In New England Hockey Journal's continued review of USA Hockey's Select 17 Player Development Camp, we've broken down the event's top 40 defensemen.
From the camp, players were selected to compete in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup next month in Alberta, Canada, including four New England locals. The summer tournament is the first big international scouting showcase for players eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft.
There were some very strange omissions from the Hlinka roster, leaving many scouts, college coaches, and agents scratching their heads.
Several surprising roster moves occurred on the blue line, especially considering the 2001 birth year lacks depth. There are some good players, but the level of talent level drops off quickly.
Listed below are the top 40 defensemen from the Select 17s, with future projection and performance in Amherst both factored into the equation. Seven players from NEPSAC programs are included, plus seven commits to colleges in New England.
1. Jackson Lacombe
#2 White, Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep, 1/9/01, Left Shot, 6-1.25/171
NCAA Commit: Minnesota
Lacombe is a converted forward who was wheeling and dealing all over the ice. As he has added size over the last year, his skating and explosiveness have taken off. He confidently pinched to keep pucks in and join the rush. When he activated, he made plays, and he smoothly was able to recover and be on the right side of the puck by the time the action was going the other way. His feet allow him to sidestep forecheckers and defend with a good stick when he doesn’t have the puck. He’s able to force the play outside and maintain good body and stick positioning when defending.
Lacombe was simply dominant at times, displaying his skating and playmaking abilities. The son of NHLPA agent Chris Lacombe, he was inexplicably left off the Hlinka roster. It’s an inexcusable mistake by USA Hockey’s American Development Model personnel.
2. Mitchell Miller
#4 Red, Honeybaked 16U, 12/20/01, Right Shot, 5-10/204
NCAA Commit: North Dakota
Miller is a late ’01 and isn't draft-eligible until 2020, but he’s a great talent. He’s hard to knock off pucks and his skating and vision allow him to quickly move pucks north. He’s confident and it shows in his playmaking abilities from the blue line. He’ll play with the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders come 2018-19.
3. Cam McDonald
#2 Grey, Kenai River Brown Bears, 2/3/01, Left Shot, 5-8.5/162
McDonald, who will likely make the step up to the USHL this fall, was really good here. He retrieves pucks and quickly transitions the play to offense for his team. He grinds and can be tough, especially for his size. His retrievals and first touch are very good. The one issue is his pivots when turning to go back. Like Lacombe, USA Hockey missed the boat by leaving him at home for the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.
4. John Prokop
#5 Red, Team Wisconsin 16U, 5/13/01, Left Shot, 6-1.75/161
Prokop was really sharp at the beginning of the week, but tried to do too much at times. He’s a tall, lanky defender who fills lanes and can activate into the offense. His skill set is coming along and he should progress even further as he fills out.
5. Luke Reid
#4 Gold, Penticton Vees, 9/26/01, Right Shot, 5-11.75/185
NCAA Commit: North Dakota
Reid was all over the ice and contributing in all three zones. His mobility is outstanding, best showed when quickly moved pucks north. He also displayed some toughness. He’s another in the long line of Penticton/BCHL players who will have a positive impact at North Dakota.
6. Michael Koster
#5 Forest, Chaska, 4/13/01, Left Shot, 5-9.25/168
NCAA Commit: Minnesota
Koster is a small defenseman in the mold of a Torey Krug. He’s basically a power-play quarterback who will be on the bottom pairing in even-strength situations. However, his ability to impact the man advantage and move pucks around in the offensive zone are irreplaceable. He was terrific in Friday’s game. He has great feet to walk the blue line, gets shots through, and has the vision to find open teammates for quality scoring chances.
7. John Larkin
#5 Orange, Youngstown Phantoms, 1/26/01, Left Shot, 6-1.25/171
NCAA Commit: Ohio State
Larkin’s junior hockey experience showed throughout the week. He’s not flashy whatsoever, but he has good hockey sense and anticipates what will happen on the ice. On several occasions, he intercepted clearing attempts and passes. He scored a nice wrist shot goal and had good gaps.
8. Mason Lohrei
#5 Gold, Culver, 1/17/01, Left Shot, 6-3.25/178
NCAA Commit: Ohio State
Lohrei really stood out at the Groton/Lawrence Christmas Tournament and was once again good here. He reads plays, has a great stick and has instincts to go with those traits. His first step needs to get better and he could be a little less heavy on his skates. Overall, with his size, there’s a lot of upside.
9. Hunter Skinner
#7 Grey, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 4/29/01, Right Shot, 6-2/170
NCAA Commit: Western Michigan
Skinner played with a maturity that comes with junior hockey experience. He has good size, can skate, and made some nice plays with the puck. He scored a nice slap-shot goal and made a few nice looks while patrolling the point, including one to the backdoor.
10. Ian Pierce
#7 Royal, Kent, 1/24/01, Left Shot, 5-9/182
NCAA Commit: Dartmouth
Pierce was really good here. He activated into the offense and made several nice breakout passes. He can skate and always has his head up. His stick is ready and he moves pucks on the power play. He’s a puck-moving defender who has already shown his skill in several USHL games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
11. Michael Feenstra
#3 Gold, Dubuque Fighting Saints, 4/3/01, Left Shot, 6-3/188
NCAA Commit: Michigan State
Feenstra is a defenseman who keeps things simple. He’s big, can skate and doesn't make mistakes. He’s a reliable defender on the penalty kill and in even-strength situations.
12. Cade Webber
#2 Orange, Rivers, 1/5/01, Left Shot, 6-5.75/175
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Many observers, myself included, can be hard on Webber, as so much is expected due to his raw talent. It’s important to remember that 6-foot-6 D-men who can skate don’t grow on trees. He has good length and reach when defending and likes to activate. He sometimes gets caught pinching and is out of position when the puck goes the other way.
13. Braden Doyle
#4 Columbia, Lawrence Academy, 8/24/01, Left Shot, 5-11.5/168
NCAA Commit: Boston University
Doyle has some of the best skill and skating ability of any defender at this camp. He’s prone to turnovers and sometimes gets caught out of position, but when he doesn’t do too much and lets his athletic ability come to the forefront, he’s at his best. He’s able to defend with his mobility and stick. He can move pucks north and make highlight reel plays when he’s rushing up ice.
14. Cole McWard
#5 Kelly, St. Louis AAA Blues 16U, 6/9/01, Right Shot, 6-0.5/188
NCAA Commit: Michigan
McWard is a terrific skater who made the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup roster. He’s able to sidestep forecheckers to break pucks out of his own zone. In Thursday’s game, he had two brutal turnovers, which isn’t customary.
15. Evan Orr
#6 Royal, Little Caesars 16U, 1/9/01, Left Shot, 5-10.25/172
NCAA Commit: Michigan Tech
Orr is a really good skater who will look to make Muskegon’s roster for this upcoming season. He generates offense from the blue line, whether it be from passing the puck or stepping up into the rush. He gets shots through from the point and has vision, poise and, confidence with the puck on his stick.
16. Andrew Perrott
#2 Red, London Knights, Right Shot, 5-11.75/204
Expectations were high for Perrott after a year in the OHL, but he was a little inconsistent. He’s a rugged blueliner who defends well and likes to play physically.
17. Brett Oberle
#4 Royal, Hill-Murray, 9/27/01, Left Shot, 5-10.25/167
NCAA Commit: Minnesota Duluth
Oberle struggled a little defensively and needs to shore up his gaps, but he makes very simple and efficient decisions with the puck on his stick, which leads to offense for his team. He’s another nice pickup for the Bulldogs.
18. Ethan Szmagaj
#6 Gold, Little Caesars 16U, 9/18/01, Right Shot, 5-10.25/174
NCAA Commit: Michigan
This type of environment – glorified pond hockey – doesn’t fit with Szmagaj’s style of play. He’s just a tough, solid player who can defend well. His stick and offensive upside are both limited.
19. Jake Boltmann
#7 Orange, Edina, 10/19/01, Right Shot, 6-0.5/176
NCAA Commit: Minnesota
Boltmann is a player who made the NTDP Evaluation Camp a year ago, and his skating is certainly a reason why. He can push the pace and move pucks with his feet or his passing. He’s confident and has good gaps. He was prone to making a few turnovers.
20. Spencer Cox
#6 Orange, Culver, 2/7/01, Left Shot, 5-10.75/171
NCAA Commit: Miami
Cox made a concerted effort to play with more physicality here. He’s still a smaller defenseman who can skate, move pucks and get shots through from the point. He stepped into the offense on a few occasions.
21. Clay Hanus
#3 Columbia, Portland Winterhawks, 3/25/01, Left Shot, 5-9.5/166
Hanus is a smart hockey player who fills lanes, closes quickly and has a hard one-timer. He’s solid, but his first step, especially for a smaller defender, needs work.
22. Mason Reiners
#7 Forest, Edina, 5/3/01, Right Shot, 6-0.5/172
Reiners had a really strong game offensively on Wednesday, but was solid throughout camp. He has a good shot and can skate. He’ll be back with Edina in the fall.
23. Nick Kent
#3 Royal, Delta Hockey Academy, 2/1/01, Right Shot, 5-9.25/178
NCAA Commit: Quinnipiac
Kent is a good skater out of British Columbia who didn’t have the best week here offensively, which is his mantra usually. He’s likely heading to the BCHL for the 2018-19 season.
24. Nick Perna
#4 Kelly, Dallas Stars 16U, 8/4/01, Left Shot, 6-2.5/176
Perna will play in the WHL for the 2018-19 season. His size and skating ability are reasons to like his game. He has the physical tools and can play with an edge, but his hockey sense, puck-handling skills, and how well he defends are areas that need improvement.
25. John Driscoll
#4 Orange, Colorado Thunderbirds 16U, 8/19/01, Left Shot, 6-3.25/178
Driscoll is a pro-style defender out of the Colorado Thunderbirds. His feet are still a work in progress, as he had to take a penalty in one game when he was clearly beat wide and couldn’t maintain pace.
26. John Fusco
#6 Red, Dexter, 6/13/01, Left Shot, 5-9.25/174
NCAA Commit: Harvard
Fusco has added size and explosiveness over the past few months. He’s an athletic defenseman who has good instincts. He made some nice plays. His feet, particularly his first step, could use some work.
27. Dylan Davies
#2 Columbia, Chicago Mission 16U, 2/9/01, Left Shot, 6-2/187
Davies is a converted forward who played a heavy game with limited offensive upside when playing up front. His puck skills are still lacking, but he has good size, is tough to beat one-on-one, and can be a physical presence along the walls and in front of the net.
28. Nick Andrews
#4 White, Little Caesars 16U, 7/6/01, Left Shot, 5-10.25/183
NCAA Commit: Colorado College
Andrews, who will play with the NAHL's Brookings Blizzard this upcoming season, is a smooth-skating defender. He can walk the blue line and makes some heady breakout passes. He’s not flashy, but he’s an efficient puck transporter.
29. John Hillman
#5 Columbia, Honeybaked 16U, 6/4/01, Left Shot, 5-11.25/162
Hillman isn’t flashy, but he plays a solid game and keeps it simple. His first step and overall skating ability needs some work, but there’s something here to watch in terms of future potential.
30. Frank Dovorany
#3 Grey, Team Wisconsin 16U, 3/28/01, Left Shot, 6-0/179
Dovorany is still a year or two away, but he has potential. He was inconsistent, but got better as the week went along. He needs to keep things simple, but he was solid, especially later in the week.
31. Jack Robillotti
#3 White, Selects Academy 16U, 7/18/01, Right Shot, 6-2.25/188
NCAA Commit: Holy Cross
Robilotti projects as a stay-at-home defender who can play solidly in his own zone. He lacks poise and hands when the puck is on his stick. Nonetheless, he’s steady and will be a nice player in Atlantic Hockey.
32. Trevor Griebel
#6 Forest, Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 16U, Left Shot, 5-9.25/172
Griebel, headed to the BCHL next season, showed some offensive instincts here. He scored a rebound goal when joining the rush and had decent hands to split the defenders when moving a puck up ice in another game. His skill and vision are both solid, but he needs to learn to play defense and hone in on his play without the puck.
33. Cooper Moore
#6 Kelly, Brunswick, 2/16/01, Left Shot, 6-1.25/175
Moore had a really solid finish to the prep school season, standing out as the Bruins won the NEPSAC Large School Championship. He has good size and skating ability, but his instincts and hockey sense will need to improve if he’s going to stand out at this level.
34. Moe Acee
#5 Black, Avon Old Farms, 5/3/01, Left Shot, 5-11.5/183
NCAA Commit: St. Lawrence
Acee is a solid, athletic defenseman who skates relatively well and can move pucks. He’s steady in his own zone, but isn’t dynamic enough at this level. He’s expected to be back at the prep level in the fall.
35. Brandon Cimino
#2 Gold, North Jersey Avalanche 16U, 5/4/01, Right Shot, 5-9.5/194
NCAA Commit: Bentley
Cimino was solid here as he looks to make the jump from midget hockey to the USHL. He’s small, tough, and has good hockey sense.
36. Cam Newton
#7 Red, Little Caesars 16U, 1/18/01, Right Shot, 6-2/185
Newton was solid defensively here at times. He’s still a work in progress, but he has the potential to blossom over the next few years.
37. Connor Carlile
#5 White, Dallas Stars 16U, 1/19/01, Right Shot, 6-0/181
Carlile is a solid defenseman who could be a late bloomer in terms of college projection. He lacks offensive upside. He’ll be with the NAHL's Lone Star Brahmas in 2018-19.
38. Aidan Lawson
#7 Black, Edmonton Oil Kings, 4/21/01, Left Shot, 6-4.25/198
Lawson is a big defenseman who converted from forward a few years ago. He lacks offensive upside or puck-moving abilities, but he works hard and is tough to beat. He projects as a bottom-pairing defender who can be an enforcer.
39. Mason Wheeler
#3 Black, Rosemount, 9/29/01, Left Shot, 6-0.5/183
Wheeler’s foot speed needs a lot work, but he has a good shot from the point and made some plays offensively.
40 Nicolas Belpedio
#4 Forest, Chicago Mission 16U, 10/9/01, Left Shot, 5-9.25/187
Belpedio has good puck skills and can skate, but his decision making and hockey IQ need a lot of work if he’s going to make it to the collegiate level.
