly controlled possession each time he was on the ice. He’s elusive. He drove the net and scored at will. His grandfather, Rocky Saganiuk, played in the NHL.
2. Jeremy Wilmer
#16 Gray, Long Island Gulls, 8/16/03, Left Shot, 5-7/135
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Wilmer is on the smaller side, but he’s really slick. He can skate well and he does a terrific job finding open teammates for scoring chances. He’s exceptional in small areas and isn’t afraid to use his quickness to win battles for loose pucks. His hands and playmaking ability were extremely impressive in this camp. He’s similar to current BU left wing Patrick Harper.
3. Cole Huckins
#13 Forest, Stanstead College, 6/10/03, Left Shot, 6-3/184
Huckins has a lot of pro upside with his size and shot. He’s added size over the last year and he can really rip the puck. He scored a few goals where he just absolutely unleashed from the slot. It comes off the stick with zip. If his skating improves, he could be a legit first-round prospect for the 2021 NHL Draft.
4. Dylan Duke
#14 Gray, Compuware, 3/4/03, Left Shot, 5-10/165
NCAA Commit: Michigan
Duke is a cerebral player who can make plays and finish with his high hockey IQ and excellent vision. He has a great shot, scoring a beauty of a goal off a quick release after receiving a pass from Wilmer. He’s active around the net and hunts pucks.
5. Caden Brown
#15 Orange, St. Louis AAA Blues, 6/22/03, Left Shot, 5-11/150
NCAA Commit: Wisconsin
Brown is the son of former NHL star Jeff Brown and the younger brother of Ottawa Senators prospect Logan Brown. Caden is more skilled than his older brother, but still has some of those intangibles. He’s a good skater with soft hands and vision. He’ll drive the net and go hard on the forecheck.
6. Liam Gilmartin
#16 Orange, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 1/7/03, Left Shot, 6-1/180
Gilmartin is a prototypical power forward with size. He has a hard shot and takes pucks to the net. He’s good down low and has better vision and hands than he’s sometimes given credit for. His first step needs work, but he could be a big-time player if he continues developing.
7. Chase Stillman
#17 Navy, Central Ontario Wolves, 3/19/03, Right Shot, 5-8/150
Stillman is a dual citizen whose dad Cory played 1,025 games in the NHL and is now the head coach of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. He’s an extremely smart player with a good offensive skill set. He plays well without the puck and sees the ice well. He finds seams and makes nice passes.
8. Jack Devine
#14 Black, Chicago Mission, 10/1/03, Right Shot, 5-9/150
NCAA Commit: Denver
Devine has a stellar shot and is highly skilled. His foot speed and explosiveness will improve as he fills out his frame. He’s only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. He committed to the Pioneers following Select 15s.
9. Vincent Salice
#11 Black, Little Caesars, 2/28/03, Left Shot, 5-4/137
NCAA Commit: Vermont
Salice is a small forward who is slippery and hard to contain. His skating and agility allow him to cut in and out of traffic and evade opposing defenders. He’s fast to recover pucks and make plays. He knows where to go to get pucks back from teammates. Despite his size, he produced and generated a ton of quality chances.
10. Carter Batchelder
#10 Gold, Eden Prairie, 2/25/03, Left Shot, 5-10/150
Batchelder got better as the week went along. He uses his speed to create offense on the rush. He made a really nice pass on an odd-man rush for a goal by one of his linemates. He scored two highlight-reel goals on Thursday, one on the forehand and another on the backhand.
11. Tyler Haskins
#13 Gold, Chicago Mission, 7/7/03, Left Shot, 6-0/160
NCAA Commit: Michigan
Haskins has good speed and is explosive out of the gates. He’s heavy on pucks and makes some nice plays. He drives the net and had a rebound goal because of it. His hands are just average, but his skating and physical ability will allow him to thrive in college.
12. Tyler Boucher
#10 Red, Avon Old Farms, 1/16/03, Right Shot, 6-0/175
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Boucher is the son of former NHL goaltender and current NBC Sports hockey analyst Brian Boucher. He’s the type of player who does better in a structured environment, so this wasn’t his best week. Boucher is best when playing a simple, north-south game. He drives the net and isn’t afraid to muck it up in the corners and along the wall. He does a good job hunting pucks on the forecheck and using his strength to play heavy. He has a hard shot and will be a very good power forward down the road.
13. Paul Davey
#15 Navy, Mid-Fairfield, 1/11/03, Left Shot, 6-2/159
NCAA Commit: Boston College
Davey committed to the Eagles following his camp performance here. He is a tall, lanky forward with a good skill set. He facilitates offensive production by winning puck battles below the dots, protecting pucks, and finding open teammates. He also has a very good shot from the slot.
14. Layten Liffrig
#15 Black, Mankato East HS, 3/28/03, Left Shot, 6-1/160
Liffrig had a solid week here and improved his stock plenty. He has a silky stride and a second gear to generate time and space. HIs passing might be his best attribute.
15. Justin Janicke
#17 Kelly, Osseo Maple Grove, 6/30/03, Left Shot, 5-9/160
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
Janicke is the younger brother of Notre Dame recruit Trevor Janicke, who played for the NTDP. Justin is a great skater who uses his edges to be agile and gain explosiveness. He has the speed to create on the rush. He has the stick handling ability while throwing his hip out to protect pucks.
16. Jack O’Brien
#13 Purple, Little Caesars, 5/14/03, Left Shot, 5-11/135
O’Brien showed off his stellar skating ability and speed throughout the week. His edges and agility were also notable. He used his speed to blow by a defender before making a pass for an assist on a two-on-one goal. He scored a goal by using his speed to get to the net for a rebound.
17. Anthony Agostinelli
#10 Black, Rochester Monarchs, 1/7/03, Right Shot, 5-9/150
Agostinelli has the skill and skating ability to be considered one of the top forward prospects in this age group. He was particularly good in the three-on-three game. The one area of concern is he doesn’t move the puck enough.
18. Jack Hughes
#13 Royal, Boston Jr. Eagles, 11/2/03, Left Shot, 5-11/150
NCAA Commit Northeastern
Hughes is the younger brother of New York Rangers prospect and Northeastern commit Riley Hughes and the son of NHLPA agent Kent Hughes. He’s very skilled, has great hands and is slick. He skates well and made nifty plays with the puck on his stick, including a highlight-reel toe drag. It’s early, but he might have even more upside than his older brother.
19. Redmond Savage
#17 Orange, Compuware, 5/15/03, Left Shot, 5-10/157
NCAA Commit: Miami
Savage is the son of retired NHL star Brian Savage and the brother of Omaha Lancer and fellow Miami commit Ryan Savage. He’s a good skater with skill that came out in the three-on-three games. He fights for pucks and is responsible as a complete, two-way forward. He’s physical and reads the game well.
20. Brendan Gorman
#15 Purple, Boston Jr. Eagles, 2/17/03, Right Shot, 5-10/140
The Arlington, Mass., native and brother of Pittsburgh Penguins prospect and BU commit Liam Gorman had a good week here. Like his older brother, he competes hard and gets to the greasy areas. He does a good job hunting pucks and winning races to loose pucks. He does possess a good amount of skill as well. He scored a nifty goal by coming out of the left wing corner and another one where he unleashed a hard wrist shot from the top of the slot.
21. Tim Delay
#13 Columbia, Boston Jr. Eagles, 6/16/03, Right Shot, 5-11/162
NCAA Commit: Boston College
Delay is one of the best pure skaters in this age group. He’s extremely fast. If he can gain a little bit more of a finishing touch over the next few years, the sky is the limit. He committed to BC after the camp.
22. Ryan St. Louis
#17 Gray, Mid-Fairfield, 6/13/03, Left Shot, 5-8/152
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
St. Louis impacts the offense with his hockey sense and vision. He’s gritty and recovers a lot of pucks. He was better later in the week, having a particularly solid game on Wednesday. Once his lower-body strength develops, his foot speed should improve, which will make him even more lethal with the puck.
23. Riley Brueck
#12 Orange, St. Louis AAA Blues, 5/7/03, Left Shot, 5-10/160
Brueck is another St. Louis product to shine on the national stage. He’s good down low and works hard to win puck battles. He’s a playmaker because of his willingness to hunt pucks and find open teammates.
24. Sasha Pastujov
#15 White, Compuware, 7/15/03, Left Shot, 6-0/170
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
Pastujov is a physically-mature, rugged forward who can drive the net and penetrate the slot by using his size and strength. He makes some nice cross-ice looks in his own zone to open up linemates for easy scoring chances. He’s the younger brother of Nick and Mike Pastujov, both forwards at Michigan.
25. Davis Codd
#17 Columbia, Little Caesars, 8/19/03, Right Shot, 5-7/150
Codd is a gamer. He’s on the smaller side, but he skates well, hunts pucks, and plays with an edge. He does a good job of recovering pucks and quickly distributing it to a teammate. He has a good shot with zip and can maneuver his way into quality scoring areas.
26. Matthew McGroarty
#17 Royal, Mid-Fairfield, 1/30/03, Right Shot, 5-10/156
McGroarty is a tough player to play against. He skates well and plays heavy on pucks. He’s just a good hockey player who does things the right way.
27. Daniel Sambuco
#12 Forest, ISS Kings, 6/10/03, Left Shot, 5-11/185
Sambuco is a fun player to watch. He has the size and strength to be heavy on pucks and win a lot of battles. He scored a nice wraparound goal and has some explosiveness. He plays hard and seems like a prototypical Providence College player.
28. Shawn O’Donnell
#15 Gray, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 6/21/03, Left Shot, 5-10/170
O’Donnell drives the net and has a one-track mind on the forecheck. He just goes all out to get to pucks and get to the greasy areas.
29. Jackson Borst
#18 Black, Minnesota Blades, 2/7/03, Right Shot, 6-1/165
Borst has good size to go with some speed and a sneaky release. He has the upside to be a power forward. When he fills out more, he could be an explosive player.
30. Connor Mahony
#17 Forest, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 2/14/03, Left Shot, 5-7/160
Mahony buzzes all over the ice and has a pretty good shot. His compete level is high and he’s almost always moving his feet.
31. Trey Fechko
#19 Purple, Holy Family Catholic HS, 10/16/03, Right Shot, 5-10/155
Fechko was good, especially in tight areas. He excelled in the three-on-three cross-ice games the first day of the camp. He has the speed and hands to make plays in tight areas. His quickness on the forecheck forced some rushed decisions by opposing defenders.
32. Jackson Truchan
#12 Gray, Victory Honda, 2/28/03, Right Shot, 5-6/145
Truchan is a smaller forward who uses his speed and quickness to make plays. He can also open his hips and be agile in traffic. He scored a nice goal, where he tucked one past the goalie just inside the post.
33. Kenny Connors
#11 Purple, Virtua, 3/10/03, Left Shot, 5-11/167
Connors was consistently heavy on pucks and brought a physical presence. He made a few nice looks after winning battles down low or along the wall. He finished on a couple of occasions, including a backhander on a breakaway and a power-play goal from the slot.
34. Matthew Argentina
#14 White, Mercer Chiefs, 1/16/03, Right Shot, 5-10/172
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
Argentina played up with the Mercer Chiefs last season so he hasn’t been viewed as much as some of the other forwards here. He’s a smart, cerebral player who makes some really good passes. He stays to the outside a tad too much in the attacking zone.
35. Jack Silich
#12 Royal, Chicago Mission, 6/20/03, Right Shot, 5-9/165
NCAA Commit: Quinnipiac
Silich is the type of player you’d expect from a Rand Pecknold recruit. He’s fast on the forecheck and has a one-track mind when it comes to hunting pucks. He’s gritty, forces turnovers, and has quick hands.
36. Jackson Morehouse
#18 Kelly, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 4/1/03, Right Shot, 5-11/162
Morehouse drives the net and is aggressive on the forecheck. He has a hard shot and scores some goals by being around the goal mouth.
37. Michael Cataldo
#19 Navy, Boston Jr. Terriers, 5/4/03, Right Shot, 5-10/165
Cataldo is tough to play against. He skates well, is gritty, and hits hard. He gives an honest effort every shift and in all three zones. He’s always scrappy and relentlessly gets in on the forecheck. He scored a nice breakaway goal as well.
38. Nickita Moiseev
#13 Navy, Little Caesars, 8/17/03, Left Shot, 6-0/177
Moiseev is a certainly better than he performed at camp. He projects as a heavy, power forward who can go to the net and finish.
39. Michael Woll
#19 White, St. Louis AAA Blues, 4/4/03, Left Shot, 6-4/181
Woll is a huge forward who can be effective when keeping things simple, playing within himself below the dots, and using his hard shot from the slot. He’s the younger brother of Boston College junior goaltender and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Joe Woll.
40. Evan Werner
#10 Columbia, Dallas Stars Elite, 2/13/03, Left Shot, 5-5/130
Werner is a small, elusive forward with good hands and agility.
Honorable Mention
Gavin Bloder
#18 White, South Florida Hockey Academy, 2/22/03, Left Shot, 6-0/146
Bloder is a big-bodied winger who was noticeable a few times and delivered some hard hits. He can potentially blossom into a bottom-six, checking-line winger if his skating improves.
Matthew Brille
#16 Navy, New Jersey Colonials, 1/2/03, Right Shot, 5-9/155
Brille plays a simple, north-south game. He wins puck battles below the dots and find passes to teammates. When he’s not the first man in on the forecheck, he goes to the net and waits for rebounds or passes from his linemates.
Ty Broad
#19 Forest, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 4/16/03, Right Shot, 5-7/143
Broad is quick, has some skill, and can create. He has the speed and grit to backcheck and make an impact all over the sheet.
Davis Burnside
#17 Gold, Chicago Mission, 9/22/03, Right Shot, 5-9/155
Burnside drives the net with intent. He’s physically mature and rugged for his age, which allows him to be heavy on pucks.
Eamon Connaughton
#13 Gray, San Diego Jr. Gulls, 4/16/03, Left Shot, 5-10/165
Connaughton played hard and made some plays, all while having good size and physical toughness.
Liam Cox-Smith
#12 Navy, Minot Wolves, 2/5/03, Left Shot, 5-7/168
Cox Smith had a really good week here. He made a couple of nice passes, including one backhand pass that resulted in a goal. He’s around the puck a lot and scored a couple of goals because of it. His first step and hockey sense need some work, but he’s a player to watch.
Luke Delzer
#12 Columbia, Totino Grace HS, 8/21/03, Left Shot, 5-11/175
Delzer had a productive week, using his strength to win puck battles and a sneaky release to score.
Damon Furuseth
#16 Kelly, Roseau HS, 7/23/03, Left Shot, 5-9/135
Furuseth’s best asset is his speed. He can fly out there. He has some skill and above-average vision.
Vincent Gould
#16 Red, Boston Jr. Terriers, 2/11/03, Right Shot, 6-2/185
The Wellesley, Mass., native does a good job down low and has the ability to finish by attacking the net and using his size to get space. He made a couple of nice looks from below the goal line and scored by crashing the net. His skating needs work, but the potential is there.
Arvega Hovsepyan
#11 Columbia, LA Jr. Kings, 4/2/03, Right Shot, 5-8/165
Hovsepyan was gritty and played with an edge, despite being on the smaller side.
Paul Huglen
#16 Royal, Roseau HS, 3/3/03, Right Shot, 5-9/168
Huglen’s brother, Aaron, is committed to Minnesota. He has speed and skill to create time and space. He has some heaviness to his game and can recover pucks.
Haden Kruse
#14 Navy, Brainerd Bantam, 3/25/03, Left Shot, 5-11/150
Kruse is a fantastic skater who showed the ability to finish. His hockey sense and strength both in need of improvement.
Jack Kurrle
#10 Kelly, Vermont Flames, 1/28/03, Left Shot, 5-11/167
Kurrle, from Vermont, has some quickness, which allows him to get to pucks and make plays with his above-average vision.
Noah Laba
#15 Kelly, Compuware, 8/4/03, Right Shot, 5-9/150
Laba uses his size and is strong on his feet, which allows him to win puck battles down low.
Samuel Lipkin
#18 Purple, New Jersey Colonials, 1/3/03, Left Shot, 6-1/165
Lipkin is a big-bodied winger who can rip shots and use his size to protect pucks. His skating needs some work as he develops over the next few years.
Charles Lurie
#18 Red, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 3/11/03, Left Shot, 5-10/165
Lurie has good hand-eye coordination and quickness. He has good hands and an accurate shot. He scored a midair redirect goal and used his feet to protect pucks. He’s grown some over the past year and plays with an edge down low.
Niklas Miller
#11 Gold, Little Caesars, 2/14/03, Left Shot, 5-11/175
Miller drives the net and is heavy on pucks, resulting in severe goals. He can protect pucks and get shots off. His skating is in need of improvement.
Paul Minnehan
#11 Kelly, LA Jr. Kings, 4/9/03, Left Shot, 6-1/150
Minnehan is a big winger who plays well down low.
Jack Musa
#20 Forest, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 7/22/03, Left Shot, 5-6/135
Musa was a last-minute add to the camp following an injury to Nick Roukounakis. Recovering from an injury himself, he didn’t have his best week. He’s a small forward who plays with an edge. He’s not afraid to use his quickness to get into the corners on the forecheck or go to the net for a pass or rebound. His older brother, Joey, is committed to Dartmouth.
Patrick Neal
#18 Forest, Mid-Fairfield, 2/12/03, Left Shot, 5-7/160
Neal is gritty, goes to the net and has a good shot. He’s around the puck a lot and shoot it from anywhere. He scored a garbage goal by going into the greasy area near the net.
Connor Pelc
#16 Columbia, Buffalo Regals, 4/28/03, Right Shot, 5-11/150
Pelc had some skill and a quick release to go with it. He skates well and turned some defenders wide.
Brendan Reller
#12 Purple, Osseo Maple Grove, 5/12/03, Left Shot, 6-2/175
Reller has the size, hard shot, and ability to be a force below the dots. His first step and hockey sense need some work, but the tools are there. He fed teammates for scoring chances several times after winning puck battles below the goal line. He also wasn’t afraid to go into the greasy areas, including one that resulted in a garbage goal.
William Renfrew
#17 Purple, AHA North Stars, 8/14/03, Left Shot, 5-8/140
Renfrew is the son of Winnipeg Jets scout Brian Renfrew. He was quick and had a good offensive skill set, which allowed him to bury a few goals. He was often around the puck and saw the ice well.
Dominick Rivelli
#16 Purple, Chicago Mission, 8/1/03, Right Shot, 5-9/155
Rivelli had a productive week, largely due to his craftiness. He had good hands and vision, scoring a nice breakaway goal.
Charlie Russell
#10 Gray, Skaneateles HS, 8/21/03, Left Shot, 5-8/140
Russell is hard to knock off pucks and always seems to be in the thick of things.
Conner Schneider
#19 Royal, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 8/17/03, Left Shot, 5-10/165
Schneider is a good skater who uses his speed to create offensive chances. He plays a smart, offensive game and is trending upwards.
Zachary Sedlacek
#18 Columbia, NJ Colonials, 4/21/03, Right Shot, 5-10/167
Sedlacek is often around the puck and boasts a good shot. He’s strong down low, but needs to improve his feet to become more effective down the road.
Eddie Shepler
#15 Red, Compuware, 2/25/03, Right Shot, 5-6/165
Shepler had really good wheels, generating offensive chances from being quick on pucks and creating separation.
Jayden Sison
#16 Forest, Virtua, 1/27/03, Right Shot, 5-9/160
Sison sees the ice well and plays a complete, 200-foot game. His hockey sense and ability to do the little things make him a reliable, two-way forward. For a smaller player, he uses his body well.
John Turner
#13 Kelly, Falmouth HS, 1/31/03, Right Shot, 5-11/174
Turner, who will play for Avon Old Farms this fall, has the potential to be an impact power forward. He has some nice moves and creativity. He had an assist on a goal, where he faked a slap shot before sending a pass to the backdoor for an easy tip-in. Playing more assertively and consistent will allow his skill set to thrive.
Jay Vaarwerk
#11 Forest, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 6/13/03, Left Shot, 5-7/135
Vaarwerk is quick, crafty, and made some nifty passes.
Dana Ocean Wallace
#12 Black, Rocky Mountain Roughriders, 10/31/03, Right Shot, 6-1/190
Wallace is a big winger who played well down low and scored a five-hole goal from in tight. He’s hard to knock off pucks and can get shots off from the slot. His feet need improvement to make the next jump in his game.
Cullin Wilson
#11 Red, Boston Jr. Eagles, 3/12/03, Left Shot, 6-0/175
Wilson is around the puck a lot and drives the net. His vision allows him to make plays or finish off chances of his own.
Aidan Wiseman
#18 Royal, NJ Colonials, 1/20/03, Right Shot, 6-0/175
Wiseman is the brother of UConn commit, ’00 Mac Wiseman. He’s a big-bodied winger who can disrupt the breakout. He’s strong and has a hard shot.
