Looking for some opinions on USHL draft-eligibles...

I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could give me some insight on the following players:

Mike Curry, RW, Sioux City
Matt Fornataro, C, Waterloo
Kyle Klubertanz, D, Green Bay
Matt McIlvane, C, Chicago
Jim McKenzie, RW, Sioux Falls
Victor Oreskovich, RW, Green Bay
Derek Patrosso, LW, Danville
Evan Rankin, RW, Lincoln
Paul Stastny, C, River City
Chris Zarb, D, Tri-City

Joe Fallon, G, Cedar Rapids
Peter Mannino, G, Tri-City


Skating ability, physical play, shot, faceoff ability, etc. Also, if you know the college the player has committed to (if any), that would also be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

PrussianBlue :blues

I can help you with college committments...

Mike Curry, RW, Sioux City - Minnesota-Duluth
Matt Fornataro, C, Waterloo - New Hampshire
Kyle Klubertanz, D, Green Bay - Wisconsin
Matt McIlvane, C, Chicago - Ohio State
Jim McKenzie, RW, Sioux Falls - Michigan State
Victor Oreskovich, RW, Green Bay - Notre Dame
Derek Patrosso, LW, Danville - Colorado College
Evan Rankin, RW, Lincoln - Notre Dame
Paul Stastny, C, River City - Denver
Chris Zarb, D, Tri-City - Ferris State

Joe Fallon, G, Cedar Rapids - Vermont
Peter Mannino, G, Tri-City - Denver

Paul Stastny is a great passer. He can also put the puck in the net as him and teammate Mike Howe were the top 2 scorers in the league pretty much all year. He's not afraid to get his nose dirty and either take or give a hit. He'll be a great addition to Denver and I'm looking forward to seeing where he goes. He'll be a great NHLer some day. Also played for Team USA in the Viking Cup. Was a USHL all star also.

Peter Mannino-I only got to see him play when Tri-City was in town, but I was very impressed by his goaltending ability. He's very agile and seems to be in the right place all the time.

Joe Fallon-Fallon uses his size to his advantage. He's a pretty big goaltender, but is very good. He represented team USA at the Viking Cup and did very well.

Jim McKenzie-Very impressed with McKenzie. For being his first year in the league, he definitely was a clutch player for Sioux Falls. He played in the USHL all star game and scored a hattrick. He plays very physical and is not afraid to fight from time to time.

Derek Patrosso-Patrosso was another player that was very good. He was very noticeable last year in Sioux Falls before being traded to Danville. He put up very good numbers scoring wise.

Evan Rankin-Rankin was a bright spot for Lincoln as one of their top players. I can't really tell you much about him, but for his first season, he put up good numbers.

Kyle Klubertanz-Honestly, I haven't been too impressed with him. And from talking to some Green Bay fans, they don't think he's as good as he was when he came into the league.

Chris Zarb-Very good defenseman for Tri-City. Not afraid to play the body. Committed to Ferris State.

Mike Curry-Very big physical forward that uses his size to his advantage. Another one that is not afraid to get his nose dirty.

Don't know much about the other two.

One of the ones missed was Fornataro.

Haven't seen him play myself but he had a great playoffs for his championship team.

Here is a write-up on him from this webiste:
http://members.aol.com/cheisenber/UNH/Index.htm

Scouting: Very good skater who is strong on the puck, sees the ice well and is a solid passer. Doesn't shy away from traffic and has a good shot. Very skilled with decent size.Year Team GP G A Pts PM League

2001-02 Calgary Royals 59 19 19 38 54 AJHL
2002-03 Waterloo Blackhawks 54 15 20 35 72 USHL

Before UNH: Committed to UNH on October 15, 2002. First year in the USHL with Waterloo Blackhawks, after spending his rookie year with the Calgary Royals of the AJHL. Started with only 2 points in first 11 USHL games, but came on strong and was voted to USHL All-Star Game. Finished second in scoring among players in his age group (1985s). Played on line with Mark Kolanos while with Calgary Royals, and was voted team Rookie of the Year. Participated in the 2001-02 World Under-17 Tournament with Team Pacific (BC and Alberta), where he was one of only three college-eligible players on the team. Posted two goals and three assists in six games for the silver medal winning Team Pacific. Drafted in 9th round of 2001 Western Hockey League's bantam draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers, and attended their camp before electing to preserve NCAA eligibility. Rated by the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Year rankings at #187 for the upcomming NHL draft.

lancerzrule,

Any thought's on Yale's Blair Yaworski (Sioux City)?

Thanks, lancerzrule and TMHUNH.

Fornataro, Fallon, and McKenzie are the players who most interest me from this league. I'd be happy to see my Blues draft all three.

PrussianBlue :blues

It might be nice to see Paul Stastny get drafted by St. Louis considering he is from that area. As for Yaworski, I personally don't know much about him, but I remember reading a good article on him and was trying to find it, but didn't have any luck. Maybe jldhawk or someone else who is more familiar with the Muskies can give you some good info.

I'm gonna throw out a name for the near future. Joe Finley (http://www.sfstampede.com/news.asp?id=418). Will turn 17 this year and he will play defense for Sioux Falls. He skates well and has a powerful slapshot. Oh, he also is 6'7" tall and weighs 240 pounds! I can't wait to see this guy in action. Just did a story on him for USA Junior Hockey Magazine (http://www.usajuniorhockey.com/), so be sure to read up on it in June. I think he is the real deal.

lancerzrule: From what I've read on MacKenzie, he's also a kid with some size and uses too, am I correct here?


4check22: Excellent read...Never miss it. ;)

Paul Stastny is a great passer. He can also put the puck in the net as him and teammate Mike Howe were the top 2 scorers in the league pretty much all year. He's not afraid to get his nose dirty and either take or give a hit. He'll be a great addition to Denver and I'm looking forward to seeing where he goes. He'll be a great NHLer some day. Also played for Team USA in the Viking Cup. Was a USHL all star also.

Peter Mannino-I only got to see him play when Tri-City was in town, but I was very impressed by his goaltending ability. He's very agile and seems to be in the right place all the time.

Joe Fallon-Fallon uses his size to his advantage. He's a pretty big goaltender, but is very good. He represented team USA at the Viking Cup and did very well.

Jim McKenzie-Very impressed with McKenzie. For being his first year in the league, he definitely was a clutch player for Sioux Falls. He played in the USHL all star game and scored a hattrick. He plays very physical and is not afraid to fight from time to time.

Derek Patrosso-Patrosso was another player that was very good. He was very noticeable last year in Sioux Falls before being traded to Danville. He put up very good numbers scoring wise.

Evan Rankin-Rankin was a bright spot for Lincoln as one of their top players. I can't really tell you much about him, but for his first season, he put up good numbers.

Kyle Klubertanz-Honestly, I haven't been too impressed with him. And from talking to some Green Bay fans, they don't think he's as good as he was when he came into the league.

Chris Zarb-Very good defenseman for Tri-City. Not afraid to play the body. Committed to Ferris State.

Mike Curry-Very big physical forward that uses his size to his advantage. Another one that is not afraid to get his nose dirty.

Don't know much about the other two.

I saw the USHL All star game, and McKenize stuck out with his size. Stastny with his skating/passing. Klubertanz scored a wicked goal on the PP, I was impressed with his play but his size is a concern for a defensemen. I look forward to seeing him play at Wisconsin next year. Rankin if I remember was on the small side but had some good moves.

Overall it was a great game, seems like the USHL is getting better and better.

Oilers Chick, yes you are correct. McKenzie is a bigger kid and uses his size to his advantage. Very physical forward.