NHL scouts, agents, college coaches, and junior scouts converged on the greater Philadelphia area this past week to watch many of the top 2003-born prospects from around the world compete in the Legacy Global Sports World Selects Invite.
There were several players who really stood out during the five-day event. In the past, this tournament has been a great indication of future success for many of the top players throughout the world.
The following player rankings are based on performance at the showcase as well as projecting future success. All teams were viewed at least once, with an emphasis on multiple viewings for teams with North American prospects.
North American Prospects
Forwards
1. Matthew Savoie
#93 Western Canada, Northern Alberta Elite, 1/1/04, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/150
Savoie projects to be a generational talent and he has the compete level to match it. His speed is what sticks right out. He got to pucks quickly and generated chances. He was heavy on pucks and pickpocketed quite a few defensemen. His patience, hockey sense and vision stand out when he’s looking to make a play. He has a quick release and an accurate shot. He found seams in the defense and made a few real nifty passes.
2. Jayden Grubbe
#91 Western Canada, Calgary Bisons, 1/12/03, Forward, Right Shot, 6-1/180
Grubbe has the size, strength and explosiveness to be a top six power forward down the line. He had a highlight reel one-timer from the left wing circle in a game Thursday night that showed off the type of skill he has. He’s the type of player that can slow the game down and make the right decisions.
3. Dylan Guenther
#11 Western Canada, Northern Alberta Elite, 4/10/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/160
Guenther is a terrific player at this age level. His skating ability pops out immediately. He generates chances and capitalizes on a lot of them. He just flat out can finish. He scored a beauty of a backhand that clanged the post before going into the back of the net.
4. Cole Sillinger
#44 Western Canada, Okanagan, 5/16/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-11/170
Sillinger is a rugged, complete player, who scored a few goals by crashing the net and playing in the dirty areas. His compete level and physical strength were both noted.
5. Sean Tschigerl
#19 Western Canada, OHA Edmonton, 4/11/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-11/170
Tschigerl was one of those hockey players who impressed by playing the game the right way and having the hockey sense needed to score goals and set up others without being flashy.
6. Cam MacDonald
#33 All-American Prospects, Halifax Gulls, 5/4/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/160
MacDonald has elite speed with a second gear to separate from opposing defenders. He’s explosive and has quick hands to get off a great shot.
7. Carter Batchelder
#9 Minnesota Blades, Eden Prairie, 2/25/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/145
Batchelder was really good here. He’s fast and he’s constantly moving his feet. He sniped a shot under the bar for a goal against Sweden. He made a great power move to protect the puck down low. He drew penalties on two consecutive shifts one game.
8. Dylan Duke
#25 Pro Hockey Blue, Compuware, 3/4/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-10/154 (NCAA: Michigan)
Duke is a dynamic player who plays much bigger than he is. He’s fast, explosive and has great edge work. He uses his hip to protect pucks and has a good first step. His vision and hockey sense allow him to make good plays to create offense for his teammates.
9. Logan Stankoven
#98 Pacific Selects, Yale Hockey Academy, 2/26/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/170
Stankoven is a very good player, but it’s his compete and ability to go into the dirty areas that make him such a good player. He was able to come away with pucks down low, despite not being the biggest player. His speed and edge work in small areas were noted.
10. Colby Saganiuk
#52 WCS Green, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 2/5/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-5/135
Saganiuk was absolutely terrific here. He’s on the smaller side, but his speed and compete level are both elite. He got to pucks and recovered pucks with his speed and willpower. He works hard down low, despite his lack of size. He goes to the net and has the agility to maneuver in tight spaces. He was just all over the ice.
11. Tyler Boucher
#16 WCS Green, Virtua, 1/16/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/160 (NCAA: Boston University)
Just four days after the conclusion of this tournament, the son of Brian Boucher committed to play college hockey for the Terriers. Boucher played on a line with Saganiuk and he was fun to watch as well. He has more pro upside with his size, strength and skating combined. He crashed the net and went to the scoring areas often for rebounds and passes. He is able to dominate below the dots. He wins battles and can hold onto pucks. He has an explosive stride when going north and south. He’s physical and delivered a few huge hits.
12. Shane Wright
#51 Oshawa Generals, Don Mills Flyers, 1/5/04, Forward, Right Shot, 6-0/168
Wright is a 2004-born prospect who played up in this tournament. Similarly to Matthew Savoie, he’s being considered for exceptional status by Hockey Canada.
13. Justin Janicke
#7 Minnesota Blades, Osseo-Maple Grove, 6/30/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/150
Janicke is an elite forward in this age group who can play at a high pace and make plays. He was a great complimentary linemate for Batchelder during this event. Janicke is the younger brother of Notre Dame commit Trevor Janicke.
14. Liam Gilmartin
#11 ECS-Q, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 1/7/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/170
Gilmartin has always shown the ability to use his size and skating as a solid north-south power forward. He displayed skill here and vision. He made a nice low to high pass after digging a puck out of the corner. He made a nice toe drag en route to the slot for a scoring chance. As long as he continues to learn to play all 200 feet, he has the pro frame and a ton of upside.
15. Francesco Arcuri
#13 ECS-O, Toronto Marlboros, 6/13/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-11/160
Arcuri is a good skater who sees the ice well. His hockey sense and ability to slow the game down are both instrumental in his offensive production. He made a really nice centering pass to a linemate in a game against TPH.
16. Anthony Agostinelli
#3 ECS-O, Rochester Monarchs, 1/7/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/140
Agostinelli is a gifted offensive player with terrific skating and puck skills. He’s able to stickhandle around defenders and can use his hands and feet to beat defenders 1x1. He still needs to learn to use his teammates more, move the puck, and make the safe play at times.
17. Connor Lackhart
#73 Oshawa Generals, Ottawa Myers, 1/21/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/155
Lockhart isn’t a player who will jump right out at observers for his skill set, but his hockey sense eventually shines through. He’s a very economical player who makes the most of his offensive talents to produce and contribute.
18. Zach Stringer
#81 Western Canada, Lethbridge Hurricanes, 4/10/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/150
Stringer projects as a bottom six forward who can be physical, play heavy, win puck battles and contribute killing penalties and grinding down opposition’s top lines. He’s smart and plays the game honestly.
19. Ryan St. Louis
#26 WCS Green, Mid-Fairfield, 6/13/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-8/140 (NCAA: Northeastern)
St. Louis didn’t have the biggest week on the score sheet, but he still displayed the skill set that is going to make him a top prospect in his own right. He’s fast, pursues pucks and has the grit and hockey sense to succeed.
20. Jack Hughes
#4 WCS Green, Junior Eagles, 11/2/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-10/140 (NCAA: Northeastern)
Hughes is a goal scorer with good hands and skating. He goes to the net and can stickhandle and create time and space for himself.
21. Paul Davey
#11 WCS Green, Mid-Fairfield, 1/11/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/150
Davey made several really good passes out to the goal scoring areas from in the corners and below the goal line, including one highlight backhander feed. He does a good job of using his size and reach to get to loose pucks and make plays.
22. Davis ‘Tbone’ Codd
#43 ECS-O, Little Caesars, 8/19/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/140
Codd was really good at this tournament. For his size, he’s everything a college coach would want in a player. He’s crafty, fights for pucks in the corners and along the wall and makes good passes to teammates for quality scoring chances. He’s always moving his feet and has his head up and ready to make a pass. One play that stood out was a backhand pass from the right wing corner out to Matt McGroart for a goal on Saturday.
23. Ryan Greene
#27 All-American Prospects, Tri-Com, 10/21/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/130
Green had good speed and scored a few goals here, including one on Friday where he sniped into the top corner of the net without breaking stride as he entered the zone down the right wing.
24. Sasha Pastujov
#12 Pro Hockey Blue, Compuware, 7/15/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/175 (NCAA: Notre Dame)
Pastujov parlayed his strong play in this tournament into a commitment to play college hockey for the Fighting Irish. He consistently powered his way into the scoring areas and unleashed a quick, hard shot into the back of the net. He finds seams and exploits defenses. He projects as a power forward who can score going up and down the wing.
25. Zach Ostapchuk
#10 Western Canada, Northern Alberta Elite, 5/29/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-2/175
Ostapchuk’s size certainly stood out right away, but his feet will have to improve in order to really make an impact. He does have upside although an event like this won’t bring out the best in his skill set.
26. Mikita Tarasevich
#9 ECS-O, Little Caesars, 2/9/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/165
Tarasevich had a good shot and was good below the dots. He’s physically rugged for his age and was able to dominate games physically. He’s persistent and doesn’t give up on plays. Once he learns to move the puck better, he could really pop.
27. Jackson Truchan
#10 TPH, Victory Honda, 2/28/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-5/135
Truchan is quick and uses his speed to his advantage. He’s able to beat defenders wide, and has a quick acceleration out of the gate. He has good hands and made a few nice moves stickhandling. He scored a nice goal against ECS-O and drew a penalty.
28. Zarley Ziemski
#5 NorthStar, Duluth East Hounds, 4/24/03, Forward, Right Shot, 6-0/160
Ziemski is a goal scorer and is able to recover a lot of pucks and make things happen with it on his stick. His puck pursuit and grittiness to go into the dirty areas are what stands right out.
29. Joshua Bloom
#17 WCS Green, Toronto Young Nationals, 6/8/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/160
Bloom had the speed to be a threat each time he was on the ice. He scored a nice backhanded goal and made plays throughout the week. He’s always looking to set up a teammate. He gets to pucks and made plays below the dots.
30. Jeremy Wilmer
#24 ECS-Q, LI Gulls, 8/16/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-6/125 (NCAA: Boston University)
Wilmer was quiet here at times, but has the ability to turn it into high gear at the drop of a hat. He’s small, quick and crafty. He can maneuver in and out of traffic with his skating and stickhandling and has the hockey sense to make things happen.
31. Jackson Morehouse
#67 WCS Green, Pittsburgh Penguis Elite, 4/1/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/145
Morehouse was the beneficiary of playing with Saganiuk and Boucher here. He was a good complimentary player for them as he drove the net and hounded the net front to pick up loose pucks and rebounds.
32. Tristan Zandee
#14 WCS Green, Airdrie Xtreme, 11/28/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-11/160
Zandee was fast, and had some size. He was able to combine those physical tools to create offense here.
33. Skylar Bruce
#13 Pacific Selects, Rink Hockey Academy, 1/23/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/120
Bruce was able to blow into a second gear to get time and space to unleash his very good shot. He has a quick release and simply put, can just finish.
34. Trevor Wong
#8 Pacific Selects, St. George’s, 5/4/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-8/135
Wong is strong on puck pursuit and is a forward that projects to be counted upon to be on the ice in any situation.
35. Zach Dean
#74 All-American Prospects, Toronto Nationals, 1/4/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-10/150
Dean was a good skater who had skill, but his hockey sense and ability to find seams and make the most of his opportunities are what stood out the most.
36. Brandon Reller
#26 NorthStar, Maple Grove Crimson, 5/12/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-1/165
Reller had good size and was heavy on pucks which allowed him to impact the offense. He went to the net and played with a purpose.
37. Jack Beck
#91 ECS-O, Toronto Marlboros, 4/12/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-10/135
Beck was a well-rounded player with above average skill set and a sharp shot that he displayed on a nice shootout goal that he blasted into the lower half of the net.
38. Griffin Jurecki
#21 WCS Gray, Little Caesars, 5/3/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/150
Jurecki is fast and that’s what makes him so effective. He can blow by defenders and separate.
39. Finlay Williams
#21 Pacific Selects, Burnaby Winter Club, 4/21/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-11/160
Williams showed that he was a complete player who played through the puck, had a chip on his shoulder and got the most out of his abilities.
40. Nickita Moiseev
#71 ECS-O, Little Caesars, 8/7/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-10/155
Moiseev is a rugged power forward who uses his size and strength to find the score sheet.
41. Jack O’Brien
#92 WCS Gray, Little Caesars, 5/14/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-8/125
O’Brien used his skating and speed to recover pucks and make plays. His biggest asset was his skating and second gear.
42. Red Savage
#49 Pro Hockey Blue, Compuware, 5/15/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-9/155 (NCAA: Miami)
Savage is a complete, 200-foot player who can kill penalties and be responsible in his own zone. His hockey sense is above average.
43. Charles Lurie
#5 DHI, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 3/11/03, Left Shot, 5-9/150
Lurie is a goal scorer. It didn’t take long watching this team to notice him and his ability to shoot. He has patience with the puck on his stick and waited a goaltender out on one goal. He sniped a few wristers and had a nice backhand goal as well.
44. Jack Borst
#10 Minnesota Blades, Edina, 2/7/03, Forward, Right Shot, 6-1/155
He’s tall and lanky and played well alongside Batchelder and Janicke, despite not being as high end as either of them. There’s a lot to like about his game and he’s a player who could continue an upward trajectory over the next few years.
45. Layton Liffrig
#19 Minnesota Blades, Mankato East HS, 3/28/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-1/155
Liffrig catches your eye for his size and ability to get up and down the sheet. He showed a strong leg drive at times and has good vision. He is a player who could really make the next step if he learns to play with pace and think the game a little quicker.
46. Davis Burnside
#55 WCS Gray, Chicago Mission, 9/22/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/155
Burnside is physically mature and knows where to go to find pucks and have a chance to put them home.
47. Matthew Argentina
#13 WCS Gray, Mercer Chiefs, 1/16/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/160 (NCAA: Notre Dame)
Argentina played up for this past year and his maturity in terms of hockey sense shows, but it wasn’t his best week here. He still found the score sheet three times.
48. Vincent Salice
#5 Hockey Essentials, Little Caesars, 2/28/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-4/130 (NCAA: Vermont)
Salice is a smaller forward who is extremely gritty and crafty. He’s slippery and can maneuver his way around defenders to get offensive chances.
49. Ty Voit
#19 All-American Prospects, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 6/10/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/140
Voit is a very good skater who uses his speed to make plays. His hockey sense still needs improving, but his feet make him dangerous.
50. P.J. Neal
#7 ECS-O, Mid-Fairfield, 2/12/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-8/170
Neal can really rip it and goes to the areas that he needs to in order to find pucks. His compete and shot are his best attributes.
Honorable Mention Forwards (Alphabetical Order)
Tim Delay
#19 Hockey Essentials, Junior Eagles, 6/16/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-11/160
Delay is a good skater who can make things happen because of his skating. His finishing and hockey sense are two areas of his game that could use improvement.
Jack Devine
#7 WCS Gray, Chicago Mission, 10/1/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/145
Devine has the speed to beat defenders wide and has a good offensive skill set.
Connor Mahony
#4 DHI, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 2/14/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-7/150
Mahony is a pest on pucks, has good agility and forechecks with a purpose.
Matthew McGroarty
#80 ECS-O, Mid-Fairfield, 1/30/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/150
McGroarty plays hard and got open for teammates to get him pucks. He's quick and plays heavy.
Dominick Rivelli
#8 WCS Gray, Chicago Mission, 8/1/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/150
Rivelli is quick and was able to gain time and space by being nifty and it led to a couple of goals.
Nick Roukounakis
#77 WCS Green, Junior Eagles, 9/8/03, Forward, Left Shot, 6-0/200
Roukounakis has a big frame and does a good job when he goes hard north and south and shoots it hard and keeps it simple.
Daniel Sambuco
#83 ECS-Q, ISS Kings, 6/10/03, Forward, Left Shot, 5-10/180
Sambuco played a complete game, skated well and had good habits. He made a couple of big hits to announce his presence on the ice.
Zach Sedlacek
#90 Draft Day White, NJ Colonials, 2/14/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-10/162
Sedlacek does a good job of driving the net and crashing pucks on the forecheck. He plays hard.
Jack Silich
#14 WCS Gray, Chicago Mission, 6/20/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-8/140 (NCAA: Quinnipiac)
Silich is a player who gets on pucks quickly and can be an impact player in this age group.
Jayden Sison
#64 Draft Day Red, Virtua, 1/27/03, Forward, Right Shot, 5-9/160
Sison is a smart player who has always shown the ability to be a good complimentary player. He goes to the areas he needs to in order to find the back of the net.
Gregory Spitznagel
#5 WCS Gray, NJ Colonials, 3/10/03, Forward, Right Shot, 6-1/180
Spitznagel is a big body who can knock over opposing defenders when searching for loose pucks. He’s a battler.
Defense
1. Mark Lajoie
#5 Western Canada, Northern Alberta Elite, 5/3/03, Defense, Left Shot, 6-3/205
Lajoie has good size and strength as a two-way defender. He has a ton of upside with his hockey sense and skating for his age and size. He uses his length and reach to defend and has a hard shot from the point.
2. Roman Schmidt
#27 Oshawa Generals, Don Mills Flyers, 2/27/03, Defense, Right Shot, 6-5/200
Schmidt is a potential super star with his size, skating ability and puck skills for a player of his size. His edge work is terrific and he can maneuver in and out of traffic. He has all the physical makings of a big time prospect.
3. Dylan Gratton
#36 Hockey Essentials, NJ Avalanche, 2/25/03, Defense, Left Shot, 6-0/160 (NCAA: Penn State)
Gratton is a big time defender who can step into the offense and contribute. He always skates with his head up and he has hockey sense. His stick is good and he can defend with reach. His gaps are good and he defends well. His feet are good and he can walk the blue line.
4. Nolan Allan
#16 Western Canada, Humboldt Broncos, 4/28/03, Defense, Left Shot, 6-0/160
Allan is another very good defenseman with size on this Western Canada team. He skated well and moved the puck up ice smoothly.
5. Luke Mittelstadt
#16 Minnesota Blades, Eden Prairie,1/22/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-10/168
Mittelstadt is the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres prospect Casey. He’s a totally different player, but looks to have a chance to be special. He’s a complete, physical two-way defenseman with a mean streak. He can shut opposing forwards down and he can activate and join in on the offense. He handles the puck well too.
6. Hudson Thornton
#12 Pacific Selects, Rink Hockey Academy, 11/4/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-10/155
Thornton was an explosive skater who could activate and join the rush. He made a great first pass with a quick decision. He has the agility and power to his stride to separate and escape trouble.
7. Oscar Plandowski
#24 All-American Prospects, OHA Edmonton, 5/18/03, Defense, Left Shot, 6-1/170 (NCAA: Quinnipiac)
Plandowski is a solid puck-moving defenseman who moves it with his feet and stick. He’s solid in his own end as well. His skating is very good.
8. Brandt Clarke
#55 ECS-Q, Don Mills Flyers, 2/9/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-10/150
Clarke is a dynamic mobile defenseman who can contribute offensively. He has a very good stick and has good feet. He scored a great shootout goal as well.
9. Carter Schade
#37 WCS Green, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 3/7/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-11/165 (NCAA: Penn State)
Schade is a smooth two-way defender who makes a great first pass to lead his team up ice. He’s a good skater and he makes plays. He’s not a pure shutdown defender, but he can make plays by defending with his feet and having a good stick in his own zone and defending the rush with solid gaps.
10. Henry Nelson
#6 Minnesota Blades, Osseo-Maple Grove, 3/25/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-10/160
Nelson is a tall, lanky defender who plays the game in a controlled manner. He makes smart, simple outlet passes and defends well, on the rush and in zone. He has a good reach and body and stick positioning are strong.
11. Declan Ride
#84 WCS Green, Toronto Young Nationals, Defense, Right Shot, 6-4/195
Ride is a big defender who moves well for his size. There’s upside.
12. Drew Tsakounis
#47 ECS-O, NJ Colonials, 7/15/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-10/145 (NCAA: Penn State)
Tsakounis is still adjusting to playing against better competition that can skate with him, but he’s a superb smaller, mobile defenseman. He does a great job on retrievals. He has the shoulder-check down. He can side-step forecheckers whether it’s to escape trouble on the breakout or to walk the blue line on the point.
13. Ethan Straky
#5 ECS-O, Little Caesars, 4/18/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-9/150 (NCAA: Notre Dame)
Straky’s skating and puck-moving are both impressive. He has a good stick in the defensive zone and plays with confidence on his gaps which allow him to defend on the rush and transition quickly. His one weakness here was he was a little reckless with the puck.
14. Tyler DesRochers
#12 NorthStar, NJ Colonials, 4/2/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-11/160 (NCAA: Providence)
DesRochers, who committed to Providence after the tournament, is similar to current Friar Ben Mirageas. He skates well, retrieves pucks, and plays well defensively, but he also walks the blue line well to get shots through and on net.
15. Michael Bevilacqua
#26 Pro Hockey Blue, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, 1/26/03, Defense, 6-1/196
Bevilacqua has the physical tools to be a pro some day. His size and skating make him an intriguing prospect. He gets in trouble when he over-handles the puck.
16. Tyler Procious
#58 ECS-O, Rochester Monarchs, 5/29/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-9/145
Procious is a solid, two-way mobile defender. He’s not flashy, but he skates well and keeps pucks in at the attacking blue line. He makes a good first pass and can transition from defense to offense. He needs to get better in his own end, especially defending on the rush.
17. Corson Ceulemans
#7 Western Canada, OHA Edmonton, 5/5/03, Defense, Right Shot, 6-0/170 (NCAA: Wisconsin)
Ceulemans had a good first step, a hard one-timer, was poised with the puck on his stick and joined the rush. He had committed to the Badgers just before the tournament began.
18. Chase Ramsay
#24 WCS Green, Mid-Fairfield, 6/10/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-11/155
Ramsay is a good all-around defenseman who can do it all. He’s smooth. He moves pucks north. He retrieves pucks and can jump into the offense without being overly flashy. There’s a lot to like about his game.
19. Jack Peart
#4 NorthStar, Grand Rapids Thunderhawks, 5/15/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-9/165
Peart is a two-way defender who plays well at both ends of the ice. He’s smart and poised. He makes heady decisions with the puck and has good stick and body positioning.
20. Will Staring
#41 ECS-Q, Shattuck St. Mary’s, 2/28/03, Defense, Left Shot, 6-0/165
Staring is a good skater who gets shots through and makes good outlet passes.
21. Sam Volturo
#66 All-American Prospects, Compuware, 4/12/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-10/160
Volturo is a strong defensive-minded, puck-moving defenseman who can make a good outlet pass and transition from defense to offense. He closes and has a good stick defensively.
22. Olen Zellweger
#65 Upstate Kings, OHA Edmonton, 9/10/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-9/140
Zellweger is a fun defenseman to watch. He has a flare for the dramatic and has good edge work to cut and maneuver in order to escape oncoming forecheckers. He’s confident and moves the puck up ice.
23. Griffin Ludtke
#2 DHI, Lakeville South HS, 2/1/03, Left Shot, 5-10/150
Ludtke is a solid, strong-skating defender who plays a mature game. He has the athletic ability to rush pucks and move up and down the sheet. He’s very smooth and nimble on his skates.
24. Ryan Ufko
#5 All-American Prospects, Mid-Fairfield, 5/7/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-6/135
Ufko keeps things simple and has a good stick. He makes a smart outlet pass and does a good job retrieving pucks.
25. Hughie Hooker
#8 All-American Prospects, Winnipeg Monarchs, 10/11/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-5/140
Hooker does a good job walking the blue line and getting shots through. He’s on the small side, but there’s something to like about his game.
26. Joe Palodichuk
#4 Minnesota Blades, Hill-Murray, 2/26/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-11/150
Palodichuk moves the puck well and is an above average skater. He’s smooth and while not as flashy as some of his teammates, there’s a lot to like in his game.
27. Michael Rubin
#4 ECS-O, NJ Colonials, 5/5/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-10/135
Rubin has grown and his game has developed over the past year. He steps up and is confident.
28. Tyler Pfister
#72 WCS Green, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, 2/27/03, Defense, Right Shot, 6-0/160
Pfister was solid here after missing much of the season with an injury. He skates well enough and has some size.
29. Sean Behrens
#89 WCS Gray, Chicago Mission, 3/31/03, Defense, Left Shot, 5-7/135
Behrens is smaller, but he defends with his feet and a good stick. He’s a player that could pop over the next few years once he grows some.
30. Will Elias
#15 Hockey Essentials, Junior Eagles, 1/28/03, Defense, Right Shot, 5-10/150
Elias is a solid, smooth defender who played well in his own end and has good gaps.
Goaltenders
1. Benjamin Gaudreau
#70 ECS-O, North Bay Trappers, 1/11/03, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-1/150
2. Hobie Hedquist
#30 NorthStar, Sioux Falls Stampede, 2/14/03, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-2/175 (NCAA: Colorado College)
3. Jack Stark
#35 Minnesota Blades, Chaska, 6/19/03, Goaltender, Catches Left, 5-8/120
4. Conor Callaghan
#30 WCS Green, Mid-Fairfield, 3/2/03, Goaltender, Catches Left, 5-10/155
5. Gibson Homer
#31 WCS Green, Fox Motors, 12/29/03, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-1/155
6. Nick Bevilacqua
#29 Hockey Essentials, Junior Eagles, 8/6/03, Goaltender, Catches Left, 5-9/135
7. Will Fox
#1 Pro Hockey Blue, Compuware, 2/3/03, Goaltender, Catches Left, 6-0/17
