PITTSBURGH — The 2021 USHL Fall Classic held at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township concluded Sunday, capping another successful showcase over four days. Each of the league’s 16 teams played two regular-season games in front of a legion of NHL scouts and Division 1 coaches.
New England Hockey Journal is here to break down the top players who are tracking for the 2022 and 2023 NHL Entry Drafts seen in the first three days of the event. While the league is once again deep with quality prospects, the higher-end talent will be available in 2023.
As a late 2004-born player, the Chicago Steel’s Adam Fantilli led the way, followed by a pair of Tri-City Storm players in forward Gavin Brindley and defenseman Andrew Strathmann, who were both featured in our earlier Fall Classic roundup.
The lion’s share of the top talent in the USHL resides with the U.S. National Team, which features dynamic forwards Logan Cooley, Frank Nazar and Isaac Howard, to name a few. Team USA defensemen Seamus Casey and Ryan Chesley had superb games in a win against the Sioux City Musketeers on Sat., while Lane Hutson showed why he was so coveted on the recruiting trail before deciding on BU.
Texas product and Dubuque netminder Paxton Geisel has been on our radar for some time now, and he did not disappoint in his lone start, showing some mental toughness and impressive upside.
We ranked our top undrafted 2003 and 2004-born (with one special 2005) top forwards, defensemen and goalies from the event, which typically sets the tone for the season. Unless otherwise noted, all players are eligible for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Forwards
1. Adam Fantilli
Chicago Steel, 10/12/04, C, left shot, 6-3/191- Michigan (2023 draft eligible)
The 2021 Clark Cup MVP and former Kimball Union Academy star has it all: size, speed, skill, intelligence and a killer instinct around the net that any coach at any level would die for. Not even 17 yet, he’s taken his game to another level and will be among the USHL’s top scorers this year before he takes his electric show on the road with the University of Michigan in 2022-23. He’d be a top pick in 2022 if born a month earlier, and he’s going to add to a very impressive top of the 2023 NHL draft, in play for first overall consideration at this stage.
2. Logan Cooley
U.S. NTDP U-18, 5/4/04, C, left shot, 5-11/174- Notre Dame
Playing in front of his hometown family and friends, Cooley didn’t put up a ton of points, but was elite, with speed, puck control, advanced awareness and the way he attacked the net. He’s a special player. The offense flows through him, and he has the uncanny ability to bob and weave through the defensive zone leaving talented defenders in his wake. Looked and acted the part of a top pick in Montreal next July.
3. Frank Nazar III
U.S. NTDP U-18, 1/14/04, C, right shot, 5-11/175- Michigan
With a player like the Mount Clemens, Mich. native, you take the good with the bad, and despite turning pucks over with some careless play at times against Sioux City, Nazar more than made up for it with production and the ability to generate instant offense with his separation speed, deft hands and natural vision/creativity. Simply put, he's going to make far more positive plays than negative ones.
4. Isaac Howard
U.S. NTDP U-18, 3/30/04, RW, left shot, 5-10/182- Minnesota-Duluth
Smallish but stocky and sturdily-built Wisconsin product plays fast and loves to attack the net. He had numerous rushes and scoring chances by using his wheels and dynamic ability to control the puck at full gallop. He was one of the most exciting forwards here with his speed game and relentless energy.
5. Gavin Brindley
Tri-City Storm, 10/5/04, C, right shot, 5-9/157
Like Fantilli, Brindley missed the 2022 draft Sep. 15 cutoff date, and it’s a shame because he looks like a sure first-round pick this year. The Estero, Fla. native and NEHJ’s top uncommitted ‘04 is undersized but explosive. He loves to play with pace and slices through traffic like a sleek fighter carves up the jet stream. Brindley’s excellent hands and natural scoring instincts serve him well- he’s fun to watch and always a threat to score, bringing back memories of former Tri-City franchise icon Jaden Schwartz. When it comes to schools, he’ll be able to pick wherever he wants to go.
6. Jimmy Snuggerud
U.S. NTDP U-18, 6/1/04, RW, right shot, 6-2/186- Minnesota
With his tall, lanky frame and ability to skate and create, Snuggerud is noticeable and dangerous on every shift. The son of former NHL forward Dave Snuggerud is from Minnesota and the future Golden Gopher has long been a top player in his peer group. He didn’t find the back of the net in Pittsburgh, but made several nifty passes and plays that resulted in primary assists.
7. Cam Lund (Bridgewater, Mass.)
Green Bay Gamblers, 6/7/04, C, right shot, 6-2/185- NortheasternÂ
Lund was the best New England ’04 player here and impressed with his pro-caliber skills and productive first game, a three-assist effort in Green Bay’s win over Waterloo. He showed real speed and agility through the neutral zone, got pucks to the net consistently and used his size to excel in the possession. We saw Lund in top form in this event: big, powerful and tough to defend. If he does this on a consistent basis, he won’t have to wait long in the draft.
8. Ryan Greene
Green Bay Gamblers, 10/21/03, C, right shot, 6-1/175- Boston University
Newfoundland native and South Kent Selects Academy grad looked the part throughout, playing an all-around game up the middle. He’s not a dynamic center who brings you out of your seat on every shift, but with his slick hands, smarts and ability to make seam passes or carry the puck around defenders, he and Lund give Green Bay a potent 1-2 punch up the middle.
9. Gleb Veremyev
Lincoln Stars, 6/28/03, LW, left shot, 6-3/191- Penn State
If there is one forward in the USHL this year that NHL teams want a mulligan on for not drafting in July, the Sayreville, N.J. native is it. He’s big, skilled, gets to the net consistently and looks like he’s going to be a force in his second season with Lincoln. Last year, he had a tough start and found his game late, but showed legitimate toughness and is a power forward with real upside. Sure draft this time around.
10. Alex Bump
Omaha Lancers, 11/20/03, LW, left shot, 6-1/185
One of the early standouts, Bump has a pro-style body and game, as he can skate, get to the net and has a quick release on a heavy shot. There are times he needs to pick up the pace, but overall, he was Omaha’s top player in the preseason and he carried it over with a point-per-game effort in Pittsburgh. Watch for him to land with a top NCHC school soon, as the Prior Lake, Minnesota native generated significant interest.
Honorable Mention:
Devin Kaplan, RW, U.S. NTDP U-18- Big (6-3/199), athletic winger from Bridgewater, N.J. was outstanding in his first game, push defenders back, skating with his head up and making several top passes, one of which resulted in a goal. He’s always been a bit of a glider, but he was moving his feet and engaged throughout- an excellent showing.
Dylan James, LW, Sioux City Musketeers- Given that the late ‘03 is a North Dakota recruit with a strong pedigree coming out of Western Canada, the 6-foot, 181-pound left wing probably shouldn’t have been a pleasant surprise, but was. He’s a good skater who takes pucks to the net and scored a nice rebound goal on a strong netdrive play against Team USA.
Michael Stenberg, RW, Des Moines Buccaneers (2023)- Late ’04 Needham, Mass. native out of Thayer Academy has size at 6-1/180 pounds and skill. The future Nittany Lion is raw and finding his game, but should benefit from a full season in the league, as he showed some impressive flashes here.
Daimon Gardner, C, Omaha Lancers- At 6-foot-4, this raw, rangy pivot and Clarkson commit can fly, has very good skills and the vision to create offense. He’s extremely lean and lacking in functional strength right now, but has an intriguing NHL tool kit if he can be more consistent as he gets stronger. He scored a pair of goals in Omaha’s first win of the year against Cedar Rapids by getting to the net.
Defensemen
1. Seamus Casey
U.S. NTDP U-18, 1/8/04, right shot, 5-10/162- Michigan
Tremendous showing against Sioux City and despite a lack of ideal NHL size, is such a skilled, playmaker from the back end that it won’t hurt him much. Noticeable and dangerous on every shift, he scored a power play goal and has the confident, poised look of a winner.
2. Ryan Chesley
U.S. NTDP U-18, 2/27/04, right shot, 6-0/195- Minnesota
Good size, length, skating- the physical package pro teams crave. He’s a classic two-way defenseman who can get up the ice quickly, get pucks through traffic on net and distribute. He also gaps up, uses his stick aggressively and keeps opponents to the outside. Has the look and feel of a top-15 selection with room to improve on that by season’s end.
3. Andrew Strathmann
Tri-City Storm, 2/27/05, left shot, 5-11/174- North Dakota (2023)
It isn’t hard to understand why the USHL tender defenseman was one of the first ’05 birth year players to commit this summer when you watched his mature, refined and productive game with no experience at this level. He plays bigger than his listed size, is a top skater, and advanced defender for his age. He’s also hard-nosed and brings a wealth of next-level potential with his range and effort/work ethic. He could be a first-round pick this year if he was eligible.
4. Lane Hutson
U.S. NTDP U-18, 2/14/04, left shot, 5-8/148- Boston University
The Illinois native is Team USA’s most skilled defender and if he had better size, would be a household name already. Even as it is, the future Terrier has dynamic wheels and can impact the game in all three zones. On the power play, he’s deadly with the added time and space.
5. Tyler Dunbar
Muskegon Lumberjacks, 12/18/03, left shot, 6-1/189- North Dakota
After coming into the USHL two years ago as a 16-year-old, he showed tremendous long-term potential by instantly becoming one of Muskegon’s best blueliners in his first taste of juniors. The Michigander’s game and confidence took a step backward in 2021 but looked to be getting back on track here with his mobility and ability to quickly and decisively move pucks up the ice.
*Sioux Falls defenseman Ryan Healey (Hull, Mass.) was injured and did not play.
Honorable Mention
Kent Anderson, Green Bay-Â The right-shot 6-foot-3, 200-pounder skates well and makes plays at both ends of the ice. The Denver University recruit looks like a solid two-way draft prospect with a higher than average NHL ceiling.
Garrett Brown, Sioux City-Â Tall (6-2/178), rangy skater showed some impressive puck skills and raw potential. Tends to float/get outside of the dots at times, but showed real NHL draft potential here. He's the son of former NHL forward Curtis Brown.
Anthony Cliche, Muskegon- The massive (6-4/215) '03 defender from Quebec was passed over in 2021, but is in play to be drafted this time around with his improved play. He’s still a little raw with the puck, and is a project, but top college programs will come calling soon, and NHL teams are intrigued.
Goaltenders
1. Paxton Geisel
Dubuque Fighting Saints, 1/18/04, catches left, 6-2/184- Denver
Saskatchewan-born, but Dallas-raised Stars Elite program product has the athleticism, tracking and mental toughness to be a future pro. He’s extremely fluid with his movements and patient, making key stops at the right times to allow his team to battle back. Between Geisel and Bruins prospect Philip Svedeback, the Fighting Saints are well covered in net.
2. Cameron Whitehead
Lincoln Stars, 6/13/03, catches left, 6-3/170
Uncommitted Canadian won’t be lacking a school for long, as he opened a lot of eyes in a 1-0 loss to Cedar Rapids that went to OT. Although passed over a year ago coming out of the NCDC, he’ll have a shot at the 2022 draft because of his size and tools if he can be a consistent presence in net for Lincoln going forward.
3. Dylan Silverstein
U.S. NTDP U-18, 2/7/04, catches left, 6-0/179
One of the few Team USA players without a college commitment, the California native may lack ideal pro size, but is extremely quick and makes big saves under pressure. He has a powerful lateral push which allows him to get across to deny prime scoring chances on odd-man rushes, and just looks like a gamer. Some school will get a winner, and NHL teams who don’t limit themselves with an artificial size requirement for draft consideration could get a steal, too.
Honorable Mention
Axel Mangbo, Sioux City-Â The Vermont recruit from Sweden won his first USHL start and brings a nice physical package of size (6-3/175) and long-term potential. Watch for him to be a central piece of the rebuild in Burlington.
