Sunday, January 22, 2012

Best Uncommitted

Today, I will take a look at the best uncommitted players currently in the USHL. With the USHL doing so well getting kids to the NCAA ranks, there aren't a whole lot of players without a school lined up, which speaks volumes about this league. Here are my top 5 uncommitted players in the USHL right now.



1. Daniil Tarasov - Indiana Ice: I'm not totally sure if Tarasov is NCAA eligible, but he is easily at the top of the list for uncommitted players. After a very brief 2 game stint in Waterloo, Tarasov found himself in Indiana, where he was on a line with Blake Coleman. Tarasov posted a whopping 75 points last year and helped Coleman lead the league with 92 points. So far this season, Tarasov has not missed Coleman, but has great players in Jacob Fallon and Sean Kuraly to be his supporting cast this season. The offense just keeps flowing for Daniil, as he has posted 45 points in 33 games so far. I would like to see how Tarasov does without such great players on his line, but I do like the fact that over his career, he has 60 goals and 60 assists. He can not only score, but he can set up plays to beat you as well.

2. Bryn Chyzyk - Fargo Force: Chyzyk had a very slow start for a struggling Fargo team, but once the calendar hit December, Chyzyk has been lights out. In his first 19 USHL games, Bryn notched 7 goals and 1 assist. In his next 15 games, Chyzyk has amassed 12 goals and 10 assists. He has only been held scoreless twice since December. Chyzyk's success is a direct result of Fargo's surprising turnaround and everyone has elevated their game and is playing with loads of confidence.

3. Ian McCoshen - Waterloo Black Hawks: McCoshen is one of the youngest players in the league being born in 1995, but is also in his 2nd USHL season. In 29 games, he has already surpassed his rookie season point total by 4 and is nearing doubling his total output from last season. McCoshen is the only defenseman in Waterloo with a minus rating, but he also owns the most PP points among the defense as well. McCoshen has caught the eye of scouts, as he will take part in the USHL's inaugural Top Prospects game. This in turn, will probably get an OHL team to pursue him and try and lure him away like the league had done with other youngsters, Nick Ebert and Brady Vail, a few seasons ago.

4. Dan Molenaar - Sioux City Musketeers: Molenaar was a key piece in the trade that sent Jordan Schmaltz to the USHL powerhouse known as Green Bay. Dan has become an important part of the suddenly successful Musketeers powerplay. He has been much better than his minus-15 stat shows. Molenaar should return to Sioux City next season and be an anchor on their blue line.

5. John Keeney - Muskegon Lumberjacks: Keeney is my wild card pick. He is in his 3rd season in the league and doesn't have great numbers this season, but not many goalies have had much success in Muskegon. Through 17 games with the Jacks, Keeney has faced a crazy amount of shots. That shot total? 584. That's an average of nearly 35 shots faced per game. The Muskegon defense is nothing too special, so Keeney must be on his game every night if they want a shot to win. Keeney has seen 40+ shots eight times already this season, and notched a shutout in one of those.

3 comments:

Yeti said...

Homer pick, but Jared Hanson ('93) of the Lincoln Stars should be considered.

28 points (16g, 12a) in 30 games, and +16.

Plays a lot of minutes both on the PP and the PK. He has a knack for scoring big goals in big games. A bit undersized, but plays with a chip on his shoulder and is fearless.

Some college will be lucky to get him.

Ryan said...

I had to get my homer pick in lol but yes, Hanson is probably a top 5 uncommitted player.

Anonymous said...

No goaltenders seen success in Muskegon because the owner wouldn't play one and then ruined his career this past week. I hope Skip Prince can get away from Mervis Tuesday night so the fans can give him an earful.