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.

25 Man Roster Breakdown: The Defensemen.

Part two of three based on the 25 man roster posted here.

Andrew Noel

     An undrafted '96 from the Ice Jets Academy U18 program, Noel made the all-star game. 6' 2" and 200 lbs, Noel brings a combination of size and skill to the blue line. Unafraid to be physical, but not looking to draw unneeded penalties, Noel could wind up being a big building block moving forward.

Brian Leblanc

     A 21st round pick of the Steel out of high school in 2010, and again picked in 2013 out of Wichita of the NAHL in the 26th round, Leblanc returns to the Steel for the start of the 13/14 season. A veteran swingman capable of playing both defense and wing, Leblanc is a very well known commodity. The only '93 on the roster, Leblanc will have to be a veteran leader.

Connor Yau

     Another undrafted pick, Yau checks in at 5' 10" and 170 lbs. Coming from Chicago Mission's U18 team, I actually don't have any notes on him, but going on memory, I believe he's a right shot with some skill and willingness to jump in on the rush. Eliteprospects has him listed as a forward.

Jake Bunz

     A player I'm almost positive isn't in his first Steel camp, Bunz was the Steel's 9th round Phase II pick. Coming in at 6' 3" and 200 lbs from Team Wisconsin, Bunz brings a combination of size and skill. A wide frame signals potential things to come as he gets older and adds muscle mass to his frame.

Liam McGing

     Now someone I'm positive has been in prior camps (mainly because I remember his brother James McGing, a forward, also being in camp, and brothers stick out in my memory), McGing, a Chicago native, spent last season with Aberdeen of the NAHL. An exceptionally smooth skater, McGing shouldn't make too many mistakes on the blue line.

Matt Berkovitz

     The fourth round Phase II selection of the Steel, Berkovitz comes in at 6' 1" and 175 lbs. Averaging over a point per game as a high schooler in Wisconsin, Berkovitz should add some offensive punch from the blue line. Berkovitz is currently scheduled to join the University of Wisconsin for the 14/15 season.

Niko Coffman

     Taken in the third round of the Phase II draft, Coffman brings the Steel another offense-oriented defenseman. Though he didn't make the All-Star Game, Coffman, a '95, should add to the Steel's offense, despite being somewhat undersized (5' 11", 181 lbs).

Sam Piazza

      The most veteran member of the Steel's defensive corps, Piazza brings all of 43 USHL games in his career. Like Leblanc, Piazza didn't finish the 12/13 season with the Steel. Piazza's still the same player as he was last season: Wide frame, smooth skater, though not amazing speed. He's probably in line for top minutes on the 13/14 Steel team.

Nathan Kwiecinski

     Another undrafted player making it from open camp, Kwiecinski hails from Livonia, MI, the same town that produced former Steel defenseman Mike Gunn. A '96 with above average size (a recurring theme throughout all of camp this year), Kwiecinski checks in at 6' 1" and 185 lbs. Kwiecinski got in a fight with F Hogan Davidson during camp, and wasn't afraid to throw the body. A right shot, Kwiecinski should be a nice addition to the Steel ranks.

25 man roster breakdown: The goalies.

     Part one of three, based off the roster which may or may not be correct posted here.

Chris Nell

     Last year's backup, Nell had a back and forth camp. At times, he looked ready to take the reigns of the starter's job, and at others showed the same weaknesses as last season (read: 5 hole). If he can fix those flaws, there's no reason he can't be a bona fide starter in this league. Of course, he'll need help from an extremely inexperienced defensive corps (65 total USHL games played, 2 goals, 5 assists, -14 combined). Appears to have added an inch or two in height. Will have to be a veteran leader on a very young, inexperienced team.

Cale Morris

     An undrafted invitee to camp, Morris ran away from the pack to grab the backup job. Giving up one goal in four games of full camp, Morris forced his way onto the All-Star game roster, joining Nell, Finnish goalie Antti Karjalainen, and '97 Bailey Seagraves (who I'll talk about shortly). Morris gave up one goal during the two all-star games. Morris was very quick, calm, and collected all camp, very much looking the part of a USHL goaltender, albeit against unproven competition. If Nell falters, Morris could steal the starting job away from him without much surprise.

Bailey Seagraves

     Though he didn't make the team, Seagraves was the third best goalie in camp, and would appear to be the leading candidate for a 3rd goalie, when or if the need arises. The Phase I 5th rounder for Chicago, Seagraves also forced his way onto the all-star roster, beating out the likes of fellow Phase II pick Kevin Gollmer, former Futures Draft pick Kam Limburg, and '93 Gabe Grunwald. Had it not been for Cale Morris trying to prove the other 15 USHL teams wrong for not giving him a roster spot, Seagraves would have likely won the backup job. Big, quick, and with good anticipation, Seagraves should find his way onto a USHL roster at some point. There's too much talent there for him not to.

2013 Steel Camp All-Star Rosters

As far as I can tell, the "Report to Katie" list is for imports. We'll know tomorrow.

Steel Transactions: Hudson, Valleau, Ruelykke, McNamara, Eiserman

    With five separate transactions happening since I last properly updated this blog, I'll put them all into one big post. Here goes:

1/12: HUDSON ACQUIRED, RUELYKKE RELEASED

    Following their 2-0 loss to Omaha, the Steel finished a trade with the Indiana Ice to bolster their attack. The Steel sent 2nd round entry pick Joseph Widmar, a 1st round entry draft pick, and a futures pick to the Indiana Ice. In exchange, they received Ice captain Woody Hudson, a 3rd round entry draft pick, and a 4th round futures pick.

    Given the steep cost and his high skill level, Hudson figures to eventually find his way into the top six. A big bodied right winger who can score goals and throw checks, Hudson's mainly been skating depth minutes, seeing time on a line with Christian Heil and Danny Fetzer, and also playing the point on the 2nd unit powerplay.

    The Steel had to get to a 23 man roster, and 4 overagers, the victim of which was Danish defenseman Tobias Ruelykke. He was released, and eventually went back to the Rodovre Mighty Bulls, where he played before joining the Steel.

1/14: BILL EISERMAN SUSPENDED

    As a result of a hard check to Muskegon's Frederik Tiffels (or Fraulein Tiffels, as he shall be referred to from hereon out on here), Bill Eiserman received a 3 game suspension. The check, which nobody I talked to saw involve an elbow, lead to a 5 minute major. Eiserman's suspension is 3 games.  Fraulein Tiffels continued to play in said game. I could have maybe seen a charging call, but nothing more.

1/19: VALLEAU ACQUIRED, MCNAMARA RELEASED

     Still looking to bolster the team, and trying to find some extra bodies on D (Johnny Wingels hasn't skated since January 6th), the Steel acquired Nolan Valleau from the Des Moines Buccaneers for a 3rd round entry draft pick. Another '92, he gives the Steel 3 of their 4 overagers on the back end.

    Being an overager, the Steel had to cut someone. McNamara became the victim of the numbers game, and has presumably been released. No word on where he's going to play next.

Picking up on two weeks of slack.

    I'd like to start this post by apologizing for totally neglecting this. In the time since this has happened, the Steel have traded for two players, released two other players, and played four home games. Also of note is Alex Sakellaroplolous being added to the USHL/NHL Top Prospects game in Muskegon, due to an injury to Arthur Brey.

    I'll try to address all these things in separate posts in the next 24 hours or so, but here's an incredibly brief summary of what's been missed:

• Woody Hudson (F, '92), a 3rd round entry pick and a 4th round futures pick acquired from Indy for Joe Widmar, a 1st round entry pick, and a 1st round futures pick
• Nollan Valleau (D, '92) acquired from Des Moines for a 3rd round entry pick
• D Tobias Ruelykke ('92) and F Danny McNamara ('92) released
• Steel drop 3 of last 4 home games
• Second official sellout in team history on Mascot Night, a 5-4 loss to Green Bay

    I'll expand on all these things soon.

1/7-1/11 Roster moves

    This past week saw the Steel make a handful of moves. Emergency goalie Cody Karpinski was removed from the roster, as it can be assumed whatever was ailing Sak has cleared up. Defenseman Brian Leblanc was traded to Wichita of the NAHL, and Sam Piazza was dropped off the active roster, presumably taking Eric Sade's place on the affiliate list.

    The big move, however, was trading a 5th round entry draft pick to Sioux City for defenseman Mike Holland, who returns to the Steel after being traded during the 10/11 nightmare season. Holland will wear #44. The Steel will also have Tyler Hill join the team full-time, as they try to push for the playoffs.