EliteProspects is doing all they can to grow from just the best hockey database in the world, to being a true empire of all things puck. They took one more step towards accomplishing this goal on Tuesday, when they announced the rosters for the inaugural EliteProspects Pre-Draft Invitational, a new Spring invitational that gives players a chance to showcase their talents before the OHL and USHL Drafts.
All three games will be streamed on HockeyTV.
Dates and Times:
April 15, 9:00pm EST; April 16, 7:00pm EST; April 17, 12:00pm EST
The Top Names
These lineups are rich with talent that needs a chance to prove themselves on a high level: the exact opportunity EP is offering them at this invitational. And while every player has something to prove, there are a few standout names on each team that immediately caught my eye as I looked over the lineups.
Team EliteProspects
Nick Christianson
Nick Christianson is one of my favorite 2006-born Americans. He was a notable snub from the USNTDP Evaluation Camp but has no shortage of attention coming from the juniors level. He’s managed this on the back of a really mature style of play. Christianson handles the breakout well and knows how to transition from defense to offense well, slinking into space in the neutral zone to create outlet options for his teammates. He’s smooth with the puck on his stick, able to decently deke around opponents and find creative ways to get the puck to his goal-scoring teammates. Christianson’s game is built on the back of quick, aware play that leads to strong playmaking opportunities in the rush. He feels like a player that is one piece away from completing the puzzle of “great juniors player” and could become a favorite option of public sector NHL Draft scouts who favor heads-up, playmaking centers… like myself.
Grant Dillard
Grant Dillard was another notable NTDP snub but, again, is a player who has caught the eye of many in the public and private sector. He’s a confident 6’1″, 161 lbs and has used every ounce of that large frame to dominate in 15U and 16U play. And while that statement always leads to inherent concern about if a player’s dominance in youth hockey is simply because of their size, Dillard has consistently shown a genuine understanding of how he can use his frame to box out opponents and protect the puck, rather than just using it well in the corners or in front of the net. He combines strong puck-protection with a quick release and persistent awareness of where his teammates are, making him a constant threat in the offensive end. Finding his ceiling, and ways to consistently grow his potential, on top of rounding out his areas of improvement will be a challenge for the already fairly-well-rounded Dillard as he moves into the next level. But there’s reason to be excited for a solid, strong two-way center and his prospects with a juniors team.
Caleb Mahar
Caleb Mahar doesn’t have the dominant namesake that Christianson and Dillard have but he has a willingness to make the flashy play that really makes him stand out. Mahar is poised with the puck on his stick and keeps his head up in tight situations, opening up the door for bold cross-ice passes and sauces through the neutral zone. While fundamentals and the gritty details, like how players orient their weight on their toes or work onto their edges, are super important, it’s refreshing to see a player so rich in the intangibles, with confidence on the puck and strong enough decision making in-tight to make unbelievable plays happen. I spoke a lot about how the prior two players will translate well into juniors. But Maher’s play is way too fun to speak about so distantly. The prospect of him blending with the speed of Christianson or the responsibility of Dillard could mean fans are in for a ton of fun over the three games of the EP Invitational.
Team Verbero
Grant Young
These rosters are littered with great Midwest talent, including a lot from the Windy City Storm’s program. And, in a cheeky move, those who decided the rosters split up Windy City’s stars. Christianson will attempt to man Team EliteProspects, facing off against Grant Young’s Team Verbero.
Young confidently led Windy City’s 15U team in scoring this season, netting 89 points in 62 games and effectively patented Windy City’s “style” along the way. His responsible play in the middle lane led to plenty of takeaways and fast breaks up the ice. And with momentum on his side, Young showed a consistent ability to score on fast breaks. His responsible play is what gave Christianson the opportunity to really use his speed to manipulate opponents and Young’s knowledge of how to get into open ice made scoring a breeze.
There’s room for question around Young’s ability in offensive setups, or along the boards, but he is unquestionably dominant in transition, moving both ways; built on the back of smart positioning and ability to work the puck into the neutral zone. This style will make him incredibly fun to watch in the three upcoming games.
Ryan Lukko
Ryan Lukko is a 5’3″ defenseman.
Now that everyone concerned about size has run away in horror, we have to talk about how good Ryan Lukko is. He shocked the hockey world at the World Youth Championship this summer, nearly single-handedly leading his team to the Finals. He has consistently shown a great ability to control the puck in the defensive zone and go coast-to-coast, leading to a score. This fact led him to a staggering 73 points in 73 games with the New Jersey Rockets 15U team. He was one of the fastest on his team and joined the offensive rush in very impactful — but still positionally-responsible — ways to, adding that much more oomph to the team’s attack.
But perhaps the strangest aspect of Lukko’s game is his ability to fight through contact. Despite being just 5’3″, he’s listed as 141 lbs by EliteProspects, giving him a sturdy frame in a small package. And he can serviceably play with much bigger players because of it. This gives him a confidence to jump into scrums or go for the puck that many smaller players aren’t granted.
Many people have said many things about Lukko’s game. There is certainly room for concern around his size. But he has consistently found ways to emerge as the top defenseman on his teams and take over play when his team needs a goal. There’s a layer of respect that Lukko’s game absolutely demands. He will almost certainly prove that again at the EP Invitational and is a very fun name for scouts to stake their flag in.
Roy Yoonho Chung
Roy Chung, or Yoonho Chung, is one of the most polarizing prospects awaiting their inevitable selection at the USHL Draft. It’s not every day that you see a South Korean prospect in America but Chung has quickly emerged as a great prospect with the LA Jr. Kings 15U team. He’s scored a lot of points in all of the ways that defensemen should be scoring points. Chung is tremendous at defending the rush, keeping an active stick and forcing opponents to make decisions at the blueline. This shuts down any transition-opportunities for the opposing team and Chung is jumps on chances to turn back up the ice quickly, fostering a strong regroup and using clean passes to move his team up the ice. In the offensive end Chung holds the blue well and knows how and when to dip in to create lanes for his teammates.
He’s an overall very responsible defenseman, a great compliment to the high-end offense of his Invitational teammates like Lukko. There’s great reason to be excited for Chung. He is not only poised to become only the fourth South Korean in the USHL, he’s also a very moldable, responsible defenseman that a juniors team is going to have a ton of fun molding into a genuinely strong prospect. Chung is smart, positionally-sound, and knows how to put up points without deviating out of his role. That’s plenty of reason to watch him close.
Predictions
It’s hard to predict much with such competitive rosters at the table. But there are a few aspects that are certain to show up. Team EliteProspects is much more forward-oriented and will rely on speed through the neutral zone, and reliable play from their centers, to catch Team Verbero flat-footed. But that’s going to be a tall order, given the strong skillset of Team Verbero’s defense, who will lean on shut-down play and a strong ability to slow down the play and create chances. The teams have been beautifully-crafted to eat against every player’s strengths and create three hard-fought games that should be a ton of fun to watch.
For the sake of competition, I’ll predict Team Verbero winning two of the three games and Roy Chung emerging as their MVP. But anything could happen this weekend! Make sure to tune in on HockeyTV!