Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Brandon Saad

This is the first post I've ever made about an individual prospect, but considering he's #3 on my Hot 15 and I mentioned he's going the OHL route, I thought it merits attention. Anybody who's got a subscription to the fourth resource down (over on the right) will have noticed that Brandon Saad is going to play with the NTDP next season rather than join the OHL team that chose him 10th overall in their draft last year. Now, that doesn't mean that he won't end up there eventually, but it gives all NCAA D1 programs a good opportunity to convince him otherwise.

Brandon's brother George will be given an opportunity to play for Youngstown of the USHL next season after being selected in the recent Entry Draft. If George makes the final roster, keep an eye out for what opportunites become available to him. That could potentially be a factor, as part of the reason Brandon was in the NAHL last season was so he could play with his brother. This could get interesting.

Friday, May 15, 2009

USHL Entry Draft

Here are the first two rounds of uncommitted players selected in the May 13th USHL Entry Draft. Though some of these players project better as junior players than college players, odds are that 95% of them will earn a D1 scholarship. Also, you can assume that some of these players improved their draft stock because they're likely to report to the USHL team that drafted them.

Forwards
Michael Voran - (90) - Wenatchee-NAHL
Blake Coleman - (91) - Dallas Stars AAA
DJ Vandercook - (90) - Wenatchee-NAHL
Brendan Woods - (92) - Williston Prep
Evan Kovacs - (91) - Grosse Point North HS

Defense
Austin Coldwell - (90) - Springfield-NAHL
Brandon Carlson - (92) - Chicago Mission
Dan Senkbeil - (91) - San Jose AAA
Tyler Amburgey - (91) - NTDP
Taylor Aronson - (91) - LA Jr. Kings
Nolan Zajac - (92) - Winnipeg Thrashers
JD Carrabino - (91) - Millbrook Prep

Goaltenders
Zane Gothberg - (92) - Thief River Falls HS
CJ Motte - (91) - Traverse City-NAHL
Ryan McKay - (92) - Chicago Young Americans