Many of the top American, 2003-born defensemen converged on the Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y., earlier this month for a chance to showcase their talent at the 2019 USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp.
The crop of '03 defensemen are a deep group, which was proven once again at the festival. The camp was used as a selection tool by USA Hockey to determine who would make the team that will compete in the Under-17 Five Nation's Tournament.
Penn State commit Dylan Gratton (Muskegon Lumberjacks), Providence commit Austen May (Honeybaked 16U), Minnesota commit Luke Mittelstadt (Eden Prairie HS), Simon Motew (Kitchener Rangers), Wisconsin commit Joe Palodichuk (Hill-Murray HS), and St. Cloud State commit Jack Peart (Grand Rapids HS) were the seven defensemen chosen to represent USA Hockey at the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.
Below is a look at the top defensemen from the 2019 USA Hockey Select 16 Player Development Camp:
Defensemen
1. Jack Peart
#7 Columbia, Grand Rapids HS, 5/15/03, Left Shot, 5-10/177
NCAA Commit: St. Cloud
Peart’s hockey sense and poise sticks out in all situations. He’s an elite puck-mover by making crisp, on-the-tape passes. He makes good reads and can force turnovers. On Friday, he did just that and quickly got the puck up ice to a forward on his team for a goal. He gets shots through to the net from the point. His mobility and skating are both very good. He’ll get into passing and shooting lanes to take away options from opposing forwards. His stick is good defending, as well. He’s not as flashy as some others, but he’s a high-end defenseman. He doesn’t have elite size, but everything else in his repertoire is at the top of the class in this age group.
2. Simon Motew
#7 Grey, Kitchener Rangers, 3/31/03, Right Shot, 5-11/173
Motew was really good here and deserving of high praise. He moves well -- straight line and side-to-side -- and has a good stick. He pushes the pace, has a good shot, and skates with his head up. He plays with a little bit of jam and can contribute in both ends. He was a consistently solid defenseman in all areas of the ice during the camp.
3. Luke Mittelstadt
#2 Red, Eden Prairie HS, 1/22/03, Left Shot, 5-10.5/180
NCAA Commit: Minnesota
Mittelstadt’s offensive exploits from the blue line are easy to see right away. He makes great passes and has good vision in terms of hitting forwards in stride on the breakout or finding them with good looks in the attacking zone. His skating and stick are both elite. He makes mistakes defensively, but he makes up for it with the amount of offense and puck possession time he generates.
4. Austen May
#5 Columbia, Honeybaked 16U, 5/19/03, Right Shot, 5-10.25/149
NCAA Commit: Providence
May has a good stick and plays with jam. He consistently breaks up plays whether it be on the rush or in-zone situations through pokechecks. He moves pucks well with good passes and can also skate it up ice. May is a competitor with a good all around skill set.
5. Henry Nelson
#2 Black, Maple Grove HS, 3/25/03, Left Shot, 6-0/164
NCAA Commit: Notre Dame
Nelson is a very good skater with elite feet and agility, especially for his size. He makes good reads and can get pucks going north. He doesn’t show the offensive upside that some desire, but he projects as a really good defenseman in terms of breaking pucks out and playing steadily in his own end.
6. Joe Palodichuk
#3 Kelly, Hill-Murray HS, 2/26/03, Left Shot, 5-10.75/152
NCAA Commit: Wisconsin
Palodichuk is a strong, two-way defenseman with good feet. He keeps things simple and plays responsibly. He can walk the blue line and get shots through, but his bread and butter is using his reach and closing in quickly on opposing forwards. He’ll likely be a player the U.S. coaching staff relies on, if the team is up a goal late in the game.
7. Dylan Gratton
#5 Navy, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 2/25/03, Left Shot, 5-11.5/166
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Gratton had a very good week here, especially on the offensive side and with the puck on his stick. He makes plays and can shoot it. His decision making and defensive zone play are areas of his game that need work. However, he was really good in the All-Star Game, even defensively.
8. Tyler Procious
#3 Navy, Buffalo Jr. Sabres 16U, 5/29/03, Right Shot, 5-9.25/163
Procious is an extremely smart, puck-moving defenseman. He displayed more of a physical presence this week than he has in the past. He delivered a few notable hip checks and had a good stick to disrupt the rush. His ability to move pucks north and quarterback a power play with his vision are top attributes. His skating isn’t bad, but it’s an area that could use some improvement, in order for top college programs to pull the trigger and offer a commit.
9. Tyler Dunbar
#4 Forest, Undecided, 12/18/03, Left Shot, 6-0/181
Dunbar is more of a work in progress than some of the other defensemen similar to him here, but there’s a lot of upside. He has length and reach to defend and close quickly on opposing forwards. He made a couple of nice defensive plays to stop plays on the rush. He made some nice dishes to hit teammates to make plays and he can slow the game down. He has poise in all situations.
10. Carter Schade
#4 Kelly, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U, 3/7/03, Left Shot, 5-9.75/192
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Schade is a defenseman with high expectations. He didn’t exactly meet them this week, but he’s still one of the top defenders in the age group. Not having him in the All-Star game was a ridiculous decision by USA Hockey. He’s tough and strong. Very few players will compete as hard as he does in all three zones.
11. Ryan Mast
#7 Gold, Sarnia Sting, 1/14/03, Right Shot, 6-2/185
Mast was another surprising snub from the All-Star Game. He skates well and closes quickly on opposing forwards. He’s not known for his offense, but he stepped into a one-timer to blast home a goal on Friday. With his size, skating and defensive ability, he will likely be a name to keep on the radar for when the 2021 NHL Draft approaches.
12. Tyler DesRochers
#3 Royal, Mount Saint Charles 16U, 4/2/03, Right Shot, 5-11.25/158
NCAA Commit: Providence
DesRochers has a really good first touch and makes some nice looks in transition as well as in the offensive zone while manning the point. He has good size and will get even better as he fills into his frame and improves on his lower body strength.
13. Grayden Daul
#6 Columbia, Chicago Mission 16U, 1/31/03, Right Shot, 5-10.75/167
NCAA Commit: Wisconsin
Daul is one of the more underrated players in this age group. From last year’s Select 15 to this year’s Select 16, he took a major step. He plays with some jam and isn’t afraid to bring it physically. He’s good on breakouts and makes clean transition plays. His head is up and his mobility is good. He also exudes patience and poise with the puck on his stick. He made a couple of nice pokechecks to breakup rush opportunities for the opposition.
14. Drew Tsakounis
#6 Forest, Avon Old Farms, 7/15/03, Left Shot, 5-8.75/159
NCAA Commit: Penn State
Tsakounis is a slick puck mover who can start the transition from defense to offense with ease. He has good touch on his first pass and has the feet to be able to jump up into the rush. His puck skills and feet are his top attributes, but his defensive play needs work as he prepares to play in the Big Ten in a few years.
15. Griffin Ludtke
#6 Black, Lakeville South HS, 2/1/03, Left Shot, 5-10/156
NCAA Commit: Nebraska-Omaha
Ludtke is a mobile defender who makes a good first pass, jumps into the rush, and walks the blue line to get shots through from the point. He has a good stick and poise, especially with the puck on his stick.
16. Andrew Jeffers
#6 Grey, Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U, 5/2/03, Right Shot, 6-3.25/198
Jeffers is a big, raw defenseman with pro upside. He can skate and joined the rush for a tap-in goal on Friday. His puck skills and decision making are both a work in progress, but there is a lot of potential here.
17. Nicky Wallace
#5 Red, North Jersey Avalanche 16U, 3/7/03, Left Shot, 5-7/158
Wallace is a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman. His feet and skill with the puck are undeniable. His hockey sense was a little better at times this week. If he can continue to improve in that regard, there will be more interest from college programs.
18. Brent Johnson
#3 Red, Undecided, 3/20/03, Left Shot, 5-10.25/151
Johnson is a solid, reliable defensive defenseman who skates well. He played the past few seasons with the Dallas Stars Elite youth program.
19. Trevor Mitchell
#4 White, Honeybaked 16U, 5/8/03, Left Shot, 6-2/167
Mitchell made the All-Star game here, in part due to his size and skating ability. He has the length to break up plays with pokechecks. He isn’t afraid to use his long stride to jump up into the rush either. He’s a player who is trending in the right direction.
20. Max Burkholder
#3 White, Chaska HS, 8/8/03, Right Shot, 5-6.25/163
NCAA Commit: Colorado College
Burkholder covers a lot of ground defensively, especially for a smaller blue liner. He does a great job using his feet and stick in the defensive zone and on the rush.
Honorable Mention
Charles Andriole
#6 Navy, Loomis Chaffee, 4/19/03, Left Shot, 5-8/153
Andriole is a good skater and should be a good first-year prep player at Loomis this upcoming winter.
Aidan Ballotin
#2 Kelly, Buffalo Jr. Sabres 16U, 3/21/03, Left Shot, 5-8.5/171
Ballotin had a good week here. He had a nice assist where he hit a forward with a pass at the backdoor. He gets shots through from the point and has above average mobility. He uses his stick well defensively. He needs to limit turnovers and be a little better with positioning in the defensive zone.
Michael Bevilacqua
#4 Gold, Buffalo Jr. Sabres 16U, 1/26/03, Left Shot, 6-0.5/218
NCAA Commit: Northeastern
Bevilacqua is a big defenseman with some upside. His skating needs to improve, but he makes some plays with the puck on his stick and can shoot it.
Joseph Blackley
#7 Black, Nichols School 18U, 9/8/03, Left Shot, 5-8.5/160
Blackley was able to jump up into the rush and contribute offensively this week.
William Brenner
#7 Forest, Dallas Stars Elite 16U, 6/10/03, Right Shot, 5-11.75/173
Brenner is a physical defender who was willing to throw his weight around on several occasions. He earned a spot in the All-Star Game as a result.
Shai Buium
#5 Gold, Undecided, 3/26/03, Left Shot, 6-2.25/223
Buium’s feet and skating ability have improved dramatically over the past couple of years. He has good size and he makes the occasional nice play. He’s a player to keep an eye on moving forward.
Conner Chalmers
#2 Columbia, Kimball Union, 8/30/03, Right Shot, 5-9.25/164
Chalmers has good feet, but it wasn’t his best week. He didn’t display the usual confidence he has with the puck. Having not gotten much ice time at KUA, it might have been a little bit of a shock to see the pace at the camp. There’s plenty of time for him to develop and it’s far too early to write him off. With his skating ability, there’s still upside.
Bryce Cooper
#3 Grey, Undecided, 3/21/03, Left Shot, 6-4.5/180
Cooper has the size and physical presence that earned him a spot in the All-Star Game. He was one of the more talked about players during the week. He was rangy and made some plays with the puck. He took a step back in the All-Star Game once the pace picked up, but he’s still a player to keep an eye on over the coming years.
Jonah Copre
#6 Red, Chicago Mission 16U, 1/9/03, Right Shot, 5-2.5/144
NCAA Commit: Quinnipiac
Copre is an undersized defenseman who skates well and makes some nice passes to create offense on the rush for his teammates.
Caleb Craven
#6 Kelly, Team Maryland 16U, 1/28/03, Right Shot, 5-9/157
Craven was a little bit of an unknown heading into the week, but he was good on Friday. He had a goal and jumped up into the rush on another sequence which drew a penalty. His poise and decision making processes are areas of his game which need improvement.
Colin Doherty
#2 Gold, Team Illinois 16U, 7/7/03, Left Shot, 5-11.25/190
Doherty is a solid, two-way defenseman who projects as more of a shutdown threat as he develops. He scored a goal here, but he’s best when getting in shooting and passing lanes and playing steady defense.
Anthony Dowd
#4 Columbia, NJ Titans 16U, 4/25/03, Right Shot, 5-5.25/127
Dowd made a couple of really nice passes and got shots on net, including one that was tipped home for a goal. He’s on the smaller side, but he skates well.
Brendan Fitzgerald
#4 Black, Governor’s Academy, 3/6/03, Left Shot, 5-10.5/147
Fitzgerald plays with jam and is a solid defenseman. His feet are getting better following a couple of injuries. He closes quickly, has a mean streak, and has a good stick. His decision making and skating are two areas of his game that could use improvement.
Will Elias
#5 Kelly, St. Sebastian’s, 1/28/03, Right Shot, 5-10.75/164
Elias looks to have gained a step and does a good job getting in the way of opponents’ chances and playing steady defense. It wasn’t his best week, but he’s still one of the top defensemen in this age group across New England.
Mario Gasparini
#3 Forest, Lakeville North HS, 2/28/03, Left Shot, 5-10/163
Gasparini has a good stick while defending the rush and has above average puck skills. His hockey sense is also fairly good for this level. He’s a player whose development is trending in the right direction.
Logan Heroux
#3 Black, Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U, 5/30/03, Right Shot, 6-0.5/192
Heroux has size and length to defend, but struggled at times with the pace of national camp. He’s making the move from AA hockey in New Jersey to the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies for this upcoming season.
Nolan Joyce
#5 Royal, St. Sebastian’s, 9/25/03, Right Shot, 5-10.75/153
Joyce is an above average skater and has a decent stick, which is part of the reason he was in the All-Star Game. If he can improve on his turnovers and decision-making, he’ll become an even better defenseman.
Brendan Kimball
#2 White, Islanders HC 16U, 8/24/03, Left Shot, 5-8.75/135
Kimball has made the move up from Florida to play for Nate Bostic’s program. He’s a good skater, but needs to improve on playing tough and being harder on pucks.
Declan Loughnane
#7 Navy, BC High, 11/22/03, Right Shot, 5-11.25/194
Loughnane has the offensive abilities to intrigue regional scouts. He has a good shot and his offensive instincts are usually solid. He made a couple of really nice passes to spring forwards for chances. His decision making in his own zone is a work in progress.
Aidan Lyons
#5 Forest, Nobles, 2/26/03, Left Shot, 5-9/163
Lyons has the skating ability and puck skills to intrigue scouts. He scored a goal playing up as a forward due to some injuries up front. His defensive coverage and decision making are two areas of his game that need work as he continues his development.
Jan Olenginski
#7 White, Loomis Chaffee, 3/23/03, Right Shot, 5-5.5/163
Olenginski is a mobile defender who did a good job keeping things simple and efficient. He got pucks going north. He’s making the jump to the prep school level for this upcoming season.
Michael Quinn
#4 Navy, Shattuck St. Mary’s 16U, 3/25/03, Right Shot, 5-9.25/166
Quinn previously played forward for St. Louis AAA Blues, but has transitioned to defense, it would appear. For a newcomer to the position, he made a couple of nice reads and didn’t look out of place.
Chase Ramsay
#2 Royal, Avon Old Farms, 6/10/03, Right Shot, 5-10.5/171
Ramsay has a strong stick and will be back for a second season at Avon Old Farms in the fall.
Riley Rosenthal
#5 White, South Florida Hockey Academy 16U, 12/10/03, Right Shot, 6-1/236
Rosenthal is a big defenseman who made the NTDP Evaluation Camp. He has the size that intrigues observers. He has athleticism and reach and a hard shot when he gets it off. His feet and vision are areas of his game which need improvement in order to make the next step to college hockey.
Tyler Rubin
#2 Grey, Belmont Hill, 1/10/03, Left Shot, 5-8/134
Rubin is a very good skater whose game is really coming on strong. He can jump into the rush and get shots through to the net. He defends with his feet and stick. He tried to do too much at times, but his feet are worthy of this lofty ranking.
Joseph Sciabarra
#7 Royal, Long Island Gulls 16U, 10/11/03, Left Shot, 5-5/146
Sciabarra has the skating ability and puck skills to be an offensive defenseman, but he needs to think the game a little better and learn to pick his spots.
Max Smolinski
#6 Royal, Little Caesars 16U, 4/2/03, Right Shot, 5-10/146
Smolinski’s feet are getting better, but he’s still a work in progress. He turned the puck over a few times, but he showed more skating ability than he has in the past.
Easton Zueger
#3 Gold, Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 16U, 6/7/03, Right Shot, 5-7.5/183
Zueger was a player who began to attract some attention as the week moved along. He has the skating ability to jump into the rush and he made a couple of nice plays defensively. He likes to push the pace and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. If he can learn to pick his spots more wisely, he’ll be better off as he continues progressing.
