We've looked at the top forwards for Aug. 1 recruiting. Now it's time to think about the top defensemen and goalies.
Despite the day the transfer portal opens, August 1 is still — for now — the biggest day on the men's college hockey recruiting calendar. Rising juniors in high school become eligible to accept offers from Division 1 programs.
There was plenty of action last Aug. 1, the first since the CHL ruling. Most schools didn't recruit as many players as they once did.
But that makes Aug. 1 even more important than it previously was.
Schools are mostly adding depth through the transfer portal and from the CHL. But on Aug. 1, and in the following days, schools are looking to commit the best of the best from the next class of players.
Future difference-makers.
To reflect this, I've listed fewer players than in years past. These are my own rankings of how I’d look at the top ‘09 and ‘10 defensemen and goalies who are now eligible to commit. I took into account how they are right now, mixed with my projections for them.
Let's dive in.
READ MORE: 15 forwards to watch for Aug. 1 college hockey recruiting
1. Jack O’Dell
Phillips Andover, 7/30/2009, D, right shot, 6-2/185
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
O’Dell burst onto the scene this winter, switching from Windy City Storm 15O to Phillips Andover. He had 12 goals and tallied 21 points in 30 games for Andover this past season, but stuck out for his two-way abilities. He’s a fantastic skater who transports pucks in both safe and creative ways. He has an offensive element to his game with a wicked shot and an ability to create in the offensive zone. And, most importantly, he hits hard and has a great stick. He does everything at a high level and only seems to be getting better.
2. Cam Minella
Halifax Mooseheads, 8/29/2009, D, left shot, 5-11/170
Hometown: Darien, Conn.
Minella is a high-end puck-moving defenseman who challenged himself by leaving Brunswick after his freshman season for the QMJHL’s Mooseheads. While the numbers don’t jump off the page — three goals and nine points in 64 games — his elite skating and vision should have him producing even more this coming season. Everyone wants the next great puck-moving defenseman, and Minella has a chance to be that. On Monday, he made Team USA's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup team.
3. Logan Cotter
Green Bay Gamblers, 8/17/2010, D, left shot, 5-11/174
Hometown: Marlboro, Mass.
Cotter is following a similar path to Minella, jumping from prep to junior hockey after a strong first season. This past season, Cotter put up 22 points in 30 games for St. Mark’s. His strongest asset is his skating. Cotter is a phenomenally natural skater, with an effortless stride that is as effective in his own zone eliminating scoring threats as it is in the offensive zone creating them. He may take his lumps in the USHL this coming season, but he’s still a top offensive defenseman to grab for D1 programs. I could see him being a fantastic fit for a program like Northeastern.
4. Kamden Jackson
Shawinigan Cataractes, 3/4/2009, G, catches left, 6-1/190
Hometown: Manchester, N.H.
Colleges are committing goalies later now, but it will be impossible to pass on Jackson when he can commit. At Williston Northampton this past season, Jackson led New England in save percentage (.945) and boasted a staggering 1.88 goals-against average. His athleticism should serve him well as he develops into a Division 1 goalie someday. He’s worth taking a chance on early.
5. Marshall Paul
Avon Old Farms, 2/23/2009, D, right shot, 6-2/200
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
Here’s a nugget: Scouts love Paul. His size and what he can be as a physical, shutdown defenseman have NHL scouts, college coaches and junior executives taking notice. There’s a reason why he was a second-round pick in the USHL Phase 2 Draft back in June. I wouldn’t be shocked to see schools go hard after him on Aug. 1 and in the days after.
READ MORE: 17 standouts from USA Hockey's Select 15 Camp
6. Tyler Poti
Winchendon, 5/20/2010, D, left shot, 6-3/187
Hometown: Sandwich, Mass.
This is firmly a projection commitment. While Poti is still getting used to playing at his size, all signs point to him being an effective defensive defenseman at higher levels. He has a great stick, and his skating and puck skills have gotten a lot better and should continue to. He had 17 points in 33 games for Winchendon this past winter and was a second-round pick by Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL Draft.
7. Jacoby Palmer
Woodbridge Wolfpack, 8/9/2009, D, left shot, 6-1/192
Hometown: Holden, Mass.
Palmer is an intriguing prospect given his size and how good of a puck-moving defenseman he is. He’s bounced around the past few seasons, but was most recently a standout with Woodbridge Wolfpack’s 16U team. His confidence with the puck is the biggest asset in his game.
8. Jake Donatelli
St. George’s, 1/4/2010, D, left shot, 5-9/165
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.
As I said earlier, Division 1 programs are always looking for their next fleet-footed puck-moving defenseman, and Donatelli profiles as one. He had a strong prep season with 21 points in 26 games for St. George’s. His elusiveness on breakouts and when transporting pucks makes him an intriguing prospect for Division 1 consideration.
9. Kasen Walsh
Nobles, 1/24/2010, D, left shot, 6-2/168
Hometown: Warwick, R.I.
Walsh has the size and abilities to be an intriguing Division 1 prospect as a shutdown defenseman. The next step is growing his offensive game, but the Nobles product has an active stick, takes great angles at opposing forwards and makes life difficult in front of his own net.
10. Nick Ware
Belmont Hill, 1/5/2010, D, right shot, 5-11/185
Hometown: Weymouth, Mass.
Ware does everything well. He logged 23 assists for Belmont Hill this winter and is a terrific puck-mover. He can handle tough assignments in his own zone. The biggest question facing him will be which of his assets rise to the top to project him to the collegiate level.
READ MORE: 15 potential USNTDP forward prospects from Select 15 Camp | 7 potential USNTDP defensemen prospects from Select 15 Camp
11. Colin Yandle
Cushing, 10/15/2009, D, right shot, 5-9/154
Hometown: Dorchester, Mass.
Yandle had a strong winter at Cushing with three goals and 17 points in 33 games. He’s especially hard-nosed in the defensive zone, but can just as easily create offense from the point. The biggest question with him for Division 1 teams will be how he grows and gets stronger to better suit his playing style in juniors and college.
12. Brodie Anderson
Masters Academy, 5/7/2010, D, left shot, 5-10/152
Hometown: Wayland, Mass.
Anderson is steady. The Cushing product had 11 points in 31 games this winter and has long been one of the better ‘10 defensemen in New England. He makes a great first pass and doesn’t shy away from succeeding at taking on bigger, stronger players in his own zone.
