North Andover, Mass. – The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) conducted its three All-Star games on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Merrimack College.
The USPHL 18U All-Star Game took place at the Gallant Arena, adjacent to Lawler Rink, the home of the Warriors. The 18U game was the closest contest of the three games and it featured several good prospects.
While the game was won by the American team in a shootout, the top prospects mostly resided on the National squad.
USPHL 18U All-Star Game: Top Prospects
1. Clark Kerner
#14 National, Skipjacks, 6/16/00, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-10/165
College Commit: UMass Lowell
Kerner was his usual self in this game. He’s a smart player who plays a solid game without a lot of flash. He created scoring chances in transit and in zone on the cycle. He made a really nice dink pass up the right wing wall for a good chance. He picked up the secondary assist on a Nicholas Seitz goal when he started the play in the neutral zone. He recovered a loose puck and quickly sent it across the ice to a teammate who then fed Seitz for the goal. Kerner is a good skater with a second gear. The Sioux City Musketeers own his USHL rights. He should be a very good player for the River Hawks in a few years.
2. Jack O’Leary
#8 National, PAL Islanders, 3/28/00, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-9/150
College Commit: Cornell
The Smithtown, N.Y., native is a small forward who combines speed, agility, vision and skill to be an offensive threat most shifts. He always keeps his feet moving and he supports the breakout. He has a really quick stick and above average hand-eye coordination. He’s a fun player to watch in the offensive zone.
3. Ryan Willet
#4 National, Jersey Hitmen, 7/27/00, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-10/165
Uncommitted
This was a very good performance for Willet, a native of Bayville, N.Y. He had two goals and two assists. He made a low to high pass from the right wing corner that caught this observer’s eye. He recovered pucks and supported pucks. His second goal was a thing of beauty as he was streaking in the left wing. He sniped a wrist shot right under the bar without breaking stride. He skates with his head up and was consistently looking to make plays.
4. Brayden Patricia
#3 National, Jersey Hitmen, 6/5/00, Forward, Shoots Right, 6-0/194
Uncommitted
Patricia is strong on his skate and generates a lot of shots on net, but doesn’t always finish. He is heavy on pucks and does a good job controlling play below the dots. He is certainly a player to watch. The Kitchener Rangers own his OHL rights.
5. Nicholas Seitz
#9 National, PAL Islanders, 1/18/00, Forward, Shoots Left, 6-0/165
College Commit: Princeton
Seitz drives the net with authority and scored a goal on a two-on-one. He has good size and an explosive stride. He has that extra gear to kick things up a notch when looking to gain separation from opposing defenders. The Chicago Steel drafted him in the sixth round of the 2016 USHL Phase I Draft.
6. Anthony Sciucco
#4 American, Junior Bruins, 12/1/99, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-10/165
Uncommitted
Sciucco has decent hands and created a few good chances for his team on the rush. He had a highlight reel toe drag going down the left wing for a chance. He was noted a few times in each period.
7. Trent Harsma
#7 National, Skipjacks, 4/26/00, Forward, Shoots Right, 5-10/160
Uncommitted
Harsma plays with pace, but sometimes is out of control. He scored a nice goal, tucking one in between the post and the goaltender’s pads before slamming into the end boards.
