Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Upper Midwest High School Elite League

With a handful of exceptions, this league is where the best Minnesota high schoolers get to test themselves against the other best Minnesota high schoolers. I didn't get a chance to personally scout any of these games, but here are my favorite prospects based on stats and other peoples' scouting reports.

1. Anders Lee (Sr/F) - Edina HS
2. Adam Knochenmus (Jr/F) - Roseau HS
3. Garrett Henderickson (So/F) - Virginia HS
4. Schyler Adams (Sr/F) - New Prague HS
5. Joe Schmitz (Sr/D) - Centennial HS
6. Caleb Herbert (Jr/F) - Bloomington-Jefferson HS
7. Justin Crandall (Jr/F) - St. Thomas Academy
8. Bill Simon (Sr/F) - Lakeville South
9. Cal Decowski (Jr/F) - Andover
10. Andrew Prochno (Jr/D) - Minnetonka HS

Others to consider
Tommy Westmark (Sr/F) - Appleton HS
Connor Reilly (Jr/F) - Holy Angels HS
Jeff Pauluk (Jr/D) - Bloomington-Jefferson HS
Wes Wauters (Sr/F) - Ashwaubenon HS
Troy Hekseth (Jr/D) - Minnetonka HS
Willie Hess (Sr/F) - Centennial HS
Chris Casto (Jr/D) - Hill-Murray HS
Joseph LaBate (So/F) - Holy Angels
Walker Hyland (Jr/D) - Woodbury HS
Joey Rehkamp (Sr/F) - Breck
Brett Stern (Jr/D) - Centennial HS
Nick Widing (Sr/F) - Hill-Murray HS
Brian Kemp (Jr/D) - Fond du Lac HS
Zach Mausolf (Sr/F) - Duluth-Marshall HS
Cody Hotchkin (Sr/F) - Duluth-Denfield HS
Tyler Landman (Sr/F) - Roseau HS

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Central Scouting Players to Watch

A Rating - A must see player who is predicted to be a potential First or Second Round Draft selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft

Dylan Olsen (D) - Camrose-AJHL
Ryan Daugherty (F) - Omaha-USHL
Philip Samuelsson (D) - Chicago-USHL
Erik Haula (F) - Shattuck
Jeremy Morin (F) - USNTDP
Blake Thompson (D) - Sioux Falls-USHL

B Rating -- A player to note if you are in the area, a potential selection in theThird to Fifth Round Draft Selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft

Corban Knight (F) - Okotoks-AJHL
Matt MacKay (F) - Calgary-AJHL
Rodger Graig (F) - Okotoks-AJHL
Zac Ashdown (F) - Nanaimo-BCHL
Wes McLeod (D) - Prince George-BCHL
David Pacan (F) - Cumberland-CJHL
Brooks Herrington (F) - Jr. Monarchs-EJHL
Nick Jensen (D) - Green Bay-USHL
Alexander Krushelnyski (F) - Chicago-USHL
Jeff Teglia (G) - Omaha-USHL
Derek Deblois (F) - Hotchkiss Prep
William Rayner (D) - Kent School
Charles Vasaturo (D) - Avon Old Farms
Cab Morris (G) - Hotchkiss Prep
Steven Racine (G) - Taft School
Kirill Gotovets (D) - Shattuck
Anders Lee (F) - Edina HS
Ben Montgomery (D) - Shattuck
Joe Schmitz (D) - Centennial HS
Berkley Scott (F) - Anoka HS
Tyler Amburgey (D) - USNTDP
John Ramage (D) - USNTDP
David Valek (F) - USNTDP

C Rating - A player that Central Scouting is tracking, a potential late round selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft

Too many to list... I'll wait until the midterm rankings.

Monday, October 20, 2008

USHL Leaderboard

Here's the top nine scoring, college elligible, uncommitted forwards and the top eight scoring, college elligible, uncommitted defensemen from the USHL so far this season. Make of the stats what you will...

Forward
1. Brett Chartier (91) - Lincoln
2. Shane Berschbach (91) - Indiana
3. Donnie Hallmark (88) - Sioux City
4. Michael Forney (88) - Green Bay
5. William Rapuzzi (90) - Green Bay
6. Mike Seidel (88) - Cedar Rapids
7. Reed Seckel (89) - Green Bay
8. Richard Manley (89) - Lincoln
9. Troy Power (90) - Omaha

Defense
1. Michael Keenan (89) - Sioux City
2. Dennis Brown (89) - Omaha
3. Alex Stuart (88) - Sioux City
4. Torey Krug (91) - Indiana
5. Alex Gerke (88) - Tri-CIty
6. David Chaney (90) - Tri-City
7. Eriah Hayes (88) - Waterloo
8. Nick Jensen (90) - Green Bay

Friday, October 17, 2008

Junior A Challenge Canadiens

Here are the uncommitted, college eligible players who'll be representing Canada in the Junior A Challenge November 2nd through November 9th. The ones in italics will first be eligible for the NHL draft in 2009 or later.

TEAM EAST

Goaltender
Shawn Sirman (90) - Kingston Voyageurs-OPJHL

Defense
Jeremy Price (90) Nepean Raiders-CJHL 2009
Scott Dawson (91) - Nepean Raiders-CJHL 2010
Mike Wills (90) Lindsay Muskies-OPJHL 2009
Dustin Darou (91) Smiths Falls Bears-CJHL 2010

Forward
Pierre-Luc Lacombe (89) Inouk de Granby-LHJAAAQ
Marty O'Grady (89) Wellington Dukes-OPJHL
Greg Miller (89) St. Michael's Buzzers-OPJHL
Stephen Horyl (90) Truro Bearcats-MJAHL
David Pacan (91) Cumberland Grads-CJHL 2009

TEAM WEST

Goaltender
Aaron Dell (89) - Calgary Canucks-AJHL
Andrew Bodnarchuk (90) - Humboldt Broncos-SJHL
Kevin Genoe (90) - Prince George Spruce Kings-BCHL

Defence
Scott Macaulay (90) - Winnipeg Saints-MJHL 2009
Dylan Olsen (91) - Camrose Kodiaks-AJHL 2009
Matt Grassi (89) - Salmon Arm Silverbacks-BCHL
Michael Young (89) - Flin Flon Bombers-SJHL

Forward
Matt Mackay (90) - Calgary Canucks-AJHL 2009
Tim Hayduk (90) - Winnipeg Saints-MJHL
Cole Wilson (90) - Flin Flon Bombers-SJHL
Michael MacDonald (91) - Ft. William North Stars-SIJHL 2009
Derek Rodwell (90) - Okotoks Oilers-AJHL
Travis Statchuk (90) - Salmon Arm Silverbacks-BCHL

Thursday, October 16, 2008

1994's

Technically, a player born in 1994 could have committed to a college hockey program back in August and NOT have been the youngest such commitment in history. That honor (correct me if I’m wrong) belongs to Jon Merrill. Jon committed to the Wolverines two years ago this week. He’s scheduled to begin play at Michigan two years from last week.

Wisconsin recruit Jordan Schmaltz is currently the youngest player committed to a college program. He turned 15 eight days ago. Without agreeing or disagreeing with recent trends in recruiting younger players, I’ll release my list of 1994’s on November 11th, 2008. If a player born on January 1st, 1994 was to commit to a college on the day I release my list, they’d be a day older than Schmaltz was when he committed.

Again, I don’t want to argue the merits or deficits of recruiting so young, I would just like you to know why your team just offered a scholarship to somebody who hasn’t yet played a minute of high school or midget minor hockey, and whom those players might be.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Hot 15 Prospects

Special to CHRE from... me!

1. Jeremy Morin (91/F) - USNTDP
2. Brandon Saad (92/F) - Mahoning Valley-NAHL
3. Matt Nieto (92/F) - USNTDP
4. Vince Trocheck (93/F) - Little Caesar's
5. Emerson Etem (92/F) - USNTDP
6. Shane McColgan (93/F) - LA Kings
7. Erik Haula (91/F) - Shattuck
8. Michael Paliotta (93/D) - Choate Prep
9. Jake Goldberg (91/F) - Berkshire
10. John Ramage (91/D) - USNTDP
11. Rocco Grimaldi (93/F) - Little Caesar's
12. Stephen Johns (92/D) - USNTDP
13. Joe Wilson (92/F) - Syracuse-EJHL
14. Chase Balisy (92/F) - USNTDP
15. Matt MacKay (90/F) - Calgary-AJHL

Others to consider
Colin Jacobs (93/F) - Dallas Alliance
Kyle Quick (91/D) - St. Louis-NAHL
Daniel Carr (91/F) - St. Albert-AJHL
Brett Cameron (90/F) - Spruce Grove-AJHL
Soren Jonzzon (91/F) - St. Louis-NAHL
Dylan Olsen (91/D) - Camrose-AJHL
Sam Alfieri (91/F) - Shattuck
Anders Lee (90/F) - Edina HS
Jason Clarke (92/F) - Shattuck
Greg Miller (89/F) - St. Mike's-OPJHL
Garrett Milan (91/F) - Penticton-BCHL
Andrew O'Leary (91/F) - Shattuck
Alex Gacek (93/F) - Governor's Academy
Adam Knochenmus (92/F) - Roseau HS
Danny Biega (91/F) - Salisbury
Travis Boyd (93/F) - Hopkins HS

My list is based on opinions from the experts (like the previous three contributors) plus stats from previous seasons and early stats from the current season.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Hot 15 Prospects

Special to CHRE from Max Giese of McKeens Hockey Prospect Magazine...

1. Jeremy Morin (91/F) -- USNTDP
2. Rocco Grimaldi (93/F) – Detroit Little Caesars
3. Brandon Saad (92/F) – Mahoning Valley Phantoms-NAHL
4. Stephen Johns (92/D) - USNTDP
5. Chase Balisy (92/F) – USNTDP
6. Emerson Etem (92/F) -- USNTDP
7. John Ramage (91/D) – USNTDP
8. Aaron Harstad (92/D) – Team Wisconsin
9. Alexx Privitera (93/D) – New Jersey Avalanche-AtlanticJHL
10. Nolan Kirley (92/D) – Team Wisconsin
11. Matt Nieto (92/F) – USNTDP
12. A.J. Jarosz (93/F) – Team Illinois
13. Ryan Belonger (92/F) – Green Bay Jr. Gamblers

Max scouts primarily in the upper midwest, and like Chris and Vince, has stuck with players he's watched personally. Thanks Max! More to come tomorrow.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Hot 15 Prospects

Special to CHRE from Vincent Montabalo of McKeen's Hockey Prospect Magazine

1990's
1. Tim Schaller (F) - NE Huskies-EJHL
2. Sean Logue (F) - South Shore Kings-EJHL
3. Eric Robinson (F) - Cedar Rapids-USHL
4. Kyle Hughes (F) - Salisbury
5. Duncan McKellar (F) - Lincoln-USHL
6. Adam Berkle (F) - Northwood Prep
7. Kyle Hunchberger (F) - Milton Academy
8. Chris Brown (F) - St. Sebastian’s
9. Billy Fitzgerald (D) - Salisbury
10. Patrick MacGregor (D) - Avon Old Farms
11. Doug Marshall (D) - Sioux Falls-USHL
12. Torin Snydman (F) - Tri-City-USHL
13. Joe Penenza (F) - Jr. Bruins-EJHL
14. Christian Cowles (F) - Kent

15. Steven Rogers (F) - St. Sebastian’s

Others to consider
Tyler Pistone (F) - Nanaimo-BCHL
Josh Watson (G) - Jr. Falcons-EJHL
Petter Aronsson (F) - Cushing Academy
Cory Kane (F) - Vernon-BCHL
Alex Davidson (F) - St. Paul’s

1991's
1. Jeremy Morin (F) - USNTDP
2. Jake Goldberg (F) - Berkshire
3. Danny Biega (F) - Salisbury
4. Richie Crowley (D) - USNTDP
5. Dan Furlong (D) - Sioux Falls-USHL
6. Stefan Demopolous (F) - Avon Old Farms
7. Mike Pereria (F) - South Kent
8. Kyle Beattie (F) - Jr. Monarchs-EJHL
9. Gus Young (D) - Governor’s Academy
10. Derek DeBlois (F) - Hotchkiss
11. Brendan McCarron (F) - NE Huskies-EJHL
12. Max Capuano (F) - Bridgewater-EJHL
13. Casey DeSmith (F) - Deerfield Academy

14. Mike Conderman (F) - Cushing Academy
15. Eric Ferber (G) - Bay State Breakers-EJHL

Others to consider
Mark Hourihan (F) - Nobles
Michael Chiasson (D) - Omaha-USHL

1992's
1. Kevin Clare (D) - USNTDP
2. Shane Sooth (F) - USNTDP
3. Matt Nieto (F) - USNTDP
4. Jarred Tinordi (D) - USNTDP
5. Stephen Johns (D) - USNTDP
6. Kevin Hayes (F) - Nobles
7. Brandon Russo (D) - Salisbury
8. Brandon McNally (F) - Belmont Hill
9. Colin Markinson (F) - Jersey Hitmen-EJHL
10. Connor Brickley (F) - Belmont Hill
11. Danny Federico (D) - Jr. Bruins-EJHL
12. Terrence Wallin (F) - Gunnery
13. Quinn Smith (F) - Avon Old Farms
14. Michael Reardon (D) - Nobles

15. Jonathan Mleczko (F/D) - Milton Academy

Others to consider
Thane Heller (F) - Gunnery
Peter Michailidis (F) - Westminster
Andy Iles (G) - Salisbury
Tyler Cooke (D) - Bridgewater-EmpireJHL
Brendan McLeskey (F) - Motor City Jr. B
Zack Phillips (F) - Lawrence Academy
David Bondra (F) - Washington Jr. Nationals-AtlanticJHL
Kody Orr (F) - Amherst Ramblers-MJAHL
Craig Wyszomirski (D) - Jersey Hitmen-EmpireJHL

1993's
1. Colin Jacobs (F) - Texas Attack
2. Michael Paliotta (D) - Choate
3. Alex Gacek (F) - Governor’s Academy

4. Kevin Emmerling (F) - South Kent
5. Alexx Privitera (D) - North Jersey Avalanche
6. Connor Fallon (D) - Thayer Academy
7. Ryan Haggarty (F) - Mid-Fairfield
8. Joey Yeadon (F) - Burlington HS
9. Julian Ciocco (D) - Cushing Academy
10. Jack Barre (F) - Salisbury
11. Joe D'Agostino (D) - Buffalo Saints
12. Dylan Pike (D) - Belmont Hill
13. Zach Todd (D) - Jr. Bruins-EmpireJHL
14. Nick D'Agostino (F) - Buffalo Saints
15. Kyle O’Brien (D) - Eaglebrook

Others to consider
Jeff Smolens (D) - Mid-Fairfield
Corbin McGuire (F) - Taft School
Derek Stahl (D) - Jr. Bruins-EmpireJHL
Nik Lakaris (F) - Green Mountain-EmpireJHL
JT Miller (F) - Pittsburgh Hornets
Zachary White (D) - Syracuse Stars-EmpireJHL
Joakim Ryan (D) - NJ Devils
Christian Rossetti (F) - Eaglebrook
Ben Thomson (F) - Mississauga Reps
Brent Andrews (F) - Cornwall
Justin Thomas (F) - Jr. Canadiens
Michael Greenberg (D) - Jr. Canadiens
Michael Nishi (G) - Jr. Canadiens


Vince went the extra mile and gave me a Hot 15 list by birthyear. Like Chris's western focus, Vince focused on the players that he's scouted out east. Thanks Vince! More to come tomorrow.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Hot 15 Prospects

Special to CHRE from Chris Dilks of the Western College Hockey Blog...

1. Kevin Clare (D/92) - NTDP
2. Anders Lee (F/90) - Edina High School
3. Colin Jacobs (F/93) -Texas Attack
4. Emerson Etem (F/92) - NTDP
5. Tucker Long (F/92) - St. Louis Jr. Blues
6. Travis Boyd (F/93) - Hopkins High School
7. Cole Gunner (F/90) - Fargo Force
8. John Ramage (D/91) - NTDP
9. Rocco Grimaldi (F/93) - Little Caesar's
10. Kevin Lind (D/92) - Chicago Mission
11. Stephen Johns (D/92) - NTDP
12. Ben Arnt (F/89) - Omaha Lancers
13. Kevin Gravel (D/92) - Marquette Rangers


Chris prefaced his list by stating that he's sticking with kids he's seen, and kids that he thinks will actually play college hockey. Thanks Chris! More to come tomorrow.