NTDP
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Wanted to get this going for a potential 2019-20 season thread for the National Team Development Program. After having probably the best overall team (certainly with wins and points) that's ever came through here it's time to look ahead to the new crop of players entering USA Hockey Arena starting next year. Some I've seen in person throughout the past year. Here's some opinions from this random fan of the incoming group: All of these thoughts are my own.
Goalies
Gibson Homer (MI) - Fox Motors 16U - College: Miami
- Didn't see to much of him, can't really comment.
Kaiden Mbereko (CO) - Little Caesars 16U - College: Uncommitted
- Only saw him at Youth Nationals, thought he was good but not great. To small of a sample size.
Defensemen
Sean Behrens (IL) - Chicago Mission 16U - College: Denver
- He's evasive and makes smart plays. Can control the puck at decent speed and break the puck out smoothly.
Ty Gallagher (MI) - Compuware 16U - College: Miami
- Can be a stand up D man that makes smart plays at blue line. Was decent at Youth Nationals, we'll see how he develops.
Aidan Hreschuk (CA) - La Jr. Kings 16U - College: Boston College
- Think he's a good player with a lot of future potential. Was regarded by some to be the best D man in the '03 birth year early on and it's tough to say he's not in the top 3. After seeing him last year I agree he does nearly all the little things right to be a solid all around D man. I think we'll see how he develops over this next year against USHL competition. My guess is he'll adjust accordingly.
Luke Hughes (MI) - Little Caesars 15's - College: Michigan - Yes he's the brother of Quinn and Jack and he skates very well through the neutral zone and can be a one man breakout while setting his teammates up for success. Put the comparisons aside this year and watch him through a neutral lens. You'll see that he's a smart kid that moves the puck with pace and always is thinking a few steps ahead to generate offense for his team. Has a good active stick defensively too, will be tough to beat 1 on 1.
Jacob Martin (MN) - Gentry Academy Galaxy 15's - College: Miami - Honestly didn't see this kid play once this year but Gentry is the fastest up and coming midget AAA program in the states that has produced good players already. His teammate Bennet Schimek is also committed to Miami and puts up offensive points like few can do at his age. Was a first round USHL Phase 1 draft pick to the Omaha Lancers (4th overall).
Side note on Gentry Academy 15's: These guys went to the Toronto Marlboros holiday classic last year and beat some of the best teams in Ontario. Beat the Sudbury Wolves AAA 6-2 (Sudbury was a good team ask anyone who watched Chase Stillman and company), beat the famed Toronto Marlboros 7-4 and only lost to the Don Mills Flyers 3-2.
Ty Murchison - (CA) - LA Jr. Kings 16U - College: Uncommitted - More defensive minded but haven't seen much of him to be honest about his game.
Roman Schmidt - (MI) - Don Mills Flyers MM - College: Boston University - Well we all know how good the Don Mills Flyers were in Ontario last year and I thought of naming the OHL Priority Selection the Don Mills Flyers dispersal draft. Joking aside Roman was a very good player on that team and can skate up the ice with power and commands respect with the puck. He also has a very good quick shot from the point, that will come in handy throughout the season next year. Looking forward to watching him.
Ethan Straky - (FL) - Oakland Jr Grizzlies 16U - College: Notre Dame - Didn't see much of him, only a few games at Youth Nationals and he was alright. I'm sure he's decent though if he made this roster.
I'll say a few thoughts on the forwards by the end of the weekend.
Goalies
Gibson Homer (MI) - Fox Motors 16U - College: Miami
- Didn't see to much of him, can't really comment.
Kaiden Mbereko (CO) - Little Caesars 16U - College: Uncommitted
- Only saw him at Youth Nationals, thought he was good but not great. To small of a sample size.
Defensemen
Sean Behrens (IL) - Chicago Mission 16U - College: Denver
- He's evasive and makes smart plays. Can control the puck at decent speed and break the puck out smoothly.
Ty Gallagher (MI) - Compuware 16U - College: Miami
- Can be a stand up D man that makes smart plays at blue line. Was decent at Youth Nationals, we'll see how he develops.
Aidan Hreschuk (CA) - La Jr. Kings 16U - College: Boston College
- Think he's a good player with a lot of future potential. Was regarded by some to be the best D man in the '03 birth year early on and it's tough to say he's not in the top 3. After seeing him last year I agree he does nearly all the little things right to be a solid all around D man. I think we'll see how he develops over this next year against USHL competition. My guess is he'll adjust accordingly.
Luke Hughes (MI) - Little Caesars 15's - College: Michigan - Yes he's the brother of Quinn and Jack and he skates very well through the neutral zone and can be a one man breakout while setting his teammates up for success. Put the comparisons aside this year and watch him through a neutral lens. You'll see that he's a smart kid that moves the puck with pace and always is thinking a few steps ahead to generate offense for his team. Has a good active stick defensively too, will be tough to beat 1 on 1.
Jacob Martin (MN) - Gentry Academy Galaxy 15's - College: Miami - Honestly didn't see this kid play once this year but Gentry is the fastest up and coming midget AAA program in the states that has produced good players already. His teammate Bennet Schimek is also committed to Miami and puts up offensive points like few can do at his age. Was a first round USHL Phase 1 draft pick to the Omaha Lancers (4th overall).
Side note on Gentry Academy 15's: These guys went to the Toronto Marlboros holiday classic last year and beat some of the best teams in Ontario. Beat the Sudbury Wolves AAA 6-2 (Sudbury was a good team ask anyone who watched Chase Stillman and company), beat the famed Toronto Marlboros 7-4 and only lost to the Don Mills Flyers 3-2.
Ty Murchison - (CA) - LA Jr. Kings 16U - College: Uncommitted - More defensive minded but haven't seen much of him to be honest about his game.
Roman Schmidt - (MI) - Don Mills Flyers MM - College: Boston University - Well we all know how good the Don Mills Flyers were in Ontario last year and I thought of naming the OHL Priority Selection the Don Mills Flyers dispersal draft. Joking aside Roman was a very good player on that team and can skate up the ice with power and commands respect with the puck. He also has a very good quick shot from the point, that will come in handy throughout the season next year. Looking forward to watching him.
Ethan Straky - (FL) - Oakland Jr Grizzlies 16U - College: Notre Dame - Didn't see much of him, only a few games at Youth Nationals and he was alright. I'm sure he's decent though if he made this roster.
I'll say a few thoughts on the forwards by the end of the weekend.