USPHL PREMIER FRASER SHOWCASE TOP 25
USPHL Premier Detroit Showcase - Fraser Hockeyland
Photo Source - USPHL Twitter
Forwards
Bailey Byrd- 2001’ Forward, Toledo Cherokee- The New Jersey Hitmen draft pick in the 2020 NCDC draft, had a very solid showcase as he was able to find the score sheet multiple times throughout the weekend. He is a slick forward who has the ability to get his shot off in stride. He moves pucks quickly in the neutral zone to spark the transitional game and showed he has vision in the offensive zone.
Riley Vertosnik- 2000’ Forward, Lake Erie Bighorns- The 20-year-old is a two-way forward that should get some division 3 interest. He has a nose for the puck and competes every shift. Had a very nice goal in the net front as he was able to grab a rebound. On the penalty kill he had a big block that sprung a breakaway. He should be able to carve out a role on a D3 roster.
Zeth Stelmaszak- 2002’ Forward, Toledo Cherokee- The young forward was selected by the CT Rangers in the NCDC draft this past season, and he showed a nice offensive skill set throughout the showcase. His hands are soft as he can gather pucks with ease, and his shot is accurate and he likes to shoot through screens.
Ondrej Dupal- 2001’ Forward, Toledo Cherokee- Dupal plays the game with a ton of pace. He won several foot races to loose pucks and created havoc on the forecheck. On the power play he demonstrated a nice shot that he got off his stick very quickly. He was probably the fastest player in the showcase and maybe in tier 3 hockey this season.
Jozef Martanick- 2000’ Forward, Chicago Cougars- The 20 year old is off to a monster start this year as he was able to creep into the TOP 25 all time in USPHL scoring. He is a player that is always a threat to score but still needs to develop more grit to his game. He over handled a lot of pucks here that he should have moved, and he is still way too perimeter in his attack.
Kevin Johnston- 2001’ Forward, Chicago Cougars- The New Jersey Native was extremely effective on both sides of the puck. He is tenacious on the forecheck, got pucks out on the zone exits and was able to generate offense several different ways. Johnston has potential to be a top player in Tier 3 hockey this year.
Jared Fisher- 2000’Forward, Fort Wayne Spacemen- After accumulating over 100 points last season, Fisher looks to be on the same track this year. The prolific goal scorer was able to notch a few goals this showcase. He plays the middle and is good with the puck on his stick. The question in his game, is away from the puck as he needs to compete more without the puck on his stick to be effective at the college level.
Cam Perry- 2002’ Forward, Fort Wayne Spacemen- Perry is a smart two-way player who does a lot of things well. Given his age he has plenty of time to develop into a heavy producer offensively. He gets pucks out of the zone, fights through checks, and likes to use area passes to spark the transition.
Zach Micholas- 2001’ Forward, Buffalo Thunder- One of the more rounded forwards of the weekend, Micholas has the ability to be effective every shift. He is always around the puck offensively and defensively. He was a pest for his opponents as he is a tenacious forechecker. Extremely effective on special teams as he commands his pk unit vocally. He also had several nice finishes this weekend, including a breakaway goal.
Deric Richison- 2000’ Forward, Columbus Mavericks- Robinson is off to a tremendous start in his 20-year-old year as he already has 13 points in 6 games. He has an extremely accurate shot that he wastes no time getting off. He one times a lot of his opportunities in the offensive zone and off the rush he shoots in stride changing his release point. He needs to move pucks more often as he tried to do too much himself at times. Overall, a good 20-year-old prospect for Colleges.
Jack Bortle- 2002’ Forward, Columbus Mavericks- One of the younger players on this Mavericks team, but was used in every situation. He has a nice first step in his stride which allows him to get up to speed extremely quickly. He can distribute pucks at a high level but still mismanaged a few pucks as he tried to force too many plays. Received pucks on his back hand and had a nice back 2-on-1 dish for a high percentage scoring opportunity.
Clay Hightower – 2000’ Forward, Detroit Fighting Irish - Hightower is a powerful center who plays a mature and physical game. There is nothing flashy about his skill, but he plays heavy at both ends of the ice and wins puck battles in all 3 zones. He shows good vision creating off the rush but also has a heavy shot that he’s not afraid to put on net. He shows some good goal-scoring instincts in tight and is able to create space in the slot with his grit and physicality.
Lane Stewart – 2003’ Forward, Detroit Fighting Irish - Stewart is an undersized forward with good instincts and strong all-around technical skill. At times he shows his age, and he’s going to need to get stronger in order to win 50/50 battles and fight through checks in front, but he’s shifty in space and shows good overall hockey IQ. He’ll be a player to keep an eye on moving forward.
Sebastian Smith – 2002’ Forward, Wooster Oilers - Smith is a strong center with good overall technical skill. He is the offensive catalyst for his team. He has soft hands that he uses to create space in tight and he shows good goal-scoring instincts. He has smooth agility and can create off the rush because of his vision. He’s dangerous with open space in the offensive zone, though could be even more productive if he could pick up a step of separation speed in transition.
Lucas Kirk – 2000’ Forward, Pittsburgh Vengeance – With 6 points in his first 4 games this season, Kirk is picking up right where he left off last season where he posted 49 points in 42 games. At 5’10, 170, he has a solid frame that makes him difficult to knock off pucks. Nothing in his game is flashy but he does a lot of little things well at both ends of the ice. Offensively he has a quick release and heavy shot, and does a good job finding soft areas in tight to release the puck. His low base makes him effective on draws and he does a good job hounding the puck on both his forecheck and backcheck.
Jason Crossland – 2002’ Forward – Metro Jets - Crossland is a good-sized center who had a strong offensive showing this weekend. He has a long reach and uses his body to protect the puck and fight through checks off the rush. He crashes through the slot, and pucks always seem to find his stick in tight. He showed quick hands around the crease and scored some nice goals walking pucks around the goalie. He needs to work to get more consistent away from the play and become stronger on his edges, but there is a lot of raw offensive upside to his game.
Defense
Austin Buck- 2001’ Defenseman, Fort Wayne Spacemen- This was an up and down performance from Buck this weekend. His size and mobility are intriguing for a lot of scouts but he is still a raw talent. He has a very good skill set overall, but needs to find consistency in his game. He has a big shot from the point that he loves to use.
Owen Green- 2000’ Defenseman, Buffalo Thunder- A nice two-way defender who was able to show very well here. Green showed off nice puck touch defensively and quick recovery skating ability. He defended several odd man rushes successfully and covered up a lot of mistakes by his defensive partner. His decision making with the puck in the offensive zone needs to improve as he struggled at times with pressure.
David Crandall- 2002’ Defenseman, Toledo Cherokee- Crandall is another New Jersey Hitmen draft pick off this Toledo Cherokee squad. He was extremely impressive on both ends of the ice as he was able to play stout defense and contribute offensively. Crandall loves to take ice when given and he can shoot it from anywhere. There is a lot of potential with this player and he should be on the NCDC radar next season.
Ryan Brow- 2001’ Defenseman, Toledo Cherokee- Brow moves pucks extremely well on the offensive blue line. He had a nice set up on the power play where he pumped to freeze the defender then kicked it to his left to set up a nice goal for his teammate. He shoots the puck well through traffic as he scored his first goal of the season this showcase. He is still developing on the defensive side of the puck as he needs to be more sound in his position.
Shane Rombach- 2001’ Defenseman, Detroit Fighting Irish- Standing at 6’2 Rombach is very intriguing for scouts, especially because he is strong on his skates. He was calm with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone and on regroups. He found passing lanes and did a tremendous job of sneaking down the wall in the offensive zone. He was used in every situation for Detroit, but he needs to play with a tighter gap and not drift out of position in the defensive zone.
Joey Johnson – 2000’ Defenseman – Metro Jets - Johnson is a smooth skating D with balanced technical skills. He has a very quick first step and explodes down from the blueline to seal off the wall. He shows good lateral footwork across the blueline and a quick release that allows him to get pucks through traffic. He has a good defensive stick and transitions pucks up ice quickly on the breakout. He can get caught chasing too aggressively in the offensive zone and pulled out of position, but his feet typically allow him to recover.
Trevor Scherer – 2001’ Defenseman – Columbus Mavericks – At 6’3, 210lbs, Scherer has great size for a defender. He is a smooth skater who plays a mature and confident game with the puck. He uses his reach to protect the puck against the forecheck and likes to lead the breakout out of the zone. He transitions pucks effectively and looks to jump into the rush whenever possible. He has a quick release and gets shots through traffic. He needs to work on his defensive positioning so that he can be effective at the next level, but all of the physical tools are there in his game.
Alex Washburn – 2003’ Defenseman, MJDP - Washburn is a slightly undersized, mobile D who stood out as a skilled younger player in these games. He plays a very mature game for his age and has a strong combination of technical and tactical skills. He’s a smooth skater with good 4-way mobility and defensive footwork. He holds a tight gap through the neutral zone and uses his mobility to step up and take away time and space against the rush. He plays a heavy, physical game in the corners and does a good job going stick-on-puck when he initiates contact.
Goaltenders
Bradley Difonzo- 2001’ Goaltender, Lake Erie Bighorns- Difonzo is a big goaltender who stays on his feet a lot longer than most goalies his size. He is super aggressive and athletic. He takes up a lot of the net and when the play breaks down he has the ability to battle to make a save. He was solid this weekend posting a 91.5 save percentage.
Program Spotlight
Toledo Cherokee- 6W-0L-0T
Top Scorers
Bailey Byrd- 5G-9A-14PTS
Ondrej Dupal- 7G-5A-12PTS
Ryan Brow- 1G-6A-7PTS
Coach Kenny Miller’s squad is off to a hot start this season going 6-0 through their first six games. The Cherokee were able to roll through their showcase schedule while showing off their talent to scouts. This group is extremely deep up front as all four lines can produce. Defensively they rely on Brow and Crandall to carry the load. They are a younger team for Tier 3 standards, but they are intriguing for Tier 2 and Division 3 programs. Overall, the Cherokee have three players that are protected by the NCDC, and this team is worth getting eyes on this year if you are a scout or coach.
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