With a lot to cover this week, we will get quickly to the articles. Jashvina Shah takes us through the action at the Frozen four while Ryan Wagman highlights four standout performances at the BioSteel All-American game. Ryan will be providing an in-depth review of the game for McKeen’s in the coming days if you want to dive even further into how these 2021 NHL Draft prospect hopefuls performed.
The McKeen’s team are scouting and writing about prospects all season long and provide in-depth reports on our website: www.mckeenshockey.com
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Prospects in the News: Frozen Four Roundup - Victory marks an incredible chapter in UMass’ turnaround
By Jashvina Shah
This past weekend’s men’s Frozen Four featured three different conferences and three teams from the state of Minnesota with Massachusetts, Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State in Pittsburgh. The NCHC was searching for its fifth straight championship, Minnesota-Duluth was searching for its third-straight championship and Massachusetts was returning after losing in the championship in 2019. Meanwhile, St. Cloud made its second Frozen Four appearance — the first since 2013, which was coincidentally also in Pittsburgh — and Minnesota State made its first Frozen Four in program history.
While a first for Minnesota State and a second for St. Cloud State, the Mavericks and Huskies have both been winning programs over the past decade that have just struggled to make it past the first round in regionals. This year, St. Cloud State defeated both Boston University and Boston College. The Mavericks surpassed Quinnipiac in overtime before taking down Minnesota. The Bulldogs advanced on a no-contest because Michigan was removed due to COVID protocols and then survived a five-overtime marathon game against North Dakota. The Minutemen reached the Frozen Four by defeating Lake Superior State and Bemidji State.
In total, there were 18 drafted players who played during the Frozen Four - 10 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders.
Semifinals
Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State
Minnesota State entered the game with no key missing players and a successful goaltender in Dryden McKay, while St. Cloud State was missing its top goal scorer, Easton Brodzinski, whose season ended with a broken leg in regionals, resulting in a few lineup changes.
The matchup between the two Minnesota teams was a back-and-forth scoring affair. St. Cloud State took the lead early, with Spencer Meier scoring three minutes in. Minnesota State’s Nathan Smith (WIN) tied the game late in the first, but the Huskies snatched the momentum right back off a goal from Kyler Kupka, who was filling in for Brodzinski on that top line.
In the second, the Huskies extended on their lead through an unassisted goal from Will Hammer, but Minnesota State would not go away. The Mavericks rattled off three straight goals from Walker Duehr (since signed by Calgary as a free agent), Smith again, and Dallas Gerads, to not only tie the game, but ultimately take the lead early in the third period.
It seemed the Mavericks would win, but with 10 minutes left Joe Molenaar, the replacement for Brodzinski, who had not seen game action since February, tied the game. With time winding down it appeared as though overtime would be needed, but with 54 seconds left, Nolan Walker scored the game-winning goal for St. Cloud State — also assisted by Kupka. Sam Hentges (MIN) recorded an assist, while netminder David Hrenak (LAK) made 25 stops in the win.
Editor’s Note: Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news and updates. Plus, it allows you to easily track your favorite players. Get it here!
Minnesota-Duluth vs. Massachusetts
The much-anticipated rematch of 2019’s national championship game did not disappoint, but it was rocky even before the puck was dropped, as UMass announced that four players would not be able to play due to COVID protocols, including leading goal scorer Carson Gicewicz and goaltender Filip Lindberg (MIN). The Bulldogs also had a goaltender, Ryan Fanti, unable to play due to COVID protocols. UMass still had many solid players available including backup goaltender Matt Murray, giving them hope that the missing players would not impact the results.
In 2019, the Bulldogs took the lead and squelched the Minutemen. In 2021, it was almost the opposite. Well, not at first. UMass struck first off a goal from Zac Jones (NYR) late in the first. Matthew Kessel (STL) assisted. Minnesota-Duluth’s Tanner Laderoute responded a couple minutes later, assisted by Quinn Olson (BOS) to send the game into the first intermission tied 1-1.
Bulldog captain Cole Koepke (TBL) opened up scoring in the second to give UMD a 2-1 lead, assisted by Noah Cates (PHI) and Nick Swaney (MIN). It seemed then that Minnesota-Duluth would clamp down like they did in 2019. But bolstered by previous Frozen Four experience, UMass fought back. And with around 10 minutes left in the third period, Anthony Del Gaizo tied the game.
From the second the puck dropped in overtime; UMass dominated the Bulldogs. It was a role reversal of 2019, with the Minutemen absolutely skating circles around the Bulldogs, as well as a reverse on the run of play in regulation, which saw UMD generally dominating possession. The Minutemen controlled possession in overtime and wore them out, outshooting the Bulldogs 13-2 in the frame. There was no question that the Minutemen would score, it was just a matter of when. Finally with five minutes left in the first overtime frame, the Minutemen scored the game-winning goal — courtesy of Garrett Wait and a phenomenal assist from Bobby Trivigno — to send UMass to the national championship game.
Editor’s Note: The Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals face off Tuesday on NBCSN starting at 6:30 pm ET. Livestream all the action here.
Championship
UMass vs. St. Cloud State
UMass’ win over Minnesota-Duluth guaranteed that we would see a first-time champion crowned in Pittsburgh. The Minutemen also received a boost from the returns of Lindberg and Gicewicz, two close contacts who had cleared COVID protocols. Head coach Greg Carvel opted to start Lindberg in net, instead of sticking with the “hot hand” in semifinal winner Murray.
The Huskies started the game with a jump and even earned the first good scoring chance, hitting a crossbar. But then things began to fall apart quickly for St. Cloud, as a Husky blew an edge and collided into a teammate, resulting in a 2-on-0 and UMass’ first goal of the game. Then, with under two minutes left in the first, Reed Lebster made it 2-0 on a play that was offsides but could not be reviewed because the Huskies had retained possession.
Both teams had played well in the first despite the score, and St. Cloud still felt it had a chance. But at the start of the second, a bad pass led to a turnover that led to a spectacular shorthanded goal from UMass’ Philip Lagunov.
UMass then did to the Huskies what Minnesota-Duluth did to UMass two years ago — they squelched them. Kessel scored in the second period to make it 4-0, all but closing the door on the Huskies. From that point, the Minutemen kept swarming as though the game were 1-0 and not 4-0. Bobby Trivigno — who had missed the 2019 national championship game because of suspension for a hit — scored the fifth and final goal of the game.
Lindberg (MIN) played spectacularly in net and finished with 25 saves in the shutout. Hrenak (LAK) made 17 saves in defeat.
The victory marked an incredible chapter in UMass’ turnaround, bringing the Minutemen from worst to first. Quite literally, as in 2016-17 UMass finished last in Hockey East and recorded just five wins. That was Carvel’s first season as head coach. Lindberg, an import from Finland, became the first ever non-North American born goaltender to win the national championship. The Minutemen ended the season on a 14-game unbeaten streak as they became the team with both the fewest wins and fewest losses to earn a national title.
Matthew Kessel finished with two goals during the Frozen Four. Lindberg, also a highlight of the tournament, missed the first half of the season but since returning lost just one game. Minnesota State’s Nathan Smith potted a goal and an assist as well. Four players who played in the Frozen Four, Minnesota-Duluth’s Luke Mylymok and Connor Kelly, St. Cloud State’s Zach Okabe and UMass’ Josh Lopina are all still eligible to be drafted. Lopina had two assists for the Minutemen, including on the game-winning goal against Minnesota-Duluth. Okabe and Kelley had an assist.
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2021 NHL Draft Prospects: Standouts 2021 NHL Draft prospects at the BioSteel All-American Game.
By Ryan Wagman
Last Wednesday, for the first time since the pandemic began, I was able to attend a game outside of my home market in the Chicago area. It was the 2021 BioSteel All American game, played for the second year in a row in Plymouth, Michigan at the home rink of the USNTDP. And for the second year in a row, the event pitted the USNTDP U18 squad against a squad of draft eligible USHL players with American passports. And for the second year in a row, the game was a blow-out. Even if (a very loose “if”) the USHL team had some better players, the USNTDP squad was a team that had been playing together for almost two full years, while the USHL squad was a motley crew of 22 players from 11 different USHL rosters (every team but Lincoln and Omaha were represented). The USNTDP team won the match by a 7-1 final score. Legit first round draft candidate Sasha Pastujov won the official MVP award of the event, on the strength of great boxscore figures including two goals and an assist, as well as a team-leading four shots on net.
With all due respect to Pastujov for what was a fine performance, from my vantage point on the media riser just past the last row of seats just inside the south side blueline, he was not the player of the game. He was good, but his two goals were from a combined distance of less than 10 feet from the goal line. In both cases, he came to the net after a teammate made a play and stuck the rebound home. Those goals count and full credit to the Notre Dame commit, but I am more interested in the players who created the chance in the first place. So, for this space, this week, I will highlight two players from each team – one forward and one defender each – who impressed me.
Team Blue (USNTDP)
C Red Savage
2020-21 UNSNTDP Juniors, USHL 22GP-10G-10A-20PTS
2020-21 U.S. National U18 Team, USDP 39GP-16G-22A-38PTS
Admittedly, the name is unfortunate. Red, the son of ex-NHL’er Brian Savage, is the diminutive for Redmond. I would love for him to go by Reddy, or even (especially) Mondo, when he gets to Miami University next year, and the pros after that, but it isn’t my call to make. Savage doesn’t put up points like Pastujov or the even more highly heralded prospect Chaz Lucius, but he plays an intriguing game nevertheless. Savage opened the scoring, collecting a pass from behind the net from linemate Liam Gilmartin while parked in the slot and banging it home.
Savage’s game lacks flash, but he does a lot of little things well, plays on both special teams’ units, and plays much tougher than his slightly undersized frame would suggest. His skill game is more meat and potatoes than flash and dash, but his feet are quick and so is his trigger. While I currently have Savage as a likely second round pick this summer, he is close enough to the first round that a strong performance that the upcoming WU18 tournament could see him land there.
D Sean Behrens
2020-21 USNTDP Juniors, USHL 23GP-4G-14A-18PTS
2020-21 U.S. National U18 Team, USDP 39GP-6G-25A-31PTS
One of the smaller players on the ice at a listed 5-9”, 175, Behrens plays a much bigger game than those numbers. Generally paired up with behemoth partner Roman Schmidt, Behrens has a game that can pop on some shifts. He makes up for his lack of size with plus positioning and good balance. He has a good amount of skill as well and looks comfortable rushing the puck up the ice. He also has no hesitation in rushing the puck to the net, which he did more than once in this game.
The Denver commit did not register a point in the game, but his play always helped to tilt the ice in the USNTDP’s favor. Behren’s size might have people thinking of former USNTDP blueliner Dominick Fensore, but Behrens is not as small as the Carolina prospect and he projects as being more able to withstand own-zone pressure than Fensore as well, while also bringing a strong offensive component to the ice.
Editor’s Note: Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news and updates. Plus, it allows you to easily track your favorite players. Get it here!
Team White (USHL All Stars)
RW Carter Mazur
2020-21 Tri-City Storm, USHL 46GP-20G-24A-44PTS
Slated to join Behrens at the University of Denver next year, Mazur has had massive gains to his game in his second year of draft eligibility and should be seen as one of the more likely re-draft candidates in the USHL to hear his name called in 2021. Once the third overall pick of the USHL Futures Draft, the Detroit native has seen his production jump from 13 points in his first draft-eligible year to 43 points in 46 games this year.
While the USHL team created precious few high danger scoring chances in this game, when they did threaten, Mazur was often in the thick of it. Not only did he bring it in the offensive zone, but he also played a strong, effective game away from the puck. Mazur was strong along the boards and played aggressively in the neutral zone to dismantle breakout attempts by the USNTDP. He drove play regularly in this game, continuing on his fine work for Tri-City this year. I don’t see a player with enough offensive skill to profile as a top six candidate, but he does enough things well to forecast a bottom six player who can fit in a variety of roles and augment the offense as well.
D Ryan Ufko
2020-21 Chicago Steel, USHL 50GP-10G-28A-38PTS
The scorer of Team White’s only goal in the game, Ufko scored in a manner very much unlike his modus operandi in league play, where he tends to rely on a booming point shot. Somewhat undersized (only a little bit bigger than Behrens), Ufko had more than a few shifts with plus puck movement, helping extend offensive zone time (or decrease defensive zone time). On his goal in the middle of the third period, he helped carry the puck from blueline to blueline, passing the puck off when he gained the zone, and charged towards the net, from where he scored on the ensuing scramble.
For the rest of the game, Ufko was notable as he made a point of hitting every USNTDP player he could. In fact, any player who tried to enter the USHL zone on Ufko’s side was quickly the recipient of a hard body shot. Whereas some players up their physical intensity in All Star games, this is actually a regular feature of Ufko’s game, even if he too increased his intensity here. His skating, which is only average, may hold him back somewhat, especially considering his size, but the rest of his game ranges from good to very good (his shot). The right-hand shot will hear his name called in the middle rounds this summer, before joining the reigning NCAA champion UMass roster next fall.
PAST NBC EDGE MCKEEN’S 2021 NHL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORTS – In this weekly column we cover an NHL Draft prospect. Check out what we have written to date here listed by our most recent ranking.
#1 - Matthew Beniers C, University of Michigan, NCAA, C, 6’1” 175 lbs
#2 – Owen Power, D, University of Michigan, NCAA, C, 6’6” 215 lbs
#3 – Luke Hughes, D, USNTDP U18, D, 6’2” 175 lbs
#4 - Jesper Wallstedt G, Lulea, Sweden, G, 6’3” 200lbs
#5 – Simon Edvinsson, D, Vasteras, Allvenskan, 6’5”, 200lbs
#6 - Brandt Clarke, D, Nove Zamky, Slovakia, D, 6’1” 180 lbs
#7 – Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton, WHL, 6’0” 170lbs
#9 – Aatu Raty, D, Kärpät, Liiga, Finland, 6’2” 185lbs
#10 – William Eklund, LW-C, Djurgårdens IF,SHL, Sweden, 5’10, 175lbs
#11 – Carson Lambos, D, JYP, Finland, 6’0, 200lbs
#12 - Kent Johnston, C, University of Michigan, NCAA, C, 6’1” 170 lbs
