BUFFALO, N.Y. — USA Hockey's Select 17 Camp is always a fun event for the wide array of storylines to watch.
There are plenty of uncommitted players looking to shine in front of the throngs of college coaches in attendance (we'll get to that later in the week). There are players who left early for juniors, looking to show they're dominant when returning to face their own age group.
And then, of course, there is the following year's NHL Draft. Even though the 2026 NHL Draft wrapped up just a couple weeks ago, that means 2027 is on the clock.
The '09s were the birth year at Select 17s. It's still just under a year out from the draft, but there were already many NHL teams, and NHL Central Scouting represented in Buffalo.
I was in attendance for the first two days of games, so July 8 and 9. From seeing almost every team, I was able to glean the prospects NHL scouts might be watching next season. Obviously, I know the New England and Massachusetts region players best, but I was still able to identify a few on the other teams, too.
We'll cover the forwards in this story. On Tuesday, we'll look at defensemen and goalies.
Let's dive in.
Cam Anderson
Soo Greyhounds, 6/16/2009, F, right shot, 6-4/251
Hometown: Lake Villa, Ill.
Final stat line: Two goals and five points in six games
The intrigue with Anderson is real because of the untapped potential. The size is a big reason why he's an early NHL Draft prospect, but he has phenomenal hands and made plays in transition with speed. Against Atlantic, he used his hands and sheer will to fight through multiple defenders for a breakaway. He has no issue battling for position around the net and has a heavy shot. He had 55 points in 58 games for the 16U Chicago Reapers. He should be someone NHL teams watch and like throughout next season.
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Ty Bergeron
Windsor Spitfires, 5/26/2009, F, left shot, 6-2/198
Hometown: Flat Rock, Mich.
Final stat line: Three goals and six points in six gamesÂ
I watched Bergeron during the 2024-25 season and at the U.S. National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp in March 2025, and his skating needed work. Over a year later, Bergeron seems to have grown and gotten a lot stronger. His skating has, too. He has a high IQ and created plays through anticipation. His routes on the forecheck were fantastic. He has all the makings of a two-way, bottom-six center someday.
Gunnar Conboy
Green Bay Gamblers, 4/2/2009, F, left shot, 6-4/197
Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.
NCAA: Minnesota
Final stat line: One goal and five points in six games
Conboy was the big name at camp, already being talked about as a potential first-round pick next June. He was a powerful, play-driving force down the middle who is a great skater. His compete and physicality combined with his hands and shot make him someone with traits of a potential future No. 1 center in the NHL. He had 21 points in 37 games for the Gamblers this past season, and should be a centerpiece for Green Bay this winter.
Joe Covelluzzi
Dubuque Fighting Saints, 1/30/2009, F, right shot, 5-9/188
Hometown: Wakefield, Mass.
NCAA: Maine
Final stat line: Two goals and five points in six gamesÂ
Covelluzzi may be undersized in height, but he's so sturdy and strong that it makes up for it. His shot was lethal, and he was a threat to shoot from anywhere in the offensive zone. But he also showcased good vision and an ability to playmake, especially off the cycle. Covelluzzi's path to getting drafted will be proving himself as a lethal scorer in the USHL this coming winter.
Brooks DeMars
Penticton Vees, 6/9/2009, F, left shot, 6-2/194
Hometown: Hugo, Minn.
NCAA: North Dakota
Final stat line: Three goals and 11 points in six gamesÂ
DeMars is a throwback power forward — he's not flashy, but boy did he get the job done. As a winger, he was physical on opposing puck-carriers, never missing a chance to lay a hit. He had great offensive instincts, like when he found a soft spot in a high-danger area to deposit a pass from Colin Grubb (more on him in a bit) past the netminder. DeMars was so effective in the cycle game, too. He had 13 points in 50 WHL games last season.
Ethan Gingeleskie
Avon Old Farms, 6/2/2009, F, right shot, 5-10/165
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
Final stat line: One goal and three points in six gamesÂ
Gingeleskie will be back in prep next season, which means he will have to be exceptional to get picked. When NHL teams pick players from prep, they look for one defining trait. That helps teams project that because of that trait, that player will succeed at higher levels. I'm not sure Gingeleskie has one thing that sets him apart in the eyes of NHL teams, but it's impossible not to love his game. His hands, shot and awareness make him a threat whenever the puck is on his stick in the offensive zone. And the compete is fantastic. That should all keep Gingeleskie on NHL radars throughout the coming season.
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Colin Grubb
Brandon Wheat Kings, 4/2/2009, F, left shot, 6-0/185
Hometown: Burlington, N.D.
NCAA: North Dakota
Final stat line: Six goals and nine points in six gamesÂ
Grubb came off as a gamer. While skating wasn't his strong suit, he showcased great hands down the middle and made plays in tight that most kids his age — and at that speed — can't do. Against New York, he got the puck off the rush and sniped a shot in transition. Grubb was physical like DeMars, not wanting to pass up a hit. Grubb's offensive instincts set him apart. He had 40 points in 51 games playing up on the 18U Shattuck-St. Mary's team this winter.
Ryan Kaczynski
Soo Greyhounds, 7/8/2009, F, left shot, 6-3/184
Hometown: Syosset, N.Y.
Final stat line: Two goals and four points in six gamesÂ
I've been watching Kaczynski since his days with Mid Fairfield. The raw talent is there. He has the size. He has the hands. He has the shot. He's a good skater. He has the vision. For Kaczynski, it comes down to putting it together consistently and making an impact every shift. If he can do that, he should be someone NHL teams covet. He's fresh off a 10-point season in 47 OHL games for the Greyhounds.
Caiden Pellegrino
Rimouski Oceanic, 2/10/2009, F, left shot, 5-9/170
Hometown: Uxbridge, Mass.
NCAA: Providence College
Final stat line: Six goals and eight points in six gamesÂ
Pellegrino is a fascinating case. Yes, he's a bit smaller, which can be a negative in the eyes of an NHL team. But he thrived against the best of his birth year. Against Minnesota, he scored a shorthanded goal with strong defensive play and then almost scored another on the same shift. He also has really good strength, as he consistently won puck battles against bigger players. His play-driving isn't predicated on speed, but on manipulating defenders and slowing plays down, allowing passing lanes to open. Yet he can still play fast, too. I'm intrigued to see what he does with Rimouski this winter.
Ryland Rooney
Sioux Falls Stampede, 3/24/2009, F, right shot, 6-2/188
Hometown: Dellwood, Minn.
NCAA: Wisconsin
Final stat line: Four goals and eight points in six gamesÂ
Rooney's upside is intriguing. With his good frame, he drove play down the middle, sifting in and out of opposing defenders with his head up and good hands. When he had the puck in the offensive zone, he fought to get into the slot. He supported plays well as the third forward high when he didn't have the puck. He had 22 points in 56 USHL games this past winter.
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Declan Wotton
Baie-Comeau Drakkar, 5/16/2009, F, left shot, 6-1/191
Hometown: Windsor, Maine
Final stat line: Two goals in six gamesÂ
Wotton is an agitator and a classic power forward. He always finished his hits in my viewings at camp — and he loved getting into scrums after the whistle. He drives play more than a power forward left wing normally would, and while sometimes plays would end with him just ripping a shot from out high, there were times in which he'd make a creative pass. Against Southeastern, he scored on a net drive when he jammed in a rebound. If the offensive game grows this winter with Baie-Comeau, Wotton should get NHL Draft attention.
