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The prospects that might be a part of the 2024 NHL draft class are seeing some gamers starting to introduce themselves to the hockey world on a giant stage as faculty and junior-level hockey begins to play. This is the case for the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) U18 squad, as they make a weekend cease in central New York for a few video games towards faculty groups as they put together for their upcoming United States Hockey League (USHL) season, giving us an early view of a few of their prospects who’re anticipated to go early in subsequent June’s NHL Draft.
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The USNTDP has gamers listed in a lot of the early rankings of the 2024 NHL prospects. These gamers made an impression over the weekend, as Team USA simply defeated Utica University 7-1 on Friday (Oct. 20) earlier than falling to Cornell University 5-4 in extra time on Saturday (Oct. 21). Team USA dominated Utica, who got here into the sport with a slight drawback as they have been enjoying their first sport of the season, whereas Team USA had already had ten contests beneath their belt. Even although they misplaced, Team USA overcame a 4-0 deficit and rallied to drive extra time towards Cornell.
Team USA has 5 gamers on many early prospect rankings who might see their names known as in the first or early in the second spherical of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and made some constructive impressions in the two video games not too long ago performed in central New York.
Cole Eiserman – Center
Many questioned if Eiserman might repeat his performance from last season, when he scored 69 targets in 62 whole video games, simply surpassing the NTDP’s earlier Under-17 single-season aim report of 54 set by Cole Caufield. Coming into video games towards Utica and Cornell, he had already scored 13 targets in 9 video games, together with a hat trick towards Boston University, the workforce he has dedicated to play for as early as subsequent season. It was no shock when the native of Newburyport, Massachusetts, posted one other hat trick towards the Pioneers.
Eiserman was in a position to rating two targets towards Cornell, however his second aim was the one which pressured extra time. The two targets towards the Big Red now give him 18 for the younger season in simply 11 video games. He is actually on observe to make a run at the NTDP’s all-time targets report this season.
THW’s Peter Baracchini has Eiserman listed as the second highest-rated prospect, noting that his shot is really misleading along with his launch as he can change the angle barely with a purpose to idiot goaltenders. That was actually famous in the Utica sport, as his first aim was a nifty wrist shot from his off-wing. It took about 20 seconds earlier than somebody close by lastly stated what most of us have been pondering, “That was very Bedard-like”. While Eiserman nor anybody else has been in comparison with a generational expertise like Connor Bedard, his elite shot was on full show over the weekend.
EJ Emery – Right-Hand Defenseman
It was not tough to identify the 6-foot-3 defender on the ice. EJ Emery was dominant towards Utica and held his personal towards Cornell. While he performs a defensive-minded sport, he does have some uncooked skill along with his offensive expertise. That was on show towards Utica, as his imaginative and prescient and puck motion helped arrange Team USA’s first aim.
His father, Eric, performed linebacker at Fullerton St. University and performed for three seasons in the Canadian Football League. The youthful Emery does, at instances, play with a bit little bit of a linebacker’s mentality. It might be attention-grabbing to see if he can enhance his offensive expertise this season.
Cole Hutson – Left-Hand Defenseman
Cole Hutson is one in all the three Team USA defensemen listed as potential first-round picks. The youthful brother of Boston University and Montreal Canadiens draft decide Lane, the youthful Hutson has many of the same skillsets as his older brother. Both Hutsons can use comparable artistic and offensive-minded expertise from the blue line, simply maneuvering the puck to arrange scoring alternatives for their teammates. Cole did simply that in the Utica sport, organising Eiserman’s first aim and likewise had an help on Eiserman’s power-play aim towards Cornell.
Also, like his brother, Cole must work on bettering his defensive expertise in his personal finish. While he performed nicely towards Utica, he struggled initially towards a gifted and extra skilled Cornell squad. Still, he was in a position to alter and ended up with three assists in the extra time loss. In each video games, he was in a position to present his skill to deal with the puck and show that he’s an excellent skater. There is quite a bit to love about his sport.
Will Skahan – Left-Hand Defenseman
Another huge defenseman, Will Skahan, makes use of his 6-foot-4 body on protection and his dimension to assist produce a really heavy and exhausting shot. Against Utica, his work on the blue line made it extraordinarily tough for his opponents to realize clear entry into the offensive zone. Want to attempt to get some positioning in entrance of Team USA’s goaltender? Good luck when Skahan is on the ice.
Related: 2024 NHL Draft: Baracchini’s Top 32 Preseason Rankings
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NHL groups are very impressed with the huge, defense-minded blueliner who can kill play and discover teammates up the ice. He was one other participant who stood out towards Utica but in addition held his personal towards Cornell’s extra expert offensive gamers. Most of the projections have him at the finish of the first spherical or the starting of the second spherical, however as a giant defender with lots of consistency in his play, it could not be a shock to see him transfer up lists all through the yr.
Christian Humphreys – Right Wing
It’s exhausting to note Christian Humphreys until you’re looking for him, as he’s not a flashy participant. However, he’s a participant who has a superb general sport and can make an opponent pay for their errors. He did simply that in the Utica sport when the Pioneer protection fell asleep, and Humphreys slipped behind them for a breakaway aim. His enchantment lies in the truth that he’s a complementary participant who goes out of his manner to assist his linemates by making fast passes, enjoying the bumper in transition, and is sort of all the time in the right place whether or not his workforce is in transition or organising a play in the offensive zone.
Other Players to Watch
- Teddy Stiga was throughout the ice in these two video games. You couldn’t assist however discover him each time he stepped on the ice. He is presently tied for second on the workforce in factors with 17.
- Brodie Ziemer performs with a ton of tenacity. In addition, he’s a extremely good participant.
- Kamil Bednardik is a superb two-way participant. He made a pleasant impression towards Utica and was strong, particularly after the first interval towards Cornell.
- Put the names of Logan Hensler and James Hagens in your checklist of gamers to observe for the 2025 Draft. Hagens didn’t play this weekend however is ceaselessly talked about as a participant who could also be higher than Eiserman. Some really feel that Hensler is definitely the finest blueliner on the workforce. He did nothing this weekend to dispute that.
The USNTDP has produced an insane quantity of high-end NHL gamers over the years. This yr’s group could be very gifted and has an thrilling mixture of high expertise eligible for the 2024 and 2025 NHL Drafts. Throughout the starting of the 2023-24 season, together with their most up-to-date video games towards Utica University and Cornell, they’ve carried out every part they wanted to take care of and even improve their inventory for the upcoming NHL Entry Drafts.
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