The Chicago Steel were running away with the regular season in USHL and were all set to continue to break team records with weeks left in the regular season. But, with the stoppage of play, Steel players have turned their attentions to the NHL Entry Draft. With the draft still hanging in the balance due to the coronavirus, The Rink turned our focus toward eight players that could potentially hear their names called on draft weekend. The following scouting notes were taken from game reports for Future Considerations throughout the 2019–20 USHL season by Ray Napientek. The players are ranked according to projection.
Sean Farrell
Games: 44
Goals: 15
Assists: 41
Scouting notes:
Sean Farrell is a playmaker. He does an excellent job of finding his teammates and generating offense. Farrell is a quick decision maker and shows a soft touch on his passes. Farrell shows the ability to make plays under pressure and protect the puck despite his smaller frame. He stretches the defense well with his passes and creates space for himself with his stick handling and patience. Farrell has very good hockey sense. He does not let his lack of size hurt him along the boards and in front of the net. One thing to pick on, Farrell can look to not be as selfish and shoot the puck more.
Projection: Late first round or early second round
Brendan Brisson
Games: 45
Goals: 24
Assists: 35
Scouting notes:
Brisson is always in a position to score goals. He finds the open spots in the defense with ease and holds off defenders in tight very well. Brisson supports his teammates and makes it easy for them. He goes hard to the net with a purpose and is a hard-nosed forward. When Brisson keeps his feet moving, he is a handful for defenders to contain, as he battles along the boards very well. With added strength, Brisson will be really difficult to contain. He plays with a ton of urgency in all three zones. Brisson possesses a good shot and nice touch and shows the ability to make plays at high speeds. His skating is excellent.
Projection: Late first round or early second round
Sam Colangelo
Games: 44
Goals: 28
Assists: 30
Scouting notes:
Colangelo can score from all over the ice. He shows an easy release on his shot and can get that shot off quickly and in tight, finishing second on the team with 28 goals. Colangelo has a nice release, but can also make plays with his positioning in deep and with his drive to the net. He skates hard with a drive in his stride. When playing at top speed, he can beat defenders wide. Colangelo is good on his edges and does a nice job of missing defenders with his shiftiness and deception. He transitions quickly from the defensive zone. Colangelo plays with good positioning and an active stick in his own zone. His hockey sense is off the charts.
Projection: Late first round or early second round
Luke Reid
Games: 45
Goals: 2
Assists: 17
Scouting notes:
Reid is a smart, resourceful defender. He has a simple approach to his game. He supports his defensive partner well. Reid seems to always be in a good position and makes simple plays to move pucks out of his zone. Reid has a nose for the puck in his own zone. His determination is excellent along the boards and wants to win battles. He is a smooth skater, but with some development can really take his skating to another level. Reid could be a sneaky shutdown defender at the next level with that added skating. He played against top weapons in the USHL and handled them well. Reid also shows a willingness to play a physical style.
Projection: Mid-round pick
Mathieu De St. Phalle
Games: 49
Goals: 30
Assists: 30
Scouting notes:
De St. Phalle led the Steel with 30 goals as an over-ager for the NHL Entry Draft. He is active in the offensive zone and can find holes in the defense and make them pay with his shot. De St. Phalle has a nose for open spaces on the power play and is very active knowing he can score different ways. He pushes play with his skates. He also owns willingness to use his teammates and find the open play. De St. Phalle knows he will be getting the puck back. With the puck on his stick, he keeps eyes up and makes quick, decisive plays. De St. Phalle was used in all situations and is an active penalty killer. He has a willingness to block shots and reacts well defensively with hustle and a never-quit attitude. De St. Phalle will not be just a goal scorer at the next level.
Projection: Mid-round pick
Gunnarwolfe Fontaine
Games: 45
Goals: 26
Assists: 31
Scouting notes:
Fontaine plays with an obvious confidence. He looks to make plays with his top-end speed. He can get a shot off quickly and has accuracy. Fontaine seems to always be around the puck and making plays. Fontaine has his head on a swivel and shows a knack for making simple plays with his line mates. He does not slow down through the neutral zone. When his feet are moving, he is tough to stop offensively. Fontaine is another over-ager for the NHL Entry Draft.
Projection: Mid to late-round pick
Victor Ostman
Games: 30
Save percentage: .913
Goals against average: 2.34
Scouting notes:
The Swedish goaltender uses his 6-foot-3 frame economically and positions himself well. Ostman shows the ability to make saves without any extra effort, but is also highly athletic. His athleticism may be underrated because he makes it look too easy. He moves well laterally, but can get out too far and get lost in traffic on cross ice passes. Ostman is strong on his pads and hard to knock around. He secures the lower half of the ice with strength and battles to see pucks through traffic. Ostman shows a compete level that NHL teams look for in a goaltender.
Projection: Mid to late-round pick
Jimmy Dowd
Games: 48
Goals: 4
Assists: 22
Scouting notes:
Dowd is an effective defenseman. He plays a simple game in all three zones. He is the type of defenseman you do not notice until you watch the game film, then you see his overall impact. Dowd plays with good hockey sense and creates separation from his defenders with smooth stick handling. He is locked in defensively in his own zone and plays a solid positional game. His stick always seems to be in passing lanes. Dowd wants his team to win and will do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Projection: Late-round pick