American Hockey Draft Report: CSB 'A' Ratings

The NHL 's Central Scouting Bureau released their first "Players to Watch" list for the 2009 NHL Draft last week, and 23 American players received an 'A' rating, which the CSB defines as "A must see player who is predicted to be a potential First or Second Round Draft selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft". Here are the 16 players to receive that prestigious rating, and some more information about them.

Brian Dumoulin- Position: Defenseman Team: Jr. Monarach(EJHL) Height/Weight: 6'3" 193 lbs. College Commitment: Boston College

Dumoulin is one of the late risers of this year's draft group, but by the end, could be one of the highest rated players. He's flown under the radar by playing high school hockey in Maine, but made a name for himself over the summer at the National Select 17 Festival, and by playing for Team USA at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament. He's caught the attention of scouts because of his combination of prototypical NHL size, combined with the skating ability to play in the new, faster NHL. Next year, he'll join Boston College, who has a bit of a legacy when it comes to big, talented defenseman, from Brooks Orpik, to Nick Petrecki, to Tommy Cross.

Josh Birkholz- Position: Right Wing Team: Fargo Force(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'1" 182 lbs. College Commitment: Minnesota

Birkholz is a tremendously talented forward with all the physical tools to succeed at the collegiate, and eventually NHL level. With a few years of maturation, he could develop into an excellent power forward, that excels at driving hard to the net, and creating havoc with a quick, heavy shot. Birkholz will, however, have to overcome some questions about his attitude before a team commits a top draft pick to him.

Ryan Daugherty-Position: Right Wing Team: Omaha Lancers(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'2" 185 lbs. College Commitment: None

Daugherty, along with NTDP forward Chris Brown, represent a new wave of American-born talent that was born and raised--Tyler Myers, last year's 10th overall pick was born in Texas, but grew up in Canada-- in the Lone Star state. Daugherty played his youth hockey in Dallas, and now looks to be one of the top, young power forwards in the United States Hockey League. He currently has 3 points through 6 games this season. If he picks up his scoring pace a little bit, he could make a push for the first round of the draft.

Seth Helgeson-Position: Defenseman Team: Sioux City Musketeers(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'5" 220 lbs. College Commitment: Minnesota

Helgeson is a very big defenseman, with a very big shot to match. He's also an excellent skater, and not slowed down by his size. After a season adjusting to the competition and pace of the USHL last year, Helgeson is becoming more comfortable and starting to become a standout defenseman. There's been a defenseman from Minnesota drafted in the first round of every draft since 2003, and Helgeson could be one of the best candidates for that this year.

John Moore-Position: Defenseman Team: Chicago Steel(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'2" 189 lbs. College Commitment: Colorado College

Moore boasts prototypical NHL size, though he is known as much more of a finesse defenseman. He uses his intelligence and quickness of the ice to make plays rather than raw physicality. He's also an excellent quarterback of the Steel powerplay, with 4 of his 6 points so far coming via the man advantage. His play has been one of the reasons for Chicago's success this season. He'll be headed to Colorado College next season, which is known for producing dynamic offensive defenseman such as Tom Preissing, Brian Salcido, and Jack Hillen.

Nick Oliver-Position: Center Team: Fargo Force(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'3" 184 lbs. College Commitment: St. Cloud State

It's arguable that nobody has worked harder to put themselves in this position than Nick Oliver. Oliver has put in a ton of work in recent months to start preparing himself to play at the next level, including taking lots of skating lessons to improve the weakest area of his game. He also made the decision to play for the Force in the USHL, where he will play upwards of 60 games, as opposed to staying at Roseau High School and playing his hockey there. His game is better for the tight-checking USHL where he can excel at working along the boards, and picking up garbage goals in front of the net. There isn't a lot of flash to his game, but he's a tenacious worker that is always making his team better.

Phillip Samuelsson-Position: Defenseman Team: Chicago Steel(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'3" 198 lbs. College Commitment: None

Samuelsson's name should sound familiar to NHL fans, as he is the son of long-time NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson. Phillip played his youth hockey in Phoenix before making the move to the Steel this season. He plays a similar style of responsible defensive hockey as his father, but without the high PIM numbers. His skating isn't the best, but could develop over time.

Blake Thompson-Position: Defenseman Team: Sioux Falls Stampede(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'3" 210 lbs. College Commitment: None

Thompson made the choice to forego playing his senior year at Eden Prairie High School in Minnesota, where he would have shared the blueline with another 'A' rated prospect in Nick Leddy, to instead play more games against better competition in the USHL. Thompson has both the size and the skating ability to play whatever style of defense is necessary. He's made great strides over the past few months and has the potential to keep developing into a top notch player.

Mike Lee-Position: Goalie Team: Fargo Force(USHL) Height/Weight: 6'1" 185 lbs. College Commitment: St. Cloud State

Lee put up almost unfathomable numbers as a 10th and 11th grader for Roseau High School in Minnesota, playing in front of one of the strongest teams in the state. This year, he's facing a more difficult challenge playing in front of an expansion Fargo that has struggled this year. Lee has managed to hold up and put up respectable statistics despite facing a lot of shots every night. Lee was invited to tryout for the US Under-20 team this past summer, and is considered one of the better US goalie prospects in recent years.

Mac Bennett-Position: Defenseman Team: Hotchkiss Prep(Conn.) Height/Weight: 6'0" 170 lbs. College Commitment: Michigan(2010)

Bennett is a player that is flying under most people's radar playing for a Connecticut prep school, but may be one of the smoothest defesenman available in this year's draft. Bennett is incredibly calm with the puck even when under intense pressure, and rarely seems to make a mistake from the blueline. He's only an 11th grader this year, meaning he will have to wait another year before joining the Michigan blueline.

Chris Kreider-Position: Center Team: Phillips Andover Prep(Mass.) Height/Weight: 6'2" 201 lbs. College Commitment: Boston College(2010)

Kreider is considered one of the best prospects playing high school hockey in Massachusetts, and as he continues to learn the game, he should get even better. An excellent combination of size and skill should make him highly sought after by NHL teams. He's only a junior this year, meaning he'll likely join Boston College in 2010.

Zach Budish-Position: Right Wing Team: Edina High School(Minn.) Height/Weight: 6'3" 229 lbs. College Commitment: Minnesota

Budish shoudl be one of the most controversial players in this year's draft. He has first round talent, but tore his ACL in a high school football game--Budish is also an excellent linebacker-meaning he will miss the rest of the hockey season. Budish is a power forward that can score from just about anywhere in the offensive zone, but what seperates him from other power forwards is his tremendous passing ability. Will teams be willing to use a high pick on a player they haven't seen much of? He could end up being a real steal for some team.

Dan DeLisle-Position: Center Team: Totino-Grace High School(Minn.) Height/Weight: 6'4" 222 lbs. College Commitment: Minnesota-Duluth

DeLisle is a player that is starting to reach his potential at just the right time. He's always had excellent size, but over the past few months has started to develop the skating and coordination that it takes to really take advantage of that size. With Budish out for the year, DeLisle may be the most talented power forward in Minnesota High School Hockey.

Ben Hanowski-Position: Right Wing Team: Little Falls High School(Minn.) Height/Weight: 6'2" 198 lbs. College Commitment: St. Cloud State

Hanowski made the decision to stay at small Little Falls HS for his senior season, rather than moving on to the USHL, and now, has a chance to break some Minnesota High School scoring records. Hanowski has good size, but is much more of a scorer than a phyiscal player. He's got excellent hands and knack for putting the puck in the net.

Nick Leddy-Position: Defenseman Team: Eden Prairie High School(Minn.) Height/Weight: 5'11" 179 lbs. College Commitment: Minnesota

Leddy may be this year's version of Aaron Ness; a player that is silky smooth from the blueline that dominates over high school competition in Minnesota. Leddy may not have Ness' tremendous hockey sense, but he has better size and may be an even better skater. He has the ability to make an excellent powerplay quarterback some day.

Danny Mattson-Position: Center Team: Academy of Holy Angels(Minn.) Height/Weight: 5'10" 174 lbs. College Commitment: North Dakota

Mattson is one of the fastest, most offensively gifted players in this group. His size may move him down the draft board a little bit, but he has the potential to be an electrifying scorer at the next level.

Ryan Bourque-Position: Center Team: US National Development Program Height/Weight: 5'9" 163 lbs. College Commitment: New Hampshire

Bourque is a smaller forward, but makes up for it with quickness and good strength for his size. He has a wicked wrist shot that makes him a dangerous scoring threat.

Chris Brown-Position: Center Team: US National Development Program Height/Weight: 6'2" 191 lbs. College Commitment: Michigan

Brown has always been a big player with tremendous potential, but in recent months, he's starting to put that potential to use to become a devastating power forward. His offense has improved somewhat, but he'll make his biggest impact as a punishing physical player that can really throw his body around. He may not have the most upside, but has one of the best chances of being a solid NHL player.

Jeremy Morin-Position: Left Wing Team: US National Development Program Height/Weight 6'1 185 lbs.College Commitment: None

Morin may be the most gifted pure goal scorer the United States has produced in some time. He's always a threat to score, and should go early in the first round of the draft. Rumors of academic troubles have kept him from making a college commitment, and may force him to sign with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.

Kyle Palmieri-Position: Center Team: US National Development Program Height/Weight: 5'10" 191 lbs. College Commitment: Notre Dame

Palmieri has developed into an exceptional playmaker, and was one of the few draft eligible players invited to the US Under-20 tryout camp last summer. He has less than ideal size, but his skill more than makes up for it. He should be able to make plays and score points at just about any level.

Drew Shore-Position: Center Team: US National Development Program Height/Weight: 6'3" 190 lbs. College Commitment: Denver

Shore is a big forward that also has the ability to bring a lot to the offensive side of the game. He's an excellent stickhandler and passer for his size. He's one of the top scorers for the NTDP team and has a ton of potential.

William Wrenn-Position: Defenseman Team: US National Development Program Height/Weight: 6'1" 190 lbs. College Commitment: Denver

Wrenn isn't a flashy player, but plays a rugged, old school physical game. He's a classic stay-at-home defenseman that has a booming slap shot from the point.

Brandon Maxwell-Position: Goalie Team: US Natoinal Development Program Height/Weight: 6'0" 195 lbs. College Commitment: Boston College

Maxwell has emerged as the top goalie on the US NTDP team, and an excellent NHL prospect. Maxwell is a dual citizen that played hockey in Ontario before joining the US Development Program. He's got an excellent combination of size and athleticism that allows him to make a lot of saves that most goalies couldn't.