Thursday, June 27, 2013

25 Man Roster Breakdown: The Forwards

Overdue third part of three, breaking down the 25 man roster posted here.

Biagio Lerario

      One of the few returning Steel players, Lerario joined the team full-time in the middle of the 12/13 season, after being a Futures Draft pick in 2011. Lerario looks to have added an inch or two in height, and significantly improved his ability to win faceoffs. Like the fellow returning players, he'll be asked to perform highly if the Steel are to succeed in 13/14.

Brady Jones

     One of many undrafted free agents to make the Steel, Jones, a '96, brings good size to the Steel collection of wingers, checking in at 6' 2", 187 lbs. During the first part of camp, Jones gave everything he had to score a goal, winding up sliding across the ice and banging into the boards. The combination of skill and size should make Jones an intriguing player.

Chris Dodero

     The lone '96 to see full-season action with the 12/13 Steel (fellow F Christian Dvorak did stay with the team the last few weeks), Dodero looks to be about the same as last season. A small, skill-driven player, hopefully a bigger set of teammates can help him succeed and cause havoc in the attacking zone.

Christian Dvorak

     2012's 1st round Futures Draft pick for Chicago, Dvorak's raw skill and talent is hard to ignore. Bringing average size (6' 0", 175 lbs), Dvorak should have some success in 13/14, though rookie growing pains would not be unexpected as he transitions from Chicago Mission to the USHL.

Christiano Versich

     The Steel's 6th round Phase I pick, Versich is my early pick for any player to be dropped to the affiliate list. Coming in at 5' 7" and 160 lbs, only forward Beau Rossbach (5'6" 150 lbs) was smaller than Versich in camp. That said, Versich has excellent vision of the ice, and looks to be a quality playmaker in the USHL. I personally wonder if the best time for that would be in a year or two, however.

Hogan Davidson

     One of my favorite players in camp - if not my outright favorite - Davidson's an undrafted, undersized rat. Coming back from a ruptured spleen in December, Davidson realizes his role as a 4th liner and embraces it to the fullest. Able to win faceoffs and set up plays as a center, Davidson can also slide over to wing. Davidson got in at least three fights in camp (I missed one of his games), despite being one of the smallest players in camp (5' 7", 165 lbs). Though he could get cut, if he makes the team, he screams fan favorite.

John Ernsting

     I'm still convinced Ernsting tried out for the Steel three years ago as an extremely undersized, very young kid (couldn't have been more than about 5' 3", but won every faceoff, if memory serves). The Steel grabbed Ernsting in the 13th round of the Phase II draft, who now has sufficient USHL size (5' 10", 170 lbs). Still able to win faceoffs, Ernsting is neither impressive nor unimpressive. He likely won't play his way onto the first line, but shouldn't play his way out of being dressed regularly, either.

John Schilling

     A 2012 Steel draft pick, Schilling appeared in three games, putting up no points, a break even plus/minus, and only an interference call on March 30th vs Team USA. Solid defensively, the Steel could do much worse on the PK and 3rd line than Schilling.

Liam McDermott

     McDermott saw action at the end of the 11/12 season with the Steel, after being a 6th round futures pick of Des Moines in 2010. A big forward (6' 3", 190 lbs) from the same hometown as former Steel forward Tucker Brockett, McDermott can line up at any of the three forward positions. Able to win faceoffs at center and throw checks on the wing, McDermott had intriguing numbers during the 11/12 season with the Cleveland Barons U18 (38 games, 37 points, 72 PIM), though Eliteprospects doesn't have any 12/13 stats for him. Some digging shows he played for the Salisbury Prep School in Connecticut. McDermott should be a safe lock to make the roster and bring a physical presence.

Mason Bergh

     The first pick of the Steel in the Phase II draft, Bergh comes to the Steel from Eden Prarie, MN. Coming in at 6' 0", 165 lbs, Bergh was a playmaking center all through camp. Bergh had good speed and better acceleration, hitting his top speed faster than most, if not all, players in camp. His playmaking abilities made his linemates look better. He should be a guy that you like more the more you see him.

Patrick Polino

     The most productive returning player (6th in scoring for the 12/13 team, 9G, 15A), Polino's my early pick for team captain. The fourth overall pick in the 2011 Futures Draft, Polino's combination of skill, speed, and toughness screams leader, even if conventional wisdom would say that his age (Polino's a '95) would say elsewise. My personal favorite to lead the team in scoring, Polino should see top six minutes all year.

Robby Jackson

     The first pick of the Phase I draft by the Steel, Jackson already turned down an offer by Tri-City of the WHL after being considered a top-5 pick in their Bantam Draft in order to pursue a career in collegiate hockey. In between, he'll suit up for the Steel, where his quality vision, instinct, and skill should help him put up points. Reminds me a lot of where Polino was two years ago.

Tyler Hill

     The final returning forward from the 12/13 season, Hill is the grand wildcard of the 13/14 Steel. If it all starts to click, he could make a run at the USHL scoring title. A highly touted NHL Draft prospect due to a frame that makes scouts drool (6' 6", 235 lbs), Hill has enough upside for an entire USHL roster. That said, if he's as shaky as last season, he won't be able to earn a top-six spot. Hill is a gamble, but if he pans out, the team won't need everyone else to play over their heads to make it into the post-season. His skating looks a tad smoother, and during the second All-Star Game in camp, Hill scored a goal using Brian Leblanc's stick following a very odd series of events in the offensive zone. Could be a top line winger, or bottom six junk minutes player.

Zach LaValle

     The 6th round pick of the Steel in the Phase II draft, LaValle leaves Hill-Murray High School in Oakdale, Minnesota as the school's all-time scoring leader, winning the Pioneer Press Player Of The Year Award. Average sized (5' 11", 185 lbs), LaValle should slot in on either the second or third line, combining his scoring touch with solid defensive work.

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